December 4, 2018 – South Lake Tahoe, California

“That’s the best shot I’ll have all night.”

That’s what I say to Emma after sinking a stripe into a corner pocket. “Oh, yeah?” she replies as we look at each other and smile. She takes a drink of cheap beer du jour as I line up my next shot. This girl is dangerous. Should I feel lucky, or be worried?

Miss.

Emma’s turn. I take a swig of my beer and replay the events of Thanksgiving in my head.

Decide against traveling to Petaluma to see the family for the holiday. Receive invitation from housing managers to attend Thanksgiving dinner at employee housing; happily accept. Start drinking merlot from the winery in the afternoon. Deem it acceptable.

Emma is the kind of young woman that attracts attention at the Classic Cue. Especially since she can hold her own at billiards. She knocks in a solid, then another.

Scratch.

Attend dinner. Provide a few bottles of merlot for the table. Get to know the housing managers and their friends. Consume, consume, play Farkle. Things start to get foggy. Enter: Emma.

Her error gives me the opportunity to end the game. “Side pocket.” My stripe finds its home, followed by the eight ball. “Good game,” we tell each other as we shake hands. Emma then suggests that we have a seat and talk.

Emma sits next to me as the game continues. Immediately recognizing her beauty and not hesitating due to my decreased inhibitions, I introduce myself and converse with her. At some point, she admits that she is looking for a roommate. It’s just a futon in the living room, but her price is lower than here, and I would be sharing the space with just her, not a ton of other Kirkwood employees.

A very intriguing offer.

We sit and chat for awhile, getting to know each other a little better. We’ve only been roomies for a couple days, but things are going well thus far. She opens up and shares some personal information about herself and her current situation. She expresses her deep gratitude for being here and helping her.

The words feed my soul, providing me with a sense of service for the first time since I left my last host.

“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” – Kallam Anji Reddy