Thomas’s Last Counter

Thomas and Eve are playing a board game at Uncle Ben’s table. Thomas has one counter near the end. He imagines reaching the last space first. Eve rolls the die, moves her blue counter and finishes the game.

Thomas pushes his chair back. His chest feels tight. He wanted another turn, and now the game is over. Uncle Ben puts a hand near the loose counters to keep them on the table. He gives Thomas room to stand.

“You hoped to win,” Uncle Ben says. Thomas nods without looking up. He can take a break or sit nearby while Eve puts the counters away. Thomas chooses a drink at the kitchen bench. Nobody asks him to smile.

After a while, Eve comes over. “I liked when your counter went up that long path,” she says. Thomas remembers it too. He is still disappointed, but he can talk about one part of the game that was interesting.

Uncle Ben offers another game or a different activity. Thomas chooses to build a road with Eve instead. They can play the board game another time. Finishing one game does not mean they have to begin it again straight away.

Their road reaches from the table leg to the door. Thomas feels calmer. He did not get the ending he wanted, and he found a way through the disappointment with time, company and something else to do.