Ход королевы

           Shebentoverandpulledoffhershoesandlayback,stretchingoutonitsgreat,comfortingexpanse,turningherheadhappilytolookoveratthetightlycloseddoorthatgaveherthisroomentirelytoherself.

           Shelayawakeforseveralhoursthatnight,notwantingtogotosleeprightaway.Therewasastreetlightoutsideherwindows,buttheyhadgood,heavyshadesthatshecouldpulldowntoblockitout.Beforesayinggoodnight,Mrs.WheatleyhadshownBethherownroom.ItwasontheothersideofthehallandexactlythesamesizeasBeth’s,butithadatelevisionsetinitandchairswithslipcoversandabluecoverletonthebed.“It’sreallyaremodeledattic,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.

           Lyinginbed,BethcouldhearthedistantsoundofMrs.Wheatleycoughingandlatersheheardherbarefeetpaddingdownthehallwaytothebathroom.Butshedidn’tmind.Herowndoorwasclosedandlocked.Noonecouldpushitopenandletthelightfallonherface.Mrs.Wheatleywasaloneinherownroom,andtherewouldbenosoundsoftalkingorquarreling—onlymusicandlowsyntheticvoicesfromthetelevisionset.ItwouldbewonderfultohaveJolenethere,butthenshewouldn’thavetheroomtoherself,wouldn’tbeabletoliealoneinthishugebed,stretchedoutinthemiddleofit,havingthecoolsheetsandnowthesilencetoherself.

           ***

           OnMondayshewenttoschool.Mrs.Wheatleytookherinataxi,eventhoughitwaslessthanamile.Bethwentintoseventhgrade.