"It's not a problem Pete. It was either this or listen to Mike and Micky argue about what to watch on tv." Davy said with a soft sigh.
"Well I'm going to go check on Mrs. Philps." Peter patted Davy's shoulder. "You're on your own."
Davy looked around and seen a man who looked like he was in his early seventies playing chess by himself. Davy felt bad that the man was sitting by himself so he walked over towards him.
"Hi. My name is-"
"Quiet kid!" the man barked.
Davy sat across from the old man and watched him.
The man had made a fatal move and didn't seem to realize it. Out of boredom Davy moved the piece and took the man's queen. The man no longer looked annoyed but impressed.
"Good job kid!" he roughly shook Davy's hand. "Name's Charlie."
"Davy."
"If you say your last name is Jones, I'm going to scream."
"Get ready to scream." Davy warned.
"Davy Jones. Like from Davy Jones's locker?" Charlie asked.
"Yep."
"You're a Manchester boy. I can tell by your accent. I use to live in there myself. Moved there when I was in my thirties. Beautiful country. But cold." Charlie chuckled.
"Tell me about it." Davy groaned. "All it does is seem to rain. But I love it. I go back quite often."
"Well good. What'd you say we play again?"
"Okay. I'll set up the board." Davy grinned.
"You want a coke?" Charlie asked. Before Davy could answer an old woman walked towards Davy and Charlie.
"Is he your grandson?" Again before anyone could answer the woman glushed. "Oh, he's a very handsome boy! Very handsome! Look at that face!" she squeezed Davy's cheeks. He winced as she was squeezing them really hard. After that she left.
"Sorry 'bout that. Betty doesn't know her own strength at times." Charlie chuckled.
"I'll say." Davy rubbed his sore cheeks.
Soon it was time for Peter and Davy to leave.
Davy's cheeks throbbed from all the pinches they had recieved.
"Bye Charlie. I'll see you soon." Davy waved.
"Sure kid." Charlie replied bitterly.
Davy scratched his head in confusion.
"Why are your cheeks all pink?" Mike asked when Davy entered the pad.
"All these old women kept coming up to him squeezing his cheeks." Peter explained.
"You're so cute! You remind me of my grandson!" Micky exclaimed in an old woman's voice.
"Please don't squeeze my cheeks." Davy whimpered.
Micky laughed. "I won't. Promise."
"Thanks." Davy said rubbing one of his cheeks.
"They pinched my cheeks too, but I think Davy got the worst of it." Peter laughed.
"Did you have fun?" Mike asked.
"Lots! I met this guy named Charlie. He's eighty-seven but seems alot younger. We played chess. Talked. He's a groovy guy. But there's something that puzzles me about him."
"What's that?" Peter asked.
"As we were leaving, I said I'd see him soon. He said 'Sure kid.' like he was mad. He reminds me of Millie you know. Lonely. But Millie seemed sad, and Charlie seems angery and bitter about it." Davy sighed.
"I don't know what to tell ya shot-gun except be true to your word and go back and see him."
"You're right Mike. After all he's the worst chess player I've ever seen. Worse then Peter and that says alot."
Peter stuck his tongue out at Davy. Davy laughed.
"I'm only teasing you."
"How'd you get so good anyway?" Peter asked.
"Me grandfather. He taught me everything he knows."
"That explains it." Micky grinned.
"When are you going back?" Peter asked.
"Tomorrow. I'll go visit him tomorrow." Davy smiled.