Ход королевы

           Justholdinghishandforthatshorttimemadehercheeksfeelthewaythebeerhad.Shehadwonsevenfastgamesfromhim.Sheheldherglasstightlyandforamomentwantedtothrowitonthefloorashardasshecouldandwatchitshatter.Insteadshewalkedover,pickedupanothercanofbeer,putherfingerintheringandopenedit.

           “Youreallyshouldn’t…”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.Bethfilledherglass.“Well,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,resigned,“ifyou’regoingtodothat,letmehaveonetoo.Ijustdon’twantyoutobesick…”

           Bethbangedhershoulderagainstthedoorframegoingintothebathroomandbarelygottothetoiletintime.Itstunghernosehorriblyasshethrewup.Aftershefinished,shestoodbythetoiletforawhileandbegantocry.Yet,evenwhileshewascrying,sheknewthatshehadmadeadiscoverywiththethreecansofbeer,adiscoveryasimportantastheoneshehadmadewhenshewaseightyearsoldandsaveduphergreenpillsandthentookthemallatonetime.Withthepillstherewasalongwaitbeforetheswooningcameintoherstomachandloosenedthetightness.Thebeergaveherthesamefeelingwithalmostnowait.

           “Nomorebeer,honey,”Mrs.WheatleysaidwhenBethcamebackintothebedroom.“Notuntilyou’reeighteen.”

           ***

           Theballroomwassetupforseventychessplayers,andBeth’sfirstgamewasatBoardNine,againstasmallmanfromOklahoma.Shebeathimasifinadream,intwodozenmoves.