IT WAS a sad day for the Pilgrim family when Dexter had to bury his eldest son. The 17-year-old had died of malaria after contracting it on a visit to Dexter’s parents who lived in the interior of the country. The father was devastated. He loved all four of his children but Kevin held a special place in his heart because he was the firstborn.

The family mourned for weeks after but Dexter took the death very hard. He became depressed and angry. He lost interest in everything and everyone. He soon lost his job.
Dexter missed Kevin not only because he was the firstborn but because they were best friends. Every day for at least half an hour, the two crossed swords over the chess board. They were both very competitive and the game sometimes lasted for days.

None of the other children showed the least interest in chess. The board sat there on the small circular glass table just as it had been the last time the two met. Kevin was winning at that point.
Now Dexter would come home intoxicated and sit and play all by himself pretending that his son was sitting across from him. He was lost in his own sorrow and the family felt left out.

As time progressed, he stopped this, then, things seem to be taking a strange turn. In the evening when he got home he would find the game set up as if a game was in progress. This perked him up because he felt that the others were showing an interest in chess at last. When he asked about it they all denied using the game. They never liked chess and did not intend to start now. He packed the game away, angry that someone was treading on his sacred ground.

The next night, he got home the game was set up again. This time he hid it in his locked desk drawer. The next night it was back. He accused the other children of interfering with the game. They all swore that they never did. In frustration, he threw it into the garbage. The very next night it was back in place. That was when the obvious hit him.

He pondered on these strange events and tried to figure out his next move. Dexter could not bring himself to destroy the game. He decided to seek some advice. A friend introduced him to Pandit Sharma. After he had explained all that took place the Pandit asked to be allowed to visit the home.
When the holy man arrived, Dexter showed him around. He was especially interested in the chess game. After the humming of Mantras, a blessing and the use of some strong incense, the man sat him down and explained.

“Your son’s spirit is still lingering here.”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“What is it? Tell me and I’ll fix it immediately!”
“The problem is you, Dexter.”
The mourning father sat there in complete bewilderment. How could he be the problem? Tears flowed down his astonished face.
“You have not let him go. You are still holding onto him. He cannot go into the light because he loves you.”
“Bu…Bu….But……”

“He’s been trying to connect with you through the chess game.”
Dexter was floored. He did not expect to hear any such thing. As far as he was concerned, some kind of Jumbie was at work, not his Kevin. He could not think of his son in such terms.

“Don’t get rid of the game. Try to encourage the other kids to play. Tell them that Kevin still lingers. He does not want them to forget about him or chess,” the Pandit advised,
It worked. When the kids were told about this by the Pandit, they promised to start playing. Only the youngest girl really showed enough interest. Pretty soon, she and Dexter were keen rivals. The father stopped drinking and got a job. He began to show renewed interest in his family. The house became a home once again.

Dexter had a strange but beautiful dream. Kevin was a short distance off and waving goodbye to him. His son was smiling happily. The father tried to follow him but the boy very sternly warned.
“STOP! You cannot come with me! I love you, dad. Goodbye.”
Then he was gone. Dexter awoke to feel a new peace within himself. Things were okay ever since.