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Rules of the Game-1

  WaverlyJong

  Iwassixwhenmymhtmetheartofinvisiblestrength.Itwasastrategyforwinningarguments,respeothers,aually,thoughherofuskatthetime,chessgames.

  "Bitebackyue,"scoldedmymotherwhenIcriedloudly,yankingherhandtowardthestorethatsoldbagsofsaltedplums.Athome,shesaid,"Wiseguy,henotgoagainstwind.Inesewesay,efromSouth,bloind—poom!—Northwillfollow.Strowindotbeseen."

  TheweekIbitbackmytongueasweehestorewiththeforbiddendies.Whenmymotherfinishedhershopping,shequietlypluckedasmallbagofplumsfromtheradputitontheterwiththerestoftheitems.

  Mymotherimpartedherdailytruthssoshecouldhelpmyolderbrothersandmeriseaboveourcircumstances.WelivedinSanFranciscosatown.Likemostoftheotheresechildrenwhoplayedinthebackalleysofrestaurantsandcurioshops,Ididntthinkwewerepoor.Mybowlwasalwaysfull,threefive-coursemealseveryday,beginningfullofmysteriousthingsIdidntwanttoknowthenamesof.

  WelivedonWaverlyPlaawarm,,two-bedroomflatthatsataboveasmallesebakeryspecializinginsteamedpastriesanddimsum.Intheearlym,whenthealleywasstillquiet,Icouldsmellfragrantredbeansastheywerecookeddoastysweetness.Bydaybreak,ourflatwasheavywiththeodoroffriedsesameballsacurriedchicrests.Frommybed,Iwouldlistenasmyfathergotreadyforwork,thenlockedthedoorbehindhim,owo-threeclicks.

  Attheendofourtwo-blockalleywasasmallsandlotplaygroundwithswingsandslideswell-shineddownthemiddlewithuse.Theplayareawasborderedbywood-slatbencheswhereold-trypeoplesatcragroastedwatermelonseedswiththeirgoldehandscatteringthehuskstoanimpatientgatheringlingpigeons.Thebestplayground,however,wasthedarkalleyitself.Itwascrammedwithdailymysteriesandadventures.MybrothersandIwouldpeerintothemedialherbshop,watgoldLidoleoutontoastiffsheetofwhitepapertherightamountofishells,saffron-coloredseeds,andpuleavesforhisailingers.ItwassaidthatheoncecuredawomandyingofaralcursethathadeludedthebestofAmeridoctors.othepharmacyrinterwhospecializedingold-embossedweddinginvitationsaiveredbanners.

  FartherdowreetingYuenFishMarket.Thefrontwindowdisplayedatankcrowdedwithdoomedfishandturtlesstrugglingtogainfootingontheslimygreen-tiledsides.Ahand-writtensigninformedtourists,"Withinthisstore,isallforfood,notforpet."Ihebutcherswiththeirblood-stainedwhitesmocksdeftlyguttedthefishwhileerscriedouttheirordersandshouted,"Givemeyourfreshest,"Onlesscrowdedmarketdays,wewouldihecratesoflivefrogsandcrabswhichartopoke,boxesofdriedcuttlefish,androwuponrowoficedprawns,squid,andslipperyfish.Thesanddabsmademeshivereachtime;theireyeslayotenedsideandremindedmeofmymothersstoryofacarelessgirlwhoranintoacrowdedstreetandwascrushedbyacab."Wassmashflat,"reportedmymother.

  AttheerofthealleywasHongSings,afour-tablecaf?witharecessedstairwellinfrontthatledtoadoormarked"Tradesmen."MybrothersandIbelievedthebadpeopleemergedfromthisdooratnight.TouristsneverwenttoHongSings,sihemenurintedonlyinese.ACaucasianmanwithabigcameraoneandmyplaymatesinfrontoftherestaurant.Hehadusmovetothesideofthepicturewindowsothephotowouldcapturetheroastedduckwithitsheaddanglingfromajuice-coveredrope.Afterhetookthepicture,ItoldhimheshouldgointoHongSingsadinner.Whenhesmiledandaskedmewhattheyserved,Ishouted,"Gutsandducksfeetandoctopusgizzards!"ThenIranoffwithmyfriends,shriekingwithlaughteraseredacrossthealleyandhidirywaygrottooftheaGempany,myheartpoundingwithhopethathewouldchaseus.

