Nice! I so identified with the whole thing. No, I’m not a time traveler. But, I used to be extremely poor and raising two kids solo. I was so poor that in lieu of buying lottery tickets I’d fantasize what I’d do with the money. Invariably, the fantasy always took a dark turn. Before I could collect the winnings, I’d lose the ticket, the kids would color all over it, it’d get thrown away, a friend would steal it, etc.. Throughout your story, I kept trying to anticipate the horrible thing that would dash the couple’s hopes. At one point I was certain the curry they threw in the air would damage the ticket! The time travel possibility was such an affirming twist. We all know no one really wins the big ones, right?

Great story. I feel so validated. Thanks!