Sent to me by From Kevindubrow. - Writch

This was one of my first stories that I wrote of my own accord. I'm quite young, not in high school yet, but I have read since I was young(er). Without further ado...

Never Wrong

“Idiot girl. Now, I can take your queen.”

        Catherine remained silent. She always did when facing the, as her mother would put it, “prickly” master of the mansion in which she lived, along with her mother, a maid, and father, a chauffer lived in. Despite her parent’s humble career paths, she knew she was lucky compared to other black families. They lived well, with the food, living quarters, and health that most Americans in the 70’s had. Sitting by the fireplace now, she studied the elaborate chess board that Smithers, the retired owner of the third largest oil company in the world, had owned for countless years.

        Looking more closely now, she saw it. Of course. That seemingly helpless bishop was in fact just part of an elaborate trap to take her queen, and fork her two rooks. “I should have known,” Catherine thought as she got up to get Smithers a second cup of brandy. As far as she knew, Smithers never made mistakes. From Starting out as the owner of a gas station, to playing chess on winter nights, he did everything right.

        As Smithers drank deeply from his glass, he looked at Catherine down the bridge of his nose. “I swear, as long as I live, you will never beat me.” Catherine knew it was true.

        Suddenly Smithers made jerking movements.  A heart attack. Panicking, Catherine franticly tried remembering something from the school she went to, but nothing came to mind. She watched, horrified, as he slumped to the floor.

 
        Catherine glanced at her watch. She and the rest of the staff and their families were listening to the reading of the will. She had gotten taller, as her mother kept telling her over her pictures from the year before, when Smithers had died. She had been letting her mind wander, wondering when it would be over. As far as she knew, Smithers was a cold, heartless man. Suddenly, she heard her name.

        "and for Catherine, an $100,000 college fund, you were the most intelligent person here, other than me."

        She started. Maybe, deep inside, Smithers was a caring person.

        "And I told you you would never beat me."

        Catherine frowned. Nope, cold and heartless.

Very poignant ending.  Very well written.

Catherine didnt understend his character too well....he wanted her to beat him;)

For a moment I was sure she would see a winning move on the board :)

That's what I wrote at first; her finding a winning move, and at the reading of the will he would write:"And I told you that you would never beat me as long as I live."

I like that last line better. The "as long as I live"  has a better bite to it (IMHO).