Cassie Tolhurst

ENGL-2250-002
Short Story
Checkmate

You could see summer seeping out from the grass, the pavement, the
children, and the sky. I tried to breathe it all in at once. I could feel it enveloping my
entire body, covering me in its thick smooth scent. While I had been appreciating
the season, my little brother slipped out from my sight.
Our local park was immense, and I had not usually strayed far from the
playground. The rest was covered in daunting trees and bushes that I thought could
be hiding some pervert, killer or rabid dog. My mom told me that it was just my
imagination running away from me again. Maybe she was right, but I dont mind
letting it run off occasionally.
I ventured into center of the park yelling out my brothers name. Emmet, I
yelled searching through the trees when a voice woke me from my investigation.
Well, well, well. Who do we have here?
I turned around startled, expecting a pervert or some kind of monster, but all
I found was a boy. Sitting at a worn chess table he looked at me smiling. He seemed
about my age with pale features dotted with freckles, teeth too big for his mouth,
and bright red hair.
Oh! I said, seriously startled. I didnt see you there. I glanced at the
weathered chess table. It was crowned with the whole royal set of pieces, made for
two people but with only one occupant. Sorry if I am interrupting, but have you
seen my little brother Emmet? He wandered off somewhere, and I cant find him
anywhere.
The boy shook his head. I honestly didnt think he wouldve seen him either,
the area wasnt very welcoming. A low hanging willow formed a canopy covering
the small lonely table.
Sorry to bother you. I cant stay. Have fun playing My words faded as a
looked at the unmoved chess pieces. I turned to leave but his words stopped me.
Why cant you stay?
My brother
Bet you fifty cents he is just fine, has some new friends to play with, and
would rather not be found by his overprotective sister.
Oh, I dont know.

His words brought a smile to my face, and something made me want to stay. I
didnt know if it was his mischievous eyes, safety pinned overalls, or the way the
sun glinted off the chess pieces, but I did know Emmett would be fine. My mother
always told me to watch over him, but I usually spent my time at the park
daydreaming instead. He always seemed to be the one watching over me,
eventhough I was 3 year his senior.
Come on, it will be fine. You have nowhere to go, and you obviously have no life.
Why not stay for a game of chess? He said almost challenging me, his eyes locking
with mine.
Ouch, I said laughing. Okay. What could it hurt?
I sat down across from him, the warm stone table glowed brightly in the sun. He
reached over and moved a pawn to its lonely spot towards the center of the table.
Countering his move and his devilishly endearing smile, I moved another piece and
grinned back.
I never got your name. the boy said breaking the silence and concentration.
Its Elenor. I said, not taking my eyes away from the plastic pieces. I know, I
know. Its an old woman name. Nobody calls me it anyways. They call me Elle for
short.
Elle? Short for Elenor? Sounds more like short for Elephant.
I moved my eyes from the game and up to his mocking face. My jaw slightly
dropped at his comment.
I cant believe you just said that
He winked at me, I couldnt help but smile, Lets just say, I prefer Elenor.
Our teasing small talk morphed to actual conversation and our game started
picking up stride as well. Our discussions were almost as scattered as my chess
strategy.
Dont laugh at me! Its the sad truth. I tried to get out through his unstopping
chuckles.
Well, want to know something else that is sad? He said stopping to catch his
breath.
What? The fact that you know my life story and I have yet to get your name? I
said realizing that I hadnt gotten around to asking.
No, the fact that its check mate
You have got to be kidding me! I laughed looking down and the pieces. He was
right. I had stepped right into his trap. I threw my arms up in surrender, and I
started to notice that the sunlight was dimming.

I stood up quickly. I hadnt realized that we had been playing for so long, the
sun was starting to set turning the sky a burnt shade of orange. I lost track of time!
I have to go. I began to make my way back to the playground area.
The boy simply said, If you insist.
I turned to wave a hurried goodbye and left running.
It was just a game of chess. A game of chess with a boy I didnt know, in the
middle of a big park. It was nothing special. I tried to forget about it, I kept telling
myself that it wasnt important in between doodles in my notebook and car rides to
tennis practice.
Despite all of my thoughts, somehow I ended up back at the park looking for
the lone stone chess table and the snarky boy who inhabited it. I reached the
draping willow, took a large breath and held it in my chest. I stepped around the
tree so the table came into view.
Empty.
I let the air out of my lungs slow and deliberately. I was right. It was only a
game of chess.
A voice from behind me made me jump, Elenor! What? You missed me too
much you just couldnt stay away?
I turned around surprised, it was him. I tried to suppress my large grin and
overwhelming sense of relief that was brought on by seeing him.
Dont be so full of yourself! I had nothing better to do, I said lying. Did you
know you are the only one besides my grandmother that calls me Elenor?
Why not call you Elenor? It is your name after all. He said as he sat on the
bench of the table, already placing the chess pieces that he hid away in his jacket
pocket.
I hope you know that I will beat you this time. I said sitting across from him
once again.
Ha! You couldnt beat anybody. You are terrible.
Am not! Dont lie; you just dont want to admit it.
Our conversation faded into the strategy of our own games. Pawn. Bishop.
Knight.
Elenor, Elenor, Elenor. I like it.
My name rolled off his tongue, it sounded almost lyrical, almost beautiful.
Summer gave way to fall, and fall bowed to winter. Hot chocolate with
marshmallows I said bundled up in my coat, fumbling with my queen because of
my oversized mitten.