  Mymothernamedmeafterthestreetthatwelivedon:WaverlyPlayoffiameforimportantAmerients.ButmyfamilycalledmeMeimei,"LittleSister."Iwastheyouheonlydaughter.Eachmbeforesymotherwouldtwistandyankonmythickblackhairuntilshehadformedtwotightlywoundpigtails.Oneday,asshestruggledtoweaveahard-toothedbthroughmydisobedienthair,Ihadaslythought.

  Iaskedher,"Ma,whatisesetorture?"Mymothershookherhead.Abobbypinwaswedgedbetweenherlips.Shewettedherpalmandsmoothedthehairabovemyear,thenpushedthepininsothatitnickedsharplyagainstmyscalp.

  "Whosaythisword?"sheaskedwithoutatraceofknowinghowwickedIwasbeing.Ishruggedmyshouldersandsaid,"Someboyinmyclasssaidesepeopledoesetorture."

  "esepeopledomanythings,"shesaidsimply."esepeopledobusiness,domedie,dopainting.NotlazylikeAmeripeople.Wedotorture.Besttorture."

  MyolderbrotherViwastheonewhoactuallygotthechessset.WehadgoheannualChristmaspartyheldattheFirsteseBaptistChurchattheendofthealley.ThemissionaryladieshadputtogetheraSantabagofgiftsdonatedbymembersofanotherchurohegiftshadhem.Therewereseparatesacksforboysandgirlsofdifferentages.

  OheeseparishionershaddonnedaSantaClauseandastiffpaperbeardwithcottonballsgluedtoit.IthinktheonlychildrenwhothoughthewastherealthiooyoungtoknowthatSantaClauswasnotese.WhenmyturheSantamanaskedmehowoldIwas.Ithoughtitwasatrickquestion;IwassevenacctotheAmeriulaabytheesedar.IsaidIwasbornonMarch17,1951.Thatseemedtosatisfyhim.HethensolemnlyaskedifIhadbeenavery,verygoodgirlthisyearanddidIbelieveinJesusChristandobeymyparents.Ikheonlyahat.Inoddedbackwithequalsolemnity.

  Havingwatchedtheotherchildrenopeningtheirgifts,Ialreadykhatthebiggiftswerenotnecessarilytheones.Onegirlmyagegotalargecbookofbiblicalcharacters,whilealessgreedygirlwhoselectedasmallerboxreceivedaglassvialoflaveoiletwater.Thesoundoftheboxwasalsoimportant.Aten-year-oldboyhadchosenaboxthatjangledwhenheshookit.Itwasatinglobeoftheworldwithaslitforiingmoney.Hemusthavethoughtitwasfullofdimesandnickels,becausewhehatithadjusttenpennies,hisfacefellwithsudisguiseddisappoihathismotherslappedthesideofhisheadandledhimoutofthechurchhall,apologizingtothecrowdforhersonwhohadsuchbadmannershecouldntappreciatesuchafi.

  AsIpeeredintothesack,Iquicklyfiheremainis,testingtheirweight,imaginingwhattheytained.Ichoseaheavy,paethatwasedinshinysilverfoilainribbon.Itwasatwelve-packofLifeSaversandIspeofthepartyarrangingandrearrangingthedytubesintheorderofmyfavorites.MybrotherWinstonchosewiselyaswell.Hispresentturtobeaboxofintricateplasticparts;theinstrusontheboxproclaimedthatwhentheywereproperlyassembledhewouldhaveanauthentiiaturereplicaofaWorldWarIIsubmarine.

  Vigotthechessset,whichwouldhavebeenaverydetpresenttogetatachurchChristmasparty,exceptitwasobviouslyusedand,aswediscoveredlater,itwasmissingablackpawnandawhiteknight.Mymraciouslythaheunknowor,saying,"Toogood.Costtoomuch."Atwhichpoint,anoldladywithfie,wispyhairowardourfamilyandsaidwithawhistlingwhisper,"Merry,merryChristmas."

