Chance, A Short List of Things My Father Lost Gambling, The World of Ideas Summary and Analysis

In "Chance," Zippy plays a card game, gin, with her father, though she refuses some cards because she only wants "girl" cards. Zippy has an elaborate set of rules: diamonds are girls and clubs are boys, but threes are boys and sevens are boys but the seven of hearts was sweet enough to join her hand. Zippy's dad also refers to a rule book that only adults can read. Zippy cannot read at this point anyway. Zippy's father is not at work, but Zippy is also not in school. When the two finish their game (Zippy's dad wins), Zippy continues to sort the cards into the girl piles and boy piles.

In "A Short List...