Free 6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber Page A

week?” Teri moved toward the television and reached for the remote. Not giving Rachel a chance to respond, she turned on the set and flipped though channels until she found the one she wanted.
    Rachel stared at the screen, unable to figure out the program, which seemed to be some sort of…sporting event? She quickly surmised that it had nothing to do with sports. A group of mostly men were gathered around game boards, and everyone seemed intent and deadly serious.
    â€œThey’re playing chess,” Rachel said. She couldn’t imagine why this was important to her friend.
    â€œIt’s one of the biggest chess tournaments in the world, and they’re in Seattle.”
    â€œSeattle,” Rachel repeated. “Right. I remember. We heard the announcement at Maryellen’s.”
    â€œBobby Polgar is playing,” Teri said excitedly, standing transfixed in front of the television. She pointed at a man bent over the board just as the camera closed in on the slouching figure.
    â€œWho?” The name was vaguely familiar but Rachel didn’t care about chess. She knew the basics of the game, or had at one time, but that was it.
    â€œBobby Polgar is the top-ranked player in the United States,” Teri explained. Again Rachel wondered why this mattered to her friend. “He’s in a match with some guy whose name I can’t pronounce. From Ukraine.”
    â€œAnd this interests you?” Rachel asked.
    â€œYes. At least, Bobby does. I think he’s kind of cute.” She shrugged dramatically. “I know why Bobby’s losing this match.”
    â€œYou do?” She sent Teri a puzzled frown. “I don’t get this, so give me a hand here,” Rachel said. “As I recall, you know next to nothing about chess.” She remembered that Teri thought chess was a lot like checkers, which of course, it wasn’t.
    â€œI have no idea how to play,” Teri said. She glanced at her watch and immediately became agitated. “But that’s beside the point. Listen, I’ve got a ferry to catch. I’m going to Seattle to help Bobby.”
    Rachel stared at her. Life-of-the-party Teri was going to “help” a chess grand master? Someone she’d only seen on television? Someone who was expert at a game she didn’t know the first thing about? “Teri, are you all right?”
    Her eyes widened. “Of course I’m all right. This is a mission of mercy. By the way, can I borrow twenty bucks?”
    â€œI’ll get my purse.” They often helped each other out when one was short of cash. Rachel retrieved herwallet and took out the money. This was so unlike Teri. She knew her friend to be impetuous, but this was extreme.
    â€œI realize you have only a few minutes, but start at the beginning. Just talk fast.”
    Teri drew in a deep breath and spoke in a rush. “I was cutting that snooty college professor’s hair this morning. That Dr. Uptight.”
    â€œDr. Upright,” Rachel corrected.
    â€œWhatever. The point is, the entire time I was cutting her hair she was on her cell phone getting updates on the chess championship. She couldn’t believe Bobby Polgar was behind. I was curious, so after I finished her haircut, I turned on the TV at the salon and I saw him playing his first match, the one he lost.” Teri said all this apparently without taking a breath.
    â€œAnd?” Rachel urged.
    â€œAnd he needs a haircut.”
    â€œBobby Polgar needs a haircut?” What did that have to do with anything?
    â€œYes, he does,” Teri said. “He kept brushing his hair out of his eyes. His hair is distracting him. He’s long overdue for a cut and I decided to do something about it. I’m going to the tournament and I’m going to offer to cut his hair.”
    Rachel could list at least a dozen obstacles her friend was likely to encounter before she got toBobby Polgar, if she ever did. However,