Page 31 of The Ghost of Ellwood

Entering the house, I was met by Theo. He kept a small distance, but he seemed eager for me to be home. His handsome face creased with a frown, and he fiddled with his hands.

“Forgive me, Ben, for leaving earlier,” he whispered. “I was upset.”

“I know.” I hung my jacket on the rack. “And there’s nothing for me to forgive. It’s okay.”

“Shall I leave you to your work?”

Meeting his gaze, I was left speechless for a moment. He was very much a ghost, yet he seemed more human than most people I knew. He seemed more real too.

“Actually,” I stepped closer, “I thought we could play a game of chess. I see you playing with the pieces sometimes, and I should’ve asked you for a game sooner.”

Theo’s expression lightened and he looked so young. Innocent. “I would very much enjoy that.”

We entered the parlor and took our seats at the table. The chessboard had been another find in the attic. The pieces had been downright filthy, and several were chipped, but after cleaning them off, I had liked the look of the antique set. Instead of the usual chess symbols, the pieces were literal knights, queens, and kings, and they were heavier than normal.

“When I was a boy, I didn’t know how to play chess,” Theo said, smiling as he examined the knight in his hand. “I would often pretend that I did, however, and make up my own rules.”

“Were you an only child?” I asked, knowing the answer but not wanting to admit I’d researched his life.

“Yes. Mother became very sick after I was born. She was never the same afterward.” His eyes glazed over. “Father blamed me, of course. She passed when I was five, and Father never let me forget the reason why. He said my wickedness seeped into her and took away her grace.”

“Theo, that wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry about your mom, but you can’t hold yourself responsible. As much as it sucks, sometimes those things happen.”

“Perhaps.”

I moved my pawn two spaces forward. “Tell me more.”

Theo moved his knight first. “What is it you wish to know?”

“Everything. What was it like when you were little? What did you enjoy doing?”

When did you die?

But that question would come later. I’d need to work up to it.

Theo told me about his childhood, leaving out all mentions of his father. He described climbing trees and pretending he was a bird as he stood on the highest branch and looked out over the field. He spoke of wishing he could fly away.

“Wishes are the Devil’s work, Ben. A curse. I wished so many times I could fly away and leave this place. Yet, here I am now, stuck here forever. There were other wishes too, all met by the same fate.”

“Can you tell me about Harvey?”

“Why do you want to know about him?” Theo moved one of his bishops.

“He was your best friend, yes?”

“Yes,” Theo answered, sitting straighter in his chair. “Ever since we were young boys, we were inseparable. His mother adored me. His father did too. They lived down the road, and I would often walk over after school to play with Harvey. We’d run through the woods for a while or play in the yard with wooden pistols, pretending we were pirates. Then, his mother would call us inside for supper.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It was.”

“When did you two realize you felt more for each other?” I asked, focusing on the board but not seeing it. I was too preoccupied with watching Theo from my peripherals.

“I’m not sure why you keep bringing up these painful topics, Ben.”

I glanced at him. His hands were in his lap and he stared out the window. I’d say he appeared sad, butsadcouldn’t even touch the depth of sorrow in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Theo. I don’t mean to upset you. I…” I struggled with finding the right reason. Other than my own curiosity, there wasn’t one. “I just want to know all there is about you.”