  Whehome,mymothertoldViothrowthechesssetaway."Shenotwantit.Wenotwantit,"shesaid,tossingherheadstifflytothesidewithatight,proudsmile.Mybrothershaddeafears.Theywerealreadyliningupthechesspiedreadingfromthedog-earedinstrubook.

  IwatchedViandWinstonplayduringChristmasweek.ThechessboardseemedtoholdelaboratesecretswaitingtobeuntahechessmenweremorepowerfulthanOldLismagicherbsthatcuredaralcurses.AndmybrothersworesuchseriousfacesthatIwassuresomethingwasatstakethatwasgreaterthanavoidiradesmensdoortoHongSings.

  "Letme!Letme!"Ibeggedbetweengameswheherortheotherwouldsitbacksighofreliefandvictory,theotherannoyed,uoletgooftheoute.Vifirstrefusedtoletmeplay,butwhenIofferedmyLifeSaversasreplatsforthebuttonsthatfilledinforthemissingpieces,herelented.Hechosetheflavors:wildcherryfortheblackpaeppermintforthewhiteknight.Winnercouldeatboth.

  Asourmothersprinkledflourandrolledoutsmalldoughycirclesforthesteameddumplingsthatwouldbeourdihatnight,Viexplaiherules,pointingtoeachpiece."YouhavesixteenpiedsodoI.Onekingawobishops,twoknights,twocastles,apawns.Thepawnsoveforwardoep,exceptonthefirstmove.Thentheymovetwo.Buttheylytakemenbymovingcrosswayslikethis,exceptinthebeginning,whenyoumoveaheadandtakeanotherpawn."

  "Why?"IaskedasImovedmypawn."Whyttheymovemoresteps?"

  "Becausetheyrepawns,"hesaid.

  "Butwhydotheygocrosswaystotakeothermen.Whyarentthereanywomenandchildren?"

  "Whyistheskyblue?Whymustyoualwaysaskstupidquestions?"askedVi."Thisisagame.Thesearetherules.Ididntmakethemup.See.Here.Inthebook."Hejabbedapageawninhishand."Pawn.P-A-W-N.Pawyourself."

  Mymotherpattedtheflouroffherhands."Letmeseebook,"shesaidquietly.Shesedthepagesquickly,notreadingthefnEnglishsymbols,seemingtosearchdeliberatelyfornothinginparticular.

  "ThisAmerirules,"shecludedatlast."Everytimepeopleeoutfrntry,mustknowrules.Younotknow,judgesay,Toobad,goback.Theynottellingyouwhysoyouusetheirwaygoforward.Theysay,Dontknowwhy,youfindoutyourself.Buttheyknowingallthetime.Betteryoutakeit,findoutwhyyourself."Shetossedherheadbackwithasatisfiedsmile.

  Ifoundoutaboutallthewhyslater.Ireadtherulesandlookedupallthebigwordsinadiary.Iborrowedbooksfromtheatownlibrary.Istudiedeachchesspiece,tryingtoabsorbthepowereatained.

  Ilearnedaboutopeningmovesandwhyitsimportanttotroltheterearlyon;theshortestdistaweentwopointsisstraightdownthemiddle.Ilearnedaboutthemiddlegameandwhytacticsbetweentwoadversariesarelikeclashiheonewhoplaysbetterhastheclearestplansforbothattagaingoutoftraps.Ilearnedwhyitisessentialintheendgametohavefht,amathematiderstandingofallpossiblemoves,andpatience;allweaknessesandadvantagesbeeevidenttadversaryandareobscuredtoppo.Idiscoveredthatforthewholegameogatherinvisiblestrengthsaheendgamebeforethegamebegins.

  IalsofoundoutwhyIshouldneverreveal"why"toothers.Alittleknowledgewithheldisagreatadvantageoneshouldstoreforfutureuse.Thatisthepowerofchess.Itisagameofsecretsinwhiustshowaell.

  IlovedthesecretsIfoundwithiy-fourbladwhitesquares.Icarefullydrewahandmadechessboardandpiothewallomybed,whereatnightIwouldstareforhoursatimaginarybattles.SoonInolongerlostanygamesorLifeSavers,butIlostmyadversaries.WinstonandVidecidedtheyweremoreiedinroamireetsafterschoolintheirHopalongCassidycowboyhats.

