Ход королевы
Chapter 6
Hisnamewasn’tamongtheeditors,butdownbelow,under“Correspondents,”werethreenames;thethirdwasD.L.Townes.Shestilldidn’tknowhisfirstname.
AfteramomentMrs.Wheatleysaid,“Wouldyouhandmeacanofbeer?Onthedresser.”
Bethstoodup.FivecansofPabstwereononeofthebrowntraysroomserviceused,andahalf-eatenbagofpotatochips.“Whydon’tyouhaveoneyourself?”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.
Bethpickeduptwocans;theyfeltmetallicandcold.“Okay.”ShehandedthemtoMrs.Wheatleyandgotherselfacleanglassfromthebathroom.
WhenBethgavehertheglass,Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“Iguessyou’veneverhadabeerbefore.”
“I’msixteen.”
“Well…”Mrs.Wheatleyfrowned.SheliftedthetabwithalittlepopandpouredexpertlyintoBeth’sglassuntilthewhitecollarstoodabovetherim.“Here,”shesaid,asthoughofferingmedicine.
Bethsippedthebeer.Shehadneverhaditbeforebutittastedmuchasshehadexpected,asthoughshehadalwaysknownwhatbeerwouldtastelike.Shetriednottomakeafaceandfinishedalmosthalftheglass.Mrs.Wheatleyreachedoutfromthebedandpouredtherestofitin.Bethdrankanothermouthful.Itstungherthroatslightly,butthenshefeltasensationofwarmthinherstomach.Herfacewasflushed—asthoughshewereblushing.Shefinishedofftheglassful.“Goodness,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“youshouldn’tdrinksofast.”
“I’dlikeanother,”Bethsaid.ShewasthinkingofTownes,howhehadlookedaftertheyfinishedplayingandshestooduptoleave.Hehadsmiledandtakenherhand.
