Ход королевы
Chapter 12
Whensheawokeonthesofathenextmorning,stillwearingtheParisclothesshehadwornwhenlosingthegametoFoster,shewasfrightenedinanewway.Shecouldsenseherbrainbeingphysicallyblurredbyalcohol,itspositionalgraspgoneclumsy,itspenetrationclouded.Butafterbreakfastsheshoweredandchangedandthenpouredherselfaglassofwine.Itwasalmostmechanical;shehadlearnedtocutoffthoughtasshedidit.Themainthingwastoeatsometoastfirst,sothewinewouldn’tburnherstomach.
Shekeptdrinkingfordays,butthememoryofthegameshehadlostandthefearofwhatshewasdoingtothesharpedgeofhergiftwouldnotgoaway,exceptwhenshewassodrunkthatshecouldnoteventhink.TherewasapieceintheSundaypaperabouther,withoneofthepicturestakenthatmorningatthehighschool,andaheadlinereadingCHESSCHAMPDROPSFROMTOURNEY.Shethrewthepaperawaywithoutreadingthearticle.
Thenonemorningafteranightofdarkandconfusingdreamssheawokewithanunaccustomedclarity:ifshedidnotstopdrinkingimmediatelyshewouldruinwhatshehad.Shehadallowedherselftosinkintothisfrighteningmurk.Shehadtofindafootholdsomewheretopushherselffreeofit.Shewouldhavetogethelp.Withagreatsenseofrelief,shesuddenlyknewwhoitwasshewantedtogethelpfrom.
