Ход королевы
Chapter 2
ShetriedreadingGeography,sincetherewasatestthenextday,butthebigbookwaspracticallyallpictures,andthepicturesmeantlittletoher.Jolenewasnotintheroom,andshewasdesperatetoseeJolene,toseeiftherewereanymorepills.Everynowandthenshetouchedherblousepocketwiththepalmofherhandinakindofsuperstitioushopethatshewouldfeelthelittlehardsurfaceofapill.Buttherewasnothingthere.
Jolenewasatsupper,eatingherItalianspaghetti,whenBethcameinandpickeduphertray.ShewentovertoJolene’stablebeforegettingherfood.Therewasanotherblackgirlwithher.Samantha,anewone.Joleneandsheweretalking.
BethwalkedstraightuptothemandsaidtoJolene,“Haveyougotanymore?”
Jolenefrownedandshookherhead.Thenshesaid,“Howwastheexhibit?Youdookay?”
“Okay,”Bethsaid.“Haven’tyougotjustone?”
“Honey,”Jolenesaid,turningaway,“Idon’twanttohearaboutit.”
***
TheSaturdayafternoonmovieinthelibrarywasTheRobe.IthadVictorMatureinitandwasspiritual;allthestaffwasthere,sittingattentiveinaspecialrowofchairsattheback,neartheshudderingprojector.Bethkepthereyesnearlyshutduringthefirsthalf-hour;theywereredandsore.ShehadnotsleptatallonThursdaynightandhaddozedoffforonlyanhourorsoFriday.Herstomachwasknotted,andtherewasthevinegartasteinherthroat.Sheslouchedinherfoldingchairwithherhandinherskirtpocket,feelingthescrewdrivershehadputthereinthemorning.
