Ход королевы

           Shegotupfromtheboardandwalkedtothestairswhilethejanitorwatchedherinsilence.

           ***

           OnTuesdaywhenshewentdownthehalltothebasementdoorcarryingtheerasers,shefoundthatthedoorwaslocked.Shepushedagainstittwicewithherhip,butitwouldn’tbudge.Sheknocked,softlyatfirstandthenloudly,buttherewasnosoundfromtheotherside.Itwashorrible.Sheknewhewasintheresittingattheboard,thathewasjustbeingangryatherfromthelasttime,buttherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.Whenshebroughtbacktheerasers,MissGrahamdidn’tevennoticetheyhadn’tbeencleanedorthatBethwasbacksoonerthanusual.

           OnThursdayshewascertainitwouldbethesame,butitwasn’t.Thedoorwasopen,andwhenshewentdownthestairs,Mr.Shaibelactedasthoughnothinghadhappened.Thepiecesweresetup.Shecleanedtheerasershurriedlyandseatedherselfattheboard.Mr.Shaibelhadmovedhisking’spawnbythetimeshegotthere.Sheplayedherking’spawn,movingittwosquaresforward.Shewouldnotmakeanymistakesthistime.

           Herespondedtohermovequickly,andsheimmediatelyreplied.Theysaidnothingtoeachother,butkeptmoving.Bethcouldfeelthetension,andshelikedit.

           OnthetwentiethmoveMr.Shaibeladvancedaknightwhenheshouldn’thaveandBethwasabletogetapawntothesixthrank.Hebroughttheknightback.Itwasawastedmoveandshefeltathrillwhenshesawhimdoit.Shetradedherbishopfortheknight.Then,onthenextmove,shepushedthepawnagain.Itwouldbecomeaqueenonthenextmove.