Both Initials

Ages 12-15

Dovi rubs a mark off the chess box with his sleeve.

The lid has two sets of initials. His are large. Nosson's fit into the corner beside them.

They bought the set together in the spring. Half the money came from each boy. Since Dovi has a free shelf, the box stays at his house between games.

Now the school is collecting games, books, and model kits for its charity sale.

Dovi takes out every piece and sets it on the table. Nothing is missing. Even the paper directions are still folded underneath the board.

He puts everything back, straightens the lid, and carries the box to school.

Three games already stand on the collection table. One has a torn corner. Another needs its title written on a new label.

Dovi holds his box beside them without setting it down.

Nosson comes through the doorway.

"We could give this," Dovi says. "It's better than most of the games here."

Nosson looks at the lid.

"I want to keep our set. We use it."

"But half of it is mine."

"Yes."

Dovi shifts the box against his hip.

The teacher is putting a label on a carton at the far end of the table. There is room beside the other games. His box would stand highest if he turned it on its edge.

He lifts the lid a little.

Half the pieces are white. He could give those.

Dovi closes the lid.

"All right. I'll take it home."

Nosson picks up his schoolbag.

"Are you free Sunday? We could try that position with the two rooks."

"I have to check."

Dovi doesn't ask him about the sale again.

At home, he puts the box on the table and looks along his shelf.

A paper boat kit stands beside the place where the box belongs. Dovi bought it with his own money. Inside its thin envelope, the hull and sails are printed on stiff sheets, ready to cut out.

He takes out the sheets. Every piece is still there, uncut.

On the front, a little drawing shows the finished boat with blue sails.

Dovi slides the sheets back into the envelope and puts it in his schoolbag.

The next morning, the collection table has another large game on it.

Dovi lays his boat kit with the other models. A wide box covers most of the envelope. Only one blue sail shows.

He pulls it forward just far enough for the boat to be seen, then leaves it there.

After school, the chess box is still on his table.

He carries it to the shelf, lid facing out.

His large initials and Nosson's small ones sit together beside the kit's empty space.