Ход королевы
Chapter 1
Shejusthadtomakesuretodrythetoothbrushasmuchasshecouldwithapapertowelaftersheusedit,orelsenotuseitatallandrubherteethcleanwithafinger.
Thatnightforthefirsttimeshetookthreepills,oneaftertheother.Littleprickleswentacrossthehairsonthebackofherneck;shehaddiscoveredsomethingimportant.Shelettheglowspreadalloverher,lyingonhercotinherfadedbluepajamasintheworstplaceintheGirls’Ward,nearthedoortothecorridorandacrossfromthebathroom.Somethinginherlifewassolved:sheknewaboutthechesspiecesandhowtheymovedandcaptured,andsheknewhowtomakeherselffeelgoodinthestomachandinthetensejointsofherarmsandlegs,withthepillstheorphanagegaveher.
***
“Okay,child,”Mr.Shaibelsaid.“Wecanplaychessnow.IplayWhite.”
Shehadtheerasers.ItwasafterArithmetic,andGeographywasintenminutes.“Idon’thavemuchtime,”shesaid.ShehadlearnedallthemoveslastSunday,duringthehourthatchapelallowedhertobeinthebasement.Nooneevermissedheratchapel,aslongasshecheckedin,becauseofthegroupofgirlsthatcamefromChildren’s,acrosstown.ButGeographywasdifferent.ShewasterrifiedofMr.Schell,eventhoughshewasatthetopoftheclass.
Thejanitor’svoicewasflat.“Nowornever,”hesaid.
“IhaveGeography…”
“Nowornever.”
Shethoughtonlyasecondbeforedeciding.Shehadseenanoldmilkcratebehindthefurnace.Shedraggedittotheotherendoftheboard,seatedherselfandsaid,“Move.
