Ход королевы

           InFebruaryitwasAtlantaandacold;inMarch,Miamiandtheflu.SometimesMrs.WheatleytalkedtotheAssistantPrincipalandsometimestotheDeanofGirls.Noonequestionedtheexcuses.Itseemedlikelythatsomeofthestudentsknewaboutherfromout-of-townpapersorsomething,butnooneinauthoritysaidanything.Bethworkedonherchessforthreehourseveryeveningbetweentournaments.ShelostonegameinAtlantabutstillcameinfirst,andshestayedundefeatedintheothertwocities.SheenjoyedflyingwithMrs.Wheatley,whosometimesbecamecomfortablybuzzedbymartinisontheplanes.Theytalkedandgiggledtogether.Mrs.Wheatleysaidfunnythingsaboutthestewardessesandtheirbeautifullypressedjacketsandbright,artificialmake-up,ortalkedabouthowsillysomeofherneighborsinLexingtonwere.Shewashigh-spiritedandconfidentialandamusing,andBethwouldlaughalongtimeandlookoutthewindowatthecloudsbelowthemandfeelbetterthanshehadeverfelt,evenduringthosetimesatMethuenwhenshehadsaveduphergreenpillsandtakenfiveorsixatonce.

           Shegrewtolovehotelsandrestaurantsandtheexcitementofbeinginatournamentandwinningit,movingupgraduallygamebygameandhavingthecrowdaroundhertableincreasewitheachwin.Peopleattournamentsknewwhoshewasnow.Shewasalwaystheyoungestthere,andsometimestheonlyfemale.Backatschoolafterwardthingsseemedmoreandmoredrab.Someoftheotherstudentstalkedaboutgoingtocollegeafterhighschool,andsomehadprofessionsinmind.Twogirlssheknewwantedtobenurses.