“If you’re feeling down, just wear red,” Miss Carla often said.

As Linda walked into the room, she spotted Miss Carla right away at the bingo tables, wearing her signature color and hovering over her bingo card in anticipation as she alternately eyed her opponent across the table and glanced at the activities coordinator who was selecting the next number.

“Hi, Miss Carla,” Linda said, giving her a quick hug around her shoulders.

“Hello, Linda dear,” Miss Carla spared a second to squeeze Linda’s hand on her shoulder before returning to business.

Plastic tokens tapped into place as the next number was announced, and Linda leaned in next to Miss Carla to examine her options.  Miss Carla spied the latest number on her card and slapped a bingo chip on it as if it would disappear if she didn’t nail it fast enough.

Miss Carla placed an anticipatory finger on the last number she’d need to get a bingo and looked up with anticipation at the announcer.

“872.”

Whap.

“Bingo!” Miss Carla crowed, and there was a smattering of clapping and groans from the other players.

“Are you going to take your winnings, Carla?” the player across from her inquired hopefully.  “You know, gambling isn’t good, so you probably shouldn’t take the money.  You know, as a Christian and all that.”

Miss Carla’s eyes glinted as she said, “Of course I’m taking my winnings!  I’m going to give it to my church.”

“Here,” she turned to Linda as the staff member came up with her champion’s purse of change.  “Take this and put it in the church offering plate on Sunday for me, will you?”

Linda laughed and tucked the winnings away in her purse, “All right, Miss Carla.  I’ll make sure to do that for you.”

Meanwhile, the man across the table looked a bit deflated as Miss Carla moved right along to her next bingo card.  Her look of triumph indicated she’d won more than just a round of bingo, and he knew it too.