Hardscrabble

While not my usual blogging here, I can’t resist mentioning today’s trouble.

Most nights we play Scrabble, using the game that my parents had since I was an infant. Likely they never expected it to last this long or to go so far; I’m sure they’re both pleased.

Pecos and I play close, each only a point or two ahead of the other and it always comes down to the last play or two to determine who wins. We are evenly matched. While this man often can’t remember what day it is or retain constantly-repeated, basic words in Spanish, he has an uncanny ability to pull obscure words from deep within.

Today was our planned championship game. Throughout it I lagged behind a constant three to five points. As it was getting down to the wire I was sweating it. But there it was – my opening, unnoticed by Pecos! I quickly put down my Q on a double letter to spell ‘quilts’ on a triple-word play for a hefty 72-points in one move!

On our very last turns – with me still far in the lead – I noticed that a word of Peco’s laid down two plays before ‘quilts’ had been misspelled. Neither of us had seen it. We tried to un-do our plays to get back to where we had been, to no avail.

Pecos conceded this game in the sense of ‘it was a wash’ and says we still need the championship play-off. I say, No, Pecos, this was no wash – I won the championship with my score exceeding 300 and it was Today. I racked up 72 points in one play, buddy, and I’m keeping them.

If I’m wrong, don’t tell me. 