The Sicilian Defense

Ch. 2

The fresh smell of eggs and coffee filled Benny's apartment, waking him up. Sitting up in his bed, he noticed the girl had left. Reaching for his forehead, he felt a massive pang and winced.

I forgot how awful hungovers are...

He sat in bed for a couple of minutes before grabbing some Advil to lessen the headache. He felt like absolute dog shit. Throwing on a t-shirt he went inside the kitchen to see where the smell was coming from.

"Merry Christmas!" The blonde hadn't left.

But at least she made breakfast... Damn, how long do these hangovers last? For crying out loud.

"Merry Christmas," Benny mumbled, the hangover was something he had forgot about and hadn't had in awhile. Even though he initially wanted company, he was ready for the blonde to leave so he could be alone and sleep... then play some chess.

"I made some eggs and coffee," She beamed, passing him a plate filled with scrambled eggs. Benny picked at them, not particularly in the mood to eat. She was wearing one of his shirts and the more he looked at her in the light of day, the more he realized how unattractive she really was. The alcohol and night definitely made her more appealing than now. Once they had both finished the breakfast, she started to get up and throw on her own clothes, noticing his cold demeanor towards her. Out of nowhere, there was a loud thud.

"OWW! Shit! What is that?" The girl tripped over a rather large square wooden thing with sharp pieces on it.

"It's chess," Benny turned towards her with no sympathy. "You play?"

"No," She noticed him taking a now slight interest in her. "But I- I can play checkers!" She remained hopeful. Benny rolled his eyes and turned back around, facing the kitchen. Her words just seemed to make him dislike her more.

After dawdling for what seemed like an eternity to Benny, she finally left with all her clothes on. Benny didn't give her his number and neither did she. Last night had been more of an exchange, nothing more. Besides, it was Christmas Day and Benny couldn't help but feel he was missing out on the holiday. Maybe he would call Beth later and ask how her holiday was going. She had decided to spend Christmas with Townes in Paris. Benny knew it would cost him a little, making an international phone call, but he didn't care about that. He headed back to his room and collapsed on his bed, dreaming of a better Christmas.

---

"Cheers!" Beth and Townes clinked their bubbly champagne filled glasses and toasted to the holidays. They were eating dinner at one of the fancy five star restaurants that had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. It had been a year, but Beth still fancied Townes and her school girl crush from years past hadn't diminished.

"I just wanted to say," Townes started. "that you are incredible and I wouldn't want to spend Christmas with anyone else." Beth blushed at his words, her face turning almost the color of her crimson hair. Biting her lip, she couldn't hold back the smile that encapsulated her face.

"Me too." She lifted the glass to her lips. It was just as bubbly as Townes glass, yet there was a discoloration. It wasn't actually champagne, that would make for a complete and utter disaster. She couldn't relapse, not now at least. It had been over a year, clean and sober was the new Beth Harmon. With the help of her friends and rehab, she didn't fall back into her addiction as expected and spent the year traveling and competing.

Chess tournament after tournament. Win after win. It was becoming routine for her to succeed. And in the rare scenario she would lose, she'd study that game as if it were the Bible. She hadn't had much time to spend just enjoying the game and company. She felt certainly in love with Townes. His dazzling smile and soft deep voice gave her butterflies in her stomach, even after all these years. He reached out for her hand and squeezed it tight, almost as if to say, "I got you". The carefree easiness they shared in each moment passing made Beth feel safe and secure.