cards with Moe

Moe and I had never met
not even once
when we sat down for cards.

i cut the deck and Moe dealt
first.

it was back and forth
in silence
under all the laughter and
stories about grandparents
and children now mostly grown.

I won, with a wink and a grin.

I was surprised
or maybe just touched deeply
when Moe hugged me
and slid with a smile out into the
falling snow.

I was less surprised
when I went inside
and found my deck of cards
spades
clubs
diamonds

no hearts.