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   The Trailer Park The Fifth Year: Music and Lyrics

   Wizard

   Standard Disclaimer.  This is a work of fiction for adults only.  If you
are under the age of eighteen, please immediately do what I would have done
when I was your age.  Which is, delete this story from your hard drive
and/or leave this internet site.  I know you've left now like the good
little boys and girls you are.  But if you haven't or for the rest of you,
enjoy.

   Author's Note: Once again, my special Thanks to Russell Hoisington for
his time and effort in taking my incoherent ramblings and helping make a
story out of it.  His long hours of correcting spelling, and punctuation
are appreciated, especially in the midst of his beri beri attack.  Thanks
also to the Night Hawk and Tesseract for their comments and suggestions.

   One Last Note: Once again I'd like to remind you that The Trailer Park
started as a short story, before it took on a life of it's own.  First it
was a short story.  Then a six book series.  I added The Road Trip and
turned it into seven books.  Now I've split the Fifth Year into two parts
and we're up to eight.  This is the seventh book in what is now planned to
be an eight book series.  If you haven't read the first six books, I
strongly suggest you do so before reading this, as I don't do much
recapping.  The Trailer Park: The Sixth Year will follow.

   The realy final last note: In the Road Trip, I stole, that is borrowed
some of Russell Hoisington's characters from his Wynter stories, some of
which make cameo appearences here.

   Chapter 1

   "Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

   I finished twisting my combination and opened my locker before looking
at Ricky.  "Christmas vacation just ended.  I haven't been back in school
three minutes yet.  There can't be bad news."

   "Winter break," Robbie corrected.  Tami and I had driven her to school.
Her little Honda, Rodrigo, was getting a tune up.

   Ricky just smiled.

   "Okay, I'll play," I said reluctantly.  "What's the good news?"

   "Schedule's out for baseball," Ricky said holding up a piece of paper.

   "And the bad?" Robbie prompted.

   "Schedule's out for baseball." He handed the paper to me.

   I looked down at it, Tami and Robbie reading it over my arms.  We had a
tournament over spring break in Coeur d'Alene.  Then a couple more
pre-season games, one in Seattle, the other in Vancouver.  Then...

   "Lake." I looked up at Ricky, and he nodded.

   "Dad says Rich is still officially the football coach at Lake.  So are
we going to have our short stop and second base?"

   I looked at Robbie.  She shrugged.  "We haven't even made the team yet.
Try-outs aren't till February."

   Ricky shook his head.  "You two made it as freshmen and sophomores.  You
ain't getting beat out now.  Hell, last year you were barely talking to
each other and still turned more double plays than anybody else in the
state."

   Tinkers to Evers to Chance had nothing on Sims to Tate to Calloway. 
Chicago Cubs eat your heart out.

   "I'm surprised Lake hasn't dumped him yet," Tami said.

   "Dad says that Mr.  Reed told him that people keep bringing it up at the
school board meetings, but the board keeps tabling it for later discussion.
Mr.  Reed thinks they're hoping the whole mess will go away."

   "Can we worry about this next week?  Some of us have a gymnastics team
to whip into shape."

   "He just likes checking out little girls in leotards," Robbie whispered
loudly.

   "That's 'cause the high school doesn't have a team so he can check out
big girls in leotards," Tami added.

   I cocked my head and gave her my best 'et tu?' look as I closed my
locker and the bell rang.

   * * *

   "So what do you think?"

   Tami and I were headed for journalism.  Normally we had it second
period, but with the short three-day week, the journalism staff needed to
get a jump if we were going to have a paper on Friday.

   Tami stopped on the stairs, cocked her head, and looked at the ceiling
for several seconds.  "Eighty-seven."

   "Darn.  I was hoping for ninety by the start of school."

   Tami grinned and shrugged.  "I calls 'em as I sees 'em."

   I doffed an imaginary hat and bowed with several flourishes.  "I bow to
your insight."

   Tami giggled, then continued down the stairs.  "As well you should."

   I followed her.  We'd been rating Robbie's recovery.  We figured she was
about fifty percent her old self the night of the Winter Concert, and she'd
been improving bit by bit ever since.

   Darlene was waiting outside the journalism room.  "I've decided.  I'm
going to go for it."

   "Go for what?" Tami asked.

   "I'm going to emancipate."

   I knew that Christmas had been hard for her.  Her mom had wanted her to
be home with her family, but Darlene remembered Thanksgiving and celebrated
with Robbie and her dad instead.  She'd had one call from her step-dad--one
that I knew about anyway.  He'd accused her of ruining the holidays for her
mom and sisters.  Robbie said she'd cried for hours.

   Warning bells.  Loud ones.  "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

   "Why?" Darlene seemed surprised.  "You're the one who suggested it."

   "It was Robbie actually."

   "So?"

   "So we've got a status quo.  I'm not sure we should mess with that."

   Now it was Tami's turn to look surprised.  "What happened to Viva le
Revolution?"

   "That was last year.  I've matured."

   The snorting sound Tami made suggested less than total agreement. 
"Here's the thing," I said, laying both hands on Darlene's shoulders and
looking into her eyes.  "We've got a status quo.  You're out of the house
and out of his reach.  If you go for emancipation, we could lose and some
idiot judge might order you back into Steve's house.  Then Robbie's dad
could get some headaches over harboring you if you don't go."

   "I thought you said I had a good chance.  Or was that Robbie too."

   "Robbie said it, but I agreed.  And I still think you have a good
chance. But it's still a chance.  You never know about judges.  It seems
that logic and law don't have a lot to do with each other."

   "Oh."

   "But if Steve tries to force her back?" Tami asked.

   "Then we go all out for emancipation.  We even investigate the judge and
blackmail him if we have too."

   "What about bribery?"

   "Blackmail's cheaper."

   Darlene looked thoughtful as she headed up the stairs to her first
period class.  I'm not sure I convinced her.  It's tough when you have a
hard decision to make, finally make it, then get it shot down.

   I watched her go, then walked past the journalism room to the empty
classroom beside it.  I went in and sat down at the table.

   Tami followed me.  "What?"

   "I can't do this anymore," I sighed.  Tami cocked her head and waited.
"I am so tired of problems.  Other people's problems."

   Tami crossed the room and settled on my lap.  She looked thoughtful. 
"So stop." "Stop?"

   "Don't care.  When someone tells you their problem, tell them to deal
with it."

   "But...?"

   "The world will keep turning without you.  Allie would have survived her
F.  She isn't going to be a math or science major, anyway.  Darlene might
not be happy, but she'd survive at home.  And Robbie, well, Robbie would
have got over it.  Sooner or later."

   I stared.

   "She's the problem you know.  Robbie, not Darlene."

   I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

   "Robbie was a rock.  She was a constant in your universe.  When she
crumbled, so did you a little bit."

   After a long moment I nodded.  Tami was right.  Robbie bothered me more
than I wanted to admit, even to myself.  "How'd you get so smart?"

   "I read while my boyfriend's at football practice."

   * * *

   Bobbi Bradley was waiting for me as Tami and I came out of the middle
school gym.  She and her sister Billie had been watching the gymnastics
team practice.  Robbie had said something about Billie wanting to try out
for the team next year, and I made a mental note to see if I could swing a
scholarship for her at the club.  I knew her family was doing better
financially, but every little bit helps.

   "Tony, can I talk to you?" Bobbi asked quietly.  Tami squeezed my hand
as I nodded, hoping that Bobbi was about to hit me up for a scholarship. 
"Alone," she added.

   Tami squeezed again, then let go of my hand.  "I never get to see you
anymore," she said to Billie, leading her toward my car.

   I took a deep breath.  Maybe all she wanted was scholarships for the
twins too.  "What can I do for you?"

   Bobbi opened her mouth, then looked away as she shifted her weight from
foot to foot.

   "You know, my fourth favorite of all the Bradley girls, there's nothing
you can say that will make me like you less."

   "Fourth favorite?"

   "Well, Billie's got bigger tits, and the twins are cuter."

   "I guess I can live with that." Traci and Kelly came out of the gym.  I
flicked my eyes toward Tami and Billie, and they walked over to them.  "I,
uh, I don't want to be a virgin anymore," Bobbi stammered.

   Just when you think life can't throw you anymore surprises.  I had no
idea what to say to that.  "I, um, okay."

   "I've been going out with Josh Lee for a while.  I think it's time."

   If my sister has been telling the whole middle school that I'm their
one-stop shop for rubbers, I was finally going to be an only child.  "Has
he been pressuring you?" I knew Josh.  He was a friend of Peter's.  Seemed
like a good kid.

   "No.  Nothing like that.  He's been cool.  I just think it's time to
take the next step."

   "There's no rush.  You're only a freshman."

   "You and Tami were in seventh." Technically eighth, since it was in the
summer.  "And you and Robbie did it in eighth."

   Has somebody written my biography and not told me?

   "I think I'm ready," she declared.

   "That's what's important," I agreed.

   "I kinda wanted you to be the first," she mumbled.

   "Excuse me!" From the corner of my eye I saw Tami and the girls look our
way.  "What did you say?" I asked a little softer.

   "It's just that, well, Josh is a virgin.  At least, I'm pretty sure he
is.  I thought the first time might be better with someone experienced. 
And Robbie said..."

   "Never mind what Robbie said." I decided Robbie needed a spanking, even
if she wasn't completely back to her old self.  Come to think of it,
spanking her now might be safer.  "I don't think it would be a good idea."

   Bobbi's face sagged.  "You don't want to do it with me," she said with
the quiet acceptance of someone facing years of therapy.

   "Bobbi, of course I want to.  You're beautiful.  And your tits may not
be as big as Billie's, but they're perkier, and to me that's more
important. But I'm in love with Tami.  I'm trying to be faithful to her."

   "But you did all those girls on your trip," Bobbi blurted, then blushed.
"I heard Robbie and Darlene talking about it."

   Maybe Robbie wasn't the only one getting spanked.  "That was different."
Boy, was that different.  "Besides, I haven't been with anyone else since
we got back."

   "You haven't?  What about Robbie?  The night we moved in."

   "Well, according to one esteemed ex-president, oral sex doesn't count.
Besides, that was a special circumstance.  I was trying to take her mind
off of killing me."

   Bobbi grinned.  "That was a mean trick."

   I grinned back and nodded.

   "You really don't want to do it with me?"

   "You weren't listening.  I really do want to do it with you, but I'm in
love with Tami.  I guess you've figured out that Tami and I have a weird
kind of relationship, but right now I'm trying monogamy, 'cause even if she
doesn't mind the other girls, I think it's what she deserves.  Besides,
your first time should be with someone special, someone you really care
about."

   "I know," she said softly.  I was glad she was looking down at my feet
and couldn't see me blush.  "You know, all my sisters are in love with you.
The only thing the twins argue about is which one's going to marry you."

   "I..."

   "Even my mom a little bit." Bobbi looked up at me, her head cocked to
the side.

   The lady in question chose that moment to pull her minivan into the
parking lot and tap her horn.  Bobbi leaned forward and quickly kissed me
before skipping away.  "Think about it," she yelled over her shoulder as
she and her sister jumped in the back of the van.  One of the twins was
sitting in the front seat and waved.

   "Believe it," I said under my breath.

   As they drove off, I walked over to Tami and slipped my arm around her.
I stood there for almost a minute, just feeling her nearness.  "You know,"
I said finally.  "Getting involved ain't such a bad thing."

   Tami just grinned and pressed against me.

   Chapter 2

   "Shall we give him some space?"

   Tami grinned.  "We'd better.  I've got delicate ears, and you're a
teacher and might inhibit what he has to say." Tami kissed me on the cheek,
then followed Miss Calloway and the bus driver off the bus.

   I turned in my seat.  Some of the new girls were standing in the aisle,
but all of last year's crew were sitting quietly.  "Settle!" I said
sharply, standing and blocking the aisle.  Nobody moved.  "Now!" I said
louder.

   The girls took seats.

   "Well, the first meet's over," I said after looking at them for several
seconds.  "And we lost again..."

   I was going to add, 'but only by four-tenths of a point, and we were in
it all the way,' but I saw Cheyenne Morris mumble something to Marissa Ling
sitting next to her.

   I stopped and stared at her.  "I didn't catch that."

   Cheyenne blushed but returned my stare.  "I said," she said after
several seconds, "we could have won if you'd let me go all-around."

   I nodded.  "You're probably right."

   She looked surprised.

   "You had a great meet.  But I and your other coaches decided to compete
you in only two events, and that's that."

   "But I am so much better than Kelly and Abbie." Three and five seats
behind her I saw the two girls go red.

   "Could be.  But I chose Kelly to go all-around 'cause I knew I could
depend on her.  She always turns in a good performance." Kelly beamed. 
"Except maybe when she has a cold," I said to remind her of a meet last
year.  "And I..." I emphasized the "I " as hard as I could, "wanted to see
how Abbie would do."

   "And we all know how good that was," Cheyenne said sarcastically.  Abbie
looked ready to cry.  She had not had a great meet, scoring only a thirty
point four compared to Kelly's thirty-five point three.

   "Traci, would you and Abbie go in and remind Miss Calloway to try and
get one big table?" Traci nodded, understanding I wanted the seventh grader
off the bus.  She took Abbie's hand and led her past me and out the door.

   I strode down the aisle until I was standing next to Cheyenne, towering
over her.  "If you ever trash another girl's performance like that again,
don't bother coming back."

   Cheyenne stared defiantly up at me.

   I turned and moved back to my original spot.  "And that goes for the
club team too."

   "You can't..."

   I spun and stared at her again.  "Try me." I don't know if she believed
me, but her face lost most of its color.

   I looked around at all the young faces staring at me.  "I want you to
remember something.  Last year, it was easy.  We usually didn't even have
enough girls on each event and had to enforce a draft.  That's how Traci
wound up doing bars and vault.  She didn't volunteer; I pushed her."

   "But this year, we have extra girls on every event so we have to choose.
When Tami, Stephy, Miss Calloway, and I got together last night, we were
trying to put together the best team.  Not just to win, which we almost
did, but to help all of you develop.  Sometimes we may get it right, or
sometimes we'll get it wrong.  But we are the coaches and it's our
decision. Does anyone besides Cheyenne have a problem with that?"

   Cheyenne glared, but the other girls all shook their heads.

   "Your job as gymnasts is to practice real hard and make our choices real
difficult.  And to support each other in practice," I again focused on
Cheyenne, "and in the meets.  If someone does good, pat her on the back. 
If she blows it, give her a hug and let her know it's all right."

   "If you think you're not getting the meet time you deserve, you can come
and talk to any of your coaches, or all of us." I was still looking
straight at Cheyenne.  "As long as your complaint is about your performance
and not one of your teammates."

   I looked around the group again.  "If it's a team problem, have your
captain, Kelly, come to us."

   "Your pet," Cheyenne mumbled.

   "I didn't catch that," I prompted.

   "I said she's your favorite."

   Kelly blushed, and I smiled at her.  "She sure is.  Because there's
nobody on this team who works harder, and nobody who supports her teammates
better."

   "Is that why you took her to a dance last year?  I heard all about it."

   "No.  I took her because she was beautiful.  You should have seen her."

   "And made her captain."

   "Nope, that one you can't blame on me.  The team voted her captain.  In
fact only two other girls got votes." Cheyenne had the grace to blush since
she'd been the only one to vote for herself.  Kelly had voted for Traci--I
recognized the handwriting--but everyone else picked my favorite munchkin.

   "But you..."

   "Enough!" I interrupted.  "Cheyenne, if you want to continue this, I'll
be happy to talk to you tomorrow.  Or you can talk to Miss Calloway if you
think I'm not being fair.  Everybody else, what I was meaning to say was
that you may have lost, but everybody worked hard, and we were neck and
neck right down to the wire." I stepped back between two seats.  "Now you
better get something to eat before they close this joint."

   Kelly was the first one up, and as she got to me she gave me a quick
hug. 'Great,' I thought, 'that'll help my reputation for favoritism.'

   But then Susie Calloway gave me a hug too.  Then Brianna Lane.  One by
one, all the girls gave me a hug as they passed.

   All except Cheyenne who just glared as she walked past.

   Alone on the bus, I sat back and shook my head.  And I want to do this
for a living.  I must be nuts.  I wondered if her parents would mind if
Cheyenne didn't come home.  I'd heard she had a little sister who was
really nice.  They'd be better off.

   I got up and went in to see if there was any pizza left for me.

   Chapter 3

   "Are you ready to party?"

   Several hundred voices answered Tami, though I didn't have a clue what
they said.

   "Just a couple things before we start.  This concert is sponsored by the
Junior Class Prom Committee.  We're planning to raise more money for the
prom this year than ever before."

   Cheers.  Mostly from the students, but some of the grown-ups joined in.

   "You may know that last year, we had one of the best proms ever, and it
didn't cost hardly anything.  We figure if we can raise lots of money, and
then pull off another cheap prom, then the organizing committee can have
their final meeting in Jamaica."

   A few boos.  "And just who might be on the committee," Ricky Calloway
yelled from the audience.

   "Well, Tony Sims, and Robbie Tate." Tami turned to walk off the stage,
then turned back to the audience.  "And me."

   "You better spend the money on the prom," someone yelled.  "Jamaica
would never survive."

   "Sending Tony and Monster Girl is probably an act of war," someone else
added.

   It went downhill from there.

   * * *

   Traci was singing Stupid Cupid, a song that Mandy Moore did for a movie
I couldn't remember off the top of my head, though I thought Connie Francis
did it better back in the fifties.  And Jordon McCoy on American Juniors
beat them both.  With Traci, all three of them had competition.

   I was looking out the wings at the audience and mentally counting the
cash.  At three dollars a head for students and five for adults, the
Back-to-School concert was racking it in for the Junior Class Prom
Committee.  I figured a thousand bucks easy, not counting concessions.

   One of Robbie's better ideas.

   * * *

   Chad Davis started out.  He'd turned the song's original eight-bar
opening into a guitar solo that lasted about a minute-and-a-half.  Not that
he was the center of attention.  On the partially darkened stage, I brought
out a stool and set it in the center.  Then Robbie walked out slowly and
sat down.  As Chad was finishing, a single light blue spot lit her face.

   "Look at what's happening to me,

   I can't believe it myself.

   Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,

   It should have been somebody else."

   Additional spots lit Chad along with Sally and Toby Reyes, while
Robbie's spot widened to take in her whole body.

   "Believe it or not, I'm walking on air.

   I never thought I could feel so free.

   Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

   Who could it be?

   Believe it or not it's just me."

   Robbie got off her stool, walked to the edge and sat down, her feet
dangling.  The spot followed her.

   "It's like the light of a new day,

   It hit me from out of the blue.

   Breaking me out of the spell I was in,

   Making all of my wishes come true."

   I wondered if any of the kids out there knew this was the theme from a
forgettable super-hero show from the seventies.

   "Believe it or not, I'm walking on air.

   I never thought I could feel so free.

   Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

   Who could it be?

   Believe it or not it's just me.



   This is too good to be true,

   Look at me, falling for you."

   Was it my imagination or did Robbie glace my way as she sang that?

   Then Traci walked out by the stool and cut loose on her sax for almost a
minute.  Sometimes I couldn't believe just how good the brat could be.

   "Believe it or not, I'm walking on air.

   I never thought I could feel so free.

   Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

   Who could it be?

   Believe it or not it's just me."

   Robbie sat there as Chad and the Reyes brought the music to an end.  The
applause was deafening.  Robbie grinned and waved at the audience, then the
spots died and she disappeared into the darkness.

   * * *

   "For some reason, Tami thought this would be a good song for me. 
Personally, I don't get it," I said standing in the middle of the stage.

   Chad started strumming his guitar, making it sound more twangy than
usual.  After all, this song was supposed to have a sort of shit-kicker
feel to it.

   "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble,

   When you're perfect in every way."

   The audience laughed.

   I turned to Chad and waved my arms for him to stop, then turned back to
the audience.  I tried to look stern.  "That's not the funny part.  You're
not supposed to laugh yet.  Now, let's try it again.

