Ход королевы
Chapter 7
“Whataboutburgundy?”SometimesMrs.Wheatleyorderedburgundywithherdinnerwhentheyateout.
“I’vegotGallo,ItalianSwissColony,PaulMasson…”
“PaulMasson,”Bethsaid.“Twobottles.”
Thatnightatelevenshewasabletogetundressedbybeingcareful.Shehadfoundapairofpajamasearlierandshemanagedtogetthemonandtopileherclothesonachairbeforegettingintobedandpassingout.
Noonehadcomebackbymorning.Shemadescrambledeggsandatethemwithtwopiecesoftoastbeforehavingherfirstglassofwine.Itwasanothersunnyday.InthelivingroomshefoundVivaldi’s“TheFourSeasons.”Sheputiton.Thenshebegandrinkinginearnest.
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OnMondaymorningBethtookataxitoHenryClayHighSchoolandarrivedtenminutesbeforeherfirstclass.Shehadlefttheapartmentemptyandclean;theownershadnotyetreturnedfromCincinnati.Mostofthewrinkleshadhungoutofhersweaterandskirt,andshehadwashedherargylesocks.ShehaddrunkthesecondbottleofburgundySundaynightandsleptsoundlyfortenhours.Now,inthetaxi,therewasadimacheatthebackofherheadandherhandstrembledslightly,butoutsidethewindowtheMaymorningwasexquisite,andthegreenoftheyoungleavesontreeswasdelicateandfresh.Bythetimeshepaidandgotoutshefeltlightandspringy,readytogoaheadandfinishhighschoolanddevoteherenergytochess.Shehadthreethousanddollarsinhersavingsaccount;shewasnolongeravirgin;andsheknewhowtodrink.
Therewasanembarrassedsilencewhenshecamehomeafterschool.Mrs
