Ход королевы

           Bethneverparticipatedintheseconversations;shealreadywaswhatshewantedtobe.Butshetalkedtonooneabouthertravelingoraboutthereputationshewasbuildingintournamentchess.

           WhentheycamebackfromMiamiinMarch,therewasanenvelopefromtheChessFederationinthemail.Initwasanewmembershipcardwithherrating:1881.Shehadbeentolditwouldtaketimefortheratingtoreflectherrealstrength;shewassatisfiedfornowtobe,finally,aratedplayer.Shewouldpushthefigureupsoonenough.ThenextbigstepwasMaster,at2200.After2000theycalledyouanExpert,butthatdidn’tmeanmuch.TheoneshelikedwasInternationalGrandmaster;thathadweighttoit.

           ***

           ThatsummertheywenttoNewYorktoplayattheHenryHudsonHotel.Theyhaddevelopedatasteforfinefood,thoughathomeitwasmostlyTVdinners,andinNewYorktheyateatFrenchrestaurants,takingbusescrosstowntoLeBistroandCafeArgenteuil.Mrs.WheatleyhadgonetoagasstationinLexingtonandboughtaMobilTravelGuide;shepickedplaceswiththreeormorestars,andthentheyfoundthemwiththelittlemap.Itwasterriblyexpensive,butneitherofthemsaidawordaboutthecost.Bethwouldeatsmokedtroutbutneverfreshfish;sherememberedthefishshe’dhadtoeatonFridaysatMethuen.ShedecidedthatnextyearatschoolshewouldtakeFrench.

           Theonlyproblemwasthat,ontheroad,shetookthepillsfromMrs.Wheatley’sprescriptiontohelphersleepatnight,andsometimesitrequiredanhourorsotogetherheadclearinthemorning.