It was the middle of January when I had learned to play almost all of the games Ace knew and at the same time, beat him at it. The ground was covered in a light blanket of snow and there was going to be a nor'easter next week, on my birthday.

I was walking to our usual place in the park (I walk through the park to get to school) and sit down at one of the chess tables. Children ran around and played in the snow while parents conversed happily. I remember feeling envious of those children. I used to be like them, but the people they loved the most were the same type of people that ruined my life. Muttering curses under my breath, I glance at my phone. I was cold, and Ace was late.

A few minutes later, I saw why.

Ace was practically dragging a man in a floral Hawaiian shirt and shorts by the arm with a huge grin on his face. The man was old, had a beer belly, and had similar hair to Einstein's. I wait until they get to the table to ask who the hell the man was.

"My uncle. He taught me everything I know. And I live with him."

I extend my hand towards the man. With a large smile on his face, the old man shakes my hand and introduces himself as a John Westerfield.

I glanced at Ace. Does everyone in his family have a strange surname?

"This man here," he claps his uncle on the shoulder, "Taught me everything I know. He's the Greenwich Village game Einstein."

I nodded. This man deserved my respect. Unlike George.

"My uncle also has information on almost everybody in the Village. If you want to know if your fiancé is cheating, you go to Einstein."

"Do you have information on a George Robinson? He's married to a Valerie Robinson."

Einstein thought for a moment. "George…a George Robinson…ah yes!"

His exclamation shocked me, but then I was excited. A triumphant feeling bubbled up inside me.

He looked at my face, then continued, "I can tell just by looking at you that you want dirt on this man. I am sorry to inform you that I have none. All I know is that he lives with his wife and step-daughter whom he doesn't know very well."

He looks me in the eye. "You're a very beautiful girl, Miss Kairi, but under that beauty lies a blackened heart. You cannot trick me with your kind words. They don't call me the Game Einstein for no reason."

I was slightly shocked at his change in personality, but then I found that it wasn't shock that I was feeling, it was intrigue. We didn't play any games today; we talked strategy instead. I realized that I really liked Einstein. He was a wise old man in a fun package.

It started snowing as the sun began to set. The sunset cast a beautiful array of orange, yellow, and pink against the clouds. Soon, they left, but I stayed seated a while longer.

The sun finally set.

I was in a good mood and I dreaded the thought of going home, so I didn't. Standing up, I pat down my long black mantle coat and decided to walk around the Village.

I was humming to myself when I saw George.

All of a sudden, my happiness evaporated, leaving a cold anger in its wake. Einstein was right. I do have a blackened heart. But I have every right to have one.

I stood still, and when George turned his head, he saw me. I made a mistake when I stopped walking; I should've ran. He was here to take me back and I didn't want to go back.

But, he was already here, and I couldn't run.

"Hey, where've you been kiddo? Mom and I were starting to get worried," he said with what to other people may have looked like a fatherly smile. He pat me on the head.

I recoiled under his touch. He took his hand back and kneeled down to my height as if I was a little girl. I scowled.

"Why do you hate me, Kairi?"

I glared down at him.

"Please answer me, Kairi."

I kept my mouth shut.

"Is it because of your father? I know he's dead and I know you miss him. Both my parents are dead. My father died from cancer at the age of seventy three and my mother died from old age at seventy eight. You see, we've been through the same thing. I want you to know you can always talk to me."

This caught me off guard for a second.

"You're my third father. And I hate you for many, many reasons. Nothing will change that. You've done so many things that you may or may not be aware of. And I will hold it against you no matter what. So, let me be. Let me live my fucking life, and you will live yours with my foster mother."

All of a sudden, he shot up. "Third father? Foster mother? You're not Valerie's biological daughter?"

He covered his face with his hands, then dropped them.

"Can you please explain this to me? I'm not sure I understand what you mean by what you said."

"My father, the one who died, was my foster father. And, my mom, my foster mom, can't have children. It's why they adopted me."

His face changed, he looked as if something made sense now. "That's why…"

"Why what?"

He looked at me as if he just remembered I was there.

"Nothing, dear."

"Don't call me that."

I turn around to continue my walk, but he grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going? Home is the other way."

My home is not your home.

"I'm going to a shop I've had my eye on," I lie.

"Well I'm coming then," he says.

"No," I say. "You're not."

I run to Einstein's shop.