Ход королевы

           ShewenttotherefrigeratorandgotoutoneofMrs.Wheatley’scansofbeer.Thenshesatdownatthechessboardandbeganidlymovingthepiecesaround,sippingfromthecan.SheplayedoversomeQueen’sGambitgames:Alekhine—Yates;Tarrasch—vonScheve;Lasker—Tarrasch.ThefirstofthesewasoneshehadmemorizedyearsbeforeatMorris’sBookStore;theothertwoshehadanalyzedwithBeltikduringtheirfirstweektogether.InthelasttherewasabeautifulpawntoQueen’srookfouronthefifteenthmove,assweetlydeadlyasapawnmovecouldbe.Sheleftitontheboardforthetimeittooktodrinktwobeers,justlookingatit.Itwasawarmnightandthekitchenwindowwasopen;mothsbatteredatthescreenandsomewherefarawayadogwasbarking.ShesatatthetablewearingMrs.Wheatley’spinkchenillerobeanddrinkingMrs.Wheatley’sbeer,feelingrelaxedandeasyinherself.Shewasgladtobealone.Therewerethreemorebeersintherefrigerator,andshefinishedallofthem.Thenshewentbackuptobedandsleptsoundlyuntilnineinthemorning.

           ***

           OnMondayatbreakfasthesaid,“Look,I’vetaughtyoueverythingIknow.”

           Shestartedtosaysomethingbutkeptsilent.

           “I’vegottostartstudying.I’msupposedtobeanelectricalengineer,notachessbum.”

           “Okay,”shesaid.“You’vetaughtmealot.”

           Theywerequietforafewminutes.Shefinishedhereggsandtookherplatetothesink.“I’mmovingtothatapartment,”Beltiksaid.“It’sclosertotheuniversity.”

           “Okay,”Bethsaid,notturningfromthesink.

           Hewasgonebynoon.