A Last Game of Checkers

Father and Son are seated across each other at a bedside table

in a dimly lit room at the Apple Valley Nursing Home.

A checkerboard lies between them.

Red and black squares on the board match the

flannel shirt worn by the pensive Son.

Drab surroundings and spirits match

the atmosphere of the darkened room.

Relatives and friends awkwardly monitor the game.

A feisty, 90-year-old Grandfather tells observers to shut up!

After all, he is the captain of his game

just as he once was until he came to Apple Valley.

He beats his Son at their final game of checkers.

There is no glee and no next game to get even.

Soon, the tired, agitated Father lies on his bed.

When asked if he knows how old he is,

over and over he chants:

“Not long now, not long now.”

Christmas day came and went.

The old man’s frantic, early morning call

demanding that his Son come and take him home

was ignored by a troubled, loving family.

They had no choice.

He can never come home again.

All Christmas day brought him was a game of checkers

with his devoted Son who had traveled so many miles.

He came one last time to see his beloved Father.

Communicating the only way they knew,

Father and Son played a last game of checkers.

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