  Onacoldspringafternoon,whilewalkinghomefromschool,Idetouredthroughtheplaygroundattheendofouralley.Isawagroupofoldmen,twoseatedacrossafoldingtableplayingagameofchess,otherssmokingpipes,eatis,andwatg.IranhomeandgrabbedVischessset,whichwasboundinacardboardboxwithrubberbands.IalsocarefullyselectedtwoprizedrollsofLifeSavers.Icamebacktotheparkandapproachedamanwhowasthegame.

  "Wanttoplay?"Iaskedhim.Hisfacewidehsurpriseandhegrinnedashelookedattheboxundermyarm.

  "Littlesister,beenalongtimesinceIplaywithdolls,"hesaid,smilingbenevolently.Iquicklyputtheboxdowohimonthebenddisplayedmyretort.

  LauPo,asheallowedmetocallhim,turtobeamuchbetterplayerthanmybrothers.IlostmanygamesandmanyLifeSavers.Butovertheweeks,witheachdiminishingrollofdies,Iaddeds.LauPogavemetheheDoubleAttatheEastaShores.ThrowingStoheDrowningMan.TheSuddeingofthe.TheSurprisefromtheSleepingGuard.TheHumbleServantWhoKillstheKing.SandintheEyesofAdvangForces.ADoubleKillingWithoutBlood.

  Therewerealsothefinepointsofchessetiquette.Keepcapturedmerows,aswell-tendedprisoners.Neverannounce"Check"withvanity,lestsomeohanunseenswordslityourthroat.Neverhurlpietothesandboxafteryouhavelostagame,becausethenyoumustfindthemagain,byyourself,afterapologizingtoallaroundyou.Bytheendofthesummer,LauPohadtaughtmeallheknew,andIhadbeeabetterchessplayer.

  AsmallweekendcrowdofesepeopleandtouristswouldgatherasIplayedaedmyopposonebyone.Mymotherwouldjointhecrowdsduringtheseoutdoorexhibitiongames.Shesatproudlyonthebench,tellingmyadmirerswithproperesehumility,"Isluck."

  Amanwhowatchedmeplayintheparksuggestedthatmymotherallowmetoplayinlocalchesstours.Mymothersmiledgraciously,anahatmeantnothing.Idesperatelywaogo,butIbitbackmytongue.Iknewshewouldmeplayamongstrangers.SoaswewalkedhomeIsaidinasmallvoicethatIdidntwanttoplayinthelocaltourheywouldhaveAmerirules.IfIlost,Iwouldbringshameonmyfamily.

  "Isshameyoufalldownnobodypushyou,"saidmymother.

  Duringmyfirsttour,mymothersatwithmeinthefrontrowasIwaitedformyturn.Ifrequentlybouncedmylegstounstickthemfromtheetalseatofthefoldingchair.Whenmynamewascalled,Ileaptup.Mymotherunedsomethinginherlap.Itwasherg,asmalltabletofredjadewhichheldthesunsfire."Isluck,"shewhispered,andtuckeditintomydresspocket.Ituromyoppo,afifteen-year-oldboyfromOakland.Helookedatme,wrinklinghisnose.

  AsIbegantoplay,theboydisappeared,thecolorranoutoftheroom,andIsawonlymywhitepiedhisblaeswaitingoherside.Alightwindbeganblowingpastmyears.ItwhisperedsecretsonlyIcouldhear.

  "BlowfromtheSouth,"itmurmured."Thewindleavesnotrail."Isawaclearpath,thetrapstoavoid.Thecrowdrustled."Shhh!Shhh!"saidtheersoftheroom.Thewironger."ThrowsandfromtheEasttodistracthim."Theknightcameforwardreadyforthesacrifice.Thewindhissed,louderandlouder."Blow,blow,blow.Heotsee.Heisblindnow.Makehimleanawayfromthewindsoheiseasiertoknockdown."

  "Check,"Isaid,asthewindroaredwithlaughter.Thewinddieddowntolittlepuffs,myowh.

  MymotherplacedmyfirsttrophyoanewplasticchesssetthattheneighborhoodTaosocietyhadgiventome.Asshewipedeachpiecewithasoftcloth,shesaid,"imewinmore,loseless."

  "Ma,itsnothoiecesyoulose,"Isaid."Sometimesyouolosepiecestogetahead."

