Stalemate // The Queens Gambit //Benny Watts x OC

Ten: Distractions

The day after Benny left, Leo called back. I answered groggily after pulling myself out of bed.

"Hello Adelaide, it's Leo again. How are you doing?" At first my foggy brain could barely understand him through his strange accent, but once I did I snapped awake.

"Hi Leo. Um.. I could be better. How are you doing?"

"Of course. I believe I'm doing as well as I can be. I'm calling about the arrangements for your mother's, how you say eh.. transportaciòn."

It took me a minute to respond, a lump forming in my throat at the thought of her transportation and everything that it led to. "Yes, right. Well see, I'm a bit low on cash at the moment, and I'm guessing it isn't cheap to fly a... body... across the ocean." I gulped, my voice cracking on the word body. It took everything I had not to throw up. "Is there any way you could help me out?"

"Ah, I see. Of course I will do anything to help, but I must inform you, I am not a wealthy man. I will be able to pay for the flight and such but I'm afraid you will have to pay for the funeral. I'm very sorry."

"No, that's alright, I understand, thank you. Will you be flying here too? For you know. The funeral."

"Yes. I will make the arrangements and most likely be there in a day or so. Does that sound alright?"

"Yes, perfect. Let me know when you get here, and thank you again Leo. I can see why my mother was so fond of you.."

"Thank you mademoiselle, I can also see why she was so fond of you. She talked of you constantly."

I felt my eyes getting wet and smiled a bit "Thank you.." I hung up then and went to the fridge, taking out a bottle of wine. I took the whole thing to the living room and got out one of my chess books. I stayed like that for the rest of the afternoon, losing myself in chess and wine. It was a relief.

***

Hours later, I woke to the sound of pounding on my door. I had fallen asleep on the couch, empty bottle in hand, book in my lap. I set them both down and cursed under my breath as the pounding got louder. I flung the door open and squinted into the bright sun. My eyes finally adjusted and I saw Macy, Jamie, and Jonathan standing there. Macy was holding a covered pie dish and looked excited, but concerned at the same time.

"What are you guys doing here..?"

"We wanted to make sure you were alright. And that you were eating." Jonathan answered, gesturing to the pie plate.

"Oh.. well I'm fine. Thanks."

They continued to stand there, and I finally stepped aside. They all came inside and the boys stood awkwardly while Macy went to the kitchen to prepare whatever she had made. I went to the kitchen with her and I saw that it was a cherry pie, my favorite, which made me think of my sixth birthday again. she cut us all a piece and let them warm up a bit in the oven while searching for whipped cream.

"So, the guys can't hear, tell me how you really are?" She walks over to me and takes my hand, looking at me sympathetically. I shrug, trying to act as normal as possible.

"I'm fine. I mean.. yeah, fine."

"C'mon, be honest with me. You can't just be fine, you lost someone close to you. Talk to me, Addy."

This finally broke me. I sat on the counter and stared at my lap. "I don't know, really. I'm just.. trying not to fall apart. I've been drinking and distracting myself. I'm not sure if it's to an unhealthy extent, but it's the only thing that doesn't make me want to rip my hair out right now."

Macy nods thoughtfully, hopping up next to me.

"My mother's boyfriend called today. He's the one who told me. He's flying out soon with her, then I'll have to deal with a-" I stop to swallow and then start again. "I'll have to arrange a funeral. Which now I also have to find money for. Then I guess it'll be over."

Macy wraps an arm around me when I'm finished and rests her head on my shoulder. "Hey if you need help with all that I am at your service. And me and Jamie could loan you some money for-"

"No, no loans or anything, you guys need to save as much as possible. I'll figure it out. But I could use help planning the funeral, if you would be up for that?"

"Absolutely, I'd be happy to."

"Thank you." I smile slightly and the oven timer goes off. Macy hops down and pulls the pie out, putting a dollop of whipped cream on each slice. We each take two and go back to the living room where Jamie and Jonathan are still standing, talking softly. We hand them their plates and we all sit, starting some inane conversation as friends do. I can tell that they notice the wine bottle on the table, but I move it quickly and nobody mentions anything. They understand where I am right now.

As we all talk and joke, I find myself laughing a few times and it feels bittersweet. I know my mother would have loved this, she would have been flirting with the guys and telling Macy how she had to stop getting so gorgeous, and me and her would steal glances when someone said something questionable, making each other suddenly burst into laughter. As I'm thinking about this, I glance at the book on top of the shelf in the corner, and I find myself wishing Benny were here, too.

***

Once everyone leaves, I grab the phone and dial the number I'm so familiar with. It rang a few times, then he picked up. It was now 6:40 so he had just gotten off work and I expected him to be tired, but I didn't need much.

"Oliver Carlisle speaking."

"Hi father. It's Adelaide."

"Adelaide, hello. How are you?"

"I'm.. managing. How are you?"

"Oh, I'm alright" he sighs a little and pauses. "May I ask why exactly you're calling?" He doesn't say it rudely or anything, my father is not a rude man, but it still makes me a little sad that a daughter has to have a reason for calling her father. Even though I do.

"Yes, right, well I was wondering if we could meet up sometime soon? I've got something I need to talk about with you and it's not exactly an over-the-phone type of thing."

"Oh. very well then. Let me see.." I can hear rustling and then paper, I assume he's checking a schedule of some sort. "Actually, I have an hour free tomorrow at four, does that work for you?"

"Sounds good. Where should we meet?"

"Hmm.. how about that restaurant you loved so much as a child. What was it? Pattie's?"

"Polly's? Sounds good. I'll see you then."

"Perfect. Good evening." And at that he hangs up. I put the phone back on the wall and grab another bottle of wine from the fridge, plopping on the couch and turning on my small TV, flipping through channels, bored. I take a swig and decide to play through some chess games from Chess Review magazine. I play for a few hours, then fall asleep while watching some pointless midnight program.