I poke her in the ribs. “So you finally beat him, huh?”
“Told you I would.”
My hand finds her knee under the table. Her eyes lift as she folds her fingers around mine. I’m not sure what to say, so I mouth the words I know she doesn’t want to hear. I say them anyway.“Thank you.”
She doesn’t reply. Our gazes hold for a few more seconds and she squeezes my hand, then dips her head and focuses back on the game.
Artie beats Tom but loses to Cecil.
I lose to TomandCecil in the first twenty-minutes of play, but come close to beating Artie until I make an amateur move and lose my Queen.
Hannah wins every match.
Lydia pops in a little while later wearing a long flowing dress that swallows her whole. She’s too busy making the rounds and sparring with the guys to notice the concern in her daughter’s eyes. Hannah tucks it away, pasting on a weak smile when her mom swoops in for a hug.
I round up another chair, the six of us crowded around a tiny table as the chess matches continue.
Lydia and I don’t talk much, but there’s a softness in her gaze every time she looks at me. A gentle, lingering stare before a quick dash to Hannah and then back to me. I simply dip my chin in acknowledgment to everything unspoken.Thank youandtake care of hermet withyou’re welcomeandI will.
The games go on for hours, parsed with long stretches of light-hearted conversation, laughter, trips to the bar, and stories about Pops.
About the first time Hannah dragged him here practically kicking and screaming. How she did it again a few weeks later. Until he started showing up even on the weeks she couldn’t make it.
Stories of how the four guys found friendship in each other. They’re all widowers, know a thing or two about chess, think John Wayne hung the moon, hate their smartphones, enjoy a good highball of whiskey, and love their grandkids.
The story about the time Artie, Tom, and Cecil delivered pre-cutfirewood to the lake house after Pops mentioned the axe work was hurting his shoulder. How Pops thanked them by treating them all to an early bird special at Denny’s.
And, Hannah?
She’s the glue that brought the four of them together. The sun that holds them in her orbit with compassion, kindness, and a bright smile.
They love her, that much is obvious.
If we had more time, I think I could love her too.
28
an immaculate conception
Hannah
“What areyou kids up to tonight?” Mom asks as she rummages her purse for her keys.
The clouds from earlier have evaporated since dusk has moved in, making it an idyllic Colorado summer night.
Artie, Cecil, and Tom give us an over the shoulder wave before Rowan and I look at each other. We exchange a bemused shoulder shrug.
My gaze lands back on Mom and the dress that’s actively drowning her withering frame. She knows it doesn’t fit. But wasting money on a new wardrobe when she won’t be around next summer to enjoy it is pointless, she’s told me. I hate it here.
Rowan jostles my hand, a signal to check my expression. “Not sure,” he says.
I attempt a smile. “Where are you headed, Mom?”
“Ahhh, found ‘em,” she declares, revealing her keys. “I’ve got dinner plans with Richard.”
Right. Doctor Adelson; my mom’s…boyfriend? Or are they, like, casual?Gross.
“Okay, well, have fun.”Smile when you say it, Hannah.