Ход королевы
Chapter 3
Thenthemanclearedhisthroatagain,shiftedhisweightuneasilyandlookedtowardBethasthoughhewerelookingoverthetopofherhead.“DotheycallyouElizabeth?”Hesoundedasiftherewereabubbleofairinhisthroat.“OrisitBetty?”
Shelookedathim.“Beth,”shesaid.“I’mcalledBeth.”
DuringthenextfewweekssheforgotaboutthevisitinMrs.Deardorff’sofficeandabsorbedherselfinschoolworkandinreading.Shehadfoundasetofgirls’booksandwasreadingthroughthemwhenevershehadachance—instudyhalls,atnightinbed,onSundayafternoons.Theywereabouttheadventuresoftheoldestdaughterinabig,haphazardfamily.Sixmonthsbefore,MethuenhadgottenaTVsetforthelounge,anditwasplayedforanhoureveryevening.ButBethfoundthatshepreferredEllenForbes’sadventurestoILoveLucyandGunsmoke.Shewouldsitupinbed,aloneinthedormitory,andreaduntillightsout.Noonebotheredher.
Oneeveninginmid-SeptembershewasalonereadingwhenFergussencamein.“Shouldn’tyoubepacking?”heasked.
Sheclosedherbook,usingherthumbtokeepherplace.“Why?”
“Theyhaven’ttoldyou?”
“Toldmewhat?”
“You’vebeenadopted.You’rebeingpickedupafterbreakfast.”
Shejustsatthereontheedgeofthebed,staringatFergussen’sbroadwhiteT-shirt.
***
“Jolene,”shesaid.“Ican’tfindmybook.”
“Whatbook?”Jolenesaidsleepily.Itwasjustbeforelightsout.
“ModernChessOpenings,witharedcover.Ikeepitinmynightstand.”
Joleneshookherhead.“Beatstheshitoutofme.
