into space and I lost you for four years, and I think you changed. And I think perhaps I changed, too. I just want to live in an ordinary way now. So, I must go and find it. I am crying while I write this, but please don’t try to find me. Goodbye, my dear. love, Jenny And for the first time ever, I knew that I was a real idiot.
Chapter 10
Money for Playing Games
I decided to go home to Mobile, but the bus stopped at Nashville on the way and I went into town for a drink and something to eat. I was going past a hotel when I looked in the window and saw some people who were playing chess. Like I said before, Big Sam taught me how to play chess when I was in the jungle. Well, I went into the hotel to watch them, but it was a special chess tournament and it cost five dollars to watch, so I didn’t go into the chess room. I was just walking out again when I saw a little old man who was playing chess with himself at a table near the door. I had another hour before I had to catch the bus again, so I went across and watched him. Then I said, ‘If you make that move, you’ll lose your queen.’ He didn’t look up but, after a minute, he said, ‘Perhaps you’re right.’ It was time for me to get back to the bus station, but when I started to leave, the old man said, ‘Why don’t you sit down and finish this game with me?’ ‘I can’t,’ I said. ‘I have to catch a bus.’ So he waved at me with his hand, and I went back to the bus station. 32
