It was midafternoon when Spencer heard knocking on his door. He placed the bookmark in his book and got up to answer it. He had his suspicions that it was someone from work, but he was surprised to open the door and find Lizzie looking up at him.

She didn't smile much he had noticed. Her eyes were heavy with a sadness he could relate to. He gave her a small smile and a wave.

(L) What are you doing?

(S) Reading.

(L) What are you reading?

Spencer had no idea how to sign the title to her. He waved her in, leaving the door open and walked to the couch. He lifted the book and showed her. Her nose scrunched in disapproval. He was reading The Magical Mathematics of Quantum Physics.

(L) Are you in school?

(S) No, I just like reading things like that occasionally.

She stuck her little tongue out and made a face.

(L) Boring.

(S) What do you like to read?

(L) Anything fun. Not boring stuff like that.

Spencer laughed. It was the first time he had done that since before … she had passed. He couldn't even bring himself to say her name.

(L) Why are you so sad?

Spencer looked at her with a frown and a furrowed brow.

(S) What makes you think I'm sad?

(L) Your eyes. They are very sad.

Spencer saw the pain in her reply. He knew that she had suffered something in her young life that robbed her of being a typical child. He watched as she wandered over to his bookshelves and browsed the rows of books.

She reached out and grabbed one book, holding it out for him with questioning eyes. It was The Little Engine that Could. Spencer smiled, realizing her confusion.

(S) I have a godson, Henry.

(L) How old is he?

(S) He's five. How old are you?

(L) Nine. Can I play with him sometime?

(S) I don't see why not.

"Lizzie?"

Spencer turned toward the open door, when he heard Jade calling. She awkwardly peeked into Spencer's apartment.

"I'm so sorry to look in your home like this. Is Lizzie in there?"

Spencer nodded and pointed to the bookcases. Jade took that as an invitation and cautiously stepped into the apartment. She immediately spotted Lizzie looking through a book. She walked into Lizzie's line of vision and got her attention. The young girl looked up.

(J) How many times do I have to tell you not to disappear like that! You can't just walk out of the house without letting me know!

Though Jade was being stern, her body language and eyes showed her real emotion was fear.

(L) Sorry. I wanted to visit Spencer.

(J) I don't care! Next time tell me! Besides the fact, that you are intruding on Spencer's free time.

(L) I am not intruding! He let me in! Didn't you?

"I did and I don't mind. She just wanted someone to talk to."

(L) See!

"Ok, well, all the same, please let me know when you are going to visit Spencer."

(L) Ok. Spencer has a godson named Henry. He said we can play together someday.

"That's nice but remember that Henry may have a hard time adjusting to your condition."

(L) I can teach him … and Spencer is super smart, so he can teach him too.

Jade casted a small smile to Spencer.

"I'm sure he could. It sounds like a great idea," Jade said. "Now, I think we've taken up enough of Spencer's time. Why don't you come back to the house and play a game with me and Nana?"

(L) No! I don't want to!

"I really don't mind her being here if you don't mind. She isn't a bother," Spencer said softly.

Jade eyed him as she tried to decide if he was being truthful or just polite. Finally, she sighed and nodded.

"Ok, but please send her home as soon as you are ready for alone time. Don't feel obligated -"

Spencer nodded as Lizzie clapped. Once Jade said goodbye and walked away, he got Lizzie's attention.

(S) Do you know how to play chess?

(xxxxx)

It had been a couple hours since Jade had left. Lizzie sat across from Spencer staring at the checkered board. Her legs swung gently as they didn't touch the ground. Her pointer finger tapped absentmindedly on her lips. She started to reach for the rook, but Spencer shook his head. She paused and then looked at the board again. She hesitantly reached for the bishop. A little smile tugged at Spencer's face as he gave a slight nod.

(L) Check.

Spencer moved his piece.

(S) Check.

Lizzie was concentrating hard on the board when there came a knock at the door. Spencer got out of his chair, but she didn't take her eyes from the game. She didn't look up to greet Jade, but Lizzie knew she was standing behind her.

Lizzie started to move her bishop, when Jade touched her hand, stopping her. She looked to Jade.

(J) Move the Queen. He nearly has you at checkmate.

Lizzie looked back at the board and lifted her Queen. Jade reached down and gently laid her hand on Lizzie's, guiding her to the correct square.

