Chapter 7

           Bethpuffed,inhaledandheldthesmokein.Therewasnothingtoit.Shehandedthejointtotheyoungmanonherright,andhesaid,“Thankyou.”HehadbeentalkingaboutDonaldDuckwithEileen.TheywereinEileenandBarbara’sapartment,ablockoffMainStreet.ItwasEileenwhohadinvitedBethtotheparty,afterthenightclass.

           “It’sgottobeMelBlanc,”Eileenwassayingnow.“They’reallMelBlanc.”Bethwasstillholdingthesmokein,hopingthatitwouldloosenherup.Shehadbeensittingonthefloorwiththesecollegestudentsforhalfanhourandhadsaidnothing.

           “BlancdoesSylvester,buthedoesn’tdoDonaldDuck,”theyoungmansaidwithfinality.HeturnedaroundtofaceBeth.“I’mTim,”hesaid.“You’rethechessplayer.”

           Bethletthesmokeout.“That’sright.”

           “You’retheU.S.Women’sChampion.”

           “I’mtheU.S.OpenCo-Champion,”Bethsaid.

           “Sorry.Itmustbeatrip.”Hewasred-hairedandthin.ShehadseenhimsittinginthemiddleoftheclassroomandcouldrememberhissoftvoicewhentheyrecitedRussianphrasesinunison.

           “Doyouplay?”Bethdidnotlikethestraininhervoice.Shefeltoutofplace.SheshouldeithergohomeorcallMrs.Wheatley.

           Heshookhishead.“Toocerebral.Youwantabeer?”

           Shehadn’thadabeersinceLasVegas,ayearbefore.“Okay,”shesaid.Shestartedtogetupfromthefloor.

           “I’llgetit.”Hepushedhimselfupfromwheretheyweresittingonthecarpet.Hecamebackwithtwocansandhandedherone.Shetookalongdrink.