Ход королевы
Chapter 1
Bethhadheardhermothercallherfatherabastard,butshedidn’tknowwhatitmeant.
“What’syourname,girl?”Joleneasked.
“Beth.”
“Yourmotherdead?Whataboutyourdaddy?”
Bethstaredather.Thewords“mother”and“dead”wereunbearable.Shewantedtorun,buttherewasnoplacetorunto.
“Yourfolks,”Jolenesaidinavoicethatwasnotunsympathetic,“theydead?”
Bethcouldfindnothingtosayordo.Shestoodinlineterrified,waitingforthepills.
***
“You’reallgreedycocksuckers!”ItwasRalphintheBoys’Wardwhoshoutedthat.ShehearditbecauseshewasinthelibraryandithadawindowfacingBoys’.Shehadnomentalimagefor“cocksucker,”andthewordwasstrange.Butsheknewfromthesoundofittheywouldwashhismouthoutwithsoap.They’ddoneittoherfor“damn”—andMotherhadsaid“Damn”allthetime.
***
Thebarbermadehersitabsolutelystillinthechair.“Ifyoumove,youmightjustloseanear.”Therewasnothingjovialinhisvoice.Bethsatasquietlyasshecould,butitwasimpossibletokeepcompletelystill.Ittookhimaverylongtimetocutherhairintothebangstheyallwore.Shetriedtooccupyherselfbythinkingofthatword,“cocksucker.”Allshecouldpicturewasabird,likeawoodpecker.Butshefeltthatwaswrong.
***
Thejanitorwasfatterononesidethanontheother.HisnamewasShaibel.Mr.Shaibel.
