Ход королевы
Chapter 13
IsawyouinmoremagazinesthanBarbraStreisand.Myfamousfriend.”
“Whydidn’tyoucall?”
“Jealous.”
“Jolene,”Bethsaid,“didyouevergetadopted?”
“Shit,no.Igraduatedfromthatplace.Whyinhelldidn’tyoumailmeacardoraboxofcookies?”
“I’llbuyyoudinnertonight.CanyougettoToby’sonMainStreetatseven?”
“I’llcutaclass,”Jolenesaid.“Sonofabitch!U.S.Championatthehistoricgameofchess.Agenuinewinner.”
“That’swhatIwanttotalkabout,”Bethsaid.
WhentheymetatToby’sthespontaneitywasgone.Bethhadspentthedaywithoutadrink,hadherhaircutatRoberta’sandcleanedupthekitchen,almostovercomewiththeexcitementoftalkingtoJoleneagain.ShearrivedatToby’saquarterofanhourearlyandnervouslyturneddownthewaiter’soffertobringheradrink.ShehadaCokeinfrontofherwhenJolenearrived.
AtfirstBethdidn’trecognizeher.ThewomanwhocametowardhertableinwhatlookedlikeaCocoChanelsuitandafull,bushyAfrowassotallthatBethcouldnotbelieveitwasJolene.Shelookedlikeamoviestar,orarock-and-rollprincess—fullerinthefigurethanDianaRossandascoolasLenaHorne.ButwhenBethsawthatitwasinfactJolene,thatthesmileandtheeyesweretheJolenesheremembered,shestoodupawkwardly,andtheyembraced.Jolene’sperfumewasstrong.Bethfeltself-conscious.Jolenepattedherbackwhiletheyhugged,andsaid,“BethHarmon.OldBeth.”
Theysatdownandlookedateachotherawkwardly.Bethdecidedshehadtohaveadrinktoseeherthroughthis.
