It was the summer that changed my life forever. I was 6 years old. Rambunctious, young, full of piss and vinegar, observant, and highly manipulative.

The location? Riverside Downs. The teller? Some obese, slack-jawed blue hair who never made eye contact with the patrons.

The wager? $2 win on some pos trotter.

The result? DFL.

The reaction? GFY, so and so driver.

Some things never change.