I went inside the gas station to use the restroom and pay for my gas.

Ice cold refridgerated units hummed and displayed colas enticingly cool. I was down to my last five bucks, but I was really thirsty.

At the checkout lane, a line a mile long had formed full of bikers in leather, stringy haired couch potatoes in pajama pants needing smokes, and old people who pay for everything in cash.

The lottery ticket display was right at eye level. The games had catchy names. No one ever wins these things.

“Gas on pump 12,” I inform the cashier who looks at my soda and rings me up. “Anything else? Lotto jackpot is up to 200 million,” the cashier entices.

“Sure, give me a lotto ticket.” Why not? my last five bucks could be the start of my new fortune.

Saturday night I watched the news as the numbers flashed on the screen. They…all…matched! I double checked. Now way! I…I won!

I called my parents. I could hardly sleep I was so excited!

I called the lotto office Monday to claim my prize. This was really real!