   Chad started on his guitar again.

   "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble,

   When you're perfect in every way."

   I can't wait to look in the mirror,

   Cuz I get better looking every day."

   The audience laughed again.  I gave them my best scowl, but kept
singing.

   "To know me is to love me,

   I must be a hell of a man.

   Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble,

   But I'm doing the best that I can.

   I used to have a girlfriend,

   But I guess she just couldn't compete,

   With all of these love-starved women,

   Who keep clamoring at my feet.

   Well I'll probably find me another,

   But I guess they're all in awe of me.

   Who cares, I never get lonesome,

   'Cause I treasure my own company."

   More laughter, go figure.

   "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble,

   When you're perfect in every way.

   I can't wait to look in the mirror,

   I get better looking each day.

   To know me is to love me,

   I must be a hell of a man.

   Oh Lord it's hard to be humble,

   But I'm doing the best that I can.

   I guess you can say I'm a loner,

   A cowboy outlaw tough and proud.

   Well I could have lots of friends if I wanted

   But then I wouldn't stand out from the crowd."

   I couldn't help grinning as the audience laughed again.

   "Some folks say that I'm egotistical.

   Hell, I don't even know what that means.

   I guess it has something to do with the

   Way that I fill out my skin tight blue jeans."

   I turned and wiggled my butt at the audience before starting the chorus.

   "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

   When you're perfect in every way.

   I can't wait to look in the mirror

   Cuz I get better looking each day.

   To know me is to love me.

   I must be a hell of a man.

   Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

   But I'm doing the best that we can."

   Tami had written a last verse just for me to the Mac Davis standard.

   "I also have a fast sports car,

   You can't drive it, don't bother to ask,

   And if you're into to academics,

   Beat Robbie for head of the class.

   I used to play some football,

   In front of huge screaming crowds.

   But it always gave me a headache,

   'Cause the cheering, it got way too loud."

   Somebody yelled, "Go Rebels!"

   "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

   When you're perfect in every way.

   I can't wait to look in the mirror

   Cuz I get better looking each day.

   To know me is to love me

   I must be a hell of a man.

   Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

   But I'm doing the best that I can."

   Most of the auditorium was singing along by the time I got to the last
line.

   "I still don't know why Tami thought that was a perfect song for me.  Or
why you kept laughing.  But the prom committee hopes you had a good time.
Good night and drive safe."

   Chapter 4

   "You're kidding, right?"

   I grinned and kept packing the back of Mom's mini-van.

   Tami looked up and surveyed the dark grey sky.  "It's not that I don't
want to, it's just..."

   I shoved in the last bundle and closed the rear door before it could
fall back out.  I grabbed Tami and pulled her into a tight embrace,
pressing my mouth down against hers.  "Tami, my love," I said a minute
later, "do you want to stay home?"

   "No.  But..." she looked back up at the sky.  "This is all a cover and
you have us booked into a hot tub suite at a Holiday Inn," she whispered
hopefully.

   I kissed her on the nose, then turned her loose.  "Oh ye of little
faith."

   "I have faith.  It's just..." she looked up at the sky a third time, and
a large drop of water splashed against her forehead.

   I grinned, scooped her into my arms, and carried her to the open
passenger door of the van.  I placed her on the seat, then fastened a seat
belt around her.  I kissed her forehead where the raindrop had landed. 
"It's not even eight yet.  Go to sleep, and everything will be better when
you wake up."

   Tami looked skeptical, but smiled.  I closed her door and walked around
to the other side.  As I got in behind the wheel, I saw Tami's eyelids
already starting to droop.

   By the time I got onto I-90 heading east, Tami was gone.  I took a CD
off the dashboard and slid it into the player.  A few seconds later the van
filled with music.  The first song was Precious and Few by a group named
Climax.  The song was from the mid-seventies, and I loved it as soon as I
heard.  Robbie had put together a CD of songs she thought I might want to
steal.  This was definitely one.

   * * *

   "Wake up."

   Tami's eyelids fluttered as she struggled to open them.  Finally one
opened halfway.  "Where are we?"

   "Beautiful Spokane, Washington.  Home of the 1974 World's Fair."

   Both of Tami's eyes opened.  "Why?"

   "Why not.  You have somewhere better to be?"

   "I thought..."

   "Dangerous habit.  Gets you into trouble most of the time.  You might
also notice the sky."

   Tami looked up through the windshield at the bright blue sky.  "The
rain...?"

   "Is about eighty miles that-a-way," I said looking smug and flipping my
thumb over my shoulder.

   "I hate you."

   "Sad but true.  You have three choices.  You can sit there and hate me,
go back to sleep, or help me surprise Kelly."

   "Kelly?"

   I pointed at the building in front of us.  A large colorful sign
proclaimed TRIUMPH GYMNASTICS.

   "So this is all about your favorite munchkin," Tami accused.

   "Nope.  Today is about you and me.  This is just a side trip 'cause
Kelly is bummed."

   "Why's she bummed?"

   "First meet of the year, for the club anyway, and her parents went to
see Kenny.  And her favorite coach is off doing something with his
girlfriend who hates him."

   Tami shook her head as she unfastened her seat belt and stretched.  "Is
there any trouble you can't talk yourself out of?"

   I grinned and unfastened my own belt.  "So far, no."

   We got out, and I took Tami's hand as we walked across the parking lot.
At the door I paid the admissions rather than try to explain I was a coach
showing up late.

   I spotted our group on beam, and Tami and I stepped over the rope
separating the spectators from the competition, skirted the floor mat, and
headed there.  Kelly was just finishing her routine.  She was holding a
handstand like she was an alabaster statue.  Then she snapped both feet
down and stretched backward into a handspring, landing on the end of the
beam and exploding upward into a full-twisting somi off the beam.

   She landed, a big smile on her face telling me that the first part of
the routine had been as good as the ending.  Her arms shot skyward as her
chest puffed out.  She held her pose for a second, dropped her arms, turned
to the two grey-hared women who were judging her, and repeated it.

   "If you'd point your toes on that handstand, that might almost be a
decent routine," I said from behind her.

   Kelly spun, her face darkening but then breaking into a grin as she
spotted me.  "Tony!  You came." She evaporated from the landing mat and
reappeared in my arms.  I wondered if she could teach me that trick.  Might
come in handy for tackling stray halfbacks.

   "Would I miss my favorite munchkin's first meet?" Unfortunately, I
didn't notice Cheyenne standing to the side until the words were out.  I
wondered if they'd come back to haunt me.  Cheyenne tossed her head, then
started putting chalk on the balls of her feet.

   "I thought you were doing something with Tami."

   I grinned and with all the flair I could muster indicated Tami.  "Kelly,
meet Tami.  And we are doing something.  We're watching your first meet."

   Kelly muttered something I didn't catch but that rhymed with mole, and I
didn't think she was calling me a furry rodent that dug up lawns.

   "Kellyyyyy, do I need to spank?"

   "You wouldn't dare.  I'm at a meet."

   I grinned and cocked my head.  "You've known me how long?"

   Kelly's face turned red for a second.  "Sorry." Then she brightened. 
"Did you see my routine?  I hit everything!"

   "Just the end of it.  But I saw something else."

   "But I did point my toes.  I did!"

   "Of course you did," Tami said consolingly.  "He's just being mean."

   I grinned.  "I meant I saw that." I pointed to where the judges were
sitting.  They'd handed a piece of paper to a ponytailed girl about nine,
who shared it with another ponytail who was putting numbers on a portable
scoreboard.

   Kelly whirled.  "Nine four five!  that's my best beam ever."

   "You deserved it," Tami said hugging the girl.  "I saw more of your
routine than he did.  He was too busy checking out those two girls on floor
in the purple leotards."

   "I was scoping out the competition," I defended myself.

   "You, my love, were wondering what it would be like with twins," Tami
said without malice then quickly kissed me to confirm her tone.  Several of
the girls 'ah'ed.  I shot them all dirty looks, which led to giggling.

   "You know me so well my little jackalope."

   "Jackalope?"

   "Still working on the pet name thing."

   Tami grinned.  "Keep working."

   * * *

   "I thought you were kidding."

   It was almost four when I pulled into Potholes State Park.  I pulled up
in front of the office and stopped the van.  "Would I kid about camping
with the most beautiful girl in the state?"

   Tami looked stern.  "Tony, you have a warped and weird sense of humor.
You'd kid about anything."

   "Too true," I admitted.  "But not about this." I got out and went inside
to register.

   "Are you aware it's January?" she asked as I got back in a couple
minutes later.

   "Let's see.  Christmas, New Year's, school started.  Yep, January."

   "Did you know that most people, at least in this hemisphere, consider
January winter?"

   "One," I said as I put the van in gear and started driving.  "Most
people are not in love with this year's Bothwell Award winner." Tami
beamed, though we both knew they hadn't even announced the finalists yet.
"And two, my sleeping bag is rated to minus five, and all the weathermen in
the state have promised, on their firstborns, that this weekend will be
clear with a high in the mid-fifties and a low several degrees above
freezing."

   Tami thought for a minute while I found our camping site.

   "Okay, just one question."

   "Shoot."

   "What are you going to do with all those children if they're wrong?"

   I laughed.  And she says I have a weird sense of humor.  "Sweatshops. 
It works for the Chinese."

   * * *

   "We have one small problem," I said as I unloaded the van into the tent
I'd set up.

   "What's that?"

   "Only one sleeping bag."

   "Really?"

   "I could be a gentleman and let you have it, but it is mine after all."

   "I suppose we could share," Tami suggested as if she'd just thought of
it.

   "I was never much on sharing."

   "Anthony Marion Sims!" It always amazed me how she could sound like she
was stomping her foot and not have to move a muscle.  "Tonight, I'm
climbing into that nice rated-for-five-below sleeping bag.  If you're very
nice, you can join me.  If not you can sleep on the ground, the ground that
your weathermen buddies say won't get colder than freezing.

   "Yes ma'am," I said after considering and discarding several snappy
retorts.

   * * *

   "Oh god, Oh god!  I'm almost..."

   "So how far back do you think Robbie is?" I gasped.

   Tami froze in mid-thrust.  "What?

   I grinned.  "Come on, you can't tell me you didn't have an inconvenient
question lurking in the back of your brain just waiting for this moment."

   "I...  I hate you," Tami said, collapsing against my chest.  Then she
kissed my nose.  "No I don't."

   "Then finish what you started."

   Tami grinned, sat up, and started thrusting her hips against me again.

   * * *

   Tami and I lay together, just enjoying each other's closeness.

   "Ninety-five percent." Tami said as I stared into the bottomless pools
of her eyes.  "That scene yesterday really helped."

   "She did seem to enjoy it," I agreed.  * * *

   Yesterday in school, Cody had been putting his moves on Carly Peterson
when Robbie and I walked up.

   "Hi Cody.  Hi Carly," Robbie said perkily.  "So what category are you?"

   "Category?" Carly asked confused.

   "Probably ballerina," I suggested.  "I don't think he has one of those
yet."

   Carly still looked confused, so Robbie explained Cody's list while Cody
stood, turning red and clenching and unclenching his fists.

   "What the hell was that all about?" Cody snapped after Carly had walked
away with a snap of her head that told me Cody needed a new candidate.

   Robbie smiled sweetly.  "Truth in advertising."

   * * *

   "So what about this week?" Tami asked as consciousness slipped away. 
"If we lose, will that set her back."

   "I don't think so," I said, not sure the words were actually getting out
my mouth.  "She knows how subjective this part of the contest can be, will
be.  Maybe the judges don't like musicals, and we've lost before we've
begun.  Or maybe..." I have no idea what I'd been about to say as my brain
shut down and I fell asleep in Tami's arms.

   * * *

   When I woke and opened my eyes, Tami was lying there watching me.

   "Hi," I said.

   "Hi, yourself.  'Bout time you woke up.  One of us is horny."

   "Only one of us?"

   "You talk too much," she accused, reaching down and wrapping a warm hand
around my morning erection.

   "You're not the first to mention it."

   "Oh, shut up." To enforce her directive she pressed her lips against
mine, her tongue worming it's way into my mouth.  If everyone woke up like
this, there'd never be another war.  Hell, even the Democrats and
Republicans might play nice.

   Tami rolled me onto my back and smoothly mounted me.  "Insert rod-A into
slot-B.  Isn't that what you say all the sex stories you used to read were
about?"

   I grinned up at her.  She was sitting up as much as the sleeping bag
would allow.  "The good ones were about how to get there, or what came
after.  The bad ones were how many different slot-B's could rod-A get into.
I think the record was about eight in a three-page story."

   "And your record is seven in three-and-a-half years?"

   I counted as Tami moved against me.  Tami and Robbie, of course.  The
girls, Mikee and Kelly.  That's four.  The cousins make six and Darlene is
seven.  With Allie, Tabby and Alana as near misses.  "Seven," I confirmed.

   "You're slacking," she half-accused, half-moaned.

   I started to say I'd do better, then remembered I was going to be
monogamous.

   "So when...  oh, God...  when are you...  oh, I'm almost there...  when
are you going to...  don't stop.  Don't ever stop.  I'm...  cumming!" She
collapsed against my chest.  My still-hard cock buried deep inside her. 
She grinned.  "That was good."

   "Glad I could help." I rolled her onto her side and slowly fucked her
toward my own climax.

   "So when are you going to pop her cherry?"

   I froze, but my cock didn't, choosing that moment to erupt.  "Whose?" I
stammered.

   "Bobbi's of course." Tami tried to look suspicious.  "Why?  How many
cherries were you planning to pop this month?"

   "Bobbi's?  How?  When?" I hate when I have trouble forming sentences. 
"I wasn't planning to pop any."

   "What?  She's not cute enough for you?"

   I decided that even the Atypical Edition of A Guy's Manual for
Relationships couldn't help me here.  What do you say when the love of your
life is mad 'cause you won't have sex with another girl?

   "She's only a freshmen," I said, knowing it was lame before the words
left my mouth.

   "And Kelly's an eighth grader who was how old when..."

   I sighed.  "I know.  But that's different."

   Tami scooted backward in the sleeping bag and my spent cock slipped from
her.  She watched my face, and I knew she was waiting for me to explain why
it was different.

   If I said I was more mature or older and wiser, this was going to go
downhill fast.  "I'm trying to be a one-girl guy," I said finally.

   "We've had this discussion before.  I've never asked you to settle just
for me."

   I scooted up next to her, not for sex but for nearness.  "Tami, my love,
there's no settling involved." I kissed her nose, and she cuddled against
me.  "Who makes the best hamburgers in town?"

   Tami seemed startled at the change in direction.  "Wendy's.  But I wish
we had one of those Fatburgers like they had in Denver."

   "So, tomorrow when we go home, if I take you to Wendy's instead of
Micky-D's or BK, you're settling?"

   "That's different.  Wendy's is my favo..." her voice faded.  A minute
later she kissed my nose.  "What's your favorite cereal?"

   "Cocoa Krispies.  You know that."

   "So how come you have Sugar Smacks and Apple Jacks in your cupboard
too?"

   "Sometimes I like something diff,,," now my voice faded.  "You know,
this argument could go in circles for a long time."

   "This isn't an argument.  This is an intellectual discussion.  Naked. 
In a sleeping bag."

   "More debates should be run this way." I leaned down and sucked her
right tit into my mouth.

   "If they were, there'd be penalty points for trying to distract your
opponent that way."

   "I'm distracting you?" I asked innocently, then went back to her tit.

   "Oh, yes," she moaned.  The rest of the debate became nonverbal as I
sank into the sleeping bag and worked my way south.

   * * *

   "So what are you going to do?"

   "About what?" I asked though I knew what she wanted.  Tami glared at me
while I continued to pack the van.

   "About Bobbi."

   I sat down on the ice chest and looked up at her.  "How did you get
involved in this, anyway?"

   "She asked me," Tami said with a small giggle.

   "She asked you?" I repeated

   Tami nodded.  "I guess she started thinking about this and talked to
Robbie."

   "Her first mistake."

   Tami stuck her tongue before continuing.  "They talked.  Robbie wanted
to make sure Bobbi was really ready.  Then...  well, I'm not sure which one
suggested your bod, but they decided you'd be a good first time."

   I sighed.  It was a hell of a compliment, but still...

   "That day that you and your family did the brunch thing at the Holiday
Inn, I was over at Robbie's, and Robbie conveniently disappeared and Bobbi
asked me if it was okay."

   I grinned.  "Awkward?"

   Tami grinned back.  "I figured out what she wanted in a minute or two,
but your mean streak must be rubbing off on me, 'cause I let her hem and
haw almost twenty minutes to get it out.  I mean, it's hard to just come
out and say, 'Can I borrow your boyfriend to lose my virginity?'"

   "Robbie could have done it."

   Tami giggled.  "If you and I hadn't had problems, she probably would
have."

   I nodded.  "What mean streak?"

   "I've seen the jokes you play on Traci."

   "She's a sister.  Doesn't count as mean."

   Tami stuck her tongue out again.

   "So you gave Bobbi your blessing?"

   Tami nodded, then came over and sat across my legs.  "You going to make
a liar out of me?"

   "I don't know," I said honestly.  "I haven't been with anyone else since
the road trip."

   Tami giggled.  "Resting up?"

   "Monogamy," I said with a smile.

   "I've never asked..."

   "Tam, haven't you ever wanted, maybe in the back of your mind, us to be
a more traditional couple?"

   "Well..."

   "So we try monogamy for a year or two."

   "But all the girls..."

   "...will, I'm sad to say, get along fine without me.  None of them have
been nuns."

   "But they like..."

   I smiled.  "Tell you what.  If I go back to fooling around with my
harem, would you like a shot at Ricky?"

   "Ricky?"

   "How 'bout Cody?  Robbie's making it hard for him to get any.  Maybe
Peter?"

   Tami giggled.  "Think Traci will share?"

   "You could tell her you have experience with Temple threesomes."

   Tami turned bright red.

   "But, I've never wanted to do it with anybody else."

   "Okay, but when I say I don't want to do it with anybody else, you try
to set me up to bust Bobbi's cherry."

   "That's different.  I mean, well, you have a history."

   "So, I don't get a choice?"

   "No.  Yes.  I mean...  I...  will you at least think about Bobbi?  You'd
be good for her."

   I grinned.  "Tami, this may surprise you, but a few teenaged girls have
managed to lose their virginity without me."

   "But I want it to be good for her."

   "I do, too.  I'll think about it." I gave her a little push, stood up,
and put the ice chest in the back of the van.

   "There is one more little thing," Tami said with a sly smile that told
me I wasn't going to like it.

   "What?" I closed the back of the van and surveyed our camp site for
forgotten items.

   Tami stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me.  "Ashley."

   "Ashley?"

   "Ashley Burke.  You kind of promised to be her first when she was
ready."

   I shook my head.  "And you laugh when I say my life is complicated.

   * * *

   What are you grinning about?" I asked as I put the van in drive after
checking out of the ranger station.

   "I was just wondering if any of the weathermen around here have cute
daughters."

   "Why?"

   "I was talking to the woman in the RV when you were inside.  She said it
hit twenty-six last night.

   I glared at Tami for a second then maneuvered onto the road.

   Maybe the secret of a good relationship was never talking.  It just got
you in trouble.

   Chapter 5

   "I could get used to this."

   Robbie gave me a sideways glance.  "You already are."

   I grinned back at her as we took another bow.

   * * *

   It had been a hectic week.

   Monday we had a morning assembly where Mr.  Reed and the school wished
us luck.  Afterward, Leslie Villers kissed me, then told me she was
counting on us to bring a second Prentiss Award back to the school.  No
pressure or anything.

   We loaded into Mom's minivan, while I hoped she wasn't getting too used
to my Mustang, and drove to the middle school where Kelly, Traci, and Suzie
Calloway were just getting out of their own pep rally.  Traci and Kelly
squeezed in.  Suzie was riding with her mom, and we headed out of town.

   Just as I got to the interstate we passed Luke Reese and Ricky Calloway,
who'd run our stage crew and now were driving the U-Haul with all our sets
and props.  Our musicians and all their equipment were coming tomorrow.

