She had left early, making sure there was plenty of time to get to the ice cream cafe. The walk helped to calm her nerves. She was a woman who was usually in control. After what happened to her over 30 years ago, she vowed never to let someone else determine her destiny. She would take charge of her own life and be a force to be reckoned with.
This was a meeting that might never have happened were it not for a game of chess. Two decades ago she had used her investigative skills to locate the son she gave up for adoption. Her information was available to him if he chose to go to the registry. He never opted to search for her so she remained silent even when a strange twist of fate brought them into close proximity. She secretly admired his work while taking every advantage to call him on the carpet and bring him to task. There mustn't be any favoritism on the job.
She had no plans to reveal her identity to him unless and until he indicated that he wanted to know. Like most secrets this one came to light inadvertently. It was a side effect or casualty of a murder inquiry. Hospital records were searched and the birth of James Hathaway was accidently disclosed.
After she found out that he knew the identity of his mother she waited to see if he would initiate contact. He never mentioned it, although he did start behaving differently towards her at times. She wondered if he would ever understand why she had to give him up. Finally after three years of not talking about it there was a breakthrough when she received a text message from him.
"Fancy a game of chess?" Please don't say no.
"Sure. I've been practicing but I'm not as clever as you."
Coincidently, both of them had to spell out the words in their text messages. Neither could bear to tinker with the English language and employ the usual texting abbreviations.
"One move per day, each." I don't want to shift the relationship along too quickly.
She had to ask.
"Why now?"
"I seem to be at a crossroads." Not for the first time.
She wanted to ask if she could help. Instead she just said "I see."
"Ladies first. You play white." This all started with you.
'f4' Her opening move was always intended for white to take control of black.
'g5' I've felt like a pawn most of my life.
She saw what he had done. "A gambit?"
"Sometimes sacrifices have to be made." Bad things can happen even when intentions are good.
Was it possible he really believed that?
The next day…
'Nc3' "The knights are my favorite pieces." She smiled at the mental image of the vaulting horse.
"Mine too, theoretical physics." I studied it at Cambridge.
"Wormholing." She knew the science he was referring to.
"Leaving 2D for 3D then back to 2D." She understands.
"The only piece that can jump over others."
"A unique privilege." There were many times I wished I could leave one universe for another and escape from my life.
'Bc5'
"A good bishop?" She pictured him as a thoughtful priest.
"Of course." I once thought I could be one.
The game continued with several textbook moves until James risked putting his queen in danger for possible control of the board.
"You're forfeiting your queen?"
"I want to see what it feels like to give up my most prized possession." It does not feel good.
A few days later, she realized she had to move, but any move was bad.
"You have put me in Zugzwang."
"Sorry." I mean it.
"It's okay, I've been here before."
'Kh1' She moved her king into potential danger.
"You're boxing yourself into a corner." She is retreating.
'Kh8' So am I. Double Jeopardy.
"As are you."
A few more futile moves each and James steered them into a draw. I want us both to be okay.
She wasn't fooled.
"You could have won."
"I wasn't playing to win." There are no winners here.
"Why then?"
"To get to know you." To get to know you as her.
"Did it help?"
"It was a start." There is still a long way to go.
She hesitated and then boldly suggested,
"Let's meet up."
There was no response from him for several minutes. Then finally,
"Check." I've wanted to and didn't know how to tell you.
They made arrangements to meet as mother and son at the ice cream cafe.
Gambit-A chess opening in which a player risks sacrificing a pawn with the hope of gaining an advantage.
Good Bishop-A bishop that has high mobility.
Zugzwang-A situation in which the obligation to make a move in one's turn is a serious, often decisive, disadvantage.
Draw-A completed chess game that has no winner.