Pawns
by Phoebe Bayer
“She’s so pure, isn’t she? Exactly one month since we brought her home, Dave,” Lauren said as they watched Natalia dawdle around the kitchen, navigating her way through the entire house, noting every crevice.
As Dave watched their adopted two-year-old prance around, his brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “Yup…”
Auburn locks framed Natalia’s face, and her winsome smile never seemed to disappear. Little things always made her giggle, and that was all the couple had really ever wanted––a happy child.
“What is it?” Lauren whispered, knowing something was off. Right then, with her back turned, Natalia stiffened and paused in total stillness. She tilted her head upward as if trying to overhear the conversation. Dave grabbed the remote on the side table and pressed play. Do you remember the 21st night of September…
“This will keep her occupied,” he said, turning his attention toward Lauren again. “You ever have a thought, one that lingers, and...and eats away at you?”
“Of course I do, I just prefer to keep those things to myself. Save you the drama,” she said lightheartedly. As we danced in the night, remember. Dave turned to look at Natalia, who was still in the same position with her nose in the air.
He dismissed Lauren’s attempt to make him laugh. “Natalia is just, so…mature. For her age. I mean even the way she looks at you, it’s like she knows more than she’s letting on, Lauren.” Ba de ya, dancing in September.
“So? She’s wise beyond her years,” Lauren said, shaking her head.
Dave bit his lip. “I guess.” He grabbed the remote to turn off the music, ending their conversation. He couldn’t shake the fact that the adoption agency could never confirm Natalia’s date of birth, and though Lauren also thought that was strange, she never questioned it.
Just then, a soft voice echoed through the room. “Mother.” The couple immediately diverted their attention to Natalia, who had turned around. When Natalia noticed their reaction, she quickly resorted to “Ma--ma.”
Lauren sighed with relief, “Yes, Sweetie?” she asked.
Natalia pointed to the remote. “More music please,” she said.
“No more, Natalia, it’s annoying,” Dave said sternly. Natalia smiled and moved away with her back hunched toward her playroom.
“I do think we should ask the doctor about that thing she does when she walks,” Lauren said. “She bends her back a bit and limps a little.”
Dave just stared out the window, his gaze fixed on the willow trees blowing in the wind in their front yard. “Let’s take her in soon. Maybe find out more info about the day she was born, why her mom gave her up, you know?”
“Fine, we’ll take her tomorrow. But just because the agency didn’t tell us the day that she was born doesn’t mean they’re hiding anything,” Lauren mumbled. The sound of something being continually picked up and put down echoed through the house walls. The couple exchanged confused glances, got up, and followed the sound until they reached the playroom. There Natalia sat with her legs crossed next to a table displaying a game of chess. She didn’t look up from the board; she just kept moving the knights and bishops automatically. She moved both the white and black pieces. In a state of terrified awe, the couple stared. She was too wise beyond her years.
Natalia noticed them eventually, and her eyes fluttered. “Pawns!” she said. “In my own game.”