  "Bettertoloseless,seeifyoureallyneed."

  Attheour,Iwonagain,butitwasmymotherwhoworethetriumphantgrin.

  "Losteightpiecethistime.Lasttimewaseleven.WhatItellyou?Betteroffloseless!"Iwasannoyed,butIcouldntsayanything.

  Iattendedmoretours,eaefartherawayfromhome.Iwonallgames,inalldivisions.Theesebakerydownstairsfromourflatdisplayedmygrowingcolleoftrophiesinitswindow,amidstthedust-coveredcakesthatwereneverpickedup.ThedayafterIortantregionaltourhewindowencasedafreshsheetcakewithwhipped-creamfrostingandredscriptsaying,"gratulations,WaverlyJong,atownChessChampion."Soohat,aflowershop,headstoneengraver,andfuneralparlorofferedtosponsormeinnationaltours.ThatswhenmymotherdecidedInolongerhadtodothedishes.WinstonandVihadtodomychores.

  "Whydoesshegettoplayandwedoallthework,"plainedVi.

  "IsnewAmerirules,"saidmymother."Meimeiplay,squeezeallherbrainsoutforwinchess.Youplay,worthsqueezetowel."

  Bymyninthbirthday,Iwasanationalchesschampion.Iwasstillsome429pointsawayfromgrand-masterstatus,butIwastoutedastheGreatAmeriHope,achildprodigyandagirltoboot.TheyranaphotoofmeinLifemagazioaquoteinwhichBobbyFischersaid,"Therewillneverbeawomangrandmaster.""Yourmove,Bobby,"saidthecaption.

  ThedaytheytookthemagaziureIworelyplaitedbraidsclippedwithplasticbarrettestrimmedwithrhiones.Ilayinginalargehighschoolauditoriumthatechoedwithphlegmycoughsandthesqueakyrubberknobsofchairlegsslidingacrossfreshlywaxedwoodenfloors.SeatedacrossfrommewasanAmeriman,aboutthesameageasLauPo,maybefifty.Irememberthathissweatybrowseemedtoweepatmyeverymove.Heworeadark,malodoroussuit.Oneofhispocketswasstuffedwithagreatwhitekerchiefonwhichhewipedhispalmbeforesweepinghishahechosenchesspiecewithgreatflourish.

  Inmycrisppink-and-whitedresswithscratchylaceattheneeoftwomymotherhadsewnforthesespecialoccasions,Iwouldclaspmyhandsundermy,thedelicatepointsofmyelbowspoisedlightlyoableinthemannermymotherhadshownmeforposingforthepress.Iwouldswingmypatehershoesbadforthlikeanimpatientchildridingonaschoolbus.ThenIwouldpause,sumylips,twirlmychosenpiemidairasifundecided,andthenfirmlyplantitinitshreateningplace,withatriumphantsmilethrownbackatmyoppofoodmeasure.

  InolongerplayedinthealleyofWaverlyPlaevervisitedtheplaygrouhepigeonsandoldmengathered.Iwenttoschool,thelyhometolearnnewchesssecrets,cleverlycealedadvantages,moreescaperoutes.

  ButIfounditdifficulttotrateathome.MymotherhadahabitofstandingovermewhileIplottedoutmygames.Ithihoughtofherselfasmyprotectiveally.Herlipswouldbesealedtight,andaftereaade,asoft"Hmmmmph"wouldescapefromhernose.

  "Ma,Itpracticewhenyoustandtherelikethat,"Isaidoneday.Sheretreatedtothekitandmadeloudhthepotsandpans.Whenthecrashingstopped,Icouldseeoutoftheerofmyeyethatshewasstandinginthedoorway."Hmmmph!"Onlythisonecameouthtthroat.

  MyparentsmademanycessionstoallowmetopractietimeIplaihatthebedroomIsharedwassonoisythatIcouldntthink.Thereafter,mybrotherssleptihelivingroomfagthestreet.IsaidIcouldntfinishmyrice;myheaddidntwhtwhenmystomachwastoofull.Ileftthetablewithhalf-finishedbowlsandnobodyplained.ButtherewasoyIcouldntavoid.IhadtoapanymymotheronSaturdaymarketdayswhenIhadnotouroplay.Mymotherwouldproudlywalkwithme,visitingmanyshops,buyingverylittle."ThismydaughterWave-lyJong,"shesaidtowhoeverlookedherway.

