The Bright Red Chess Set
All family heirlooms carry their own stories. A chess set collecting dust in a pawn shop window hints of O. Henry in a story of young love.
I don't know when Dad learned to play chess, but apparently his skill was proficient enough to play against his commanding officer while stationed in Ajo, AZ during WWII. Not only was this against army regulations, the CO's wife didn't sanction it either.
"You're not supposed to fraternize with the enlisted men."
Nonetheless, the CO enjoyed a challenge and Dad knew his way around a chessboard. Dad knew a few tricks that outsmarted his opponents. At least that's what I wondered whenever he tutored me in the game; but why risk time in the brig hoodwinking the base commander? Maybe Dad was the only one on the base who dared play chess with the man.
At the time, Dad didn't own his own set. In fact, he and Mom breezed into Phoenix with little more than two suitcases and the thrill of being away from parental expectations. One evening, he and Mom spotted a chess set in a pawnshop window. Mom could feel him tremble as he salivated over the hand-carved pieces lined up on the board. Chinese-themed and bright red, they were quite unique and he wanted it desperately.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait until payday to get that board."
Mom remained silent. Money was always skin-tight while they were courting and that didn't change much after they joined the army. Mom would get a bit of money from Dad for household expenses, but it wasn't much. She managed to squirrel away a dollar now and then in her lingerie drawer, eventually saving enough for special things.
Dad couldn't wait until payday. Every evening on the way home, he would stop in front of that pawnshop, his heart throbbing with anticipation. Finally, payday arrived and he rushed to claim his prize.
It was gone!
All the pawnshop owner would say was, "Yeah, somebody came in that afternoon and bought it. Insisted on that set in the window." The man shrugged as if he couldn't understand why Dad was so upset. What's the big deal about a chess set?
Devastated, he dragged himself home. Yeah, the man was right. What was the big deal about a chess set. It would be HIS set, though. Something to show for his work and earnings other than a bunch of bill receipts. Even the purchase of a simple luxury, something that wasn’t food or clothing, would be a symbol of accomplishment.
He opened the front door. Mom greeted him with a hug and a strange smile on her face. Stepping aside, she revealed the secret behind her expression.
There on the coffee table, with each piece in its place, sat the bright red, hand-carved chess set.
When she told him how she managed to buy it, he realized he had attained a treasure far beyond a bright red chess set.
Oh, Sue, what a beautiful love story, so gorgeously expressed. ❤️
I really enjoyed reading this, Sue. Such a touching story and so well told!