Ход королевы
Chapter 13
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WhenJoleneleft,Bethhadoneglassofwinebutnotasecond.Sheopenedupallthewindowsinthehouseanddrankthewineoutinthebackyard,withthemoon,nearlyfull,directlyabovethelittleshedattheback.Therewasacoolbreeze.Shetookalongtimeoverthedrink,lettingthebreezeblowintothekitchenwindow,flutteringthecurtains,blowingthroughthekitchenandlivingroom,clearingouttheairinside.
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Thegymwasahigh-ceilingedroomwithwhitewalls.Lightcameinfromenormouswindowsalongthesidewherearowofstrange-lookingmachinessat.Jolenewaswearingyellowtightsandgymshoes.Themorningwaswarm,andBethhadwornherwhiteshortsinthetaxi.Atthefarendoftheexerciseroomadoleful-lookingyoungmaningraytrunkslayonhisbackonabench,pushingupweightsandgroaning.Otherwisetheywerealone.
Theystartedwithapairofstationarybicycles.JolenesetthedragonBeth’satten,andsixtyforherown.BythetimetheyhadpedaledtenminutesBethwascoveredwithsweatandhercalveswereaching.
“Itgetsworse,”Jolenesaid.
Bethgrittedherteethandkeptpedaling.
Shecouldnotgettherhythmrightonthehip-and-backmachine,andherassslidontheimitation-leatherbenchshehadtolieonwhileshepushedtheweightsdownwithherlegs.Jolenehadsetitforfortypounds,buteventhatseemedtoomuch.Thentherewasthemachinewheresheraisedtheweightswithherankles,makingthetendonsinherupperlegsstandoutandhurt.Afterthatshehadtosituprightinwhatremindedherofanelectricchairandpullinweightswithherelbows.
