Ход королевы
Chapter 13
”
“Doyouknowanythingaboutyourparents?”
“Justmygrandmother,andshe’sdead.SomewherenearLouisville.Idon’twanttoknowanythingaboutthem.Idon’tcarewhetherI’mabastardorwhyitwastheywantedtoputmewithmygrandmotherorwhyshewantedtoshovemeoffonMethuen.I’mjustgladtobefreeofitall.I’llhavemymaster’sinAugust,andI’mleavingthisstateforgood.”
“Istillremembermymother,”Bethsaid.“Daddy’snotsoclear.”
“Besttoforgetit,”Jolenesaid.“Ifyoucan.”
Shepulledintotheleftlaneandpassedacoaltruckandtwocampers.UpaheadagreensigngavethemileagetoMountSterling.Itwasspring,almostexactlyayearsinceBeth’slasttripinacar,withBenny.ShethoughtofthegriminessofthePennsylvaniaTurnpike.Thiswhiteconcreteroadwasfreshandnew,withKentuckyfieldsandwhitefencesandfarmhousesoneithersideofit.
AfterawhileJolenelitupacigarette,andBethsaid,“Wherewillyougowhenyougraduate?”
ShewasbeginningtothinkthatJolenehadn’theardherwhenJolenespoke.“I’vegotanofferfromawhitelawfirminAtlantathatlookspromising.”Shefellsilentagain.“Whattheywantisanimportedniggertostayevenwiththetimes.”
Bethlookedather.“Idon’tthinkI’dgoanyfarthersouthifIwasblack.”
“Well,yousureain’t,”Jolenesaid.“ThesepeopleinAtlantawillpaymetwicewhatIcouldgetinNewYork.
