Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Hadfeltnothing,either.Motherhadpassedon,thewomansaid.Thefuneralwouldbeinthreedays.Thecoffinwouldbeclosed.Bethknewwhatacoffinwas;Draculasleptinone.Daddyhadpassedontheyearbefore,becauseofa“carefreelife,”asMotherputit.
Bethsatinthebackofthecarwithabig,embarrassedgirlnamedShirley.Shirleywasinthechessclub.Mr.Ganzdrove.TherewasaknotastightaswireinBeth’sstomach.ShekeptherkneespressedtogetherandlookedstraightaheadatthebackofMr.Ganz’sneckinitsstripedcollarandatthecarsandbusesaheadoftheircar,movingbackandforthoutsidethewindshield.
Shirleytriedtomakeconversation.“DoyouplaytheKing’sGambit?”
Bethnodded,butwasafraidtospeak.Shehadn’tsleptatallthenightbefore,andverylittlefornightsbeforethat.LastnightshehadheardFergussentalkingandlaughingwiththeladyatReception;hisheavylaughterhadrolleddownthecorridorandunderthedoorwayintothewardwhereshelay,stiffassteel,onhercot.
Butonethinghadhappened—somethingunexpected.AsshewasabouttoleavewithMr.Ganz,Jolenecamerunningup,gaveMr.Ganzoneofherslylooksandsaid,“Canwetalkforjustasecond?”Mr.Ganzsaiditwasokay,andJolenetookBethhastilyasideandhandedherthreegreenpills.“Here,honey,”shesaid,“Icantellyouneedthese.”ThenJolenethankedMr.Ganzandskippedofftoclass,hergeographybookunderonethinarm.
Buttherewasnochancetotakethepills.Bethhadtheminherpocketrightnow,butshewasafraid.Hermouthwasdry.