"Check."

Spencer looked up at her stunned.

"You play?"

"Used to. I was pretty good too," she grinned.

Lizzie bounced happily in her chair, figuring she had an actual chance to win now. Spencer looked at the board and moved his piece.

"Check."

Jade leaned over Lizzie and took her turn.

"Check."

"Check."

"Check."

"Checkmate," Spencer said with a big grin.

Lizzie let out a loud whine.

(L) You made me lose!

"You were close though," Spencer said. "The more you play, the better you will be."

Lizzie stuck her tongue out and made raspberries. Spencer and Jade both laughed.

(J) Come on little one. It's time for dinner.

(L) Can Spencer come?

Jade looked awkwardly toward Spencer.

"Uhh, I don't know if he would want to," she started. "You are, of course, welcome if you'd like."

Lizzie jumped from her seat. Her hands folded together as she begged him with her eyes. He looked to Jade as they both giggled at the uncomfortable moment.

"I suppose it would be alright," he said.

Lizzie jumped up and down as she ran to his side and wrapped her arms around him. He immediately tensed and she felt it. She quickly backed away. The joy in her eyes was completely gone.

(L) I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

(S) It's ok. I just wasn't expecting it.

(L) Do you still want to come to my house? I promise I won't hug you again.

Spencer smiled at her and nodded.

(xxxxx)

Nana had long since eaten and gone to bed. Most of the dinner she just sat in blissful silence eating. When they were all finished, Lizzie cleared the table and started on the dishes without being asked. He was impressed by this as he knew most children whined about having to do any type of chore.

"She's a good kid," Spencer said before taking a sip of his water.

"She is something special," Jade sighed with a smile.

"If you don't mind me asking, where is her father?"

Jade's face dropped as she played with the condensation on her glass.

"He passed away when Lizzie was a baby."

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said.

"It's ok. We've learned to adapt," she replied.

"Was Lizzie … did she …" Spencer tried to figure out how he wanted to ask the question.

"When she was four, she was in an accident. Destroyed her hearing. It was a very scary time for her. She had to relearn the world," Jade said as her eyes grew cloudy.

"She's very strong. She must've learned that from you," he said.

"Maybe. Some days I worry that I'm not giving her enough that she needs. That I'm holding her back," she said as she wiped a stray tear.

"She is clearly loved and very smart. She has a roof over head and food on the table. She knows you are doing everything you can to give her a good life."

"I know. I just … I want the best for her and it's not easy giving her the life I want to."

Just then Lizzie came back into the room and tapped Spencer on the shoulder. He turned around to see her hiding something in her hand. Slowly she opened it up and he saw a silver wrapped Hershey Kiss. He took it from her palm and smiled.

(L) It's for you. A kiss from me to you as a thank you for teaching me how to play chess.

(S) Thank you, Lizzie. This is kind of you.

(L) Do you think that maybe tomorrow I could meet Henry?

(S) I don't know. I'll see what I can do.

(J) Go get in the shower. It's almost bedtime.

(L) But Spencer's still here.

(S) It's ok, I'm going to head home for the night. You need to get some rest.

Her face dropped and her shoulders slumped. Jade stood up and Spencer followed suit.

"Thank you for dinner. It was delicious."

"Oh, thanks, it was nothing. Thank you for entertaining her today."

"It was my pleasure. I'll see you around. Goodnight Lizzie. Sleep well."

(L) Goodnight Spencer. Thank you for playing with me today and teaching me chess.

(S) You're welcome.

Spencer opened the door, waved goodbye one more time before leaving. Jade reached out and locked the door to the apartment. She turned to find Lizzie looking at her.

(J) What?

(L) Nothing.

(J) Uh uh, what's going through that little brain of yours?

(L) He's kinda cute … ya know for an old guy.

(J) *laughed* He's probably a few years older than me.

Lizzie had a grin on her face.

(J) No, don't go there. He's just a nice guy who happens to be our neighbor.

Lizzie started making kissy faces.

(J) Go take a shower, you dork! And wash your feet good. They smell like a dumpster.

Lizzie rolled her eyes but ran off down the hallway to get cleaned up. Jade sighed as she thought about how nice Spencer truly was and truthfully, he was adorable. In another world, maybe there could be something more. But in this world, in reality, they couldn't.