Ход королевы

           Andshehadgottenusedtohishairbynow;shelikeditlong,thewayitwas.Hehadreallyverygood-lookinghair.

           ShewonTuesday’sgame,andWednesday’s.BennywasstillplayingwhenshefinishedonWednesdayandshewalkedovertohistableandsawinamomentthathehaditallbutwon.Helookedupatherandsmiled.Thenhemadethewordsilentlywithhismouth:“Tomorrow.”

           Therewasachildren’splaygroundattheedgeofthecampus.Shewalkedtoitbymoonlightandsatononeoftheswings.Whatshereallywantedwasadrink,butthatwasoutofthequestion.Abottleofredwine,withalittlecheese.Thenafewpillsandofftobed.Butshecouldn’t.Shehadtobeclearinthemorning,hadtobereadyforthegameagainstBennyWattsatoneo’clock.Maybeshecouldtakeonepillandgotobed.Ortwo.Shewouldtaketwo.Sheswungherselfbackandforthafewtimes,listeningtothesqueakingofthechainthatheldtheswing,beforeheadingpurposivelybacktothedormitory.Shetookthetwopills,butitstillwasoveranhourbeforeshecouldsleep.

           ***

           Somethinginthedeferentialmannerofthetournamentdirectorsandthewaytheotherplayerslookedathertoldherthattheattentionofthetournamenthadfocusedonthisgame.SheandBennyweretheonlyplayerswhohadcomethisfarwithoutevenadraw.Inaroundrobintherewasnoprecedenceofboards;theywouldplayatthethirdtableintherowthatbeganattheclassroomdoor.