The Draw

May 19, 2025 Webmaster

by Brett Katterns

There was an air of expectation as the whole family sat down to watch a movie at the Miller’s household on Saturday night. Mum, dad, and the three teenage children. It was Sophie’s choice this month, with “Secrets and Lies” as the anticipated watch.

“Sounds interesting.” said Mum.

“I wonder if it’s based on my life?” piped up Dad.

“You wish,” said Joshua, the youngest.

With Italian aromas of pizza wafting about the lounge the movie got underway. Sordid secrets and lies were exposed and coverups revealed as the taut film progressed.

Halfway through it was time for a tea/coffee so both mum and dad got the kettle and mugs ready while the kids changed channels. On their return up popped the dreaded lotto draw.

“Really!” said Dad.

Annemarie the oldest daughter suddenly disappeared and returned holding a lotto ticket aloft.

“Look what I bought this week. Maybe we will win.”

“Do you know the odds?” yelled Dad. “At least a million to one.”

Everyone laughed.

“And the first number for week 1073 is 6,” said the slinky, curvaceous TV host. Joshua was an impressable age, so he noticed as did dad of course being a full-blooded male. This earned him a dig in the ribs from mum.

“Hey, we have a 6 that’s a great start,” commented Annemarie.

Next a 25, followed by 17, then 23 and a 26.

The tension became palpable as the numbers kept matching their ticket.

“This is completely unreal.” said Dad as he now focused on the last 2 numbers.

“The last number is 3 and the bonus number is 32.

Moments later the host confirmed, “One winner only tonight.”

The whole family sat in front of the TV gobsmacked.

“No, no its not possible,” cried Mum, already thinking what she could do with the $3 million if it were true. A fancy new home in a posh area, a simmering red-hot Ferrari and a holiday to exotic places. Yes.

Rechecking confirmed that the numbers matched.

The rest of the film was watched in silence as the excitement levels of winning became unbearable. A Mount Vesuvius ready to explode.

“I’ll hide the ticket under the mattress and take it down to the local lotto agent first thing, tomorrow,” said Dad with a huge smirk covering his face.

Sleep was fitful that night.

Dad dressed so quickly the following morning that his socks didn’t match and he was wearing his son’s stained tee shirt when he arrived at the shop with the swagger of a gladiator. He didn’t care as he was now a millionaire.

“Good morning John, do you mind checking this for me?”

The the owner inserted the ticket then after a few moments said, ’Sorry no luck this week Dave.”

“How is that possible we checked all the numbers last night and it was the winning ticket?”

“These are the winning numbers from week 1073, this week’s 1074. A wrong number my friend. You have been really stitched up.”

“I’ll murder those friggen kids, Secrets and Lies indeed.”