   We got to Seattle and our hotel--The Prentiss Foundation had put us up
in the Hilton, no less--and spent a mostly peaceful night.  Mostly peaceful
'cause Mrs.  Calloway, Suzie's mom, surprised at the lack of parental
supervision, adopted the role of group mom.  She was a nice lady and had
some funny stories to tell, the funniest making Suzie turn bright red, but
Tami and I wanted some privacy and alone time.

   We also wanted to keep her ignorant of the sleeping arrangements which
had Tami and me in one room while keeping me ignorant of the sleeping
arrangements that had Peter and Traci in another.

   Tuesday morning we saw our theater.  This year's contest picked six
regional finalists.  Last year they'd had eight.  The foundation had
arranged for three theaters.  Each group got three days for set-up and
rehearsal.  So there were performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
this week and next.

   The order of the plays had been drawn randomly.  We got number two, so
we performed this Friday.

   Anyway, early Tuesday morning we saw our theater, and I wondered if we
should just pack up and go home.  Save ourselves the embarrassment. 
Seattle has dozens of theaters, and we drew the Globe.  After all the shots
I'd taken at Shakespeare.

   We spent the morning getting sets in place while Luke and Ricky learned
about the Globe's lighting and sound systems.  We managed to get one full
rehearsal in before heading back to the hotel and its spa.

   Wednesday was mostly bits and pieces.  Our musicians were here, and we
spent the day with them playing or us singing or talking while Robbie
listened from various parts of the theater and Luke tried to adjust the
finicky sound system to suit her.

   Wednesday night was the big dinner: the honchos from the foundation, the
judges, and the three groups of nervous teenagers for this week.

   The judges were an interesting group.  Seattle's deputy mayor and the
state parks and recreation director represented the politicians.  The
military got two votes, one the base commander from Fort Lewis and the
other the wing commander from McChord.  I would have been more impressed if
he'd flown F-15's or A-10's instead of C-17's, but I guess we all got to do
what we got to do.  Seattle's a sports town, so we got a rookie from the
Supersonics and a front office weenie from the Mariners.

   The arts, if you can call them that, were actually represented by three
judges.  A guy who'd made a successful career our of writing historical
romances, though considering he always wrote in the first person as an
embittered and imperiled girl, you had to wonder just how in touch with
reality he was.  A television actor whose claim to fame was having been in
four successive series that lasted nine episodes between them.  And,
finally, a director who'd managed to lose a hundred million dollars on his
last three films, but already had a contract for another one.

   There was probably a message in there about the foundation's expectation
for the contest, but I didn't even want to think about what it was.

   Yesterday, we'd managed three complete run-throughs before heading to
the Roxy theater for Vlad.  The group from Vancouver had put together a
stylish and spooky retelling of the Dracula story.  It was good, but I
figured we had them beat.

   This morning had been fun.  The sound system shorted out during our
first dress rehearsal.  Luke, Ricky, and Fred the stage manager finally got
it back on line, and a spotlight bulb gave out.  I was wondering if there
was a veterinary store close by where I could pick up a supply of Ketamine.
I figured if it could keep horses calm it might work for Robbie.

   But Monster Girl fooled me.  She started laughing.  "If the gods want us
to lose they're going to have to try harder than that," she said before
looking down at the notes on her clipboard.

   Tami smiled at me and mouthed, "Ninety-eight percent."

   * * *

   "One more bow?" I asked as the curtain closed in front of us.

   "Why the hell not," Robbie agreed with a grin, then signaled Ricky to
open the curtain again.

   As the curtain opened we stepped forward in a line and bowed to our
audience.  It had been a good night.  Probably our best performance so far.
The applause was loud and it felt good.

   "Ladies and gentlemen," I yelled, hoping the sound system was still on.
It was.  "David's mother...  Darlene Carter!" Darlene stepped forward and
took a bow.

   "Crystal, David's ex-girlfriend...  Kelly Temple!" Kelly took her bow.
She'd had a small part.  In fact I'd almost written the girlfriend out,
except I didn't want to disappoint her.

   "David's sister...  Suzie Calloway." I realized as she took her bow that
we'd never given her a name.

   "Zoe's doctor...  Tami Sharp!" I could see Tami's mom standing in front
of her seat in the first row clapping so hard that I was sure she'd bruise
her hands.

   "Zoe's dad...  me!" Mom was standing next to Mrs.  Sharp and for once
hadn't forgotten the video camera.

   "Zoe...  played by Traci Sims, whose only other claim to fame is being
my sister.  But I've decided to keep her on the payroll for another month."
Most of that was drowned out by the thunderous applause as soon as I'd said
Trace's name.

   "David...  played by Peter Temple, whose only talent is thinking my
sister's cute." Peter turned deep red while Traci practiced shooting laser
beams from her eyeballs.

   "And finally, Zoe's mom...  played by Robbie Tate." Someone yelled "
Monster Girl " and the applause grew even louder.  "Robbie also directed
this menagerie we call a cast."

   Robbie took a step forward and bowed, then stood again.  "It takes more
than a bunch of so-called actors to make a play.  We wouldn't have gotten
very far without our stage crew, Luke Reese and Ricky Calloway." The guys
came out, looking embarrassed, and Robbie gave them a hug.

   I stepped over and pretended to whisper in Robbie's ear.  She shrugged.
Then Tami stepped up and whispered in her other ear.

   "Do we have to?" Robbie whined

   My turn to shrug.  "It's in their contract.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, we agreed to introduce the band if they got at
least every other note right and I guess they did.  The cutest keyboardist
in the Pacific Northwest, Toby Reyes."

   Toby did a refrain from Zoe's Song, then waved at the audience from the
orchestra pit.

   "The hottest drummer in the Western U.S." I shouted.  "Toby's slammin'
sister Sally!"

   Sally did a thirty second drum riff before throwing both sticks in the
air, catching them, and slamming them down on the cymbal.

   "Andddd," Tami said with a twinkle in her eye, "according to our
drummer, the best kisser on the North American continent, on guitar, Chad
Davis."

   Chad turned deep red but managed a refrain from Too Many Feelings,
Traci's second song.

   "Peoples, this is Unrehearsed." Robbie finished.

   "We also got a big helping hand from two guys the theatrical union sent
over to man the spotlights.  They learned their cues in a couple of hours
and were--excuse the pun--spot on.  Guys, I didn't get your names, but we
couldn't have done it without you."

   The spotlights swirled around as the audience applauded.  I wondered if
we'd get in trouble with the union for that.

   "And last, we owe special thanks to a man who's put up with a rowdy
group of teenagers all week and has to do it all over again next week.  The
Globe's stage manager for sixteen years, Fred Thompson."

   Fred came out of the wings looking startled.  I had a feeling it was the
first time he'd ever been on stage in front of an audience.  Robbie gave
him a big hug and held his hand as the two of them took a final bow.

   For us, at least, it was all over.

   Chapter 6

   "Are you all happy and content?"

   The curtain had closed for the final time.  I shot Robbie a suspicious
look.  "Why?"

   She shrugged.  "I think it's time for plan B."

   I wondered how hard it would be to get back into the fourth grade.  The
homework was easy, and life just wasn't as complicated.  I came back to the
real world and nodded.

   Robbie moved quickly, spoke to Fred, then headed for the dressing room
and her phone.  I moved to center stage, slipped my arms around Darlene and
Tami, and watched Traci hug Peter a little more than was necessary.  We'd
planned two cast parties, one for us on stage and a second for the parents
in the theater lobby with us joining in after half-an-hour or so.

   From beyond the curtain I could hear the audience shuffling.  I figured
at least ten minutes before the theater was clear.

   "Why don't you and I run away together?" I whispered in Darlene's ear.
"Just the two of us.  We can move somewhere on the Oregon coast, and I can
find out if I remember how to surf."

   Darlene giggled.  "What about Tami?"

   "I didn't know you were into threesomes.  Go ahead and invite her."

   Tami's elbow jabbed my stomach while she didn't miss a word in whatever
she was saying to Kelly and Suzie.

   Traci was still clinging to Peter, and at some point their lips had
become fused.  "Don't make me get a crowbar," I threatened.  Traci glared,
Peter turned red, but they separated.

   * * *

   "Are you Darlene Reed?"

   Darlene looked startled and turned toward the interruption.  "Darlene
Carter."

   We'd been celebrating almost half-an-hour and were about ready to join
the various parental units in the lobby.  We'd opened the curtains ten
minutes earlier after the theater had cleared out to make it less stuffy.

   The man stepped out of the right side wings.  He was dressed in a cheap
suit and reminded me of a fire hydrant.  "You need to come with me."

   "Sorry, Dude," I said stepping between them.  "We don't do groupies or
stalkers.  Get lost." I noticed a second man in the shadows by the stage
door.

   "Don't interfere," he growled stepping closer.

   I smiled.  "Would you call throwing you off the front of the stage
interfering?"

   Ricky and Luke had moved up to one side of me, Chad Davis and Toby Reyes
the other, making a wall between the idiot and Darlene.

   "I'd call it assaulting a police officer," he said pulling a wallet from
his jacket and flipping it open and closed in an eye blink.  "Now get out
of the way, the girl is coming with me."

   "Don't think so." The guys had taken a step back, but Robbie had moved
up next to me.

   "Interfering with a police officer is against the law."

   "Tony's not very big on the law.  He was suspended the first week of
school and has threatened me several times." Mr.  Reed, Darlene's
stepfather, stepped out of the shadows.

   I smiled.  "To keep things straight, the school board overturned that
suspension and the administrator who sentenced me resigned rather than face
a hearing over his actions.  And my dad said I had more restraint than he
did for not hitting you."

   "That's irrelevant." I was impressed that the fire plug knew such a big
word and used it correctly.  "The girl needs to come with me."

   "Actually, no she doesn't."

   "One more word and you'll be coming, too.  Obstruction of justice should
be good for a few months in juvie."

   "Word." Maybe I could renew my friendship with Kenny.  From the corner
of my eye I saw somebody else coming onto the stage from the other side. 
"You have some problems, slick.  One, as far as I'm concerned, flipping a
wallet as fast as you can does not qualify as identifying yourself as a
cop."

   He growled.  He actually growled.

   "Two, even if you are the fuzz, you can't just grab someone without
cause.  And three, you may be pure bacon through and through, but you
should know the difference between interfering with a police officer and
obstruction of justice.  They're two completely different charges." I
grinned.  "And four, just for the hell of it, even if you could get a
conviction for interfering with a police officer, I'm not getting more than
probation and you should know it." I held my wrist out.  "Want to slip on
the cuffs?"

   Flatfoot.  I forgot to call him a flatfoot.

   "I'll teach you some manners," he growled advancing on me and raising
his arm to backhand me.  I'd given Peter King three shots.  This dude was
only getting one.

   "Excuse me," the newcomer said diffidently.

   "Beat it, pops.  This is police business.  It doesn't concern you."

   "Excuse me?" he said again, this time in shock.

   "Get lost!"

   The newcomer stepped forward.  He was dressed in a much nicer suit than
the fire plug, though a pajama leg stuck out of one leg of his pants. 
"Your supervisor, now!" he snapped.

   "Listen..."

   "No, you listen.  I am Judge Morgan.  And if your lieutenant isn't here
in twenty minutes, your chief will be here in thirty.  Better yet, make it
your captain."

   "My captain?" The fire plug turned white.

   "Now!" He looked around.  Robbie and I, backed by the guys, still formed
a wall between Darlene and the cop.

   "You!" he snapped, pointing at Darlene.  "Come here," then he softened
his tone.  "Please." I saw Robbie nod at Darlene, and she started toward
the judge, "The rest of you sit or something."

   Darlene and the judge sat on the bed in Zoe's set and talked while the
rest of us relaxed a little.  The fire plug pulled out his cell and turned
his back on my favorite stepparent.  Reed tried to argue.  The cop slapped
a hand over the mouthpiece and growled, "Piss off."

   Robbie walked over and handed the judge a stack of paper, then snagged
Kelly and sent her to the lobby.  A few minutes later Kelly came back with
Robbie's dad.  The rest of the parents followed him halfway down the aisle,
then took seats watching the stage.

   The fire plug watched them, distaste on his face.  Maybe he didn't like
performing in front of an audience.

   * * *

   It was almost twenty-five minutes later when a tall man in a blue
uniform walked down the aisle, a pair of twin silver bars shining on his
shoulders.  I could see him taking in the strange scene.  An elderly man in
a suit talking to a teenaged girl on a bed on one side of a stage.  Two men
standing together on the other side, and a group of teenagers milling
around in the middle.  A small group of grown-ups sitting halfway down to
the stage, and another adult standing near the front of the stage.

   He approached the front of the stage, ignoring Mr.  Tate for the moment.
"What's going on here?"

   "Barry, is that you?" the judge asked.  The footlights were still on,
making the cop a dark blob as he stood just behind them.

   "It is.  John, what are you doing here?"

   "I never could resist the theater."

   I decided right then that I liked him.

   "I never liked the theater," the captain replied, "so why am I here?"

   "Your officer over there was about to arrest that young man." He waved
his arm in my direction.  "And I got the feeling that he wasn't going
quietly.  I figured your man needed backup."

   "From me?"

   The judge smiled.  "In my defense, I told him his captain.  I didn't
know it was you.  Come on up."

   "Would it have made a difference?" the top cop mumbled as he headed for
the stairs at the side of the stage.

   The big cop came up and took center stage.  "You were making an arrest?"
he asked the fire plug.

   "I, um..."

   "Obstruction of justice is the charge he mentioned," the judge said
helpfully.

   "You!" the big cop pointed at me.  "Who are you?"

   I stepped forward, wishing momentarily that my loving parents sitting a
dozen rows away believed in fighting my battles.  "Tony Sims, sir." The sir
wasn't buttering up, it just kind of slipped out.  The cop was just the
kind of guy you naturally said sir to.

   "And you're obstructing justice and refusing to be arrested?"

   I swallowed unconsciously.  "There's a difference of opinion as to
whether it's obstructing justice, interfering with a police office or just
protecting a friend."

   "Detective Mills is an officer of the law and..."

   "Maybe," I interrupted.

   "Maybe?"

   "Detective Mills, if that's who he is, came up here and started giving
orders, including that Miss Carter..." I indicated Darlene still sitting
next to the judge.  "Go with him.  As far as I was concerned, he was a
pervert trying to grab a cute girl.  It was several minutes later before he
flipped his wallet at me, which may or may not have a badge inside.  My
eyes ain't that quick."

   "You little piece of shit," the fire plug growled.  "I identified myself
as soon as I walked on stage."

   "I have witnesses," I offered.

   "Your little punk friends will probably lie for you."

   "We could go to the playback," Robbie suggested.

   "Playback?" said several voices at once, including mine.

   Robbie pointed at a video camera on a tripod in the wings.  "I was
taping our performance.  When I saw Mr.  Reed in the audience without
Darlene's mom, I left it running." Robbie smiled as sweetly as any angel.
"It will show that the detective never once identified himself by name or
rank, and like Tony said, he flashed his wallet at us, but gave us no
opportunity to examine any identification it may contain.

   "Oh," Robbie added as if in afterthought.  "Tony and I are both straight
A students.  The others are A and B students.  We're all involved in
athletics and other after-school activities, and when we sue the city of
Seattle for the defamation this so-called officer has used about us, I
doubt any jury is going to see us as punks."

   Now the captain lost some of his color.

   "And Tami may only be a punk kid, but she's got her own column in our
local paper and has been reprinted half-a-dozen times in the Times.

   The top cop shot a look at the judge, but I couldn't see that worthy's
reaction.  He turned toward the fire plug.  "Detective, I'm usually in my
office before eight.  I'll expect you to be there waiting for me."

   "I..."

   "Leave!  Now!" The fire plug exited stage left.  Literally.

   "Just a minute!" Reed exploded.  "What about me?  We were here to take
her home." He pointed at Darlene.

   "Barry, I think that's my cue," the judge said, standing and replacing
the captain at center stage.  I noticed the errant pajama leg had
disappeared, which made his image more professional.  I wondered if he'd
been asleep when Robbie called or just reading in bed.

   "I am Judge John Morgan of the King County Superior Court.  Young lady,"
he said, looking directly at Darlene.  "Is this what you want?" He held out
the stack of papers Robbie had given him.

   Darlene looked startled and glanced at Robbie.  Robbie nodded.  "Yes,
sir."

   The judge had caught the nod.  "This is very serious.  Your friends
can't be making this decision for you."

   "Robbie and Tony are more than friends, they're my..." she hesitated,
searching for the right word.  "My representation."

   "They look a little young to have passed the bar."

   "They may not have law degrees, but they have something better.  Trust."

   The judge nodded, seeming to accept that.  "And this is what you want?"

   "Yes, sir."

   "What is this nonsense?" Reed exploded.

   "This is a hearing on your stepdaughter's request for emancipation."

   "You can't do that!"

   "I can.  And yell again and I will cite you for contempt of court. 
Captain Jackson likes to go to bed early, and we're keeping him up past his
bedtime.  I'm sure he'd love an excuse to put someone in jail."

   I wondered if he could make it stick.  An ad hoc hearing in a theater in
the middle of the night?

   "I..."

   "However, sir, you are entitled to representation in these proceedings.
Your daughter..."

   "Stepdaughter," Robbie, Tami, Darlene and I all said together.

   "Your stepdaughter has hers.  We can postpone for you to get counsel."

   "That's what I want," Reed said quickly.

   "May I ask where the girl's mother is?"

   "She stayed home to take care of the little kids."

   The judge looked astonished.  "This girl's mother didn't want to see her
daughter perform in the finals of a state-wide play competition?"

   "She had to take care of the little kids," Reed repeated.

   "Her sisters didn't want to see her?"

   "They, um..."

   "Since the mother is the actual legal guardian, wouldn't it have made
more sense for you to stay with the kids while she collected her daughter?"

   "She...  that is, I...  I'll wait for my lawyer to continue."

   "Good.  That'll give me time to order family services to do a complete
review of your home and family.  In the meantime, I'll order Miss Carter
into the custody of Mr.  Tate.  Mr.  Tate, are you here?  Are you willing
to accept custody?"

   "Yes, your honor, I am," Robbie's dad said from the foot of the stage.
"For as long as necessary."

   "Mr.  Reed, if you will notify this court as soon as you've obtained
legal representation and are ready for a series of home inspections."

   "Mr.  Morgan, I mean Judge Morgan, your honor, is that really necessary?
My home is as well-run and loving as any."

   "Mr.  Reed, there are some serious charges in here about how the
division of responsibilities and rewards is determined in your household.
And I have to admit I am disturbed by the fact that you chose to come here
to attempt to exert your authority over your stepdaughter and did not
attempt it in your home county.  And that, apparently, you considered this
attempt more important than a mother seeing her daughter's moment of
triumph."

   "This is all ridiculous."

   "If it's ridiculous, then I'm sure family services will issue a report
commending your parenting style.  So, we will table this petition until you
notify me that you're ready for your inspections."

   "Yes, sir." Reed turned and not quite stomped from the stage.

   The judge fixed his gaze on Robbie.  "Young lady, I'm guessing that you
wrote this." It wasn't quite a question.

   Robbie stepped forward.  "Yes, sir.  Me and Tami.  That is, Tamerone
Sharp."

   The judge rifled through the papers slowly.  "This is very well done. 
Concise and well worded.  I've had petitions from experienced lawyers not
as well written.  If either of you decide on a career in law, I'll be happy
to write recommendations."

   "Judge, honey," Tami said in a drawl that would have done Robbie proud
at her Tennessee best, "if I decide to become a lawyer, he'll divorce me,
and we-all cain't even get marred for another yar-and-a-half." She'd
pointed at me during this.

   I grinned and shrugged.  I didn't think it was the best time to explain
where lawyers ranked in my universe.

   * * *

   Darlene rode with Tami and me in the mini-van back to the hotel.  Mom
still had my 'Stang.  The others went with various parents.

   "You look bummed," Tami said as they shared the front passenger seat.

