The Immortal Game (11 page)

25

If he isn’t working, Lonny often finds himself at Mike’s Pastries in the late afternoon, an espresso and some sort of confection in front of him. The longer he waits, the tighter the fingers of worry squeeze his heart, until finally Christopher Scarlotti strolls by, his backpack stuffed, and more often than not, a dreamy, melancholic expression on his face. Lonny knows that look well, when you can’t decide whether it’s better to remember or forget
.

Usually, the boy waves at Lonny and Lonny waves back.

Sometimes, Christopher comes inside.

“Hi, Mr. Lonagan.”

“Haven’t I told you about a hundred times to call me Dylan?”

The boy smiles. “Yes, Mr. Lonagan.”

Today, Christopher hands Lonny a postcard, like he’ll do on occasion. Always from somewhere warm. This one is from California.

“How’s school, Christopher?”

“Okay.”

“Can I get you something? Gelato?”

“No thanks. I gotta head home.”

“Say hi to your dad.”

“Okay, Mr. Lonagan.”

Lonny gives him a sharp look but they both laugh, then Christopher leaves.

The postcard has a chess move on it, and a note:

Knight to Q6

Okay, you bastard, I’ll take your queen. Happy?

Lonny watches Christopher disappear down the street, another knight with no queen.

Mike Miner lives and writes in Connecticut. He is the author of
Prodigal Sons
(Full Dark City Press) and
Everything She Knows
(Solstice E-Books). His stories can be found in the anthologies
Protectors: Stories to Benefit PROTECT
and
Pulp Ink 2
as well as in places like
All Due Respect
,
Burnt Bridge
,
Narrative
,
PANK, The Flash Fiction Offensive, Shotgun Honey
and others.