Ход королевы

           ***

           TheplanebacktoNewYorkwaslikeatrap;shesatinherwindowseatandcouldnotescapethememoryofthegame,couldnotstopplayingthroughitinhermind.Severaltimesthestewardessofferedheradrink,butsheforcedherselftodecline.Shewantedoneonlytoobadly;itwasfrightening.Shetooktranquilizers,buttheknotwouldnotleaveherstomach.Shehadmadenomistakes.Shehadplayedextraordinarilywell.Andattheendofitherpositionwasashambles,andBorgovlookedasthoughithadbeennothing.

           ShedidnotwanttoseeBenny.Shewassupposedtocallhimtopickherup,butshedidnotwanttogobacktohisapartment.IthadbeeneightweekssincesheleftherhouseinLexington;shewouldgobackandlickherwoundsforawhile.Herthird-prizemoneyfromParishadbeensurprisinglygood;shecouldaffordaquickroundtriptoLexington.Andtherewerestillpaperstosignwithherlawyer.ShewouldstayaweekandthencomebackandgoonstudyingwithBenny.Butwhatelsehadshetolearnfromhim?RememberingforamomentalltheworkshehaddonereadyingherselfforParis,shefeltsickagain.Withaneffortsheshookitoff.ThemainthingwastogetreadyforMoscow.Therewasstilltime.

           ShecalledBennyfromKennedyAirportandtoldhimshehadlostthefinalgame,thatBorgovhadoutplayedher.Bennywassympatheticbutalittledistant,andwhenshetoldhimshewasgoingtoKentuckyforawhilehesoundedirritated.

           “Don’tquit,”hesaid.“Onelostgamedoesn’tproveanything.”

           “I’mnotquitting,”shesaid.