Ход королевы

           Wheatley,wearingabluehousedress,wasmoppingthekitchenfloor.BethsettledherselfonthesofaandpickedupReubenFine’sbookontheendgame.Itwasabookshehated.ShehadseenacanofPabstonthesideofthesink,butshedidnotwantany.Itwouldbebetternottodrinkanythingforalongwhile.Shehadhadenough.

           WhenMrs.Wheatleyfinished,shesetthemopagainsttherefrigeratorandcameintothelivingroom.“Iseeyou’reback,”shebegan.Hervoicewascarefullyneutral.

           Bethlookedather.“Ihadagoodtime,”shesaid.

           Mrs.Wheatleyseemeduncertainwhatattitudetotake.Finallysheallowedherselfasmallsmile.Itwassurprisinglyshy,likeagirl’ssmile.“Well,”shesaid,“chessisn’ttheonlythinginlife.”

           ***

           BethgraduatedfromhighschoolinJune,andMrs.WheatleygaveheraBulovawatch.Thebackofthecaseread“WithlovefromMother.”Shelikedthat,butwhatshelikedbetterwastheratingthatcameinthemail:2243.Attheschoolparty,severalothergraduatesofferedBethsurreptitiousdrinks,butsherefused.Shehadfruitpunchandwenthomeearly.Sheneededtostudy;shewouldbeplayingherfirstinternationaltournament,inMexicoCity,intwoweeks,andafterthatcametheUnitedStatesChampionship.ShehadbeeninvitedtotheRemy-ValloninParis,attheendofthesummer.Thingswerebeginningtohappen.