Justin walked the few blocks from the bus stop to his mother’s house, slipping in quietly. “Mama?” he called, softly, as he was sure Ella was asleep by now. “In here, sweetheart.” Justin tiptoed into the living room and smiled at the sight of his daughter curled up on the couch, on hand tucked underneath her head, her arm wrapped around the stuffed kitten he’d given her on her second birthday. “How long has she been out?” “About an hour,” Lynn answered, smiling at her son. “She missed you.” “I missed her, too,” he said, collapsing onto the couch next to him mother. “How was work?” Justin hesitated for a split-second too long before answering, “Fine. Work.” “Justin, you should know by now that you can’t hide anything from me.” “What?” “Something happened at work tonight. Something great!” she gushed, squeezing his arm. “Tell me!” “Mama, nothing happened. Geez, is it such a crime for me to be in a good mood?” “No, Justin, it’s not. But you haven’t been in a good mood for three and a half years. Tonight you come in here, bouncing on the balls of your feet, and your eyes are just shining, honey. Who is he?” “Mother!” Justin groaned, covering his face with his hands. “No one. There isn’t anyone. I just had a nice conversation with a customer tonight, ok? Can we drop it now?” “Justin—“ “Shh, they’re announcing the lottery numbers.” “The volume isn’t even on. And why do you care?” He dug in his pocket, pulling out the ticket and smiling softly to himself, remembering how Josh had pressed it into his hand, insisting that he take it. “Where did you get that? You’ve never bought a lottery ticket before.” Justin smirked and shrugged, eyes glued to the TV. 5…21…26…19…28…42 Justin blinked once and looked at his ticket. 5…19…42…26…21…8 “Shit!” he exclaimed, pounding his fist on the coffee table. “Justin!” Lynn hissed. Justin scowled and folded his arms across his chest. “Justin, you didn’t actually think you were going to win, did you?” Lynn asked, unable to hide her giggle. “Jesus, Mama! How unlucky can I possible get! I have 5 out of the 6 numbers!” Lynn’s jaw dropped slightly. “What?” “Yeah, you’re telling me!” “Justin, let me see your ticket.” “Why?” “Justin!” Lynn insisted, reaching for the paper with a shaking hand. Justin frowned at her when her eyes brimmed with tears. “Justin,” she whispered. “Honey…oh my god…” “What, Mama? What’s wrong?” “Five…five…” “Mama? Seriously, mama, you’re scaring me here.” “Five hundred thousand dollars!” Lynn shrieked, shoving the ticket into Justin’s hand. “Justin baby, you just won…you just won five hundred thousand dollars!” Justin looked at his mother and blinked once, then twice, then three times, just to make sure he wasn’t imagining things. After blinking one last time, he realized that she was still there, clutching to his shirt with tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is going to change your life,” she whispered. ***** Justin woke up the next morning curled around his pillow, lottery ticket still clutched tightly in his hand. He opened his eyes, staring at the crumpled piece of paper in his palm. His ticket to Five. Hundred. Thousand. Dollars. His stomach jumped at the thought, and he closed his eyes again, almost wanting to pretend that the whole thing was a dream. “Daddy?” came a small voice from the doorway. “Are you ‘wake yet?” Justin smiled groggily and waved his daughter into the room. She climbed onto the bed and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her blonde head. “Morning, Ella Bella.” “Morning, Daddy. What’s wrong? Something happened last night, gramma was crying and you were too.” “Oh sweetheart. Nothing’s wrong,” Justin said quietly, rocking her back and forth. “Daddy and Gramma weren’t crying because they were sad, ok?” “Then why, Daddy?” “Something very exciting happened to Daddy last night, honey,” Justin told her, and he wondered to himself which exciting thing he was talking about. “Something very good, for both of us.” “Yeah?” “Yeah,” Justin laughed. “Daddy, do you have to work today?” “No, sweetheart, I don’t.” “Can we get a kitten?” Justin’s heart jumped in his chest, and he beamed down at his little girl. “Sure we can, honey. Sure we can.” ***** “I’m gonna call her Bella!” Ella shrieked, cradling a tiny white and grey kitten in her arms. The kitten mewed at her, and she giggled happily. “Thank you sooooo much, Daddy!” she said, puckering her lips. Justin laughed and leaned down, sticking his cheek out. Ella kissed him tenderly. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered, and Justin had to fight back tears. “Come on, sugar. Let’s stop by the coffee shop and show Lance your new pet.” “Yay!” Ella exclaimed. “Lance will just love her! I know it!” She skipped all the way, murmuring to Bella and kissing the top of the kitten’s head. Lance looked up when the bell above the door jingled. “Hey, Justin. Ella my dear,” Lance said, bowing. ”La-ance,” Ella giggled, blushing. “Look! Look what I got!” she said, thrusting the kitten forward. Lance raised an eyebrow at Justin, who just shrugged his shoulders. “Her name is Bella, and my daddy got her for me, and I love her so so much!” “She’s beautiful, Ella dear. Just like you,” Lance said with a wink. “See Daddy! I told you he’d love her!” She ran to the corner of the shop, climbing into a booth and setting the kitten on the table. “I thought you told her no pets?” “Yeah, well. What can I say. I’m a sucker for a pretty face.” Lance grinned. “You’re too easy, Timberlake.” “Yeah, yeah, tell me something I don’t know.” “How was work last night?” “Good, actually. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to ask you. Um…” Justin wrung his hands nervously. “You know that guy? The one that plays at Moody on Tuesdays?” “Yeah, JC. Amazing, man. You should go see him.” “Yeah. About that. Um…you know if he’s playing tomorrow?” Lance frowned, eyeing Justin suspiciously. “Ok, Timberlake. Spill. What’s with the sudden curiosity about JC?” Justin sighed, plopping onto a stool. “He was in here last night.” “You’re shitting me.” “Nope. He was my only customer, and we sat here and talked all night.” “Seriously?” “Yeah.” “Hmm.” “What? Is that weird? You know something I don’t know?” Lance paused, pursing his lips. “No. No, Justin, not at all. Anyway, to answer your question, yeah, he’s playing tomorrow. 8:00.” Justin nodded, picking at his fingernails. “Um…you wouldn’t by chance be able to like…work my shift, would you? So I could go?” Lance looked at Justin, trying to discover his intentions. But Justin was good at keeping a blank expression, and Lance gave up. “Sure man. Why the hell not. You need to get out more anyway.” Justin grinned. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it,” Justin said, clapping Lance on the back. “I owe you one.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Get out of here, and take that furball with you.” Justin laughed and called to Ella, who ran to his side quickly. “Ready, honey?” “Ready!” “Later, Lance. And thanks again.” “Bye, Justin,” Lance said. As soon as Justin was out the door, Lance picked up the phone. This one was just too good to keep secret.