Yesterday was my buddy’s birthday. He was one of my best friends through grade and high school. I enjoyed going to his house, a 5-minute walk from mine, to play video games. He always had the best games.

One day, we were shooting hoops at “The Courts,” the local outdoor basketball courts, when we decided to play Around-the-World for money. He was a much better basketball player than me, who once shot the ball over the backboard in a high school CYO game.

We played several games, and after each loss, I’d offer, “Double or nothing?!” As the afternoon rolled on, the shellacking ceased when I was down approximately $20,000. Yikes! Stick to hockey, Sullivan. But I could not bail on my bets.

So, I presented him with a heavy sack when I saw him next.

“What the hell?” he asked.

“It’s a downpayment on my debt.”

My man could only shake his head as he counted nearly $20 in small coins.

Happy Birthday, Voner!