The game continued as it normally did – two men, at the core unconcerned with strategy or understanding of the game of chess, but burdened with a passion to win. This is the common thread between brothers, if not siblings in general. They spend so many years vying for prominence in the eyes of their parents and other family elders, and, the closer in age, the more virulent the competition. If the siblings remain close into old age, with parents and elders no longer present, the competition continues, its reasons unrealized by the competitors. So it was between Percy and Eli. Deep down, neither really cared about the game of chess, but somehow cared deeply about winning the game, to claim victory over the other. Jesse, however, being third in line, escaped the competition from the get-go. As children of eight and four when Jesse finally arrived, the game was on and ignored any possible subsequent players. Jesse, in his infancy, began a third branch of the Rowe line – alone, independent, unencumbered by trite rivalries between siblings. Being the third born afforded him the luxury of independent thought and growth. And today, sitting among his brothers in old age, that independence revealed its power.
After so many minutes of staring at the pieces on the board, Percy lifted his gaze and looked at Eli. Smiling, he let out a confident, “Heh!” then used his remaining bishop to stave off Eli’s check.
Eli remained unaffected by Percy’s taunt. He understood his older brother’s desire to beat him at the game. It was that passion of Percy’s that kept Eli in the life long game of sibling rivalry between the two. At Percy’s taunt and move, Jesse only slightly ticked his gaze to the board, immediately turning his gaze back to the beyond. Knowing it was Eli’s move and that Eli was the more forgiving of his two brothers with interruption, Jesse posed another question.
“Besides the fact that the two of you so enjoy the little game you play back and forth with each other – and always have – what gets you excited about life? I mean, what brings to your mind a higher view of things that gets you excited to be alive?”
“Ya never let up, do you Jesse?” Percy was quick to respond.
“Nah, I’ll bite. I’m enjoying Jesse’s challenging questions. You do too, Perce. Yer just too prideful and stubborn to admit it.”
To that Percy simply sighed and sat back. He knew Eli was right, but was loathe to let him know it. He would wait for Eli to ponder, then respond before he would comment further.
“I think, sitting here right now, I can say that the warmth of the sun on a cool day like today gives me a sense of hope, which gives me a bit of rejuvenated strength to keep me going. And that especially at our age!” Eli shared, laughing at his added reference to all of their ages. “I can tell Percy isn’t going to answer next, so share your answer Jesse.”
“Ya, share with us your high philosophical answer, little brother.”
Jesse, staring what seemed like even farther into the distance, replied, “This morning I looked out my kitchen window at the snow covered mountains that reveal themselves between the houses across the street. I could see the tops of forest trees peek from beneath the white blanket. All at once I was standing in my kitchen eating a hastily prepared piece of toast and standing among the forest giants in the distance. In that moment I could sense that all are one. In that moment I felt a part of everything – the mountain, my kitchen, and everything in between.”
“What a crock,” Percy blurted.
“And that is what gets you excited to be alive, excited about life?” Eli asked.
“Well, ya. It does. I mean, think about it. We need the earth and the earth needs us. We are together in sync with what God and the cosmos, the spiritual realm, has created on the physical plane. We cannot escape our connection, and, therefore, our responsibility to each other and everything around us. As particles of God, we are responsible first to one another, and afterward responsible to all that stands – and lives – before us. It is an enormous burden if we kick against the goads of such a reality, but an enormous blessing if we gently set aside the goads and embrace our part in the universe.”
Jesse seemed to be speaking to someone else, someone distant. Eli was quick to realize Jesse’s lofty thoughts would irritate Percy and attempted to cut off any sharp response with his next move on the board, “Checkmate!”
Eli’s attempt failed. Percy quickly observed Eli’s final move of the game and became doubly irritated. Now ignoring the lost chess game, he turned to Jesse.
“I gotta ask, Jesse. You have always had your head in the clouds. So much so I could swear you’ve said shyte like that before. Why, then, at your age – our ages – do you tout such thoughts now? I mean, even if I chose to contemplate your view of our responsibility to the earth and each other, what possible difference could I – we – make so few paces from our end? I havta tell ya – making me think on such things only hurts my brain and frustrates the bejezzes outta me. I don’t mind you asking your questions in the midst of our chess game, but can you please keep it down to earth?”
“Wow, Percy. I didn’t realize I’d upset you so. I get your question. But jeeze, bro, don’t ever think you can’t make a difference in someone’s life. You have grandchildren, right? What have you learned in life that you think might be valuable for them to learn from? You never know, with all of the dire circumstances that exist in our world today, maybe one of them might be a key toward bettering our world. That’s all I really meant. What gets me excited to be alive – yes, even at my age – is the fact that I am still responsible not only for myself but for others. That until my dying day – even maybe after I am gone – I can still make a difference. Don’t give up on yourself, Perce!”
“He’s right, Percy. What about all the memories we have been talking about? How Mom and Dad’s influence still has an effect on who we are today.”
“Exactly.”
“Alright, alright. I get what you’re saying. And I guess I agree. Maybe I’m just a bit jealous that my mind doesn’t work like that. I’ve always been a practical, rubber on the road kind of thinker. I never felt I had the time to let my mind float so high.”
“Ya know, bro – I have always admired and respected that about you. I’ve often felt that my philosophical bent has kept me too lofty in thought to succeed in the practical side of life like you and Eli have.”
Once again the three brothers acquiesced to the love they shared between each other. Percy smiled at Jesse, then turned to Eli, “Good game Eli. Another?”