It was just a fun bet between his drinking buddies and him as they sat at the coffee shop, staring at the screen above and the football match playing on it. Jack had placed 10 dollars on one of the teams, the losing one. He liked an underdog, and win or lose, he was spending time with his friends on a Friday night. He'd walk away smiling regardless. That smile was wider than expected when that team had won.

It was just a night at the casino, he told his wife. He'd already limited his spending to just shy of 300 dollars in cold hard cash. No cards besides his bus pass and he'd promised not to borrow money. He was more there for the schmoozing and pretty lights anyway, a fun outing with those same friends to celebrate one of theirs' birthdays. Yet, the moment he picked up those damned cards, he felt a thrill. He'd already had a sip of victory from that silly sports bet ages ago, now he wanted the whole chalice. He bought his chips and picked up his hand.

It was just a small loan of 500 dollars, Jack argued. His wife was not impressed. The past few months had been a blur of cards, chips and cocktails, Jack barely recalling much beyond that save for the sting of his savings taking a nosedive. Not his friends, not his job, not his own family. Just the bitter taste of defeat and the excitement of the casino were left in his mind. The anger he felt when his wife said no translated into something physical.

It was the only thing he knew to do at this point. Click the button that sends in the cash, watch the phone screen and see the results. How long had it been since his wife kicked him out of the house? Months? Years? He couldn't even recall the casino anymore, not since he'd lacked enough cash for the entrance fee. Jack stared at his coffee, as though expecting it to talk to him. He saw the screen glow orange, and a minus symbol next to some numbers. The last of his money, down the drain. He had expected this, to an extent, but not the despair he'd feel when it did.

It was the only thing he could think of doing, dangling his legs as he sat on the bridge railing. Jack stared into the darkness of the sea, knowing if he dropped down, he wouldn't come back. That was probably better than whatever his life was now. All he had to do was push forward. Yet, he didn't. Not out of some epiphany, but because his body had no energy left to do so. He sighed and fell, not off the ledge but back onto the pavement, his eyes now on the starry sky. Jack picked himself up, walking away. Maybe that gambling addiction circle wasn't too bad an idea.

It was the only thing Jack knew he had to do. The time spent recovering from his old habits had been fruitful. No longer did he feel the pull to the casino or those gambling apps. His drinking buddies had followed suit, independently coming to similar realizations. The only gamble Jack wanted to do was this one. To apologize to those he hurt those most in his selfish phase. His odds of them even being willing to listen to him were abysmal. Yet, he wasn't afraid. He liked being an underdog. Whether or not they forgave him, he would walk away happy. As long as he tried to apologize. The door to his family's home opened.