Checkmate!

Chapter 1

The doorbell reverberated through thehome. Lewis and Henry heard their mom walking toward it. The sound of walking on the tile echoed. Mrs. Nash walked toward the door.

"Hello Kari," she answered cheerfully.

"Hello Mrs. Nash. Is Lewis home?"

"I believe so. One moment please." Mrs. Nash pretty for her age flashed a trademark smile to Kari. She then closed the door. "Lewis! Henry!" She called out from the bottom of the stairs.

Lewis yelled from his bedroom. "Yes mom?" He asked.

"It's Kari at the door. She wants to know if you are free."

"Yeah mom. Tell her to come inside. I will be right there." He spoke with a int of hesitation.

Mrs. Nash opened the door back up. "Yes. Lewis is home. Do you want to come inside for a drink or a snack?"

"Umm, yeah that would be great. Thanks," Kari said as she entered inside. She heard the conversation between them.

"Lewis, she'll be in the kitchen, okay?" Mrs. Nash said. She began to make a few cups of tea for the guest..

"One more second," He called down the stairs. Lewis got up off Henry's bed and walked slowly towards the bedroom door. "Henry, it looks like I am busy right now. Now do not under any circumstance go into Father's study to retrieve the book. We will do it together after Kari leaves." Lewis spoke sternly to his younger brother.

"Yes brother," Henry said.

"Good."

Lewis firmly shut the door and jogged down the stairs. Lewis was almost on the floor when he slid foot forward too much. He reached for the railing, but he knew it was too late. He crashed on to the landing. So much for trying to appear carefree, it has slipped into clumsy. Being graceful was never an option.

Thud. Lewis landed on his backside. He slowly stood back up rubbing his back.

"Honey, are you okay in there?" Mrs. Nash asked worriedly. She would have got up to check, but her hands were full with boiling water. She had to focus on making the tea.

Lewis made his way into the kitchen. "I'm fine. I just tripped." Lewis replied as he walked into the kitchen. "Hey Kari! What's up?" He asked trying to turn the topic away from himself.

"Umm. . . Nothing really. I just had a few questions on the homework we got in psych yesterday. It is confusing," Kari said her face turning red.

"Oh. . . Well I will leave you two kids alone then. Call me if you need anything," Mrs. Nash said setting the cups down on the kitchen table as she left the room.

The kids kept silent until she left. "Why are you really here? I see you don't have any school books in your arms." Lewis said with a smirk as soon as his mom was out of earshot.

"Well you see I really do need help with homework, but that's not why I am here."

"I thought so."

"You know my cousin. She is like a sister to me."

"Yes?" he answered curiously.

"Well she is getting married and I was wondering if you wanted to go with. I mean you don't have to, but I really want you to be my plus one." Kari's eyes darted away from his.

Lewis's smile vanished. He was not expecting this. "What about your boyfriend Derrick?" He asked as he finished preparing the tea.

"We broke up." Tears began to drip from her face.