   "I guess I should be happy.  I mean we've put it off another week or
two," Darlene said in a voice that definitely wasn't happy.

   "You should be dancing on the ceiling 'cause you've won." I said as I
turned into the Hilton's parking structure.

   "Won?"

   "Yes, won.  Your case won't come to a hearing until your step-dad wants
to invite family services into his house.  How soon do you think that will
be?"

   "But..."

   "Your petition that Tami and Robbie worked so hard on will sit in a
filing cabinet until you're eighteen, then get thrown away."

   "But..."

   "It was Robbie's plan B," Tami explained.  "She figured Reed might try
to get smart and grab you out of county.  Her dad has a friend in juvenile
court here in Seattle who told her to call Judge Morgan if that happened."

   "It was a set-up?"

   "Nope, but they knew how Morgan would react.  If your step-dad had been
smart, he would have asked for the hearing then and there.  If he lost, and
with Morgan, he probably would have, he could have easily appealed since
King County doesn't have jurisdiction anyway."

   "You mean I'm free?" Darlene asked in amazement.

   "Nope.  Better." I shut off the van and looked at her.  "I mean you're a
Tate."



   Chapter 7

   "Mom's mad at me," I said, tossing my cell phone on the unoccupied bed
and shutting the door.

   "What'd you do now?" Traci asked, dealing six cards to Robbie.  I don't
know why everyone doesn't want a little sister.

   "Not sure." I looked over Robbie's shoulder at the cribbage board.  She
and Traci were just a few points apart about halfway through the game. 
Tami, Darlene, Mikee, and Kelly sat around the edges of the bed watching.

   I sat down next to my phone.  Mikee and Kelly had shown up a few minutes
after Darlene, Robbie, Tami and I got back from the play.  Their parents,
like mine, were staying at the Holiday Inn instead of the Hilton.  Traci
wandered in a few minutes after that and told me that Mom wanted me to
call. I'd grabbed my phone, then took a walk around the hotel a few times
while I talked to her.  "Is there a reason everyone is hanging out in my
room?"

   Tami gave me a sharp look.  "Actually, it's my room.  And unless you
want to go sit by yourself in YOUR room, you'll be nice to my friends."

   I nodded, though she'd turned back to the game and couldn't see me. 
"Where's Peter?" I asked to change the subject.

   "He went with Mom and Dad to get something to eat," Mikee said.  "We
weren't hungry." Figuring I was in enough trouble, I ignored the pretzels
in her hand.

   Robbie cut the deck and Traci turned over an eight.

   "Damn!" Robbie muttered.

   I smiled to myself.  "Let me guess.  You discarded two perfectly
harmless cards, but that eight made them valuable."

   "How'd you know?" Robbie almost snarled.

   "Who do you think taught her to play cribbage when he got tired of
losing at Monopoly?" It was a rhetorical question, and no one answered me.
"Traci always gets a good top card when it's her crib."

   "I should have let you bury her in the woods when we were on our road
trip," Robbie said, leading a six.

   "Hey!" Traci complained.  "I'm right here."

   "Not for long." Robbie said.  "Mikee, see if your brother is back. 
Maybe she'll go make out, and somebody else can win."

   Mikee giggled but didn't move.

   "So, why's your mom mad?" Tami asked.

   "I think it's the Darlene situation."

   "Hey!" Darlene whined.  "It wasn't my fault."

   "No, it's the situation, not you.  Though if she met your step-daddy in
a dark alley he'd leave with some bruises.  I think she wanted to do a
family dinner after the play.  But since we didn't get out of there until
almost midnight..."

   "Oh," someone said while Robbie counted the cards in her hand and looked
disgusted.

   "Anyway, Trace, tomorrow you and I are doing the brunch thing with the
parents.  Ten-thirty sharp, and bad things will happen if we're so much as
a minute late." Traci nodded as she counted her hand and moved her peg far
in front of Robbie's.  "Tami and Robbie, you are specifically invited, with
the same dire warnings applied about lateness."

   "My mom..."

   "Is in the loop.  I'm not sure if she's coming, but Mom said your mom
and Robbie's dad knew all about it."

   Tami nodded as Traci turned over her crib, three eights and a seven to
go with her eight top card.

   Robbie looked at the cards and stood.  "I'm going to bed," she
announced.

   "But the game isn't over yet," Mikee said.

   Robbie shook her head.  "After she pegs all that she needs one point,
and next hand, she counts first," she explained.

   I grinned.  Traci's luck could be annoying.  "The rest of you weren't
specifically invited, but weren't disinvited either, so feel free to come.
And now..." I stood and moved over to the other bed, laying my hands gently
on Tami's shoulders.  "...I hope you take this in the spirit of friendship,
love, and respect in which it's meant.  Get out," I said to the rest of
them.

   * * *

   "Your mom called," Tami said as I opened the bathroom door to let out
some of the steam.

   "Here?" I asked as I toweled dry.

   "Yes, here." Tami said and giggled.  "We're supposed to meet them at the
restaurant, not here or their motel.  I've got directions." When Mom told
me she knew about Tami and me having sex, she'd said to keep being
discreet. I wondered if her calling Tami's hotel room to leave me a message
counted against that.  Hell, I wondered if she'd even bothered to call my
room first.

   "I see you brought a friend," Tami said with a grin as I walked out of
the bathroom.  "Put it away.  I'm not getting grounded 'cause you were late
to brunch."

   The clock said ten straight up.  "But we..."

   "No," she said in a tone that indicated that not only was the discussion
closed, but anything I said could be used against me.

   I shrugged, turned to my suitcase, and started pulling out clean
clothes. Tami was on the room phone as I dressed.  She hung up as I pulled
on my second sock.  "Any idea who all is coming?"

   "That was Robbie.  She and Darlene will be ready in a couple more
minutes.  I called Traci, too.  Did you want to hear about a sleepy male
voice in the background of her room?

   "No!" I said emphatically as I tied on a shoe.  "Is he coming?"

   "Nope.  Peter and his sisters are going to Olympia with their folks. 
They'll be home tomorrow."

   I nodded and stood up.

   "Were you going to put on pants, or were you planning to give my dad a
thrill.?'

   Tami stuck her tongue out.  "I figure your mom gives your dad enough
thrills."

   I shuddered.  "Not going there."

   Tami grinned, stood, and started pulling on a pair of jeans over her
candy cane panties.  "You are so weirded out by that."

   "I was thinking.  Your dad's such a big guy, and your mom..."

   Tami made a face.  "Point taken." She fastened her jeans and sat down
again to put on shoes.  "Think our kids will be weirded out by us?"

   I shrugged.  "It's traditional."

   "Except in those stories you used to read."

   I grinned.  "Yeah, in a lot of those it's traditional for a father to
initiate his daughters into sex and a mother to do her sons."

   "Hands on sex ed.  I can't imagine a girl having sex with her father. 
Think anybody we know...?"

   "Nah.  Happens a lot more in fiction than in real life."

   * * *

   "What was the name of this place again?"

   "The Ugly Duckling," Tami answered Darlene as I held the front door open
for the four girls.

   "Think they serve duck?" Robbie asked, holding open the inside door.

   "Not for breakfast, I hope," I said as I followed the troop inside.

   "I don't know how you could eat a cute little duck," Darlene said,
running her hand through her hair.  Between the wind and a light rain it
looked a little disheveled.  It had been perfect when we left the hotel.

   "You eat cute little chickens," Traci pointed out.

   "That's different," Darlene insisted.

   "Don't worry," I said, laying my arm on her shoulders.  "It's breakfast.
I'm sure they have eggs and pancakes and stuff." Darlene looked relieved.
"How do you feel about scrambled duck eggs?"

   Darlene looked shocked.  "They don't?"

   I shrugged.  Personally, I'd never heard of the place until Tami pulled
into the parking lot.

   "Don't pick on Darlene," Robbie said, flicking my arm off Darlene's
shoulders and giving her a hug.  "She's my new chicken coop cleaner."

   "Chicken coop cleaner?" Darlene seemed surprised.

   "You have to pay for room and board somehow."

   I grinned and stepped up to the glass counter filled with ceramic and
chocolate ducks.  "Hi.  We're meeting my parents for breakfast.  Sims."

   The waitress, a cute twenty-something in a starched pink uniform with a
duck head emblem over her left breast, consulted a chart on a clipboard. 
"Sims.  That's meeting room two." She picked up five oversized menus. 
"Right this way."

   We followed her through a pretty standard dining room, except for duck
paintings everywhere, to the far wall with four doors numbered one to four.
The waitress opened number two and ushered us in.

   It was a long paneled room with more duck pictures on the walls.  Mom
and Dad sat at the far end of a long table big enough for twenty or so.  A
couple of people I didn't know were sitting to my parents' right, opposite
a Hispanic woman.  She looked vaguely familiar, but her head was turned
mostly away from me, talking to Mom.

   Dad smiled at us, but before either of us could say anything I was
tackled from the side by one of those alien creatures that suck the soul
right out of you.  The creature attached itself to my body, and it's soul
sucking tentacle wormed into my mouth.  I probably would have fallen on my
butt, but Robbie braced me.  Knowing Robbie, she'd done it instinctively.
If she'd had time to think, she would have let me land on my ass.

   It took a second to realize that the alien was actually a girl.  And the
tentacle a tongue, one that was actively dueling mine.  It was another
second before I realized it was...  "Hailey!" I gasped, disengaging her and
setting her on the ground.

   "Hi, Cuz."

   "What are...?" I couldn't finish the question because another bundle was
in my arms.  Red-headed this time.  Cinnamon kissed me, but without a
tongue.  Cinnamon let go of me to hug Robbie.  I could see Hailey hugging
Traci, though not as actively.  "I..." A third bundle interrupted me. 
Blonde this time.  "Doctor Blondie," I said after a perfunctory kiss.  Of
course, after Hailey, anything short of a blowjob was perfunctory.

   My mind was spinning.  Cinnamon and Wynter should be in Colorado. 
Hailey should be in Hawaii.  No, Oregon.  No, Colorado with the other two.
But they were here.  Definitely here.  My cock twitched, and I wished Tami
and I had had more time after my shower.  And Mom and Dad sitting with the
three strangers.  Three...  Rosita.

   What was Rosita doing here?

   And Mom?  What was Mom going to think about Hailey's greeting?  Where
were my hands when Hailey tackled me.  God, I hope I hadn't grabbed her
ass. Had I fondled her ass in front of my mother?  I was never going to
hear the end of it.

   The strange man looked slightly annoyed.  The woman, his wife, I
guessed, had her hand covering a grin.  Mom, Dad, and Rosita looked amused.

   What the hell was going on?

   Hailey, Cinnamon and Wynter had finished hugging all the girls.  "Cousin
Tony, Cousin Traci, ladies, these are my parents, Gerry and Viv," Hailey
introduced.  She noticed the confused look on my face, because she added,
"Hey!  Do I, like, need to explain which is which?"

   "Hailey!" the strange man, Gerry, said sharply.

   Hailey frowned at him.  "Oh, cram it, Daddy!  Tony's, like, so the
family!"

   "How...?  Why...?" I stammered.

   "The play," Tami said, seeming to be as stunned as I was.

   "They came up to watch," Mom confirmed.

   "Close your mouth, Sport.  And come sit down." Dad hadn't called me
Sport in a long time.

   We sat, Cinnamon and Hailey on either side of me and Wynter across the
table with Robbie and Tami on either side of her.  Traci sat between
Hailey's mom and Tami.

   "Somebody stop the world.  I'm ready to get off now," I said as Robbie
passed out the menus the waitress had left on the end of the table.

   "Your cousins came to watch the play," Dad said.

   "It would have been nice if you'd actually invited us," Rosita said
sternly.  She held the stern look for several seconds, then laughed.

   "But...?"

   "Here we were, just moved to Oregon, only a few hundred miles away, and
you didn't even tell us there was a play," Hailey's dad said, giving his
hand a dramatic overhead flourish.

   "But...?"

   "We find new family and he ignores us," his wife added, stabbing an
accusatory finger at me.

   "But...?"

   "Tony!" Robbie said sharply.  I looked across the table at her.  She
took a deep breath, held it, and let it out.  I took the hint and followed
suit.

   "Party pooper," Hailey mumbled.

   "They all came to see the play," I said.  It may not have been the most
intelligent comment I could make, but I was still trying to catch up.

   "I invited them and got them tickets."

   I looked over at Robbie again.  "You did?"

   She nodded.  "You and Tami were busy with gymnastics and other things."
Her last two words were barely audible, but with the nod she gave me, I
knew she was talking about worrying about her.

   "I knew you'd forgotten that Gerry and Viv had just moved to Oregon, so
I got their phone number from Cinnamon, called, and invited them.  Then I
invited Cinnamon's family for good measure."

   "I invited Wynter since she's a cousin too," Cinnamon added.

   "So you were all there last night," I said brightly.

   "Right in the eighth row between us and Robbie's sister," Dad said. 
"We..."

   "Sam was there?"

   I grinned at Robbie.  "I guess you weren't the only one with a
surprise."

   She stuck her tongue out.

   Cinnamon's eyes had moved non-stop, observing everyone while we
interrupted her.  When she saw that we were finished, she continued. 
"Daddy was going to come, but Mrs.  Rikorson is due in a few days and was
having complications."

   "Hey, it was either leave him or, like, leave Wynter.  We so couldn't
take both of the best obstetricans at the same time.  It, like, so wouldn't
be fair!" Hailey added.

   Wynter smiled at the compliment.  "He's worried about Mrs.  Rikorson and
an abruptio placentae.  It's not life threatening, but has to be watched
closely.

   "And he wouldn't want you traveling without the best OB in Colorado,"
Traci said.

   "What?" Rosita said startled.

   I looked at Traci, then Rosita, then back at Trace.

   "You're pregnant, aren't you?" Traci asked, a little embarrassed now.

   "How did...?  I'm not showing.  I know I'm not."

   I got up, stepped around Cinnamon and kissed Rosita on the cheek. 
"Congratulations."

   "But how did she...?"

   "Traci always knows," Mom said.

   "A few dozen woman have heard from Traci long before the rabbit died,"
Dad added.

   "They don't use rabbits anymore," Traci giggled.

   "They don't?" Dad seemed surprised.  I guess it was a good thing he
never gave me much of a sex talk.

   "They never actually used rabbits much anyway, it was usually mice,"
Wynter explained.

   "The mouse died.  Doesn't sound right," Dad commented.

   "Actually, the mouse or rabbit always died, independent of the test
results." I recognized that Wynter was going into lecture mode.  I just
hoped there wouldn't be a test afterwards.  "Well, almost always.  They
were testing for the effect of the human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG
hormone produced by the embryo and the placenta on the animal's ovaries." I
saw the look of concentration on Wynter's face and knew she was trying to
make sure she pronounced everything right.  I think she did, but what did I
know?

   "First blood or urine are subcutaneously injected into an immature test
subject."

   "Ewwww," Traci said, voicing my opinion too.

   "Then the test animal had to be surgically examined to determine
pregnancy by looking to see if the hCG induced ovulation, and it usually
wasn't worth the time or expense to keep it alive."

   "That's terrible," Darlene said.

   "That's why back in the fifties they replaced it with the frog test."

   "The frog died," Dad said making a face.

   Wynter smiled.  "They didn't have to kill the frog.  If there was hCG,
the frog would produce an egg within twenty-four hours.  Since frog eggs
gestate outside the body, it wasn't necessary to kill the frog.  But now
the test is entirely chemical, though both chemical and animal testing can
give a false negative reading if performed too soon after fertilization."

   Wynter smiled.  It was the exact same smile that Mrs.  Ustinov always
had whenever I gave wrong answer in the fifth grade.  Especially when I
sounded sure of myself.

   I glanced at Cinnamon.  Her head was tilted slightly to one side and her
unblinking eyes were fixed on Dad in that computronic way she had.  She
wore a smile of pride that I realized was for Wynter, her adopted sister,
as she studied his reaction.

   "Daddy, you said you got an A in sex ed," Traci accused.

   Dad turned red.  "I did, but they didn't teach us that," he mumbled.  He
was saved further embarrassment by Tami and Robbie coming round to hug
Rosita.  Traci followed with a glare at Dad.  He'd given her a hard time
over a C in health the first nine weeks, saying he'd gotten an A in sex ed
when he took it.

   "Are we ready to order?" A different waitress asked as she popped in.

   After all the talk about injecting urine and frog ovaries, I wasn't sure
I was hungry anymore.

   While the ordering was going on--a process complicated by Hailey and
Traci who kept changing their minds--I took the opportunity to check out
Hailey's parents.  Even sitting down I could tell her father, Gerry, was
short, but I could see the resemblance to Hailey and Cinnamon in his face,
and I'm not usually good at seeing family resemblances.  I'd guess Viv was
a couple inches taller, though it was hard to tell with them sitting down.
I couldn't see much resemblance to Hailey in her face except they both had
the same grey-green eyes.

   The waitress left--probably to find a new job--and the talk turned back
to the new baby.  Or new fetus to be correct.  I wouldn't want to start a
new lecture by using the wrong term.  My girls all wanted to talk about
names, with Trace suggesting that Traci was the perfect name.  I bit my
tongue, deciding not to remind her of how many times she'd complained about
the ordinariness of her name.

   I exchanged a look with Dad that included Gerry.  Females get way too
excited about the simple perpetuating of the species.

   "So, Tony, I understand you're responsible for what we saw last night?"
Gerry said when the girls wound down.

   "Actually, our friend Mikee, Michelle Temple--her sister played
Crystal--is responsible.  It was her idea.  I just put the words on paper."

   "Tony's being modest," Tami said.

   "As usual," Robbie added.

   "Mikee suggested it, then Tony wrote the whole thing in a night."

   "Not the music," I corrected.

   "Then he and Mikee worked on it in secret for weeks, until we found out
we were back in the school's play contest," Tami continued as if I hadn't
interrupted.

   "And the rest is history," Robbie concluded.

   "And very good history," Rosita said.  "I couldn't believe how good it
was."

   "We've seen shows on Broadway that weren't that good," Viv said.

   "Fancier staging maybe," Gerry added.  "Fancier prices too."

   "Thank you.  But Robbie was the director.  She made everything work."

   "It turned out pretty good considering I got stuck with the writer's
girlfriend and sister."

   "Hey!" in stereo.

   "So, are you going to, like, win?" Hailey asked from beside me.  I
ignored the hand on my thigh under the table.

   I shrugged.  "We have five plays to beat, and we've only seen one, so
it's hard to know who's the best.  Plus, you never know what the judges
will like."

   "It's out of our hands," Robbie added with a shrug of her own.

   "Hey, you should so win," Hailey said.  "You guys were, like, so the
awesome!"

   "Thanks."

   Her hand had climbed almost to my crotch.  I adjusted it down to my
knee, then gave her knee a squeeze for good measure.  From Cinnamon's smile
next to me, I was pretty sure she knew what was happening beneath the
table.

   Two waitresses and a waiter brought the food and spent a good five
minutes getting it organized.  "I didn't order this," Traci complained. 
"Did I?" she asked, looking at Mom.

   Mom nodded.  Traci shrugged and took a bite of her Mexican omelet.

   "I have trouble keeping track," Rosita said after a few minutes of
eating.  "Are you in school this week, or kicked out?"

   'I never really liked Rosita,' I thought as I felt the heat rise in my
cheeks.  'But her food's good.'

   "They've been here for the play all week, but I think the school will
take him back on Monday," Mom said with a grin.

   "Unless there's something he hasn't told us," Dad added.  See if I ever
make his Porsche payment again.

   "I am a student in good standing.  In fact..." I could see Robbie's
stare just daring me to say I was number one.  "I was one of the two top
students last nine weeks." I grinned at Robbie.

   "He usually only gets suspended once a year.  Since he's already done
that this year, we're hoping he's done," Mom said.

   I never liked that woman.

   "But he usually gets suspended in the spring, so he's still due," Traci
added.

   My whole family.

