Redreaper1951's World

Checkers Characters

Checkers story

The door to our front hallway swings open on silent hinges. Black and red tiles cover the floor. Two paintings hang on the wall, one a stack of red checkers, the other, a stack of black checkers. My long black hair slips over my shoulders, tickling, as I lean forward, making sure the hall is empty. Not a soul in sight. I sigh. Thank goodness.

I step into the hall and close the door behind me. I find what I am looking for at the center of the hall. A red jump rope is coiled on the ground. I go over to it and bend down to pick it up, keeping one hand on my fascinator, a large red checker that is balanced on the side of my head. My red and black checkered skirt, matching the floor, blossoms around me as I bend down. My fingers graze the twined material of the rope, a shiver of child-like excitement moves from my fingertip to my shoulder. I stand up and twirl the rope in my hands.

Today was a long day. Nothing went wrong, I'm just a little envious of my sister. Blackie may be the oldest twin, but she sure has a young heart, full of energy. But, now that I am alone, I can relax for a moment, stop being the mature one. Just jump some rope. Finally, alone without Blackie following me everywhere, without Blackie demanding to play too, I can play by myself.

I hold up my arms and lift the rope. It dangles from my fingers, the building energies of my tense limbs ready to release. My knees tighten, I begin to crouch.

Bam! The hallway door slams open and Blackie runs in.

"Reddie! There you are—is that a rope? I thought I had left it somewhere! Let's play jump rope!" Blackie exclaims. She bends over, her hands on her knees as she catches her breath. I don't want to know where she ran from in the house to get all the way over here. Blackie huffs a sigh and straightens up. She stomps her black-socks feet and holds up her hands, ready to play.

"I just want to play by myself right now Blackie," I say. I try to keep my voice calm, but I can't help my shaking hands. My alone time was already taken away. I drop my hands; one end of the jump rope falls to the ground. It's muffled thump echoes.

Blackie's eyes widen and her mouth opens and closes. "W-what? You don't want to play with me? But jump ropes are my favorite. Are you trying to hide it from me?"

"I'm not trying to hide it. I just—agh. I wanted some alone time. Alright?" I snap.

"You can't play alone though."

"Yes, I can, and I will. I'm going to my room. I want to be alone," I say. I turn around and go to exit out of the other end of the hallway when a sharp tug pulls me back. Blackie had snatched onto the end of the rope and is reeling me back in. Her hands clamber over the rope, one over the other until she wraps a length of it around her fist.

"We will play tug-of-war! If you win, then you can leave!" Blackie yells. She laughs and gives another tug. I stumble and grasp onto my end of the rope. I lock my legs against her pulls.

"I don't want to play—let go!" I only want a moment to myself! Blackie follows me everywhere.

"Only if you win!" Blackie says with a laugh. She is fully into the game now.

"Let go!" I yell again. I don't want to play any games. I tug hard on the rope, I jerk my arms downward and pull with all my might. I hear Blackie gasp and see her snap forwards as the ropes tighten around her fingers. She yelps.

"That hurts!"

"Then. Let. Go!"

Blackie pulls back hard, jerking the rope on my as well. I hold my ground as we dive into an argument.

"Just give me my rope back, I don't always have to play with you. You spend all day goofing off anyway. I just want to relax. You are exhausting!"

"I just wanted to play. Isn't that supposed to be nice?!"