8

BPOV

Lucky Duck

The white and gray one-story building isn't what I expected when I pictured the lottery office. I guess, in retrospect, they don't want to stick out too much.

Naturally, l arrive an hour early and sit in the parking lot, watching the door. A couple of people have come and gone. They sport wide smiles, so I'm sure they hit big. I wonder if one of them is the other Powerball winner.

I wish I'd thought to bring my iPad, but I was so nervous about getting here on time I scrambled and forgot it.

As the minutes tick by, people watching gets boring, so I make sure I have all the documentation they told me to bring. It's in a folder in my bag, but I still keep checking.

I wait until fifteen 'til to gather my belongings and lock up the car. As I make my way up the sidewalk, the door opens, and a very handsome, very serious-looking man comes strutting out.

His phone rings, and he doesn't give me a second glance but holds the door open for me.

"Thank you," I mumble with a shy smile, but he's already answered his phone and walked away.

The inside of the building is also surprising. It looks like a bank. Cashiers and glass partitions separate them from us.

"Welcome to the lottery office," a woman in one of the windows greets. "How can I help you?"

I stumble through my explanation, nerves getting the best of me. "I have a ten o'clock appointment with ..." I check my notes. "Victoria. I know I'm a little early. I can wait."

She taps away at her keyboard and turns to me with a big grin. "She just finished with her nine o'clock, so the wait shouldn't be that long."

"Thank you."

I take my seat and turn my phone on silent, even though no one has my new number. I'd hate for my meeting to get interrupted by a call about my car's extended warranty.

It doesn't take Victoria long to come out and fetch me. Her wild, fiery-red hair and big blue eyes remind me of the Disney character Merida.

"Isabella Swan." She thrusts her hand out for me to shake. "I'm Victoria Hunter. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

I take a seat across from her, and she asks me for all of my documents, pouring over them and scanning things into her computer.

"Just out of curiosity, did you pick your numbers or were they computer generated?"

"I chose them myself. I'd never played before. "

Her eyes widen. "Well, aren't you a lucky duck?"

I blush and fidget with the frayed strap of my bag.

"Have you given any thought to whether or not you wish to remain anonymous?"

"Not really."

"You have time to decide either way. We hold a ceremony for big winners such as yourself. There will be a photo op with a giant check and a news conference."

"Is the other winner going to be there?"

"Both of you will be present. If you decide to remain anonymous, they'll blur your face out. Processing takes fifteen days, so you have plenty of time to think about it."

Nodding, I take back all of my paperwork.

"l know this might feel overwhelming. But we have a few more things to go over. Are you taking the lump sum or annuity payments?"

"Annuity."

Victoria nods. "Smart girl. We'll be in touch with you soon, but until then, lie low. Don't do anything reckless and keep this to yourself until the ceremony."

"l will. Thank you."

I leave the office with my head in the clouds. Before she walked me to the door, Victoria showed me what my first payment would be, and I almost threw up.

Is this real life?