Ход королевы
Chapter 13
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Joleneraisedhereyebrowsandwentbacktoherveal.Afterafewmomentsshestartedtalkingagain.“Whenyouwentofftoyourhappyhome,Istarteddoingseriousvolleyball.IgraduatedwhenIwaseighteenandtheUniversitygavemeascholarshipinPhys.Ed.”
“Howdoyoulikeit?”
“It’sallright,”Jolenesaid,abitfast.Andthen,“No,itisn’t.It’sashuckiswhatitis.Idon’twanttobeagymcoach.”
“Youcoulddosomethingelse.”
Joleneshookherhead.“Itwasn’ttillIgotmybachelor’slastyearthatIreallycaughton.”Shehadbeentalkingwithhermouthfull.Nowsheswallowedandleanedforwardwithherelbowsonthetable.“Ishouldhavebeeninlaworgovernment.ThesearetherightdaysforwhatI’vegot,andIblewitonlearningthesidestraddlehopandthemajormusclesoftheabdomen.”Hervoicegotlowerandstronger.“I’mablackwoman.I’manorphan.IoughttobeatHarvard.IoughttobegettingmypictureinTimemagazinelikeyou.”
“You’dlookgreatwithBarbaraWalters,”Bethsaid.“Youcouldtalkabouttheemotionaldeprivationoforphans.”
“CouldIever,”Jolenesaid.“I’dliketotellaboutHelenDeardorffandhergoddamntranquilizers.”
Bethhesitatedamoment.Thenshesaid,“Doyoustilltaketranquilizers?”
“No,”Jolenesaid.“Hell,no.”Shelaughed.“Neverforgetyourippingoffthatwholejarful.RightthereintheMulti-PurposeRoominfrontofthewholefuckingorphanage,withOldHelenreadytoturnintoapillarofsaltandtherestofuswithourjawshangingslack.”Shelaughedagain.
