From The Storyteller
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February 25, 2019 Odd
Standing 4ft from me with a smile on her face, she simply said, “Odd for 5”. It is a question, posed to me by an 80+ year old woman. With a nod of my head the bet was made. Elaine and I are sitting in the stands in Goliad TX on Race Day 36 years ago. Back then, Race Day in Goliad meant Quarter Horse racing. We watched as before each race “odd/even” betting took place between individuals, so that after three races I was mentally prepared for the woman’s question. Six horses at a time race down the quarter mile track. The horses are numbered 1 through six, and I had just bet $5.00 that one of the horses numbered 2, 4 or 6 would finish first. I figured we had a 50/50 chance to win, and the $5.00 bet made us part of the action. The race was about to start, and we watched as she walked back down the steps then over to the owner’s boxes by the finish line. Any thought of winning disappeared as I watch this frail, elderly woman gracefully settle into her seat, which just happened to be the first seat, in the front row, RIGHT AT THE FINISH LINE. I had just place a bet against the Grand Lady of Goliad’s quarter horse community. She must’ve picked us out of the crowd as the only ones who would take her bet. Yes, the first three horses to cross the finish line were 1, 3 and 5. Now for the great part. The lady won fair and square, and Elaine and I are still smiling about our thoughts that day as we watched her take her place at the finish line. Sometimes you simply know you’re outclassed. Moral: Surprise, losing $5.00, and smiling can all happen at the same time. |