   "Hey!  Daddy says you're so the bad influence.  Mom, like, thinks it's
so the cool that you didn't just take everything Parker gave you," Hailey
said.

   The looks on their faces said they hadn't meant to make that public.

   "I didn't say he was a bad influence.  I said you don't need any more
bad influences," Hailey's father clarified.

   "And I said...  Oh, the heck with it.  I gave most of my teachers hell,
but I never got one fired."

   "Neither did Tony.  He got Parker suspended.  Then Parker quit rather
than face a hearing," Tami explained.

   "So what happened exactly?" Hailey's mother asked leaning forward.  "You
told Cinnamon some of it on the phone, but she said you were tight with the
details."

   "I was trying not to be a bad influence."

   "Too late." From the smiles, everyone at the table had chimed in.

   So I rehashed football season with a lot of help--if you can call it
that--from my girls.

   "How did...  um...  Luke?" Wynter looked at me for confirmation, and I
nodded.  "Luke turn out?  Did he stay clean?"

   "He did.  At least all through the season when he was getting tested
every week.  And I think he's going to stay that way.  I owe you big time."

   Wynter grinned.

   "No, Luke owes you big time," Robbie clarified.  "We're pretty sure he's
getting at least two offers.  And that's just Pac Ten.

   "What about the other one, Mike, her brother," Gerry asked, nodding
toward Darlene.

   "Stepbrother," five voices said at once.

   "I know Mike's getting an offer from Coach Branson at OSU.  A lot of
schools were looking.  I don't know if his broken arm scared them off or
not."

   "Probably not," Darlene said bitterly.  "Mike'll play college ball, then
go to the pros and never work a day in his life."

   "Hey!" Robbie said quickly.  "Football's work."

   "You know what I mean."

   Robbie and I nodded.

   "So with the step-putz gone, who's going to be the quarterback?" Rosita
asked.

   "He is." "She is." Robbie and I said together.

   I grinned at her.  "It'll be up to whoever coaches next year.  I think
it works good when we split it.  The different styles keep the other side
guessing."

   "And you'll win the big trophy next year?" Viv asked.

   "Yes!" Robbie said definitely before I could answer.

   "In the words of Mr.  Q or Mr.  R or Mr.  S or something, 'I pity the
poor fool who gets in her way'."

   "Mr.  T," Dad offered with a shake of his head.  Personally I think he
watches way too much television.

   "You can always get Darlene and her friends to try what my Voxy Lady
did," Gerry said.

   "Germy!" She protested with a smile.

   Voxy Lady?  Germy?  I like these people.

   "What did she do?" Traci wanted to know.

   Germy, Gerry grinned.  Viv, the Voxy Lady grinned.  "I was a
cheerleader. During playoffs, me and the other cheerleaders flashed our
tits at the other team's quarterback a few times."

   "And who's idea was it," Gerry prompted.

   "You are so sleeping on the couch when we get home," she said without
spite and answered the question, in my mind at least.

   "You were a cheerleader?" Darlene asked, amazed.  "You, uh, don't seem
the type."

   Hailey grinned.  Under the table, her hand slid up to my crotch again.
"Mom tried out just to, like, tweak Maryanne Simmons."

   I moved her hand down to safer territory.

   Viv nodded.  "Maryanne was a super prep who always got on my last nerve.
There were three openings on the squad my junior year, and Maryanne was so
sure that she and her two clones were going to get them.  I tried out just
to spite her and made it.  Then I surprised myself by liking it."

   "Did Maryanne make the squad?" I asked.

   "No." Viv looked very satisfied.  "Neither did her wannabes."

   "And you really flashed the other team?" Darlene asked.  I knew how she
felt.  Sometimes it was hard to believe that parents had lives.

   "And got suspended for it," Gerry said.

   I looked at Mom.  "So I guess suspensions run in the family."

   "Not any more."

   "But we won the playoff game," Viv added.

   "So it was worth it?" Robbie asked.

   Viv hesitated, looking at her daughter, then Cinnamon.  "Yes," she said
definitely.

   "Did you go to school with her?" Tami asked looking at Gerry.

   "Only the last four months.  I missed football season, but they were
still talking about it when I transferred."

   "Grandma Millie, like, didn't believe in public schools," Hailey said.
Then added pompously, "She was like so only the best for her baby boy".

   Gerry tried to look stern, something he didn't do well.  "Be careful
young lady or there's a Swiss boarding school with your name on it."

   Hailey grinned.  "Hey!  So the cool!  I know how to ski now.  Think
I'll, like, last longer than you did?"

   Viv giggled.  "Gerry got tossed out of five schools before he came to
Bayside."

   "On purpose," he qualified.  "I didn't like being an elitist."

   "Un huh," Hailey and Viv agreed nodding their heads, but the looks on
their faces spreading some doubt.

   "How come you got tossed out of school?" Traci asked.  "You must be
pretty smart.  You've already got a masters in marine biology.  And now
you're working on your doctorate."

   Hailey and her mom shared a look then both started laughing.

   "What's so funny?" Traci demanded.

   "Daddy, like, almost didn't get his masters," Hailey said, still
laughing.

   "He almost got thrown out of the program at OIMB several times," her mom
added.  "He'd party all night and sleep through class time.  And a few
practical jokes backfired.  Germy only got his degree because Professor
Hoover liked him, saying he'd never seen a student with such a grasp of
marine ecology." She smiled at Wynter.  "Somewhat like the natural grasp
some people have of medicine.  Germy's the first one Hoover called when he
got the funding for that Antarctic expedition, and Hoover is the reason
he's now pursuing his doctorate.  Hoover's his advisor, too."

   "So, I've got my son, who's already got a habit of getting kicked out of
school once a year, hanging out with a woman who was suspended for flashing
a football game and a man who's been thrown out of five schools and almost
out of his masters program." Dad looked at Mom.  "Honey, this family
reunion may not have been one of our best ideas."

   Mom smiled.  "I think OIMB's graduate school has more to worry about
Tony rubbing off on Gerry.  Tony stopped being impressionable years ago."

   I looked across at Robbie.  "I'm not sure whether I should be insulted
or proud."

   "They're parents.  Both."

   * * *

   I looked out the window behind my parents.  The rain had stopped, and
the wind had died down.  "I think I'll take a walk to settle my breakfast.
Who's up for it?"

   Tami and the cousins volunteered.  Wynter was listening to the adults
dissect the war, and Traci, Darlene and Robbie just looked too comfortable.

   "Hey, I so wish I could see your school," Hailey said as we walked
around the block.  My arm was around Tami and my hand and hers in their
accustomed places in back pockets.  Hailey walked next to me, and Cinnamon
on the other side of Tami.

   "I do too.  Maybe you can visit next summer." Right after I arrange to
send every male in the county between twelve and eighteen to camp.  Wait.
We're talking Hailey.  Everybody in the county between ten and twenty.

   Cinnamon looked thoughtful.

   "We're hoping to do another road trip this summer," Tami said.  "And
we'll definitely want to come see you."

   "We could come along," Hailey volunteered.

   "Sorry, I'm not licensed to drive a school bus."

   "School bus?" Hailey looked at me strangely.

   "School bus.  Me and Tami, Robbie and Darlene, Mikee and Kelly, and
Traci.  That makes seven.  Traci's gonna wanna bring Peter.  And last year
Tami wanted to add Ashley but she had other plans.  That's nine.  Then you
two, and if you come.  we'll have Wynter too.  Wynter'll bring Jimmy.  Then
you'll probably want to add what's his name, the kid with the weird name,
for Cinnamon, and that's fourteen.  You'll want to bring along at least one
for yourself, so we're up to fifteen, minimum.  Plus sleeping bags, tents
and everything else.  We definitely talking school bus."

   "I could get you one," Cinnamon volunteered.

   "That I don't doubt."

   Cinnamon smiled.  "I was thinking..."

   Why do alarm bells go off in my head when my red-headed cousin says
those three little words?  I glanced at Cinnamon out of the corner of my
eye.  She was smiling as if she knew exactly about the alarms in my head.
"Yes...?" I prompted reluctantly.

   "We could go home with you, check out your trailer park and school, then
fly out of Wenatchee at six ten Monday afternoon." Why wasn't I surprised
that Cinnamon knew Wenatchee was the closest commercial airport?  Or that
she knew the flight schedules?  "I don't have anything important on Monday,
and neither does Cuz."

   The alarm bells turned into air raid warning sirens.

   "You know Hailey's school schedule?" Tami asked surprised.

   "Somebody has to."

   "Hey!" Hailey protested.

   "I'm not...  not sure that would be a good idea," I said.  "You've
already missed a day of school.  Even if nothing important is happening,
you shouldn't miss another."

   Cinnamon stopped walking.  I turned at looked at her.  She put her fists
on her hips.  "Listen here, Mister One-of-the-Two-Top-Students.  You're not
the only one who does good at school."

   "I..."

   "And I'd bet my boat that you were number one and Robbie number two and
you were trying not to hurt her feelings."

   "And Cuz, like, really likes her boat," Hailey added.

   I hesitated.  "I wasn't trying to save Robbie's feelings.  It's just
that Monster Girl could teach the Mafia a thing or two about vendetta, and
I try not to get on her bad side.  Not too far on her bad side anyway."

   "If you don't want us to come, just say so." Cinnamon glared at me,
daring me to say so.

   "I..." None of the sitcom families I'd watched ever had to deal with
pissed off red-headed nymphomaniac cousins.  Why did I?  "It's just..."

   Tami's hand squeezed my butt through my jeans "Tony's just trying to
protect you," she said with a smile.  "He knows I've become a jealous bitch
lately, and if one of you tried to sleep with him you'd need an emergency
hair transplant."

   'She knows!' I thought.  I'd thought she might but hadn't been sure,
then I remembered that she'd said seven when talking about my conquests.

   "Huh?  But, like, last summer you so let..." Hailey sputtered.

   "That was then." Tami disengaged herself from me and faced Hailey. 
"This is now!"

   "One more thing," I said, turning to face Hailey myself.  "Traci has a
boyfriend, an innocent kid named Peter.  You do more than kiss him on the
cheek and I'll spank."

   Hailey's eyes sparkled.  "Kink..."

   "It WON'T be an erotic experience, but it will be a painful one."

   "Hey!  Why's everyone, like, looking at me?" Hailey protested
innocently.

   "Because you're the oldest.  We figure you can keep Cinnamon in line."

   Behind me it sounded like Cinnamon was choking.



   Chapter 8

   I remember reading a memoir by some general who talked about the
'logistical nightmare' of coordinating D-Day in World War II.  Twelve
thousand planes: fighters, bombers, transports, even gliders.  Almost seven
thousands ships: everything from battleships for shore bombardment to
landing craft to hit the actual beaches.  Ten thousand tons of aerial bombs
and millions of rounds of ammunition.  Food, clothing, medical supplies.

   Add to that he was dealing with eight different navies and almost as
many air forces and armies, and I could understand his description.

   The general had it easy.

   First we got Rosita out in the lobby to talk about Cinnamon.  Rosita
decided to defer to Mitch, so Cin had to call home.  Cinny and he talked
back and forth while the rest of us gave them some space.  Then he talked
to Rosita, then Cinnamon again.  Finally, in the grand tradition of
Solomon, he rendered his decision.  Cinnamon could go if ALL the others
could.

   While I was still trying to decide if I was relieved or disappointed by
his decision, Wynter got on the phone to her parents.  First they discussed
the invitation, then the state of Wynter's school work.  I wasn't worried.
I didn't know her well, but I'd bet anything short of my Stang that she
never left work till the last minute.

   In fact, if she wasn't at least two chapters in front of all her
teachers, I'd...  "Huh?"

   Wynter pushed the phone at me again.  "Welcome back," she said with a
grin.  "She wants to talk to you."

   "Hello," I said, bringing the phone to my ear.  "Mrs.  King?"

   "Tony?"

   I admitted who I was.

   "Wynter was just telling me about your invitation for the girls." I
wondered if I should qualify that Cinnamon had invited them.  "Hailey's
told me about your habit of bringing home strays." I decided that cousin
Hailey needed a gag to go along with a chastity belt.  "How does your
mother feel about this invasion?"

   I laughed.  "You got me.  We haven't told her yet."

   "I see."

   "The idea just came up, and we thought we'd sound out you and the other
parents first.  Mitch said it was okay as long as all the girls could come.
But I know my mom, she'll be thrilled.  Dad'll grumble, but he'll be happy
too.  Besides, Mom hasn't turned down a stray yet."

   "But you haven't brought them home three at a time yet either, have
you?"

   "Well, no."

   "Maybe we should surprise her and ask her first," she suggested.

   I looked at Tami, mouthed 'Mom' and pointed toward the breakfast room.
"I don't know," I stalled.  "Asking her first would probably just confuse
her."

   Mrs.  King laughed.  "Probably," she agreed.  "But it would make me feel
better."

   "I could ask my sister Traci instead.  In family meetings, if we agree
it's a done deal."

   Mrs.  King laughed again.  "You're not telling me anything I hadn't
already figured out, but just for form's sake, let's ask your mom."

   Mom was just following Tami out of the main restaurant.

   "Hold on, here she is." I pulled the phone a couple inches away from my
mouth so that Mrs.  King would hear too.  "Mom, I've invited Cousin
Cinnamon, Cousin Hailey, and Adopted Cousin Wynter to stay over so they can
check out the town and school, but Wynter's mom ACTUALLY thinks I should
ask first.  Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?"

   Mom laughed, and I could hear Wynter's mom chuckling over the phone. 
"Well, it would be a first.  May I?" she asked reaching for the phone.

   I handed it to her.

   "I'm not used to having my opinion asked except at work, but..." I
motioned the girls toward the breakfast room while Mom talked.  I'd been
pretty sure that when I emphasized the cousin thing, it was a done deal.

   "Now all you have to do is, like, talk my parents into it," Hailey
muttered as I held the door for the girls.

   Talk them into it?  I'd figured they'd be the easy ones since they'd
already had to abandon Hailey for a year while they went to Antarctica. 
That plus they were here.  Wynter's parents should have been the hard ones
since they were both back in Colorado, and unless I missed my guess, they
were onboard as soon as Mom cleared it.

   I closed the door behind me and stopped.  "And just why will WE have to
talk them into it?  I thought Cinnamon said you didn't have anything
important on Monday." I emphasized 'we' really hard since I'd felt Hailey's
'you' had my name on it.

   "Hey, I'm uh...  kinda, well, like, not doing so well in...  I mean,
it's so not like I'll ever use it."

   I looked at Cinnamon.  "She might fail history."

   I looked back at Hailey.  "Those who don't learn history are doomed to
repeat it."

   "Huh?"

   I shook my head in disgust.  What's the younger generation coming to?

   "Hey, it's so not the problem.  We'll just say..."

   "What are you studying?  Why are you failing?  And what's it going to
take to get you a pass?"

   "Like, it's so not the big.  I'll..."

   I put my hands on Hailey's shoulders and looked her straight in the
eyes. "WHAT are you studying?"

   Hailey looked startled but answered.  "The creation of Israel and the
Seven Day War."

   I was going to assume that was the Six Day War or history in Colorado
was very different.

   "WHY are you failing?"

   "It's, like, nothing major.  I just, like..."

   I looked over at Cinnamon.  "She blew her last four tests."

   I looked back at Hailey.  "I'll guess you had more important things to
do than study.  Or should I say more important boys to do?"

   "Tony!"

   I ignored Tami's interruption.  "And WHAT'S it going to take to get you
a pass?"

   This time Hailey didn't try to evade.  "Mrs.  Cleaver said if I get,
like, at least a B minus on my final Thursday I'll, like, squeak by."

   I looked at Cinnamon again.  "About a seventy to seventy-five, or does
she grade on a curve?"

   "Hey!  I'm still, like, in the room."

   My hands were still on Hailey's shoulders.  I squeezed just a little but
didn't look at her.  "And if you want to be tomorrow, shut up." I nodded at
Cinnamon.

   "Sixty-nine or seventy should do it." Cinnamon agreed.

   I looked back at Hailey.  "We're going to go sit down now.  You're going
to sit close on my right.  If my hand isn't on your knee, you're not
talking.  If I squeeze with my fingers, agree.  My thumb, disagree.  No
squeezing, say what you want.  No hand, no talk."

   "Ki..."

   "Say 'kinky' and there's a plane with your name on it this afternoon."

   Hailey pouted and stomped off toward her chair.

   "She's not dumb, you know," Wynter defended her adopted sister.

   I winked.  "I know, but she doesn't have her vocal cords hooked to her
brain."

   "Sometimes," she agreed.  "Unfortunately, there's no effective procedure
to permanently connect them, either."

   "Remind me to tell you about the school elections last year," Cinnamon
added.  From the hint in her voice, that was going to be some story, far
more than just the "Hailey's eighth grade president" that I'd heard after
the elections were over.

   I sat down next to Hailey.  Cinnamon sat to my left and Tami across from
me.  Rosita had rejoined the parents, but I didn't think she'd mentioned
anything yet.  My dad and Hailey's folks had given up on solving the Middle
East situation and were talking about Antarctica.  I waited for a break in
the conversation.

   "I invited the girls to come visit us," I announced.  "They can fly home
Monday afternoon out of Wenatchee." I'd checked the schedule at the airport
on my phone while Cinnamon was busy wrapping her daddy around her fingers.
I wasn't too surprised to find Cinnamon was right.  "Wynter can come, and
so can Cinny..." I mentally crossed my fingers that Rosita wouldn't rat me
out about the all-or-nothing condition.  "But if Hailey can't, that's okay.
She's kind of annoying."

   From the corner of my eye I enjoyed the look on Hailey's face, but since
my hand was planted on my knee, and NOT hers, she kept her mouth shut.

   "Tony!" Traci and Dad said together.  Robbie looked amused.

   "She's your cousin too.  And she's perfectly welcome," Dad added.

   Gerry and Viv looked startled, both from the invitation and my attitude.

   "But, Dad..."

   "Tony, I'm surprised at you."

   "It's just..." I paused and let my eyes wander the room before settling
back on Dad.  "She's failing history, and Tami volunteered me to tutor
her."

   Tami looked surprised.  "She's your cousin," she said quickly.

   "You tutored that Allie girl for a week," Dad reminded me.  "You didn't
seem to mind that."

   "But Allie was a girl.  Hailey's family."

   Tami's right eyebrow raised as she suppressed a smile.

   Dad set both hands on the table.  "It's settled.  When Hailey comes,
you're going to tutor her all she needs."

   I dropped my eyes, suppressing my own smile.  "Yes, sir."

   I looked back up at Hailey's bemused parents.  "I'm sorry if I didn't
seem like I wanted to help Hailey.  It's just between football and the play
and everything, I don't get to spend as much time with Tami as I want.  I
was being selfish."

   "It's okay, Tony.  We understand.  It's just..." Viv started then she
and her husband exchanged looks.

   "She's studying Israel.  You think you could help her?" Gerry said.

   "Tony really admires the Israelis," Robbie said.  "When we were studying
the Yom Kipper War, the teacher asked for a five-page paper and Tony gave
him almost fifty."

   "How many did you give him?" Cinnamon asked.

   "Thirty, but I'm more concise."

   I stuck my tongue out at her.

   She grinned.  "He thinks the solution to the Middle East is to stop
holding them back."

   "He may be right," Gerry agreed.  Then he and Viv exchanged another
look. They seemed to pass a lot of information back and forth without
words.

   I watched Hailey from the corner of my eye.  I could tell she was
waiting for my hand on her knee so she could speak.

   Gerry and Viv looked back at us.  "Okay, you can go," Gerry said

   I put my hand on her knee and squeezed my fingers, then took it away. 
Hailey took the hint.  "Thank you," she said simply.

   "But fail history and you'll be able to vote before you go anywhere
again," her mom added.

   Without my hand, Hailey just nodded.

   That's when it really got complicated.  Mom came back in, handed Wynter
her phone, and started worrying about where everyone would sleep.  Her
first plan was Cinnamon in Traci's bed, Hailey in mine, and Wynter parked
with Tami while Traci slept on the couch and I got the living room floor.

