Ход королевы
Chapter 7
Shesatontheedgeofthebedaminute,blinking.Shegotupandpushedopenthekitchendoor.Emptybottlesandbeercanswereeverywhere.Theairwasfoulwithdeadsmoke.AnotewasfastenedtotherefrigeratordoorwithamagnetintheshapeofMickeyMouse’shead.Itread:“EverybodywenttoCincinnatitoseeamovie.Stayaslongasyoulike.”
Thebathroomwasoffthelivingroom.Whenshehadfinishedshoweringandhaddriedherself,shewrappedatowelaroundherhair,wentbacktothekitchenandopenedtherefrigerator.Therewereeggsinacarton,twocansofBudweiserandsomepickles.OnthedoorshelfwasaBaggie.Shepickeditup.Insidewasasingle,tightlyrolledjoint.Shetookitout,putitinhermouthandlititwithawoodenmatch.Sheinhaleddeeply.Thenshetookoutfoureggsandputthemontoboil.Shehadneverfeltsohungryinherlife.Shecleaneduptheapartmentinanorganizedway,asifshewereplayingchess,gettingfourlargegrocerybagstoputallthebottlesandbuttsinandstackingtheseonthebackporch.Shefoundahalf-fullbottleofRippleandfourunopenedbeercansinthedebris.Sheopenedabeerandbeganvacuumingtheliving-roomcarpet.
Hangingoverachairinthebedroomwasapairofjeans.Whenshehadfinishedcleaningshechangedintothem.Theyfitherperfectly.ShefoundawhiteT-shirtinadrawerandputiton.Thenshedranktherestofherbeerandopenedanother.Someonehadleftalipstickonthebackofthetoilet.Shewenttothebathroomandstudyingherselfinthemirror,reddenedherlipscarefully.Shehadneverwornlipstickbefore.
