Ход королевы
Chapter 13
Sonofabitchhatedkids.”
“Mrs.Deardorffwasn’tatthechurch.”
“Noneofthemwere.”
Thegravesideservicewasananticlimax.Theyloweredthecoffin,andtheministersaidaprayer.Nobodycried.Theylookedlikepeoplewaitinginlineatateller’swindowatthebank.BethandJoleneweretheonlyyoungonesthere,andnoneoftheothersspoketothem.Theyleftimmediatelyafteritwasover,walkingalonganarrowpathintheoldcemetery,pastfadedgravestonesandpatchesofdandelions.Bethfeltnogriefforthedeadman,nosadnessthathewasgone.Theonlythingshefeltwasguiltthatshehadneversenthimhistendollars—sheshouldhavemailedhimacheckyearsago.
TheyhadtopassMethuenonthewaybacktoLexington.Justbeforetheturnoff,Bethsaid,“Let’sgoin.There’ssomethingIwanttosee,”andJoleneturnedthecardownthedrivetotheorphanage.
Jolenestayedinthecar.BethgotoutandpushedherwayintothesidedooroftheAdministrationBuilding.Itwasdarkandcoolinside.StraightinfrontofherwasadoorthatreadHELENDEAR-DORFF—SUPERINTENDENT.Shewalkeddowntheemptyhallwaytothedoorwayattheend.Whenshepusheditopen,therewasalightonbelow.Shewentslowlydownthesteps.
Thechessboardandpiecesweren’tthere,butthetablehehadplayedonstillsatbythefurnace,andhisunpaintedchairwasstillinposition.Thebarebulboveritwason.Shestoodlookingdownatthetable.ThensheseatedherselfthoughtfullyinMr.Shaibel’schairandlookedupandsawsomethingshehadnotseenbefore.