   Robbie offered her big house, but I knew Mom would want family closer.

   It was finally decided that Cinnamon and Hailey could share my bed and
Wynter and Traci could share hers.  At least I got off the floor.

   * * *

   I watched Dad dropping a pair of twenties on the table and grinned.  He
and I figured that any waitress who put up with Traci's ordering style
deserved an extra five percent.  Since Hailey had been just as bad, he must
have doubled it.

   I picked up my jacket and headed for the door.  Most of the others were
in the lobby while Mom payed the bill.  Viv fell in step with me.

   "Did we just get played?" she asked quietly.

   "Played?" I said innocently.

   Viv nodded as if she'd just satisfied herself about something.  "Remind
me to tell Mitch not to let you spend too much time with Cinnamon.  I'm not
sure the rest of the world can handle it."

   I grinned and opened the door for her.

   "Cousin Viv, you may be right."

   Chapter 9

   We got to the theater just before one.  Luke Reese and Ricky Calloway
were already busy tearing down our sets.  Ricky looked at our group in
amazement.  "It's bad enough you travel with your own little harem, but I
see you've added a new blonde, brunette, and a redhead."

   I grinned.  "They say variety is the spice of life."

   Tami cuffed the back of my head as Robbie punched me in the arm.  "Guys,
these are Tony and Traci's cousins from Colorado and Hawaii," Tami said,
then continued with individual introductions.

   After she finished we all pitched in.  I was a little surprised at how
helpful Hailey was.  I'd kind of expected her to stand around and just hit
on Luke or Ricky.  Or both.

   Or maybe Robbie.  I didn't think they'd connected during the road trip
but wasn't sure.  Robbie wasn't seeing anybody right now.  I think she and
Luke fooled around a little just for fun since his last girlfriend had
dumped him just in time for Christmas.  Maybe she and Hailey would be good
for each other.

   An image of Robbie and Traci flashed through my head, and I wondered if
they still...  I told myself firmly that it wasn't any of my business, but
business or not, I decided that Traci and Hailey would always have a
chaperone.

   Breaking down the sets and getting them loaded in the rental truck went
quickly.  Wynter, to nobody's surprise, turned out to be a wiz at n-space
geometry--the art that only females practiced of getting a larger volume of
stuff into a space smaller than ordinary physics allowed.

   About three there was an explosive, "WHITNEY GWYNETH, YOU'RE OUT OF
LINE!" from backstage.  I looked around and noticed that both Luke and
Ricky were among the missing, though they could be out at the truck.  I
decided that unless there was blood or police involved, I didn't want to
know.

   Half-an-hour later, everything was packed.  The same truck that barely
had space for everything coming over now had room to spare.  We stood in
the center of the stage, looking out at the rows of empty seats, reluctant
to leave.  The cousins stood in the wings, giving us our space.

   "I wasn't too big a bitch, was I?"

   I hugged Robbie.  "Madame director, you were just right.  Any less and
Trace would have forgotten half her lines."

   "I'm right here."

   "She can't even remember a few simple things like Hamlet's soliloquy,
the Gettysburg Address and the Declaration of Independence."

   Traci glared.  "And you can?"

   "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal..."

   "Okay, okay.  Why couldn't I have a dumb brother like Jenny?" Jenny's
brother Doug was in my class.  He wasn't dumb exactly.  He just didn't care
about anything but getting high.

   "Ask him if he knows King's I Have a Dream or Kennedy's Inaugural,"
Robbie stage whispered to Traci.  Meaning she knew them word-for-word. 
Traci looked disgusted and stomped over to the cousins.

   "It was fun," Darlene said, hugging Robbie.

   "And we put on one hell of a show," Tami said in agreement.

   "And since we can never top this, we can take next year off," I
suggested.  The look I got back from Robbie said that not only was I
writing another play, but it was to be typed, proofed, copied, and collated
by August.

   "Guys," I said, looking at Ricky and Luke, "we couldn't have done it
without you." I held out my hand.

   "That's a fact," Luke agreed, shaking it.

   "We just did it for the money," Ricky added, slapping me on the back.

   "You maybe," I said, giving him a soft punch in the gut.  "But Luke has
more class." I slapped Luke on the back.  "He did it for the girls." Luke
turned red.  I had a feeling that he and Darlene were almost an item.

   I noticed that Ricky kept glancing at my favorite wahini, then at me. 
While I'd never passed my mind reading test, I'd be willing to bet he was
thinking about offering to ease the burden on the minivan by taking a
passenger in the truck.  I'd even be willing to bet which one.  I wondered
if I'd need to remind him that he'd lasted four months with Cassie Wheeler,
at least so far, a record for both of them.

   Figuring it was time to go, I waved Traci and the cousins over.

   As they walked over, Hailey's face lit up and she was suddenly back in
my face again.  "Hey!  Like, I almost forgot.  Suzie sent you a gift."

   "Suzie?  A gift?"

   "Yeah.  Hey, she was so the grateful for the tape." She attached herself
to me again.

   As her mouth closed on mine, I had to admire the suction power she
developed.  Maybe I should alert the Eureka people.  Or would the Hoover
Company pay more?  Her tongue wormed into my mouth, and I had trouble
remembering why this wasn't a good idea.  Cinnamon had to help pull her
loose.

   "Hailey!" I sputtered.  "That wasn't my idea, it was Robbie's!"

   Hailey turned around and grinned at Robbie.  "Yeah?"

   "That's okay," said Robbie, her eyes dancing with humor.  "I'll collect
mine from Tony later."

   I think I was the only one who heard the soft, "Shit!  I never get to
have any fun."

   * * *

   The ride home was crowded.  With one sister, three cousins, a
girlfriend, a cheerleader and a quarterback in the van with me, we had to
take turns inhaling.  Hailey behaved, though probably only because the
steering wheel would have been in her way.

   We got back to town just before six and dropped Darlene and Robbie, then
took a tour of the town.  It was supposed to be a quick tour, but I think I
put more miles on the van in town than between Seattle and here.  Tami and
Traci kept calling out landmarks to show the cousins, but the landmarks
they selected always seemed to be across town from wherever we were.

   * * *

   "It's about time," Mom said when we walked in the door after seven. 
From the look Dad passed me, Mom had been worrying.

   I gave her a hug.  "Think I forgot how to drive safe just because I had
cousins in the car."

   "No.  It's just..."

   I hugged her again.  "You know I'm a safe driver."

   "I know but..."

   Want to compare traffic tickets?" I asked with a grin.  "We could go
lifetime, the last year, the last three months, or just the weekend."

   Mom blushed.  She'd gotten a ticket on the way to Seattle.  She averaged
three of four a year.  "That's not the point," she protested.

   "And the point would be?"

   Mom looked exasperated.

   Dad laughed.  "Give it up.  You haven't won an argument with him since
we moved from California."

   "You're a lot of help," she accused.

   Dad smiled.  "I'm not getting in this.  I haven't won an argument since
he hit double digits."

   Mom looked up at the ceiling, shaking her head, then smiled and looked
at me.  "Go ahead and show them around the trailer.  I've picked up Traci's
room, so they should be safe if they've had their shots."

   "It wasn't that bad," Traci whined.

   Mom stared at her.  "Do you really want to discuss it now?  You, I win
arguments with."

   I led the cousins toward the back while behind us, Traci muttered
something about life, brothers, and fair.

   * * *

   When we got back to the front of the house, Mom was in the process of
grilling some ham and cheese sandwiches.  I gave her a quick hug since
she'd picked up my room, too, and made my bed.  I'm not as big a slob as
Traci, but I'm not one of those a-place-for-everything-and
everything-in-it's-place kind of guys, either.

   We settled down to eat, Traci and the cousins at the table, Tami sitting
across my lap on the sofa, and Mom sitting across Dad's lap in his chair. I
wondered for the millionth time if they'd ever learn to act their age, then
decided to give them a break 'cause I knew Tami and I would be just as bad
and just as embarrassing to our kids someday.

   "Tony, didn't you study tax law in one of your classes this year?" Dad
asked with a suspicious smile.

   "Well, I haven't passed the bar or anything, but yeah."

   "I was just wondering...." Everyone was watching him now.  "Since Tami
takes at least half her meals here, can we claim her on our taxes."

   Tami turned a delicious shade of red.

   "I think she has to sleep here too.  But in the spirit of saving you
money on your taxes, I'm willing to share my room." I ignored Tami's elbow
in my stomach as I grinned back at him.

   "See what you started," Mom said, pretending to be angry.  If I wasn't
sleeping on the couch tonight, he might be, and the couch is lumpy.

   Traci was whispering back and forth with the cousins.  I had a feeling
they were hearing all about the day that Traci tried to be a good sister
and talked Mom into buying me a laser printer.

   * * *

   Traci and Tami did the dishes while Mom and Dad decided to take a drive.
I stepped behind Hailey, slipped my arms around her stomach, and nibbled on
her neck.  "Let's you and me find someplace more private," I whispered.

   Hailey's face lit up.  She glanced at Tami's back, then nodded.  I took
Hailey's hand, winked at Cinnamon and Wynter, and led my cousin toward my
bedroom.

   I shut the door and smiled at her.  Hailey grinned and shed her t-shirt
in a quick and well-practiced move.  She wasn't wearing a bra, but then,
she really didn't need it.

   "I've been waiting for this," I whispered, giving her body a quick
inspection.

   Hailey was still grinning.  "Hey!  I, like, so didn't think we'd get
to..."

   I pointed at my desk chair.  "Sit."

   Hailey's head cocked slightly.  "Not on the bed?"

   I stepped to her, leaned down, and kissed the top of her left breast. 
"Sit," I repeated.

   Hailey sat.

   "This is going to be so good," I whispered seductively.

   Hailey nodded, looking expectant.

   "Hailey..."

   "Yes..."

   "How was the state of Israel created?" I whispered, still trying to
sound seductive.

   "What?" she exploded.  From the living room I heard laughter.

   "How did Israel come to be?" I asked in my normal voice.

   "But, I thought, like, we..."

   "We are.  We're going to study."

   "But...  But it's Saturday night."

   "Your point?" I asked.

   "Hey!  Like, nobody studies on a Saturday night.  Nobody cool."

   Considering the number of Saturdays I studied or wrote papers, I should
be offended by that.  "Tell you what.  I was planning on spending two hours
tonight..."

   "Two hours," she groaned.

   I nodded.  "But I'll make you a deal.  We'll call Robbie.  You're not
going to tell me she's not cool.  If she's studying right now, then we'll
work for three hours.  If she's not, I know where some good parties are."

   Hailey perked up at the word party, then looked at me suspiciously.  "No
way!  You, like, already called her," she accused.

   "Nope.  Haven't talked to her since we dropped her off.  And she didn't
say what she was going to do either."

   "We could, like, do this tomorrow," Hailey suggested.

   I smiled sadistically.  "We will."

   Hailey pouted.

   "So what's it going to be?  Two hours, or do you want to see what's
behind door number one?"

   "Two hours," Hailey moaned finally.

   "If it makes you comfortable, you can leave your shirt off," I offered.

   Hailey's mouth opened, then closed.  She stood and skinned out of her
jeans and panties just as quickly as she'd shed her t-shirt.  "I so hope
you, like, have a hard on the whole time, pickledick."

   "I will.  Now about the creation of Israel...?"

   Hailey sighed.  "Israel was, like, created by the United Nations just
after World War II.  Is Robbie, like, really studying on a Saturday night?"

   I wondered which would bug her more, not knowing or finding out she
could have gone to a party.  "My phone's right there." I pointed to my
night stand.  "Call her.  She's speed dial two," I added as Hailey picked
up the phone.  I sat back and listened to Hailey's side of the
conversation.

   "She's studying," Hailey said after she hung up.  "On a Saturday night."

   I shrugged.  "Now, did the head wizard of the United Nations just wave a
magic wand and create a country that wasn't there before?"

   "No.  But there was, like, something about the British, and the Arabs
and the bible and...  Hey!  I thought they, like, weren't supposed to teach
the bible in school?"

   Ah, life in the politically correct twenty-first century.  "It's
confusing, but you need to understand that the bible is two things: a
religious document and a historical one.  Your teachers can't say 'This is
the bible, the one true word of God.  You have to believe.' But they also
can't say, 'This is a pack of lies, you can't believe.'

   "But the bible is also a historical document that has influenced events
throughout history.  Both the Jewish old testament and the Christian new.
In this case, the Jews believe that God told Moses to lead their people to
the Promised Land, The Holy Land.  They believe that this land is
rightfully theirs.  One of my history teachers pointed out that Moses spent
forty years leading his people to the only spot in the Middle East that
doesn't have any oil."

   "So, like, where do the British come in?" Hailey asked.

   "The Jews lived all over the world.  In the late eighteen hundreds many
started emigrating to the land of Israel to escape persecution.  In World
War I, the British took over the territory and encouraged Jewish
settlement, but the Arabs who were already there didn't like it.  The
British got caught in the middle."

   "Like, when two of your friends are arguing and whatever you say, one of
them, like, so thinks you're taking the other's side."

   "Exactly," I said with a smile.  "Except the in this case, the friends
are also trying to kill each other."

   "So, like, the British gave up?"

   "I'm sure the British would have a more diplomatic way of putting it,
but yes.  The United Nations had been formed in 1945, right after the war.
The British pretty much put the whole thing in their lap."

   "So, like, what went wrong?"

   "In nineteen forty-seven the U.N.  decided to split the area into two
countries.  One Arab and one Jewish, with Jerusalem, which was holy to both
of them, a neutral city."

   "Like parents do with arguing kids.  Send each to their room, but the
bathroom is, like, neutral."

   I grinned.  "You're smarter than you look."

   Hailey smiled, then glared as she realized the full meaning of what I
said.  "HEY!"

   "I mean you look too sexy to be smart."

   She smiled again.

   "But in this case, the Arabs wanted both rooms."

   "That was, like, nineteen forty-seven?"

   I nodded.

   "Like, almost sixty years ago?"

   I shrugged.  "Nobody ever said the human race was logical.  Or wasn't
stubborn.  I think the big problem is Israel keeps winning.  The Arabs
attack with overwhelming odds and the Israelis beat them.  Then their pride
is hurt.  So they try again, and again, and again.  But back to nineteen
forty-seven.  In your words, how did Israel begin?"

   Hailey crinkled her brow in concentration.  "The Jews were, like,
getting so pushed around and they..."

   * * *

   It was two-and-a-half hours later when we came out, Hailey dressed
again. I looked at Cinnamon and Wynter, who were playing partners cribbage
with Traci and Tami.  "There's no way she's getting a B minus," I said with
a sigh.

   "But..." Wynter started.

   I grinned.  "She is so, like, gonna ace this thing."

   Chapter 10

   "Stop drooling!"

   I came back to reality.  "I wasn't drooling."

   Tami and her mother looked knowingly at each other.

   "I wasn't...  I was just imagining...  I mean..."

   "Tony, my future son-in-law, have you ever heard the expression quit
while you're behind?"

   I decided I had a very wise future mother-in-law and nodded.  Tami
looked satisfied.

   "She was real excited, though naturally her father had trouble deciding
between pride and paternalism."

   Tami shook her head in awe.  "It's hard to believe.  A
quarter-of-a-million."

   Tami's mom had ridden to Seattle with Robbie's dad, then come back today
with her dad and sister.  Samantha had flown into Seattle from Brazil,
where she'd just finished a photo shoot.  On the way back, Samantha had
told them that she'd been googled just over two hundred and fifty thousand
times last year.  I could understand her dad's confusion, whether to be
proud of his little girl or mad at all the perverts who'd wanted to look at
her in swimsuits and lingerie.

   "How many of those were yours?" Tami accused.

   "I, um..."

   Her mom laughed.  "Quit picking on him.  He's had a long day." I decided
that I needed to get her something real nice for Mother's Day.  Do they
have a Mothers-in-Law Day?"

   "Tami, Samantha may be beautiful and sexy, but you have something she'll
never have."

   "Don't forget rich," Tami added.  "What?"

   "Me."

   "I wonder if I can trade him in on beautiful, sexy and rich," Tami asked
her mother.

   "Tami, my little muttonchop, you're already beautiful and sexy.  And by
the time you get your third or fourth Pulitzer, you'll be rich enough to
support me in the style to which I want to become accustomed."

   "My little muttonchop?" her mom asked with a laugh.

   "He's been working on pet names.  It's that, or my little jackalope."

   "He needs to work harder.  But now, it's time to kick you out 'cause
you're not the only one who's had a long day." I'd walked Tami over from my
house.  It was after midnight.

   I bowed, gave Tami a quick kiss, and opened the door.

   "Oh, before I forget," Tami's mom said as I stepped outside.  "Samantha
also said she's going to be doing a USO show in March.  Turkey, Iraq, and
Afghanistan.  Her dad's not real happy about it."

   "I can understand that," Tami said.  "But is he more worried about
insurgents with guns or fifty thousand leering soldiers?"

   "Both," I said.  "I wonder if she has a talent.  I mean, besides..."

   "Good night, Tony," they said together.

   * * *

   I was dreaming.

   I knew it was a dream.  I usually know, but who cares.

   It was spring.  Baseball season.  Fans were in the stands, the team was
tossing the ball around, but I was lying on the grass between shortstop and
the pitcher's mound, my hands behind my head looking up at three clouds as
they played tag in an almost painfully blue sky.  I was naked, my flag pole
at attention and receiving a slurpy salute from Tami's tongue.  Darlene,
Allie, Mikee and Paula were in their cheerleader uniforms working the fans
into a frenzy of applause for Tami's technique.

   Now this was my kind of dream.

   Tami's mouth had engulfed my rod and was working up and down, her tongue
doing something different that felt incredible.  It was a whole different
technique.

   The fans and cheerleaders went quiet as a Lake baseball player stepped
into the batter's box.  The pitcher wound up.  I admired his form even as
Tami's tongue tried to squeeze into my pisshole.

   The cheerleaders started a chant, "Hey, battah, battah, battah..."

   The pitcher brought his arm back, then over the top and fired.  I saw
the snap of his wrist, a curve ball.  The ball rocketed toward the Lake
batter, then trailed down and out...

   "Battah, battah, SWING!"

   The Lake batter swung.  I heard the crack of contact between the
aluminum bat and the ball.  The ball shot forward, straight at...

   I woke with a sharp exhale.  Leave it to Lake to spoil everything.  I
lay on the sofa, not bothering to open my eyes, remembering the dream.  I
could still feel Tami's mouth surrounding my cock.  I COULD STILL FEEL
TAMI'S MOUTH SURROUNDING MY COCK!

   My eyes snapped open.

   "Hailey!" I said in a whispered shout, or a shouted whisper.

   Hailey knelt next to the sofa, her mouth moving up and down my twelve
inch shaft.  Actually it was probably closer to six.  I hadn't measured it
in a long time.  I'd decided that it was going to be what it was going to
be.  Besides, it made Tami happy, and it made me happy, so what more did
you need?

   "Hiacss." Which I think translated into "Hi Cuz.' I was amazed that she
could talk with her mouth full and her tongue in hyper-drive.  I guess
she'd had a lot of practice.

   I really wanted to tell her to stop, but apparently when the little head
sucks all the blood out of the big head, it takes the connection to the
vocal cords with it.  Hailey's tongue felt good.  Really really good.  I
couldn't define it, but something she was doing was better than it's ever
been before.  I felt myself building to an explosion, it just felt so
fucking good.

   There must have been three or four drops of blood left in the rest of my
body, 'cause that's when my big head took over again.

   I put my hand on her forehead and pushed gently backward.  Hailey looked
confused as she sat back on her heels.

   "Ahem," Cinnamon cleared her throat from the doorway.  I looked from
her, to Hailey, to my rigid shaft.

   For once life wasn't complicated.  "Control her," I said softly, then
rolled onto my side away from Hailey and pulled the blanket up over me, not
bothering for the moment to pull up my shorts and underwear.

   "Hey!  It was just a blowjob," Hailey said softly.  Cinnamon said
something that I didn't catch.

