Ход королевы

           Nowshewantedonlytosleep.Andwhatwasshesupposedtosleepon?“IthoughtIwasgoingtogetasofa,”shesaid.

           Hecameintothedoorway.“Isaid‘livingroom.’”Hewentbacktothebedroomandreturnedwithabulky-lookingthingandsomekindofpump.Heflippeditoutinthemiddleofthefloorandbeganpedalingthepumpwithhisfoot,andafterawhileitpuffedupandbecameanairmattress.“I’llgetsheets,”Bennysaid.Hebroughtthemoutofthebedroom.

           “I’lldoit,”shesaidandtookthemfromhim.Shedidn’tlikethelooksofthemattress,butsheknewwhereherpillswere.Shecouldgetthemoutafterhefellasleep,ifsheneededto.Therewouldbenothingtodrinkinthisapartment.Bennyhadnotsaidso,butsheknew.

           ShemusthavefallenasleepbeforeBennydid,sincesheforgotaboutthepillsinherluggage.Sheawoketothesoundofaklaxonoutside—anambulanceorfiretruck.Whenshetriedtositupshecouldnot;therewasnoedgeofthebedtohangherlegsover.Shepushedherselfupandstood,wearingpajamas,andlookedaround.Bennywasstandingatthesinkcounterwithhisbacktoher.Sheknewwhereshewas,butitlookeddifferentbydaylight.ThesirenfadedandwasreplacedbythegeneraltrafficsoundsofNewYork.OneblindwasopenandshecouldseethecabofabigtruckascloseasBennywas,andbeyondittaxisweavingpast.Adogbarkedintermittently.

           Bennyturnedandcameovertoher.Hewasholdingoutabigcardboardcuptoher.

           “ChockFullO’Nuts,”thecupread.Somethingseemedverystrangeaboutthis.