Ход королевы
Chapter 3
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Bethhadn’tlookedatthebookforweeks,butsheclearlyrememberedputtingitatthebottomoftheseconddrawer.Shehadabrownnylonvalisebesideheronthebed;itwaspackedwithherthreedressesandfoursetsofunderwear,hertoothbrush,comb,abarofDialsoap,twobarrettesandsomeplaincottonhandkerchiefs.Hernightstandwasnowcompletelyempty.Shehadlookedinthelibraryforherbook,butitwasn’tthere.Therewasnowhereelsetolook.Shehadnotplayedagameofchessinthreeyearsexceptinhermind,butModernChessOpeningswastheonlythingsheownedthatshecaredabout.
ShesquintedatJolene.“Youdidn’tseeit,didyou?”
Jolenelookedangryforamoment.“Watchwhoyougoaccusing,”shesaid.“Igotnouseforabooklikethat.”Thenhervoicesoftened.“Ihearyou’releaving.”
“That’sright.”
Jolenelaughed.“What’sthematter?Don’twanttogo?”
“Idon’tknow.”
Joleneslippedunderthebedsheetandpulleditupoverhershoulders.“Justsay‘Yes,sir’and‘Yes,ma’am’andyou’lldoallright.Tell’emyou’regratefultohaveaChristianhomeliketheirsandmaybethey’llgiveyouaTVinyourroom.”
TherewassomethingoddaboutthewayJolenewastalking.
“Jolene,”Bethsaid,“I’msorry.”
“Sorryaboutwhat?”
“I’msorryyoudidn’tgetadopted.”
Jolenesnorted.“Shit,”shesaid,“Imakeoutfinerighthere.”SherolledoverawayfromBethandcurledupinbed.
