d of lettuce, and a single, sad-looking tomato. That was it. Rent was due next

so lost in thought that she didn't notice the spaghe

om

ntly took the wooden spoon from her hand, his e

pot, his movements focused and efficient. Jenna leaned against the doorframe, a wa

right through it. He put his fork down and looke

money, aren'

uard. She managed a weak smile. "Don't you worr

have to be so tired all the time," he s

t. She reached across the table and stroked

e glow of his laptop screen. His mother's quiet desperation had solidified his resolve. He

ns he couldn't answer, questions that would lead her to a truth she wasn't ready for. The mon

n's firewalls as if they were made of paper. He scrolled through the records fo

ot was a little over ten million dollars. The ticket had been sold a

rf

er that morning. He watched as customers bought their tickets, his mind processing patterns. He settled on a regular customer, a homeless ma

of the homeless man's losing ticket in the lottery's database and reassign

and set it to execute.

dle of childish energy. "Let's

their way, they passed the convenience store. Mase suddenly st

can I

hand dipped inside and emerged a second later, clutching a crumpled, discarded l

We can't afford any

y strengthene

easures in his pocket. He pulled out a piece of string, a shiny rock, and th

asked, picking it up with

one must have dropped it.

ting out. "What if it's a winner? We c

It was a silly, hopeless fantasy, but it was harml

a little foolish, took the crumpled ticket from Mase and smoothed it ou

upted in a cacophony of cheerful, synthesized music

NS! WINNER OF

used to process the information. It had

music, the same flashing ligh

er. He took the ticket and scanned it at his

"Ma'am... you just wo

en down to the small, flimsy piece of paper in her hand. Her entire b