Beth

by Art White

Scott Kishbaugh's IQ is twice that of his sister Beth. She was in Special Education classes; he got a master's degree from Cornell University. Scott is gifted. Beth is mildly retarded.

One Thanksgiving when they were children, Scott and Beth were playing Spite and Malice with other family members, including their Aunt Polly. It had not been a good day for young Scott, whose older siblings had won almost every game. More than once he had thrown up his hands or banged the table when another player had won. More than once his green eyes had glistened with dashed hopes and heartfelt defeat.

The object of Spite and Malice is to use all 26 cards from your pack while preventing other players from doing the same. Some players take as much delight in blocking their opponents as in winning, which is how the game gets its name.

Aunt Polly was kibitzing while Scott and Beth were having a game. She noticed Beth missed playing a card from her hand that could have blocked Scott. Beth picked up and said, "Your turn, Scott." A few minutes later, Beth overlooked another card. "Your turn, Scott." Polly was amazed. Beth certainly had limitations elsewhere in life, but in this card game she was a whiz. She knew the rules and delighted in the game. It wasn't like Beth to mis~play like this.

"Your turn, Scott." She did it again! Polly was puzzled and fascinated. Eventually, Scott won. It perked him up, brought a smile to his face and allowed him to enjoy the rest of that Thanksgiving Day.

Later, Polly asked her niece, "You let Scott win, didn't you, Beth?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"He was sad because he was losing. Scott likes to win."

"It was nice of you to let him win, Beth."

"Yes."

"I wish you'd let me win once in a while," said Polly with a mock pout on her face.

"Sometimes I do."

Fifteen years later, Scott Kishbaugh wrote on the dedication page of his master's thesis: "I'd also like to dedicate my thesis to my big sister, Beth, who has taught me the most valuable lesson: Fame and fortune are great, but the best thing about life is life itself. It exists for its own sake and is good. The joys and privilege of love and life itself trivialize other values. I pray that I'll always follow her valuable lesson; she lives it every day."

Art White is a freelance writer from Clementsvale, N.S.

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