C55 Gift

"Mom…" A sharp sting spread across his face, leaving Luke dazed and bewildered.

He could have easily sidestepped his mother's slap, yet he chose to bear it.

"Who put you up to this? Don't you realize that's gambling?" Luke's mother's voice was nearly a roar, her eyes, lined with crow's feet, quickly brimming with tears. She went on, "I've told you time and again, you're a student