Ход королевы
Chapter 6
Shewantedtoscream,butinsteadsetherkingonitssideandgotupfromthetable.Herlegsandbackwerestiffandpainful.Herstomachwasknotted.Allshehadreallyneededwasadraw,andshehadn’tbeenabletogeteventhat.Bennyhaddrawntwicealreadyinthetournament.Shehadgoneintothegamewithaperfectscore,andadrawwouldhavegivenherthetitle.Butshehadgoneforawin.
“Toughgame,”Bennywassaying.Hewasholdingouthishand.Sheforcedherselftotakeit.Peoplewereapplauding.NotapplaudingherbutBennyWatts.
Byeveningshecouldstillfeelit,butithadlessened.Mrs.Wheatleytriedtoconsoleher.Theprizemoneywouldbesplit.SheandBennywouldbeco-champions,eachwithasmalltrophy.“Ithappensallthetime,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“Ihavemadeinquiries,andtheOpenChampionshipisoftenshared.”
“Ididn’tseewhathewasdoing,”Bethsaid,picturingthemovewherehisqueentookherpawn.Itwaslikeputtingyourtongueagainstanachingtooth.
“Youcan’tfinesseeverything,dear,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“Nobodycan.”
Bethlookedather.“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutchess,”shesaid.
“Iknowwhatitfeelsliketolose.”
“Ibetyoudo,”Bethsaid,asviciouslyasshecould.“Ijustbetyoudo.”
Mrs.Wheatleypeeredathermeditativelyforamoment.“Andnowyoudotoo,”shesaidsoftly.
***
SometimesonthestreetthatwinterinLexingtonpeoplewouldlookbackovertheirshouldersather.ShewasontheMorningShowonWLEX.
