The Hayloft. A 1950s Mystery

that easily? “Look. We can still see each other. We just have to be careful. I can’t drive you to school. We can’t sit together at lunch. And you won’t be able to go to the farm.”
    “Ah, the light dawns. So who is it, Dr. Graves and your aunt who are the stoolies?”
    “You should be a detective,” I said, managing a thin smile.
    “Okay, we can’t fight city hall. And I understand from my father that your father works for the city of Buffalo. But he’ll find out how difficult it is to separate two people who don’t want to be separated. Or, hopefully, he won’t find out. We’ll just have to ‘kiss in a shadow,’ as the song from The King and I goes.”
    Now I knew why I liked her so much.

    CHAPTER 21
    On Monday, I went to chess club for the first time. It was held during last period, which was set aside for student activities. Clubs met this period, and Sylvia’s student council met, and anybody who wasn’t a joiner could take study hall. I had decided that the best way for me to improve my chess game enough so that I could beat Uncle Jeff was to play more chess.
    I didn’t sit with Sylvia, Barney, and Ed at lunch. I didn’t give the boys a reason why not, leaving that to Sylvia. I knew she would be discreet, especially in regard to Ed, who we didn’t want passing on any sensitive information to his parents that might get to Aunt Dorothy. I sat with two boys from my math class who I knew wouldn’t talk about how horrible the communists were and how they shouldn’t be allowed in the school.
    I felt that chess club was safe in that respect. I knew that Barney was a member, so it was a way for me to stay in touch with him. The classroom used for the club had wooden tables in it instead of individual desks. I glanced around as I walked in late and noticed that most of the members were boys, but there were a few girls also.
    Games were already in progress, with the players concentrating on their moves. If only they would concentrate like that in the classroom, their grades would be much improved. That thought wasn’t original with me; I had heard it from several adults, in reference to me. I spotted Barney in the corner setting up chess pieces on a board. He looked up, saw me, and motioned for me to come over and sit in the chair opposite him.
    “I’ve been wanting to play a game with you,” he said as I sat down. “Pick a color.”
    He held out both his hands, each containing a pawn. I managed to pick black, giving him the right to start. He moved his king’s pawn two squares forward, and I countered with the same move. He moved rapidly, and because we were in a limited time situation, I did the same. He seized the advantage, and before I knew it, I found myself in an endgame in which we each had a king and a queen. Unfortunately, he also had several pawns, and I wouldn’t be able to stop at least one from queening.
    My king was in a position in which it couldn’t move, so I checked Barney’s king with my queen by placing it right next to the monarch. If he took my queen with his king, the game would be a stalemate, which was a draw. When he moved his king, I moved my queen to keep them together. Perpetual check, also a draw. Kissing your sister. I didn’t know about that, not having a sister. But better than a loss.
    “I thought I had you,” Barney said, conceding the draw. “I’ll get you next time.” He started to put the pieces into a box, since the period was nearing an end. He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “I understand you can’t be seen with Sylvia.”
    I nodded and looked around, not wanting others to hear the conversation. Those closest to us were still immersed in their games. “A certain member of the administration has it in for me,” I said in little more than a whisper. “And Sylvia. But it isn’t only him. It’s the kids. I don’t care so much about me, but Sylvia’s life would be a lot easier if they at least spoke to her. Natalie has a lot of influence. If she acted friendly toward Sylvia, I think most of the others would fall into line.”
    “Natalie has skeletons in her closet. Listen. Are you free this afternoon? Come on over to my house. We’ll play some more chess. And I’ll tell you a few things that might interest you. You know where I live, don’t you?”
    ***
    Everybody knew where Barney lived because his father was the town doctor, and his office was in his house. The house was right on Main Street beyond the hollow, as I drove