Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Afteramomentshespokeinalowvoice,“Jolene.”
“Uhhuh.”
“DidFergussengiveyougreenpills?Extraones?”
Jolenelookedatherhard.Thenherfacesoftened.“No,honey.Iwishhewould.Buttheygotthewholestateafter’emforwhattheybeendoingwiththosepills.”
“They’restillthere.Inthebigjar.”
“Thatafact?”Jolenesaid.“Iain’tnoticed.”ShekeptlookingatBeth.“Inoticedyoubeenedgylately.Youhavingwithdrawsymptoms?”
Bethhadusedherlastpillthenightbefore.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.
“Youlookaround,”Jolenesaid.“They’llbesomenervousorphansaroundherethenextfewdays.”Shefinisheddryingherhairandstretched.Withthelightcomingfrombehindherandwithherfrizzyhairandherbig,wideeyes,Jolenewasbeautiful.Bethfeltugly,sittingthereonthebenchbesideher.Paleandlittleandugly.Andshewasscaredtogotobedtonightwithoutpills.Shehadbeensleepingonlytwoorthreehoursanightforthepasttwonights.Hereyesfeltgrittyandthebackofherneck,evenrightaftershowering,wassweaty.ShekeptthinkingaboutthatbigglassjarbehindFergussen,filledwithgreenpillsathirdofthewayup—enoughtofillhertoothbrushholderahundredtimes.
***
GoingtothehighschoolwasherfirstrideinacarsinceshecametoMethuen.Thatwasfourteenmonthsago.Nearlyfifteen.Motherhaddiedinacar,ablackonelikethis,withasharppieceofthesteeringwheelinhereye.Thewomanwiththeclipboardhadtoldher,whileBethstaredatthemoleonthewoman’scheekandsaidnothing.
