Ход королевы

           Buttournamentgamesneverstartedbeforenine,andshemadeapointofgettingupintimetohaveseveralcupsofcoffeefromroomservice.Mrs.WheatleydidnotknowaboutthepillsandshowednoconcernoverBeth’sappetiteforcoffee;shetreatedherineverywaylikeanadult.SometimesitseemedasthoughBethweretheolderofthetwo.

           BethlovedNewYork.Shelikedridingonthebus,andshelikedtakingtheIRTsubwaywithitsgritandrattle.Shelikedwindowshoppingwhenshehadachance,andsheenjoyedhearingpeopleonthestreettalkingYiddishorSpanish.ShedidnotmindthesenseofdangerinthecityorthearrogantwaythetaxisdroveorthedirtyglitterofTimesSquare.TheywenttoRadioCityMusicHallontheirlastnightandsawWestSideStoryandtheRockettes.Sittinghighinthecavernoustheaterinavelvetseat,Bethwasthrilled.

           ***

           ShehadexpectedareporterfromLifetobesomeonewhochain-smokedandlookedlikeLloydNolan,butthepersonwhocametothedoorofthehousewasasmallwomanwithsteel-grayhairandadarkdress.Themanwithherwascarryingacamera.SheintroducedherselfasJeanBalke.ShelookedolderthanMrs.Wheatley,andshewalkedaroundthelivingroomwithquicklittlemovements,hastilycheckingoutthebooksinthebookcaseandstudyingsomeoftheprintsonthewalls.Thenshebeganaskingquestions.Hermannerwaspleasantanddirect.“I’vereallybeenimpressed,”shesaid,“eventhoughIdon’tplaychessmyself.”Shesmiled.“Theysayyou’retherealthing.”

           Bethwasalittleembarrassed.