Ход королевы
Chapter 6
“Maybethat’swhyIcallyouHarmon.InsteadofElizabeth.”
Shebegansettingupthepiecesontheboard.“It’sBeth.”
“I’drathercallyouHarmon.”
“Let’splayskittles,”shesaid.“YoucanplayWhite.”
Skittleswasspeedchess,andtherewasn’ttimeformuchcomplexity.Hegothischessclockfromthebureauandsetittogivethemeachfiveminutes.“Ishouldgiveyouthree,”hesaid.
“Goahead,”Bethsaid,notlookingathim.Shewishedhewouldjustcomeoverandtouchher—onthearmmaybe,orputhishandonhercheek.Heseemedterriblysophisticated,andhissmilewaseasy.Hecouldn’tbethinkingaboutherthewayshewasthinkingabouthim.ButJolenehadsaid,“Theyallthinkaboutit,honey.That’sjustwhattheythinkabout.”Andtheywerealoneinhisroom,withtheking-sizedbed.InLasVegas.
Whenhesettheclockatthesideoftheboard,shesawtheybothhadthesameamountoftime.Shedidnotwanttoplaythisgamewithhim.Shewantedtomakelovewithhim.Shepunchedthebuttononherside,andhisclockstartedticking.Hemovedpawntokingfourandpushedhisbutton.Sheheldherbreathforamomentandbegantoplaychess.
***
WhenBethcamebacktotheirroomMrs.Wheatleywassittinginbed,smokingacigaretteandlookingmournful.“Where’veyoubeen,honey?”shesaid.HervoicewasquietandhadsomeofthestrainithadwhenshespokeofMr.Wheatley.
“Playingchess,”Bethsaid.“Practicing.”
TherewasacopyofChessReviewonthetelevisionset.Bethgotitandopenedittothemastheadpage.
