Ход королевы
Chapter 8
“YoucouldcometotheFolklórico,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“Iunderstandthecostumesaloneareworththepriceofadmission.”
“Thetournamentstartstomorrow.Ineedtoworkonendgames.”
Mrs.Wheatleywassittingontheedgeofthebed,admiringherfeet.“Beth,honey,”shesaiddreamily,“perhapsyouneedtoworkonyourself.Chesscertainlyisn’tallthereis.”
“It’swhatIknow.”
Mrs.Wheatleygavealongsigh.“Myexperiencehastaughtmethatwhatyouknowisn’talwaysimportant.”
“Whatisimportant?”
“Livingandgrowing,”Mrs.Wheatleysaidwithfinality.“Livingyourlife.”
WithasleazyMexicansalesman?Bethwantedtosay.Butshekeptsilent.Shedidnotlikethejealousyshefelt.
“Beth,”Mrs.Wheatleywentoninavoicerichwithplausibility.“Youhaven’tvisitedBellasArtesorevenChapultepecPark.Thezoothereisdelightful.You’vetakenyourmealsinthisroomandspentyourtimewithyournoseinchessbooks.Shouldn’tyoujustrelaxonthedaybeforethetournamentandthinkaboutsomethingotherthanchess?”
Bethwantedtohither.Ifshehadgonetothoseplaces,shewouldhavehadtogowithManuelandlistentohisendlessstories.HewasforevertouchingMrs.Wheatley’sshoulderorherback,standingtooclosetoher,smilingtooeagerly.“Mother,”shesaid,“tomorrowattenIplaytheblackpiecesagainstOctavioMarenco,thechampionofBrazil.Thatmeanshehasthefirstmove.Heisthirty-fouryearsoldandanInternationalGrandmaster.IfIlose,wewillbepayingforthistrip—thisadventure—outofcapital.
