The woman moves an ancient lamp closer to the kitchen table, then, with a quick swish of cloth, wipes crumbs into her cupped hand. Light from the lamp pools around the man and child.
Shadow fills the corners and darkens pink roses on walls sagging from years of wear.
Shadow and light blanket each player, holding them separate and alone. The man loosens a starched white shirt at the collar. Skin, wet with sweat, glistens olive. A tooth flashes gold when he smiles at the woman. He studies the child, leans back in his chair, away from the center and with hands, swollen jointed, he flick cards across the red-checked cloth swish, swish, toward the woman and the child.