   "I was just, like, trying to say thank you," There was a little whine in
her voice now.  If Cinnamon answered, I didn't hear it.  As Hailey got up
and walked away, I slipped into sleep.

   This time without dreams.

   * * *

   I woke about eight, and from the silence in the house, I was the first.
I threw back the blanket, surprised for a second that my shorts were around
my ankles and my underwear around my knees.  Then I remembered last night.
I adjusted them, got up, and walked toward the back.

   My door was ajar, and inside I heard the rhythmic breathing of the two
girls.  I slipped in and got clean clothes.  The two girls were nestled
together, with Hailey's head in the space between Cinnamon's head and
shoulder, almost like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

   I slipped out and took a quick shower, even remembering to lock the
door. After I dressed, I put my bedding away, grabbed a coat and stepped
outside.

   It was...  pristine.

   It had started snowing sometime in the night, and a blanket of white
covered everything.  The trailer park must be taking the day off, 'cause
there wasn't a footprint or tireprint anywhere.

   It was still snowing lightly.  The air was brisk but not too cold, maybe
mid-twenties.  I grinned and stepped off the porch to make my mark on the
world.

   On my third orbit of the park, Tami joined me.  Without a word she fell
into step, her arm went around me, and her hand slipped into my back
pocket. We walked without talking, just enjoying the nearness of each
other, the snow, the quiet of the world.

   After four circuits, Tami kissed me lightly on the cheek and peeled off
back into her house for breakfast with her mom.  Not a single word had
passed between us.

   * * *

   I came in and stomped the snow off my feet before hanging up my jacket.

   "How's Tami this morning?" Mom called from the kitchen.

   "Quiet." Cinnamon and Hailey were sitting at the dining room table
watching Dad fuss with the coffee maker and Mom inventory the pantry. 
Wynter and Traci sat on the sofa talking.  I walked around and gave all the
girls, even Traci, a hug.

   I took a seat across the table from the girls just as Dad's stomach
gurgled.

   Cinnamon looked at me and whispered, "It's scary when they start making
the same noises as their coffee makers."

   I grinned and nodded.

   "Can I talk to you?" She indicated the back with a nod of her head.  I
nodded again, stood, and led her to my bedroom.

   "I..."

   "No," I said, cutting her off.

   "No?"

   "It's not your discussion."

   "I was just going to say..."

   "No." I repeated.  "Hailey's a big girl, and in case you haven't
noticed, she's older than you.  She can deal with her own mistakes.  If she
even realizes she made one."

   "She does.  She..."

   I cocked my head and stared and Cinnamon stopped.  "If Hailey wants to
talk to me, I'll talk," I said after a few seconds.  "If she wants to
pretend it never happened, I'm good with that too."

   Cinnamon gave me that dissecting stare of hers as she studied me.  I
worked on my breathing.  In, two three.  Out, two, three.  I know it's an
automatic process, but it never hurts to have a backup plan.  After almost
a minute, Cinnamon nodded.

   "And Hailey doesn't need prompting from the audience," I said as I
opened the door for her.

   Cinnamon nodded.  "You may give Robbie a run for her money yet."

   * * *

   Tami showed up as we were finishing breakfast.  She knocked, then let
herself in.  I was sitting on the couch watching Mom feed Dad a last piece
of toast.  Tami sat across my legs giving me a quick kiss.  "Gonna tell me
about it?" she whispered.

   I nodded.  "Someday." I knew she could reach into my head and pull
everything out, but sometimes she liked to leave me the illusion of
privacy. I gave her butt a quick pat and she stood.

   "Hailey, you and I have an appointment in the Sinai." Hailey looked
resigned but nodded.  "Trace, why don't you teach the others how we play
Monopoly in the Pacific Northwest?" Traci nodded and now Tami looked
resigned.  I returned her kiss with a smile.

   "Get comfortable," I said as I closed the door to my bedroom.  Hailey
grinned and grabbed the bottom of her t-shirt.  She lifted it up past her
belly button, then changed her mind and let it drop again.  She sat on my
desk chair and looked up at me.

   "I was thinking," Hailey said, interrupting my train of thought about
whether to go back over what we'd talked about yesterday or start where
we'd left off.

   "Yes," I said after biting off a sarcastic comment about encouraging new
habits.

   "About all those terrorists blowing things up all the time." I'd
mentioned that since the last war, the Arabs had turned to terrorism.  "It
must be terrible, going to a movie or a restaurant and not knowing if
you'll live through the night."

   "That wouldn't be fun," I agreed.  "But it's not quite that bad.  It's
not everyday and not everywhere you go." Hailey nodded.  "Karma," I added
in a mumble.

   "Huh?"

   "Well, Israel was founded on terrorism."

   "I thought you said the Stern Gang, the Levi...?"

   "Lehi," I corrected.

   "...the Lehi were freedom fighters?"

   "Old saying, 'One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.'
It's all about point of view.  Usually it comes down to who writes the
history books."

   "So, like, were the Stern Gang freedom fighters or terrorists?" Hailey
asked, looking confused, not that I could blame her.

   "Both." I knew that wouldn't help.  "The British considered them
terrorists.  Most Israelis consider them freedom fighters.  Like I said, it
all depends who writes the history books."

   "But history's history."

   "Is it?" I asked with a grin and knew that I had her totally confused.
"Try this.  Two brilliant historians decide to write books about the same
battle, Custer's Last Stand.  Both are honest and believe in telling the
truth about history.  The first is the great great grandson of General
George himself.  The second is the great great grandson of Short Bull, one
of the Lakota chiefs.  Think they'll come up with the same book?"

   "I guess not."

   "Not even close.  Won't even have the same title.  Custer's grandson's
will be The Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Short Bull's grandson will call
his the Battle of the Greasy Grass."

   "Greasy Grass?" Hailey said with a giggle.

   I shrugged, "That's what native Americans called the battle.  Let's try
another one.  A group of men, disguise themselves and storm onto three
unarmed cargo ships anchored in the harbor.  They grab the cargo and start
throwing it off the ships.  Millions of dollars worth.  What do you call
them?"

   "Easy.  Terrorists."

   "I just described the Boston Tea Party.  You think Samuel Adams and the
other founding fathers were terrorists?"

   "But...  but...  they were fighting for independence."

   I grinned and tapped her on the nose.  "So were the Israelis.  The
difference between terrorist and freedom fighter is pretty much whether
they believe in what you believe in."

   Hailey sighed.  "Hey.  Can we like, study something easy, like nuclear
physics?"

   "Nope.  Physics is too easy.  Physics has rules.  History is more fun.
It's unpredictable.  No rules.  Human beings don't like rules."

   * * *

   "Who started the Six-Day War?" I asked after we'd spent half-an-hour
reviewing the Birth of Israel.

   "The Arabs," Hailey said positively.

   "Is that your final answer?" I asked with a smile.

   "The Israelis," Hailey said, not so positively.

   "Final answer?"

   "The Martians?  It sure as shit wasn't the Menehune."

   I grinned.  It was going to be so much fun being a teacher.  It was like
a license to torture teenagers.  "Who are the Menehune?"

   "One of the ancient Hawaiian peoples.  They were dwarves who lived in
the forests.  I thought you were supposed to be smart.  Hey, what do they
teach in your schools anyway?"

   I smiled as she asked one of the questions I ask myself all the time.

   "Back to the war.  This is one of those hard questions, kind of like
who's a terrorist and who's a freedom fighter.  The Israelis actually
attacked first, so you could say they started the war.  But they attacked
because the Arabs were moving troops to the borders and had blocked
Israel's access to the Red Sea, so you could just as easily say the Arabs
did.  Now the Yom Kippur War six years later was..."

   * * *

   "Think Robbie's studying again today?" Hailey asked as we finished.

   I looked at the clock next to my bed.  Just about eleven thirty.  "Naw,
she's probably watching football."

   "Football?  I thought football was over except for the superbowl
thingy."

   "It is.  But Robbie's got tapes of college and pro games she didn't see
during the season.  Plus, a friend of hers in Tennessee sends her game
tapes of the high school she would have gone to.  Robbie'll be watching
football till halfway through the baseball season."

   "Uh..."

   "Yes," I prompted.

   "Uh, like, are you mad at me?"

   "How could I ever be mad at my hula princess?"

   Hailey grinned.  "I did a hula bit.  It was one of Cinnamon's
performances."

   "Did you wear anything under your grass skirt?"

   Hailey gave me a wouldn't-you-like-to-know grin.  I remembered Tami
trying to figure out how much Cinnamon DNA our kids would have when we were
finishing the road trip.  I think we should be more worried about Hailey
DNA.

   "I, like, kinda meant about last night?" Hailey asked returning to the
subject.

   "Not mad," I said after a long pause.  "Annoyed."

   "But it was, like, so just a BJ!  Hey, most guys love it when I..."

   "Do you just walk up to them, yank their pants down and go to it?  Or
slip into their houses at night while they're sleeping?"

   "No, but..."

   "What if they slipped into your bedroom while you were sleeping?  What
if they just started eating your pussy while you were asleep?"

   Hailey grinned.  "Hey!  Bitchin'!  I'd, like, so remember to say thank
you!" I had no doubt in my mind that Wynter would cure many diseases. 
She'd probably walk off with a Nobel if life is fair.  At that moment I
wondered if she could cure libido.

   "What if you're not in the mood?" I tried.

   Hailey grinned again.  "As if!  I'm, like, always in the mood.  As long
as they're, like, cute and not brand-x Philbins."

   I figured this was important so I decided to play dirty.  "Matthew
Wylie," I said quietly.

   Hailey's face changed.  It was like watching a beautiful day become a
tropical storm.  "I'd fucking kill him," she said firmly.  And I had a
feeling that it wasn't a figure of speech because the beach bimbo voice had
vanished.

   "What's wrong?  He was cute." After we'd come back from the road trip,
curiosity had gotten the better of me, and I did some research.  Newspapers
don't always tell the whole story, especially about teenagers and
pre-teens, but you can learn a lot by what they don't say.  I think I had a
pretty good idea of who Wylie was and what happened to send him away.  And
there was a picture.

   "He was a..."

   I shrugged.  "What'd he do that was so bad?  It was just sex."

   "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Hailey exploded, standing.  "HE..."

   I put my hands on Hailey's shoulders and pushed her back into the chair.
I hoped Mom wasn't going ballistic in the living room, 'cause there was no
question she'd heard that.  "Hailey use your brain, not just your twat."
Not a word I usually use, but I figured it would get through to her.

   It did.  The storm on her face just got upgraded to force five.  "Hey!
Like, what do you mean by that?  Do you, like, KNOW what that assmunch
DID?"

   "I have a pretty good idea."

   "He forced them!  He forced Possum and..."

   "Names aren't important." Possum?  "And it was just sex."

   "JUST SEX?  How can you say that, you pickledick?"

   "Hell, at the trial, I'll bet he said it was no big deal.  It was just a
blowjob."

   "He..." Hailey's mouth clamped shut.  I stared at her as the storm broke
and her face slackened.  "I...  like...  you can't mean..." Her eyes
started leaking tears.  "He and I...  like...  you can't..."

   "Hailey, stop!" I commanded.  I wondered if I'd gone too far.

   Her eyes were turning red, and I wondered if I was going to survive
Mom's inquisition.  And between the shouting and Hailey's face, Mom was
going to put Torquemada to shame.

   "Do you think Wylie would have hesitated to have some fun with a
sleeping girl?"

   Hailey shook her head and choked back a sob.

   I cradled her chin in my palm and stroked her hair with my other hand.
"And that's where any similarities end."

   "What do you mean?"

   "Wylie was all about his own pleasure.  That and the power he had over
others."

   "I don't..."

   "You, my little wahine, were trying to do your cousin a favor.  Not for
your pleasure but for mine."

   "I, like, so wanted to say thank you," she agreed.

   I cupped her face in both my hands and used my thumbs to wipe tears from
her eyes.  "The words would have been enough."

   "But, like, I thought...  last summer..."

   "To quote my second favorite Monkees' song 'That Was Then, This Is
Now'."

   "Monkeys?"

   "Apparently they have no music education in Hawaii or Colorado." Hailey
looked more confused.  "The road trip last summer was fantastic.  I
traveled all over the country with five girls and a sister and never slept
alone.  I met two sexy cousins who gave me a night I'll never forget.  Most
guys my age don't even have fantasies that good.  I wouldn't trade a minute
of the trip, or a minute with my cousins, but since I came back..."

   "Just you and Tami?"

   I nodded.

   Hailey smiled.  "Hey!  You're so as bad as Jimmy."

   "No luck?" I asked grinning.

   Hailey shook her head.

   "Have you given up trying?"

   "Mostly." Hailey's enigmatic smile put the Mona Lisa out to pasture.

   I pulled her to her feet and gave her a hug.  "Can I give you one piece
of advice?"

   "What?" she asked suspiciously.

   "Don't bother playing the lottery.  With your luck, you'd just be
throwing your money away."

   "My luck?"

   "There are maybe three teenaged guys in the whole country who'd say no
to a blowjob from the Pineapple Princess, and you have the bad luck to have
one as a cousin and another as a friend.  You'll probably meet the third
any day now."

   She muttered something that sounded like Lopez.  "Only three?" she asked
coyly, becoming more the old Hailey every second.

   "In the country," I agreed.  "Six, maybe seven tops in the world."

   "Hey!  I can so live with that."

   Chapter 11

   "Why are we here again?"

   "Well, they're here," I said pointing at Traci and Kelly, "'cause I got
stuck doing the grocery shopping and needed someone to fetch and carry. 
Tami's here 'cause I get lonely without her.  You're here 'cause you got
nothing better to do."

   Robbie glared but didn't deny it.

   I shrugged.  "Football's over.  The play's done except for the judging.
Baseball doesn't start till next month.  I suppose you could stay home and
study, hoping to beat certain people in class standings, but why waste your
time?"

   "You're getting pretty smug.  Care for a side bet?"

   "What'd you have in mind?" I asked warily

   Robbie grinned.  "How about your car against mine."

   Tami giggled.  "He'd bet me first."

   Not true.  I'd never bet Tami.  But then, I'd never bet my 'Stang
either.

   "What could I possibly win to replace you, my little Mustang."

   "My little Little Mustang?  Still trying to find a pet name?"

   I shrugged.

   Tami giggled.  "My Little Mustang.  I kinda like it." Tami glided into
my arms and locked her lips against mine.

   "Do you really think Wally's Grocery World is the best place for that?"
Robbie asked sarcastically several seconds later.

   Tami pulled back, embarrassed, but I smiled.  "The store will thank us.
They'll sell more oysters and asparagus."

   Robbie shook her head but Traci and Kelly looked confused.  "Why?" Kelly
asked.

   "They're considered aphrodisiacs," Robbie said, still shaking her head.

   Tami saw that Kelly and Traci were still confused.  "What's an
aphrodisiac?" she asked, knowing the younger girls wouldn't want to.

   Robbie looked startled at the question, then realized why Tami had asked
it.

   "Some foods are supposed to make people feel sexy.  Or sexier," I said.
"Oysters and asparagus are two of the most famous."

   "Figs, truffles, caviar and bananas are some others," Robbie added, not
to be outdone.

   "Why?" Kelly asked.

   "Do they?" said Traci at the same time.

   Learning may be a good thing but I wasn't sure I wanted my sister
knowing about aphrodisiacs.

   "Oysters were thought to be aphrodisiacs because they can change sex
from male to female and back again," Robbie explained.

   "Eeeeew!" both girls chorused.

   "I'm not sure about the others," Robbie admitted.  "Professor?"

   "I know asparagus goes back to the nineteenth century.  They used to
feed it to bridegrooms, but I don't know how it started.  Figs go back to
the ancient Greeks.  Bananas, I think because of their shape."

   The younger girls looked confused again, but Robbie made some kind of
motion I couldn't see and they giggled and nodded.

   "Do they work?" Traci asked again.  Damn one-track mind.

   "Most of them, no.  Except in people's minds, which I guess is enough,"
I said, hoping to close the subject.

   "According to Wikipedia, bananas are full of bromelain," Robbie added.
"It's an enzyme that enhances male performance."

   "I'm for that," Traci said with a grin.  I decided one banana in our
cart and I was locking her in her room.

   * * *

   "Anybody know where they hide the maraschino cherries?"

   "I do," Kelly announced and scampered away as I studied my list again.
Ground beef, check.  Ribeyes, check.  Pork roast, check.  Chicken thighs...
I looked up and saw the old guy again.  I'd seen him half-a-dozen times in
the twenty minutes we'd been shopping, and he always seemed to be staring
at us.  I figured he was a pervert checking out the girls.  I mean, Tami,
Robbie, Kelly, and even Traci were worth staring at.  But he really wasn't
staring that way, it was more like he was trying to figure something out.

   I put it out of my head and went back to the list.  Bread, we'd gotten
white, whole wheat, and raisin.  Hamburger buns and dinner rolls.  "Peanut
butter."

   "I'll get it," Traci volunteered.

   I looked around and the geezer was staring at the girls again.  Kelly
came back with a jar of cherries, and the guy's stare didn't shift.  He
wasn't looking at the girls, he was looking at one girl.  Robbie.  Maybe I
could get her to flash her tits at him and make his day.

   But his stare was still wrong.  It was more like the look Traci would
get when I'd help her with her math.  When she almost, but not quite had
the answer.  Suddenly his face brightened and his smile got big.  Without
any hesitation, he came toward us.

   "Excuse me, Miss," he said, and all three girls turned toward him, "but
ain't you Robbie Tate?" he asked as Traci came back and balanced the peanut
butter precariously on the top of the overstuffed cart.

   Robbie smiled.  "Yes, I am."

   "It took me a minute, but I thought I recognized you.  You was
responsible for the most amazing thing I ever done seen in my entire life."

   I decided I could take lessons in hayseed from this guy for the next
road trip.

   "Honey, 'til the day I die I ain't never gonna forget the way you
tackled Billy Trey Henderson on the four yard line in that Falcons game."

   I braced myself for the explosion.  Robbie hated to be called 'honey'
like I hated to be called 'young man'.

   Robbie surprised me.  "You were there?  And you remember little ol' me
from that?" Not only Princess Charming but Miss Alabama too.  Or in her
case, Miss Tennessee.

   "I sure do.  Billy Trey grabbed that interception at his goal line and
took off like a scared rabbit, so fast that I didn't think nobody could
catch him this side of the county line."

   I remembered.  I was on the sidelines watching.  I'd hurt my wrist a
couple plays before, and didn't think anybody was going to stop him.

   "You came outa that pile-up runnin' like the devil was bitin' your tail.
When he crossed the twenty, I figured he'd be past the posts before you
crossed the goal line.  Then you kicked in the turbos.  Honey, I wish I had
a video tape of that just so I could watch it every day and say, 'By golly,
it really did happen'."

   Robbie smiled.  "You're too kind, Mister...?"

   "Henderson.  Bill Henderson, Senior."

   Robbie looked surprised.  "Billy Trey's grandpa?"

   "That's me," he said proudly.  "I live in Portland but I'm up here
visiting an old army buddy.  Bit of a chauvinist in my day.  Back then I
would have said no girl could ever tackle a Henderson.  Now I know better.
There ain't nothing a good woman can't do if she sets her mind."

   I signaled the others, and we moved away as they chatted.

   Tami leaned up next to me as I pushed the cart, her hand sliding into my
back pocket and her head leaning on my shoulder.  "One hundred percent and
we can stop counting now," she murmured.

   Thanks to Myron Austen, we had tapes of all the games.  I made a mental
note to make a copy for Mr.  Henderson.

   Chapter 12

   My car was crowded as I drove to school, Tami in the seat beside me and
two cousins and an adopted cousin in the back seat.  I was glad to have my
Mustang back from Mom, but sometimes her minivan made more sense.

   I smiled, listening to the conversation in the back seat.  Wynter seemed
thrilled to be going to high school, if only for the day.  Hailey, the
experienced freshman, wasn't nearly as impressed, and Cinnamon just took it
in stride.

