New Game

Lew and Grady sat in the shade of a maple tree, a public chess table between them and sandwiches off to the side. This was a thrice weekly ritual the widowers had shared for many years. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am, except when it rained. Grady was acknowledged the better player, though Lew had quite a few victories to his name.

By 11:40, only one bite of Lew’s baloney on white remained, and it was looking like Grady would walk away today’s winner. But then Lew had an inspiration. A way he might snatch the prize from right under Grady’s nose. Carefully Lew studied the board, looking for any way his friend might escape the trap, and finding none. With studied deliberation, Lew moved his queen and said, “Check.”

The next moment, a large raven swooped down to the table, grabbed the last of Lew’s lunch and flew away. Lew burst out laughing.

“Even that crow knows I just pulled the rug out from under you, Grady.”

He laughed again watching Grady’s eyes grow wide in shock, and he shut his own watering eyes letting his head fall back. The sun was shining through his eyelids like a newborn star and he felt wonderful.

He thought he heard his friend chuckling, but then realized it wasn’t Grady. It was an oriole, his late wife’s, favorite singer. Head still back, Lew opened his eyes and there was the bright yellow bird on a branch just a few feet above. Smiling, Lew lifted his head. Across the table sat Betty. The chessboard was covered with a flowered tablecloth, and there was a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich in front of both of them.

Betty’s bright, young eyes sparkled as she said, “It’s a new game, Lew. Let’s get started.”