That’s Just Too Bad... | Peggy Boeye

I was asked by a shirt-tail relative at a recent family event what my sport was in high school. Asking that question made it very obvious how little he knew me. I was not graced by the gods of athleticism as a child. I have been known to fall off my shoes while standing still and trip over the lines in the linoleum. However, that has never stopped me from being competitive.

I have killer instincts in board games. It all stems back, I think, to the fact that my (much) older brother could read before I could. So he read the rules to all the board games and then hoarded that knowledge, holding it over my head when I tried to make an “illegal” move. I remember being trapped in interminable games of Monopoly, just trying to pass go and get the $200. Every time I thought I was close to winning, bam, out came another rule. Looking back, maybe that’s the only way he could get enjoyment out of having to play with his baby sister. But yes, I taught myself to read at a very young age.

It’s mid-winter, and that means my dear husband and I will soon be joining our friends in our monthly winter game nights. He may be a tad bit competitive as well, and that sometimes makes it a little uncomfortable for the people around us. Hmmm, maybe that’s why it’s mid-February and game night hasn’t begun yet. I’ll check on that one and get back to you.

Last winter, we got to learn a new board game. My first move was to read the directions. Of course. The game involved boats, an island, natural disasters, and ocean monsters. On one of the first turns, my dear one got control of a whale, which drowned the people in the nearby boat. Which “just happened” to be one of mine. Bad mistake. At every possible moment, I rained death and destruction down on his poor little boats. Even if I had to travel halfway across the game board and ignore much better opportunities close at hand. I also may have encouraged other players to target him and his poor partner as well. Whales? Check. Sharks? Yep. Sea serpents? Of course! Those poor little boat people didn’t have a chance. So he lost, and well, I didn’t win either. Maybe I need to work on that part. Because, you know, winning is almost more important than payback.

Peggy Boeye is the office manager The Express. Contact her at news@redoakexpress.com.