Boy, it seems just like yesterday Lori called me with the news that she had a son...now he’s all grown up & married. I’m sure she would be very proud. I know she loved Chris deeply & wanted a better life for him than she had.
Lori had a tough life. She went through so much - she was a tough kid. I always had a special place in my heart for Lori - kind of like a "there for the grace of God, go I" type of thing. She & I were out on the road at the same time (early 80s). At that time, Lori & I were considered by many to be the two top female action players in the country. Bucktooth wanted to stake me against her but the Detroit people didn't want to let her play anywhere but Detroit so the match never came off - even though Geri Titcomb offered her place as a neutral spot. So, we never gambled although we did play 3 times in tournaments. We always played for dinner - a real expensive dinner! When I won, I had lobster - when she won, she had rack of lamb! You would've thought we were playing for a million dollars! I won twice & she won once – each time was close as hell. Here’s the story of the first time we played each other. I'm sure everyone who was at the '84 McDermott Masters in Milwaukee will remember it! It became one of the classic stories of the day. Lori & I always laughed until we cried whenever we rehashed it - which was every time we saw each other.
Lori & I were on opposite ends of the bracket but as the tournament progressed, we were on a collision course & finally near the end of the tournament, our match was set. In those days, the ladies played races to 7. Anyone that wanted to bet on the match could get down – the line was pick ‘em. Since Detroit was relatively close to Milwaukee, she was pretty much on her home court & had a huge number of supporters there. This was the first major tournament I had played in since winning the ’80 World 9 Ball so I had more than a few of my own.
The match started & it was neck & neck. I reached the hill first – 6-5. I broke the balls, the 9 rocketed to the corner pocket but was stopped dead by another ball & was left hanging. The one was nearby – about 6 inches away – I had a clear shot to the 1-9 billiard. The match was over. My side was celebrating & Lori’s was sick when they saw the shot. I was ecstatic – it had been a tough match – each of us clawing & fighting to win & victory was mine! Also, to tell the truth – very relieved! There was a lot of money riding on the match - mine included.
I took a minute to let the crowd (& me) calm down & got down on the shot. Lori yells out, “Let’s get someone to watch the hit!” Everyone was stunned & then we all burst out laughing! I turned around to look at Lori & she was nearly crying she was laughing so hard. Meanwhile, here comes the tournament director, Red Jones, trying to get down off the dais. Red was one of the movers & shakers of the pool world – been around forever – maybe even the Greenleaf days. We all knew him well. So here comes Red – he had to be close to 100 – trying to get down without killing himself & dodders over to the table. I’m waiting patiently for him to get there – Lori’s just about on the floor laughing. Then I notice he’s got his eyeglasses in his hand – the lenses had to be about an inch thick! I know it’s a hanger but I don’t want someone who can hardly see calling the hit! I make the split second decision not to argue for someone else figuring that, with his experience, it will be so obvious even he’ll be able to see it. WRONG!!!
Red finally gets to the table & I show him the shot. He bends over, peers through his glasses & REACHES INTO THE BALL BOX & HOLDS ANOTHER BALL OVER THE SHOT TO SEE HOW IT HAD TO BE HIT!!! Now I really don’t want him to call the shot if he can’t see it’s an obvious hanger! It doesn’t matter how the one is hit – the nine is going in the hole! The nine’s dead!!! I said, “Red, what are you doing?” startling him & HE DROPS THE BALL ONTO MY DEAD NUTS 1-9 BILLIARD!!! I’m dumbfounded as I watch Red frantically trying to grab the balls as they’re scattering! My side is stunned & Lori’s sweators are celebrating – new life!!!
Red tried to put the balls back where they were but now it is a triple-tough shot. I studied the shot & decided I didn’t want to risk it. I saw a lock-up safety so that’s what I did. Lori attempted a fabulous four rail kick – comes close but doesn’t hit the one & I got ball-in-hand & sunk the final nine.
I turned around & extended my hand to Lori…she shook it but didn’t let go & pulled me close. She whispered in my ear, “When Red dropped that ball on your dead nuts carom, I peed my pants!” I looked down & saw the wet spot between her legs! We both lost it again - laughing hysterically. I gave her my sweater to wrap around her waist & we left the tournament arena together & off to our first dinner together. It was the beginning of a good friendship. I sure do miss her…
P.S. Whenever Red saw me after that, he’d apologize over & over again for ruining my dead nuts billiard! I used to tell him it was OK & ancient history - just stay FAR AWAY from my table! LMAO
Mary Kenniston
