Hazel Raises the Stakes by M.Z. Andrews

Author:M.Z. Andrews [Andrews, M.Z.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-14T05:00:00+00:00

4

“Loni!” cried Hazel, her saggy eyes widening. “What in the world are you doing here? And what in the hell are you wearing?”

Loni patted her windblown wig and straightened the pink scarf across her face. “It’s my flying outfit.”

“You have a flying outfit?” She glanced down at Loni’s bag. “And why in the hell’d you bring your cat?!”

“Ed and I came to find you and take you home so the sex traffickers don’t get you.”

A grin covered Hazel’s weathered face. “Sex traffickers? Who in Hades would want to traffic me for sex? I mean, I know I’ve got a killer figure and all, but…”

Loni gestured towards Ed. “Ed told me all about it! There was a thing on the news.”

Hazel shrugged. “I don’t know anything about sex traffickers stealing old women, but that’s not going to stop me from going to that poker tournament.”

“You’re not serious, Hazel. You can’t go to Las Vegas! Gwynnie would pitch a fit!”

Hazel’s gaze hardened. She stabbed a thumb into her chest. “I’m the mother here, and she can’t boss me around!”

Loni pulled a small flip cell phone from her bag and began to dial. “Fine, then you won’t care if I call Gwyn and—”

Hazel reached out, grabbed the phone from Loni’s hands and snapped it shut. “Let’s not be hasty here,” she interjected.

Loni frowned at Hazel before stomping her foot down on the ground. “Hazel Prescott, we’re going home right now!”

“Yolanda Hodges, you and Mr. Ed are welcome to go home, but I’m going to Vegas, and you’re not stopping me.” Hazel’s voice rose as she enunciated her last four words.

Loni looked around as the line inched forward. She had no idea how to stop Hazel. “How’d you get here anyway?”

“I took an Uber.”

“An Uber? What’s an Uber?”

“You know, like a taxi. But you can sit in the front seat.”

Ed groaned. “Well, that definitely beats flying on a broomstick.”

Loni curled her lip. “How’d you get one of those?”

Hazel held up her phone and pointed to the screen. “I have the app.”

“What’s an app?”

Hazel narrowed her eyes and wrinkled up her nose. “You really don’t get out much, do you?”

Loni shook her head.

The line moved forward as the family of three moved to the next available agent. “Listen, Loni. The only thing I’ve ever wanted to do in my entire life is to go to Las Vegas for the World Championship of Poker. Gwyn never leaves me alone for the weekend. And of all weekends she chose this one. It was meant to be. The next time Gwyn lets me out of her eyesight will be when I’m pushing up daisies from six feet under. Don’t you want to help an old woman out with her final wishes?”

Loni swallowed hard. “Final wishes?”

Hazel nodded as a ticketing agent waved her forward. “It’s now or never, Loni.”

Loni didn’t know what to say as Hazel approached the counter, but before she could say anything, Hazel unzipped her pillow and removed a wad of cash. Loni’s eyes widened to the size of half-dollars.

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