Ход королевы
Chapter 13
I’dbedoingpublicrelations,whichisthekindofshuckIunderstandrighttomyfingertips,andthey’llstartmeoutwithtwowindowsinmyofficeandawhitegirltotypemyletters.”
“Butyouhaven’tstudiedlaw.”
Jolenelaughed.“Iexpecttheylikeitthatway.Fine,SlocumandLivingstondon’twantanyblackfemalereviewingtorts.Whattheywantisacleanblackwomanwithaniceassandagoodvocabulary.WhenIdidtheinterviewIdroppedalotofwordslike‘reprehensible’and‘dichotomy,’andtheypickedrightup.”
“Jolene,”Bethsaid,“you’retoosmartforthat.YoucouldteachattheUniversity.Andyou’reafineathlete…”
“IknowwhatI’mdoing,”Jolenesaid.“IplaygoodtennisandgolfandI’mambitious.”Shetookadeepdragonhercigarette.“YoumayhavenoideajusthowambitiousIam.Iworkedhardatsports,andIhadcoachespromisingI’dbeaproifIkeptatit.”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundbad.”
Joleneletthesmokeoutslowly.“Beth,”shesaid,“whatIwantiswhatyou’vegot.Idon’twanttoworkonmybackhandfortwoyearssoIcanbeabushleaguepro.You’vebeenthebestatwhatyoudoforsolongyoudon’tknowwhatit’slikefortherestofus.”
“I’dliketobehalfasgood-lookingasyouare…”
“Quitgivingmethat,”Jolenesaid.“Can’tspendyourlifeinfrontofamirror.Youain’tuglyanymoreanyhow.WhatI’mtalkingaboutisyourtalent.I’dgivemyasstoplaytennisthewayyouplaychess.”
TheconvictioninJolene’svoicewasoverwhelming.
