Rusty skills

Jason's grandfather chuckled as he patted Jenny's back. "Very good, very good. That is the kind of spirit I expect from my granddaughter-in-law. In our family, and in these circles in general, people are always looking for more, for better and are trying to move up on the social ladder. One way of doing so is by pulling down those who stand in their way. The more powerful you are, the more vicious they become. People will try to talk you down, tell you that you aren't worthy and they are because of their background, hoping to make you leave so that they can fill the spot you are holding. I can't have you facing those wolves without seeing whether you are ready to do so. Now that we have gotten the formalities out of the way and my worries have been settled, let me see how well you managed to get to know me by listening to Jason's stories. He told me that you were the one to pick out the gift to make a good impression on me, so show me what you brought."

Hearing these words, Jenny too was finally able to put her mind at ease and stop worrying. She smiled as she grabbed the gift Jason had carried over for her before and handed it over to his grandfather. "Here you are sir, I hope it won't disappoint." The elder took the gift and gestured for her to take the seat beside him as he said, " 'Sir' sounds so formal. You called me grandfather before, that had a nice ring to it. Why don't you continue calling me that." A gentle smile came over Jenny's face as she replied, "Yes, grandfather." Her own grandparents were no longer alive and she had never met either of her grandfathers as they had passed before she was born, so now that she had someone who was willing to take that spot, she was happy to let them fill it. She looked at him as he unpacked the carefully wrapped gift. When his eyes landed on what it was, his eyes became bright and wide. With both hands he watchfully grabbed the chess game as he admired the crafts work and details on the board itself. After that he grabbed the pieces and studied them one by one. After his initial admiration passed over, he grew excited, ready to play. "Well my dear Jenny, it is safe to say that you have chosen well. This is an exquisit piece." With a wink he said, "Now all that remains is for you and I to play a round to see whether your skills in chess are equal to your skills in picking excellent gifts."

Shocked by his suggestion Jenny asked, "Are you sure? I thought it would be more of a decorative chess game. I would be very worried of damaging it." "Nonsense! Of course I am sure. What's the use of a chess game if you can't play it. Don't worry, I won't hold you accountable if anything gets damaged along the way. Besides, these things are built sturdier than you might think. It should be able to handle a fall or a chafing." Still a bit hesitant Jenny added, "I warn you grandfather though I am familiar with the game, but by no means am I very skilled at playing. So, I don't know if I will make for a good opponent, but if you will have me regardless, I will gladly bring out my rusty skills and play a round with you." The elder chuckled and said, "You will do just fine." With that the two of them started setting up the board and the pieces and Jenny prepared herself to play the most expensive game of chess she has ever played.

From a distance the two of them were being observed by the other members of the Westwood family, including Jason himself. Though most looks were that of wonder and envy as they observed the 'stranger' being so welcomed by the man they were all trying to please, Jason was of course different. When he looked at Jenny laughing by his grandfather's side, he had mixed emotions. Though he felt relief to see that they were getting along and felt happy that Jenny's efforts payed off, he also felt like he missed Jenny deeply. Despite having the agreement to have her next to him all night and her smiling at him, he knew it was fake. What he saw over there was her real smile, her really enjoying herself and her looking like her radiant self. The seemingly carefree, feisty woman he fell in love with.

As he looked on with jealousy and regret he wondered. 'Why did they have to fight? And that over some meaningless guy who would be nothing to them a few years from now, other than a distant memory.' He wanted to enjoy himself with Jenny tonight, he wanted to be included in the conversations she would have with his grandfather and he wanted to be able to hold her, dance with her, kiss her, especially when she looked so beautiful tonight. He wanted to do all that not because of an agreement to be civil, but because she wanted it too, because they were in love. But the likelihood of that happening was practically nonexistent. At least if he expected it to be voluntarily. After he filled a plate for Jenny with all the things he thought she would like and all that he knew she would like, he made his return to the table where Jenny and his grandfather had started a fierce chess match.