The Lottery

She awoke to the sound of her alarm, just like every other day. Today, though, it didn’t feel as important. She hit the snooze button and rolled over, not wanting to face whatever the day had planned for her.

Several hours later, her phone rang. She climbed out of bed and answered it. Joseph Stalls was on the other end—a man she used to know, whose number she had never deleted. Wondering why he was calling after six years, she lifted the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Bay-Bee. I know I haven’t called in, like, forever, but something happened, and I thought of you first.”

“Oh? What happened that made you suddenly think of me?” she asked.

“Well, I bought a lottery ticket yesterday. I checked the numbers today… and I won,” he said proudly.

“Are you kidding me? Why would you think of me after winning the lottery?”

“Remember when you loaned me your last ten dollars?”

“Yes,” she said, recalling how she’d gone hungry that day.

“I remember too. I wanted to pay you back.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m doing alright.”

“But you could do better, right? I mean, you don’t live in a house, you don’t have a car, you don’t go out—ever. This could change your life.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I’m giving the entire amount to you.”

She sat down, stunned. He won the lottery and wanted to give it to her? What was the catch?

“Why would you do that? I only gave you ten dollars.”

“You gave me everything you had. I bet you went hungry that day too.”

She didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her mind spun as she tried to process what he was saying. Then another thought hit her.

“What if it’s not that much?” she asked. “How much are we talking about?”

“Twelve million dollars.”

She fainted. Completely out.

Joseph hung up, alarmed, and rushed to her apartment. He begged the superintendent to open the door. When they got inside, he gasped—she was sprawled on the floor, her phone still in her hand.

He shook her gently until her eyes fluttered open.

“Joseph?”

“Yeah, Bay-Bee. It’s me.” He pulled the ticket from his pocket and showed her before quickly tucking it away. “Come on, let’s cash this in. You’ll get at least five million. That’s good, right?”

“Yeah… that’s good. But why me?”

“I told you. You were kind to me when you didn’t have to be. I’m returning the favor.”

She shook her head.

“But there is a catch,” he added. “I want to marry you.”

“What? No—I mean… who would want to marry me? You’re rich. I’m nobody.”

“No,” he said, smiling, “you’re rich. I’m just doing alright.” He waved his wallet. “And I want you to be my wife. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”

“I… I don’t know.”

The next morning, she was walking downtown when a car began rolling toward her. Inside, a woman sat unconscious, her head tilted back, her foot pressed on the gas. The car picked up speed, heading straight for her.

She froze.

As she closed her eyes and braced for impact, someone grabbed her and threw her out of the way. The car sped past.

She hit the ground hard and opened her eyes.

Joseph lay in the street, unconscious.

“Someone call an ambulance! Hurry—he’s hurt!” she shouted.

A man nearby made the call and asked if she knew him.

“Yes,” she said, her voice shaking. “His name is Joseph Stalls. He’s my… my fiancé.”

If he was willing to give her everything—and save her life—she would be his forever.

When Joseph woke in the hospital, he couldn’t remember his name. He searched his wallet and found the ticket.

“I’m a millionaire?” he asked.

The nurse glanced at it and nodded. “Yes, it appears you’ve won the lottery. Congratulations.”

He smiled, but something felt off—like a missing piece he couldn’t quite name.

Bay-Bee entered the room and approached him carefully. “How are you feeling?”

He looked at her, confused. “I’m sorry… I don’t know who you are.”

Her heart dropped.

“I’m Bay-Bee,” she said softly. “I’m your friend. You asked me to marry you two days ago.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t remember you. And I won’t marry you.”

She nodded slowly, her chest tightening. “Okay.”

She left the room and sat in the hallway, tears spilling freely. She wasn’t mourning the money—she was mourning him.

“What am I going to do?” she whispered.

A nurse with a gentle expression approached and sat beside her.

“What’s wrong?”

She explained everything—Joseph, the accident, the proposal.

The nurse listened, then said kindly, “He just had a traumatic injury. His brain is swollen—that’s likely affecting his memory. Give him a few days.”

“Okay,” Bay-Bee said, holding onto that hope.

A few days later, she returned. She stood outside his room, afraid to go in.

Then she heard him.

“Where is she? I haven’t seen her in days. Where’s my Bay-Bee? Why isn’t she here?”

Her breath caught.

She rushed inside.

Joseph turned toward the door, his face lighting up. “Bay-Bee! There you are. I thought you forgot me.”

She laughed through tears. “No… I didn’t forget you. You forgot me.”

He winced. “Yeah… but I remember now. That’s what matters.”

She stepped closer, her voice trembling. “I wanted to tell you that day—I’ll marry you. When I thought you were dead… I realized I love you. I can’t live without you.”

He reached for her hand.

“I heard the driver had insurance,” he said lightly. “My hospital bills are covered.”

She shook her head, smiling. “That’s great. But you also have millions of dollars.”

“No,” he said gently. “You do.”

“I don’t want the money,” she said. “I only want you.”

He smiled, pulling her closer. “Then I don’t want it either, unless I have you. I’ll keep it—and marry you the second I get out of here.”

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

“I’d marry you right now,” she whispered, “if we could find someone to do it.”

The nurse paused at the doorway, one brow lifting as she looked between them.

“Are you two serious?” she asked, half amused, half curious.

Bay-Bee didn’t loosen her hold on Joseph. “Completely.”

Joseph grinned, still a little pale but very much himself again. “I nearly died, I forgot everything, and the only thing that felt wrong was not remembering her. Yeah… I’m serious.”

The nurse let out a soft chuckle. “Well, I’ve seen stranger things happen on this floor.” She tapped her badge lightly. “Give me ten minutes.”

Bay-Bee pulled back just enough to look at him. Her hands stayed on his shoulders, like she was afraid he might disappear again.

“You really remember everything?” she asked quietly.

Joseph nodded. “Yeah. The call. Your voice. You fainting.” He smirked a little. “You always did have a flair for drama.”

She huffed out a tearful laugh. “You told me you won twelve million dollars!”

“And I’d give it all up again,” he said, softer now, more serious. “Every cent, if it meant losing you.”

Her expression shifted—no hesitation now, no disbelief.

“Good,” she whispered. “Because I don’t want it.”

He blinked. “You don’t?”

“I mean,” she shrugged slightly, “I won’t complain if we’re comfortable. But I don’t want it if it comes before you.”

Joseph reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “Then I guess we’re going to have to figure out how to be rich and in love. Tough life.”

She smiled, resting her forehead against his.

“Think we can handle it?”

“Oh, absolutely,” he said. “We already survived worse.”

Just then, the nurse returned—with an older man in a simple coat, holding a small book.

“You weren’t joking,” the nurse said. “This is Chaplain Harris. He’s authorized.”

Joseph’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

Bay-Bee laughed, the sound light and real for the first time since the phone call days ago. “Nope. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

He squeezed her hands. “Best decision I ever made.”

The chaplain stepped forward, warm smile in place. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Joseph looked at Bay-Bee, something steady and certain settling in his expression.

“Right now,” he said.

And for once in her life, Bay-Bee didn’t hesitate.

“Right now,” she echoed.