  Oneday,afterweleftashopIsaidundermybreath,"Iwishyouwouldntdothat,tellingeverybodyImyhter."Mymotherstoppedwalking.Crowdsofpeoplewithheavybagspushedpastusonthesidewalk,bumpingintofirstoneshoulder,thenanother.

  "Aiii-ya.Soshamebewithmother?"Shegraspedmyhaighterassheglaredatme.

  Ilookeddown."Itsnotthat,itsjustsoobvious.Itsjustsoembarrassing."

  "Embarrassyoubemydaughter?"Hervoicewascragwithanger.

  "ThatsnotwhatImeant.ThatsnotwhatIsaid."

  "Whatyousay?"

  Ikwasamistaketosayanythingmore,butIheardmyvoicespeaking."Whydoyouhavetousemetoshowoff?Ifyouwanttoshowoff,thenwhydontyoulearntoplaychess."

  Mymotherseyesturodangerousblackslits.Shehadnowordsforme,justsharpsilence.

  Ifeltthewindrushingaroundmyhotears.Ijerkedmyhandoutofmymhtgraspandspunaround,knogintoanoldwoman.Herbagofgroceriesspilledtotheground.

  "Aii-ya!Stupidgirl!"mymotherandthewomancried.esandtinscareeneddownthesidewalk.Asmymotherstoopedtohelptheoldickuptheesgfood,Itookoff.

  Iraceddowreet,dashiweenpeople,notlookingbackasmymotherscreamedshrilly,"Meimei!Meimei!"Ifleddownanalley,pastdarkcurtainedshopsandmertswashingthegrimeofftheirwindows.Ispedintothesunlight,intestreetcrowdedwithtouristsexaminingtrisandsouvenirs.Iduckedintoanotherdarkalley,downareet,upanotheralley.IranuntilithurtandIrealizedIhadogo,thatIwasnotrunningfromanything.Thealleystainednoescaperoutes.

  Mybreathcameoutlikeangrysmoke.Itwascold.Isatdoturnedplasticpailoastaptyboxes,cuppingmywithmyhands,thinkinghard.Iimaginedmymother,firstwalkingbrisklydowreetoranotherlookingforme,thengivingupaurninghometoawaitmyarrival.Aftertwohours,Istooduponcreakinglegsandslowlywalkedhome.

  ThealleywasquietandIcouldseetheyellowlightsshiningfromourflatliketwotigerseyesinthenight.Iclimbedthesixteeothedoor,advangquietlyupeachsoasnottomakeanywarningsounds.Iturheknob;thedoorwaslocked.Iheardachairmoving,quicksteps,thelocksturning—click!click!click!—ahedooropened.

  "Abouttimeyougothome,"saidVi."Boy,areyouintrouble."

  Heslidbacktothediable.Onaplatterweretheremainsofalargefish,itsfleshyheadstillectedtobonesswimmingupstreaminvainescape.Standingtherewaitingformypunishment,Iheardmymotherspeakinadryvoice.

  "Wenotingthisgirl.Thisgirlnothaveingforus."

  Nobodylookedatme.Bonechopstickskedagainsttheinsidesofbowlsbeiiedintohungrymouths.

  Iwalkedintomyroom,closedthedoor,andlaydownoheroomwasdark,theceilingfilledwithshadowsfromthediimelightsofneighbflats.

  Inmyhead,Isawachessboardwithsixty-fourbladwhitesquares.Oppositemewasmyoppowoangryblackslits.Sheworeatriumphantsmile."Strowindotbeseen,"shesaid.

  Herblaadvancedacrosstheplane,slowlymargtoeachsuccessivelevelasasi.Mywhitepiecesscreamedastheyscurriedandfellofftheboardonebyone.Ashermendrewclosertomyedge,Ifeltmyselfgrowinglight.Iroseupintotheairathewindow.Higherandhigher,abovethealley,overthetopsoftiledroofs,whereIwasgatheredupbytheusheduptowardthenightskyuntileverythingbelowmedisappearedandIwasalone.

  Iyeyesandponderedmymove.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读