Ход королевы
Chapter 7
Shewasbeginningtofeelverygood.
***
Mrs.Wheatley’svoicesoundedfaintandanxious.“Youmighthavecalled.”
“I’msorry,”Bethsaid.“Ididn’twanttowakeyouup.”
“Iwouldn’thaveminded…”
“Anyway,I’mallright.AndI’mgoingtoCincinnatitoseeamovie.Iwon’tbehometonighteither.”
Therewasasilenceattheotherendoftheline.
“I’llbebackafterschoolMonday.”
Finally,Mrs.Wheatleyspoke.“Areyouwithaboy?”
“Iwaslastnight.”
“Oh.”Mrs.Wheatley’svoicesoundeddistant.“Beth…”
Bethlaughed.“Comeon,”shesaid.“I’mallright.”
“Well…”Shestillsoundedgrave,thenhervoicebecamelighter.“Isupposeit’sallright.It’sjustthat—”
Bethsmiled.“Iwon’tgetpregnant,”shesaid.
Atnoonsheputtherestoftheeggsinapottoboilandturnedonthehi-fi.Shehadneverreallylistenedtomusicbefore,butshelistenednow.Shedancedafewstepsinthemiddleofthelivingroom,waitingfortheeggs.Shewouldnotletherselfgetsick.Shewouldeatfrequentlyanddrinkonebeer—oroneglassofwine—everyhour.Shehadmadelovethenightbefore,andnowitwastimetolearnaboutbeingdrunk.Shewasalone,andshelikedit.Itwasthewayshehadlearnedeverythingimportantinherlife.
AtfourintheafternoonshewalkedintoLarry’sPackageStore,ablockfromtheapartment,andboughtafifthofRipple.Whenthemanwasputtingitinthebag,shesaid,“DoyouhaveawinelikeRipplethat’snotsosweet?”
“Thesesoda-popwinesareallthesame,”themansaid.
