Things are going surprisingly smoothly nowadays. Our schedule is more or less consistent— I do housework while Marvin's at the television studio, and Jason comes over every Friday to Sunday. I don't talk to him much, because I don't know what to say, and he doesn't talk to me much, and that's our thing.

This particular Friday, Marvin is working later than usual, so I don't worry too much about dinner. I'm relaxing on the couch a bit when the lock clicks and the door opens. Jason's here. He must have taken the school bus. I shut off the TV and look over as he walks in.

He makes eye contact and then quickly looks around. "Where's my dad?" he asks.

"Out," I reply. "He's working late." To tell the truth, I forgot it was Marvin's day with him. I was looking forward to spending the evening alone, and now I have a kid to look after, a kid I barely know.

I think he's going to retreat to his room, but instead he comes over and timidly sits on the couch. He spots the chess board sitting on the table and points to it. "What is that?"

"It's a chess board," I say. His face remains blank. "Seriously, kid? You've never heard of chess before?"

He shakes his head.

I let out a sigh. "Come here, then. I'll teach you. It's a bit complicated, but I'm sure a smart kid like you could pick it up in no time." I see a small smile just barely appear on his face as he scoots closer. I set up the chess board between us and place the pieces on it, explaining which is which and what they do.

Jason just sits there silently, nodding as I go through the steps. He's a very attentive listener, I notice. I do my best to explain everything in full detail before asking him if he's ready to play.

"White starts the game," I tell him, motioning to his side of the chess board. "That's your move."

"Okay." He picks up the pawn and hesitates.

"Do you need my help?"

"No, I've got it." He places it, and I give him a nod of approval. We continue the game, and I don't have to remind him of anything or give him any tips, because he has got it. My mind is sort of drifting off, and I'm wondering whether or not I should let him win since it's his first time. He moves a piece to trap my king, a move that brings my attention back to the game.

"Check." He pauses. "Is that right?"

I size up the scene and discover I can't move. "Jason, you just won the game."

His eyes widen in surprise. "I did?"

"Yes, you did. You're a natural, buddy." I pat him on the shoulder and he grins. It's the first time I've seen him really smile.

"Can we play again?"

"Sure thing." I help him reset the pieces on the chess board and we play once more, and then once more after that. I don't even notice how much time has passed until Marvin comes in. "Sorry I ran so late," he's starting to say as he shrugs out of his coat, "I had to help my—" He stops when he sees the two of us sitting on the floor, the chess board between us.

"Oh, no worries," I assure him. "We had a pretty nice afternoon."

"Jason, I didn't know you knew how to play chess," Marvin remarks, hanging up his coat and entering the living room.

"I didn't. Whizzer taught me!" Jason gives me a shy smile, which I return. Maybe these weekends aren't all that bad.

Marvin sits down on the couch next to where we are. "Well, then I won't keep you. You two can finish your game." So we do, and he watches us. The game ends with Jason getting checkmate. Again.

"Aww, come on," I say with a tired laugh as Jason hovers over the chess board, grinning at his move. "You've got to go easier on me."

"No way," he says. "You're a grown-up. You've got to start playing like one."

My mouth falls open. The nerve of that kid! He laughs as he gets up to head back to his room. Once he's gone, I look at Marvin, who looks happier than I've ever seen him.

"Did you let him win?"

Let him win? "I wish! That kid's on fire. Jesus."

Marvin smiles, reaching over from the couch to take my hand. "Thanks for playing with him today. It's just..."

"What?"

"Nothing. It's nice. I like that you're getting along."

"Yeah, well..." I stand up and join him on the couch, placing my hand on my knee. "He's a great kid."

"He is," Marvin agrees. "And you're great with him."

I try to hide the smile that's spreading across my face. "You think so?"

"Yeah. I think he's starting to get used to you."

It's that line that makes me freeze. Get used to you. It's one of those little things that make this whole situation feel permanent. I relax my shoulders after a second and turn to face Marvin. It isn't so bad, is it?

Permanency. Commitment. A kid to play chess with on Friday afternoons. It's all very new.

After that day, Jason and I gradually become more acquainted with one another. Whenever he comes home from school, he always greets Marvin with a, "hi, Dad," accompanied by a "hi, Whizzer." It's small, but it makes me happy.

Sometimes I'll help him with his homework. Not too often. He seems to know a lot about what he's doing. Better than I ever was in school. I was one of those kids who couldn't shut up during class, and the teacher would have to send me outside to do my work. Not Jason. Sometimes he's so quiet at home I forget he's there.

Occasionally I'll see Trina, too. She comes over sometimes to pick Jason up or to drop him off. She doesn't break out the "hi, Whizzer," she'll simply nod to me and then talk with Marvin about whatever's going on with Jason.

But sometimes Marvin and I will go over there for dinner. I don't ask him why; maybe he just wants to feel like a normal family again. Trina doesn't say much when we're over there, in fact, none of us do. And sitting there at the table with the once-seemingly-perfect family, I start to feel like a home-wrecker all over again.

But it's fine. We're doing fine.