Tropical Island he said, his breath puffing out in a white cloud.

Okay, yours beats mine. I would rather be on a tropical island.
I must admit, I do love the snow. Check mate. He said moving his piece cornering
my king. You are getting better, but you still need help.
Liar! Three weeks ago I almost beat you.
I let you almost win. Ya know, to build up your confidence. He said, Want to play
another game?
And I did. We played many more, game after game. I always lost, but that didnt
matter. Winter left and spring made its grand entrance filled with carpets of green
and the table was once again crowned with the old drooping willow. He was staring
intently at the pieces planning his next move, but I was staring at him planning
mine.
Guess what? I said smiling.
What? You are dating the quarter back? He said not looking up.
No I said flatly.
You finally passed 11th grade?
Very funny! I almost forgot to laugh. I said dryly, regaining my composure I said,
It is our 2 year anniversary.
Woah, woah, woah. Slow down there. He said looking up with his teasing smirk, I
didnt know we were in a relationship.
You are so immature sometimes. I said as I rolled my eyes, We have been coming
here every weekend and playing chess for two years. Can you believe that? I said
the last part beaming at him.
Wow. He said returning his attention to the game, We really dont have a life.
I let that one slide. And I let many more of his sarcastic comments slide, they begin
to slip faster and so did the years.
Elenor? he said looking up at me in the middle of his move.
Mmm hmm? I said analyzing my options of attack.
Can you- can we just keep coming here and playing chess forever? I barely heard
him say. I figured it was one of his jokes, but I could hear a hint of vulnerability in his
voice.
What?
Ahem. He cleared his throat, I mean, I just think it is very, um, educational.
How long have we been coming here anyways? I asked moving my pieces.

Seven, uh, I mean somewhere around there. I lost count.

I broke into a big grin, Seven years. What could happen that would change that?
Time answered that question. Years fell like leaves off of the old willow. I stepped
under the faithful willow, my hands clasping each other tightly whitening the
knuckles.
He looked at me from the table, very happy to see me. Elenor! You didnt show last
weekend. What happened? The last time you missed it was your grandmothers
funeral. Who died?
I shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to meet his gaze directly, No one died..
Well thats good. Sit down. Bet I can beat you in less than seven minutes! He said
dismissing my uneasiness.
I cant.I amwell, The words wouldnt come out no matter how hard I forced
them.
Spit it out already! I dont have all day. He said placing the chess pieces.
I am engaged. I blurted out.
The pawn he was holding he slowly let go and I watched it fall to the floor, his head
was positioned down so I couldnt read his expression. Suddenly he looked up with a
hollow grin, Thats great. Engaged ensmaged. You can still play chess, right? He
picked up another piece, this time the king.
I cant. Really, I am so sorry, but I just cant.
What do you mean you cant? Yes you can! he said clenching the king in his
hand.
Im moving.were moving to New York.
YouareYou have got to be kidding me. He said lowing himself down on the
bench.
I am so sorry. I cant stay. I am leaving tomorrow.
But Elenor. He said weakly as his last attempt. He reached for my hand.
I said I was sorry. I said turning away, hiding my tears.
I moved on. A stray movie quote, a phrase in a conversation would take me back to
the stone chess table under the willow tree and the boy that I never understood but
never wanted to forget. And I never did.
You can stop a lot of things. Life is not one of them. It had led me to happiness, joy,
frustration, helplessness, heartbreak and loss. Its a twisting and winding path into
the unknown. It led me many places, even right back to the beginning.

It has been thirty years since I stepped foot on that old park of my memories. There
was new equipment, new tree. But despite the passing of time it still retained its
charm.
I dont know what exactly made me go back there, maybe nostalgia, maybe
curiosity. I made my way to the area where I first met that strange boy and his
chess set. I stepped under the willow, there was a man sleeping there, his hat over
his face. I sat down on the bench. The memories came flooding back to me.
Wow. I have missed this place. I said to myself caught up I the flowing current of
nostalgia.
Elenor? A voice said behind me.
My back stiffened. I couldnt believe it.
Elenor? The voice said again.
My heart skipped a beat. It was him. He came and sat on the opposite bench.
Is that you? It is you! I was shocked. What are you doing here?
He answered simply, Dont you remember? We come here and play chess every
weekend. He assembled the chess pieces and we engaged in a long overdue
game.
That was so long ago. You still come here? I cant believe it. I looked at him and
smiled tears coming to my eyes. I had forgotten how much I missed this, missed
him. You know? You are still the only one that calls me Elenor.
I like that name. It fits you.
I never got your name. Can you believe that? All these years and I never knew
your-
Its Peter. He cut me off.
Peter? I like that name. It fits you. I looked into his eyes and smiled, he countered
with his small smirk and said,
Check mate.