Ход королевы
Chapter 1
Shetriedtoplayon,queenless,toignorethemortalloss,buthereachedoutandstoppedherhandfromtouchingthepawnshewasabouttomove.“Youresignnow,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasrough.
“Resign?”
“That’sright,child.Whenyoulosethequeenthatway,youresign.”
Shestaredathim,notcomprehending.Heletgoofherhand,pickedupherblackking,andsetitonitssideontheboard.Itrolledbackandforthforamomentandthenlaystill.
“No,”shesaid.
“Yes.Youhaveresignedthegame.”
Shewantedtohithimwithsomething.“Youdidn’ttellmethatintherules.”
“It’snotarule.It’ssportsmanship.”
Sheknewnowwhathemeant,butshedidnotlikeit.“Iwanttofinish,”shesaid.Shepickedupthekingandsetitbackonitssquare.
“No.”
“You’vegottofinish,”shesaid.
Heraisedhiseyebrowsandgotup.Shehadneverseenhimstandinthebasement—onlyoutinthehallswhenhewassweepingorintheclassroomswhenhewashedtheblackboards.Hehadtostoopabitnowtokeephisheadfromhittingtheraftersonthelowceiling.“No,”hesaid.“Youlost.”
Itwasn’tfair.Shehadnointerestinsportsmanship.Shewantedtoplayandtowin.Shewantedtowinmorethanshehadeverwantedanything.Shesaidawordshehadnotsaidsincehermotherdied:“Please.”
“Game’sover,”hesaid.
Shestaredathiminfury.“Yougreedy…”
Helethisarmsdropstraightathissidesandsaidslowly,“Nomorechess.Getout.”
Ifonlyshewerebigger.Butshewasn’t.