   I just concentrated on my driving and how I was going to sell this to
Mr. Reed.

   * * *

   Mrs.  Hatcher, the school's secretary, wasn't at her desk when we walked
in, Mrs.  Mires was.  It was a few minutes before first bell, so at least
we didn't have to wade through a sea of students getting tardy slips.

   "Hi, Mrs.  Mires," I said stepping up to the counter.  "Where's Mrs. 
Hatcher?"

   Mrs.  Mires looked at me like she'd just taken a big bite out of a
particularly sour lemon.  I think it was her version of a smile.  "I wasn't
aware that she needed your permission to miss work."

   I smiled while counting to myself.  'One, two, three...' I counted in
English.  Then Spanish, French, German, Russian, Swahili, Chinese, Hebrew.
Finally Portugese, Croatian and Afrikaans.  I was hoping to learn my
numbers in Apache and Aztec next.

   Mrs.  Mires had sat watching me during my minute of silence.

   I smiled.  "Of course she doesn't need my permission, but since she's
almost always here, I was hoping she wasn't sick or something.  Tami and I
have been gone a week."

   Mrs.  Mires nodded, looking like she'd just smelled a really pungent
fart.  "Her niece just had a baby," she admitted.  "She'll be back on
Wednesday."

   I considered just taking the cousins to class and asking permission on
Wednesday.

   "Is Mr.  Reed in his office?" I asked after Tami's hand in my back
pocket gave my butt a squeeze.  "Could he spare a minute?"

   "Mr.  Reed is a busy man.  I'm sure he has no time for you." Her tone
inserted three more words in front of her last one, 'for the likes of'.  I
remembered Mrs.  Mires from the other times she'd filled in.  She thought
students should be seen and not heard.

   "Could you check?  I'd appreciate it."

   "If you've been gone a week, wouldn't you be better off visiting your
teachers and getting assignments instead of bothering a busy man like Mr.
Reed?"

   I decided that I was getting on the internet today and working on that
Apache and Aztec.  Maybe Incan and Eskimo too.  "It was scheduled.  We have
all our homework.  Could you...?"

   "Why's he, like, bothering with that bitch?" Hailey whispered a little
too loudly.

   There was a moment of complete silence.

   "WHITNEY GWYNETH, YOU'RE..."

   "QUIET!" I snapped, turning around to Cinnamon.  "Bend over," I
commanded Hailey.

   "Why?"

   "Now!" Hailey bent and I slapped her butt, hard.  The sound echoed
through the office.  I turned back to Mrs.  Mires.  "I apologize Ma'am. 
Her parents don't beat her nearly enough."

   Mrs.  Mires face cracked in what I think may have been a smile.  It
scared me.  "I'll see if Mr.  Reed has a minute," she said, standing, then
walking back to his office.

   I turned back to the cousins.  All three looked surprised.

   "Remind me to kiss you later," I whispered to Hailey.  "It usually takes
at least five minutes longer to get past the palace guard."

   "That hurt," Hailey whispered back rubbing her butt with an exaggerated
motion.

   I gave her a big smile.  "Call anyone else a bitch today and it'll hurt
worse."

   I turned back to the counter as Mrs.  Mires came back with Mr.  Reed.

   "The prodigal returns," he announced loudly.

   "Prodigal?" I heard behind me.  "Hey, is that football, like
quarterback?"

   Mr.  Reed smiled even bigger.  "Prodigal is a funny word.  According to
the dictionary, it means wasteful or a spendthrift.  But when we talk about
the prodigal or the prodigal son, we usually mean long lost, someone who's
been gone a long time." He looked at me.  "You've been recruiting.  You've
brought me fresh meat."

   "For the day.  These are my cousins.  They're from the mountains in
Colorado.  I've been explaining to them that here in Washington we have a
lot of newfangled ideas about education, like spelling riting with a W and
rithmatic with an A and pens with the ink inside instead of in an inkwell."

   "Oh, Tony," Tami moaned softly, shaking her head.

   Mr.  Reed's smile changed.  "The mountains in Colorado.  High county
folk?"

   I started to add something about taking goats and sheep to class, but
Tami was firmly shaking her head.

   "I'm guessing you don't know where I started teaching?"

   Started teaching?  What does that have to do with anything?

   "Little town in the mountains west of Denver."

   Oh oh!

   "In fact..."

   Life couldn't be that unfair.

   "...Griffin Middle School was brand new my first year."

   I need a bigger world.

   "You taught at Griffin?" Wynter asked.  "Do you know Mr.  Shelby?"

   "Or Mr.  Peters?" Cinnamon added.

   Mr.  Reed looked surprised.  "Must be after my time.  It was twenty
years ago.  I taught there my first two years, then moved to the on-base
school at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany."

   "How about Mr.  Tilman, the custodian?" Hailey asked.  "He's been there
forever."

   "Bill Tilman?"

   I looked back just as all three girls nodded.

   "He's still there?"

   They nodded again.

   "Billy's still there," he mused.  "He was always coming up with
get-rich-quick schemes.  Wanted to move to New York and live in a
penthouse."

   "He still wants to move to New York and live in a penthouse," Cinnamon
said.

   I looked back at Mr.  Reed.  "So Billy Tilman is still at Griffin," he
mumbled.  "So, Tony, what can I do for you this morning?"

   "I wanted to ask a favor."

   "A favor?  I'd better sit down." He waved his arm toward the back of the
office.  "Come on back."

   I pulled open the gate and let the four girls through just as the bell
for first period rang.

   "So what's this favor?" Mr.  Reed asked when he was sitting behind his
desk and we were standing in front of it.

   "As I said, these are my cousins and I was hoping..."

   "Mr.  Reed..." Tami interrupted.  "I don't know what it was like in the
mountains when you were there, but now they actually let girls have
individual names."

   I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.

   "This is Wynter King and Cinnamon Brees.  They actually live in
Colorado."

   Mr.  Reed looked startled.  "Wynter King?  The mine rescue?"

   "Yes, sir," Wynter replied.

   He made an odd smile, as if remembering something funny. 
Humorously-funny, not oddly-funny.  "I'm pleased to meet you and am happy
that everything worked out well for you and...  Jimmy, wasn't it?"

   "Yes, sir.  Thank you."

   Tami waited to see if he was finished, then continued.  "And this is
Hailey Kennedy who just snuck in to steal the eighth grade election last
year."

   "Snuck in?"

   "Like, my parents went to the South Pole, so I, like, stayed with Cousin
Cinnamon."

   "The South Pole?"

   "McMurdo Sound and the Ross Sea, actually," Wynter clarified.  Her dad's
a marine biologist."

   "Interesting." Mr.  Reed leaned forward and whispered loudly, "Does Tony
know they have names?"

   Tami shook her head.  "He just calls them 'Cuz' and points," she
whispered back.

   I was thinking about going home and pulling a blanket over my head.

   "So Tony, what's this favor for you and your cousins?"

   "I was hoping they could spend the day with Tami and me."

   "Hmmm.  I'm not sure.  They go to Griffin, so they're middle school..."

   "I go to Dunne," Hailey stuck in.

   "They won't be any trouble," I said, mentally crossing my fingers.

   "They really should be in their own schools, learning and
matriculating," he said with a smile.  "You." He pointed at Hailey.  "What
do you have first period?"

   "History."

   "What are you studying?"

   "Israel," Hailey said almost timidly.

   "Who started the Six-Day War?"

   I noticed Wynter biting her lip.

   Hailey grinned.  "Hey!  So not the big!  Like, it depends on who you
ask, or, like, whose history book you use.  Like, Israel started shooting
first, but they so had the reason!  The Arabs were, like, moving like tons
and tons of troops onto the border and had, like, cut them off from the Red
Sea."

   Mr.  Reed looked stunned, and he wasn't the only one.

   "Uh, you." He pointed at Wynter.  "What do you have first period?"

   "Science."

   "What are you studying?"

   "The human body.  This week we're doing blood and fluids."

   "So what's blood made of?"

   "Mr.  Reed," I said before Wynter could start.  "Do you mind if we sit
down and get comfortable?"

   "Huh?"

   "Blood," Wynter started, her forehead furrowing slightly as the rest of
us took seats.  "...is composed of blood cells suspended in plasma.  The
blood cells are red blood cells called erythrocytes, white blood cells
including both leukocytes and lymphocytes and platelets called
thrombocytes. The plasma is predominantly water containing dissolved
proteins, salts and other substances.  Plasma is approximately fifty-five
percent of blood by volume.

   "Now the red blood cells, the erythrocytes are..."

   I was as proud of Wynter as if she'd been a real cousin.  So far she
hadn't stumbled over a single word.

   "They teach that in eighth grade science?" Mr.  Reed gasped eight
minutes later as Wynter finished.

   I grinned.  "Wynter's a future doctor.  The hospital there has already
let her sit in on deliveries and surgeries.  I think Stockholm already has
her penciled in for the twenty thirty Nobel in medicine."

   "Thank god.  I thought we were falling way behind." Mr.  Reed looked at
Cinnamon, who smiled sweetly back, but decided against it.  "Go to class,"
he growled.  "I've got work to do."

   * * *

   The day went smoothly.  Except when Wynter corrected my chemistry
teacher over a chemical formula.  And was right.

   At lunch, I drove the cousins to Traci's school for the rest of the day.
I'm not sure if it was because Mr.  Hallowell and I got along so well after
coaching a baseball team together or because Mr.  Reed warned him, but he
had no problem with the cousins hanging with Traci for the rest of the day.

   After school, they watched gymnastics practice and got to talk to Kelly
a little.  Traci loved showing off for them.

   About four, we jumped in my car.  Traci stayed for practice, and I broke
several speed laws racing to Wenatchee.

   "We're never going to make it," Wynter said.

   "There's always tomorrow," I said flippantly.  "Unless the blizzard
hits. Last time it closed the airport for a week." Wynter was sitting
behind me, so I couldn't see her face.

   "Stop teasing," Tami said with a light slap on the arm.

   "Oh, fuck!" Hailey said just as I turned off the highway toward the
airport.

   "What?" I asked making a hundred to one bet with myself as to the
answer.

   "Our luggage.  Like, we so forgot to stop and get our stuff."

   "I guess we'll have to go back and try again tomorrow," I said while
congratulating myself on winning my bet.

   "But, the blizzard...?" Wynter said.

   "The forecast for tomorrow is a light early morning rain then clouds
mixed with sun," Cinnamon said calmly.

   "And your luggage has been here since noon," Tami added.

   Spoilsports.

   "We haven't even got tickets yet," Wynter pointed out.  "And you're
supposed to get to the airport two hours before your flight.  Ours leaves
in...  twenty minutes."

   A sideways look from Tami made me decide to be nice as I pulled around
the side of the terminal and parked next to a golf cart where a big guy
appeared to be taking a nap.

   "In the words of my favorite Pineapple Princess, 'So not the problem'."

   "She gets Pineapple Princess and I get Armadillo and Jackalope," Tami
accused.

   "Hers, I stole from an Annette Funicello song.  And I thought we decided
on Mustang."

   The big guy walked over as I turned off the car.  "Are you the VIP's?"

   I nodded.  "In the back." We got out, and he handed each of the cousins
a ticket, courtesy of Dad's credit card.  Then we piled on the cart, and he
zipped us inside and right up to the departure gate, skipping the crowded
security station.  Robbie's dad was a poker buddy of the airport manager.

   Tami and I gave all the girls hugs as the big dude took their tickets
again and walked to the head of the check-in line.  As Cinnamon pulled back
from me, she looked at me with her curious expression.

   "You can never have too many friends."

   She nodded, and the three girls disappeared into the airplane.

   Chapter 13



   "Ladies!"

   The gymnasts who had been milling around quickly took seats on the
bench, Cheyenne sitting last.

   "I am very disappointed.  In fact, I'm down right disgusted." The girls
looked at each other in surprise.  In the bleachers I saw parents who were
mostly used to my after-meet tirades looking surprised, too.  I waited a
beat.  "I hate ties.  Next time, win or lose, but no more ties."

   Kelly stood.  "On behalf of the team..." and blew me a loud raspberry
before sitting back down.

   "I will be taking applications for the NEW team captain right after
we're done here." Predictably, Kelly stuck her tongue out.  "We tied, and
have I mentioned that I hate ties?

   Several more tongues shot out.

   "But the team we tied took third in the district last year and last week
beat the team that took second, so we'll settle for a tie.  This once.

   "Not settling for a tie, Cheyenne and Kelly took one and two in the
all-around.  Looking good, girls." Kelly grinned, but Cheyenne glared. 
Even taking first place, she was sure she'd been underscored on beam and
bars and was annoyed that her coaches hadn't protested her scores.

   "And Traci, making her big brother proud set a new scoring record."

   Traci turned red, several girls giggled, but Suzie and Kelly put their
arms around her in a hug.  Traci had scored a zero on vault.  In vaulting,
the girls do two vaults, declaring to the judges the vault they're going to
do before starting.  Traci did her full twist when she declared her
handspring and vice versa.  In her defense, you declare the vault by
flashing a four-digit number, and she'd mixed up the cards they were
printed on, not that I was going to let her live it down anytime soon. 
"But while Traci goofed, her team didn't, being there to support her when
she finished."

   First home meet and a tie, but that was better than last year when we
didn't win a single meet, home or away.

   "Good meet, and I'm proud to be one of your coaches.  In fact, when the
season is over, I may take credit for you instead of putting all the blame
on Mrs.  Calloway and Stephy."

   Cheyenne muttered something I didn't catch, but I decided to let it go.

   "Two laps and go home."

   * * *

   "You seem to be entirely too satisfied with yourself."

   Robbie's voice pulled me back from wherever I'd been.  "I have a lot to
be satisfied about.  The girls had their best meet yet last night, even if
Trace screwed up her vault." Ten feet behind me I heard an indignant sound.
Tami, Robbie and I were walking the park, even though a light snow was
falling.  Traci and Peter, our faithful shadows, trailed behind.

   "Our play is done, except for the judging.  The fourth play went off
last night, and the fifth one should be finishing about now.  Next week we
win, they give us our check, and all we have left to do is cheat the eighth
graders and Peter out of their shares."

   "We heard that!"

   I grinned.  "And the best part, today was the last day of the grading
period, so next week we should have new class standings."

   "You sound pretty sure of yourself," Tami said before Robbie could make
her own, probably acidic, comment.

   "I am," I said confidently.  "Either I win and I can rub her nose in it
for another nine weeks, or she wins and we can all relax."

   "You are so full of it," Robbie muttered.

   "True.  All too true."

   * * *

   "TONY SIMS, ROBBIE TATE, PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE."

   I took a moment to remind myself that Parker was long gone before
breathing.  I glanced at Robbie.  She was already gathering her books.  I
copied her.  Mrs.  Wayne waved us away when I looked at her for homework
assignments.

   "Well?" I said, when we were in the hall.

   Robbie smiled.  "It's not the play.  They would have called Tami too."

   I nodded.  It was Wednesday, and they were supposed to be announcing the
results sometime tonight.  The winner and two runner-ups had a banquet in
Seattle this weekend.

   "Could be class standings, I suppose.  Mr.  Reed wants to tell us in
person the world has gone back to normal," Robbie said with a grin.

   "Nope.  Those come out second period tomorrow.  Some of the teachers
won't get their records in till four today.  That's the deadline."

   "Slackers," she muttered.

   I grinned, trying not to let her see it.  I knew how much she wanted
back on top.

   "Can't be about a suspension, 'cause I never get suspended."

   That's the great thing about having a best friend: the support you get.
"Could be football, I suppose.  We were captains.  But that ended a month
ago."

   Robbie nodded.  "And if it was baseball, they would have called Ricky."

   We shrugged and kept walking.  We'd just have to wait.

   * * *

   "Hi, you sent for us?"

   Mrs.  Hatcher, the school secretary, was talking to Mr.  Reed when we
walked up to the counter.

   "You have a meeting in the conference room," Mrs.  Hatcher said.

   "But I'd like a word in my office first," Mr.  Reed added.

   I nodded and held the gate open for Robbie as we followed him in.  He
hadn't moved from the vice principal's office to the somewhat larger
principal's office until after Parker had left.  I guessed it was his way
of not rubbing salt in the wound,

   He didn't sit or close the door.  "You have a meeting next door that I
won't be part of.  Some of you may be tempted toward an in-your-face
attitude." He wasn't subtle; he was looking straight at me.  "But remember
you represent this school." He looked like he wanted to add more but
decided against it.  We nodded.

   Mr.  Reed led us out of his office to the conference room next door.  He
didn't knock but opened the door and ushered us in.  "Gentlemen," he said
to the three men sitting there, "Miss Tate and Mr.  Sims."

   "Thank you.  You can go," said the one in the middle who looked vaguely
familiar.

   "Why?" said Robbie quickly.

   "Excuse me?" middle man said.

   "She asked why you were dismissing Mr.  Reed," I explained for the
mentally impaired.  "It's his school, and unless Mr.  Butz has retired and
you're his replacement, Mr.  Reed doesn't work for you."

   Middle man stood up.  "Do you know who I am?" he asked, and suddenly I
did.

   "Sure, you're Mr.  Spaulding, the big shot from WSAA who doesn't think
teenagers can think without an adult telling them what to do."

   Robbie cocked her head in understanding, not having met him before.

   "This is Mr.  Reed's school.  Since we're students and it's during
school time, and you gentlemen represent school activities, this is
obviously about school.  We'd like him to stay, if he isn't busy.  Unless
you had something to hide?"

   Spaulding looked at the men on either side then nodded.  "He can stay,"
he said sitting back down.

   "That's very generous of you," Robbie said and took a seat opposite
Spaulding.  I sat to her left and Mr.  Reed took the chair at the head of
the table.

   "What can we do for you?" I asked after several seconds silence.

   "It's about the trouble you've caused," said the man to Spaulding's
right.

   "If you're accusing us of starting trouble, we don't need Mr.  Reed, we
need our parents and our lawyers," Robbie said standing up.  I followed
suit, trying hard to keep a straight face.

   "No, no, no," Spaulding said, standing himself.  "You're not in trouble
and nobody's accusing you of anything."

   "It still might be a good idea to have our lawyers," Robbie mused.  "But
I suppose we can listen.  What do you think Tony?"

   Like I had a vote.  "We can listen." Robbie and I sat.  Mr.  Reed had
his elbows on the table, his hands covering his mouth and probably a big
smile.

   Spaulding looked like a man trying to figure out where he'd lost
control. "It's about this Lake situation," he said after awhile.

   I smiled and stood.  "Lake, no problem.  Follow the road out front to
the highway heading north.  Then you follow..."

   "I know where Lake is!" he bellowed.

   I think I was supposed to be intimidated.

   "Then why aren't you there?" Robbie asked sweetly.  "That's where the
Lake situation is."

   "If you two would sit down and shut up for..."

   Mr.  Reed stood up so fast his chair rolled back into the wall.  "We're
done.  Robbie, Tony, you can go back to class, I believe seventh period has
just begun."

   I knew I always liked him.

   "You can't." "We're here..." "This is..." all three men were trying to
talk at once.

   Robbie and I ignored them, stood, and started gathering our books.

   "Wait!" The man on Spaulding's left managed to calm his companions. 
"Mr. Reed, I, we apologize.  It's no excuse, but we've been on the road all
day dealing with one thing after another." He paused, waiting to see if his
words were having any effect.

   Mr.  Reed looked at us.  "Robbie?  Tony?" I looked at Robbie, she
nodded, and we returned to our seats.

   Spaulding and the man on his right sat down, glaring at Mr.  Reed and
us,

   "What Mr.  Spaulding was trying to say, I'm Mr.  Kennedy, by the way."
My favorite president.  "That's Mr.  Rosen.  What Frank was trying to say
is that the Lake situation is causing lots of problems, and we wanted to
see if we could work something out."

   "Lake has had to cancel eighteen activities in five different sports,"
Mr.  Rosen added.  "Plus several more where the opposite team just didn't
show up."

   "It's easy," I said, wishing I wore suspenders so that I could hook my
thumbs in them and give them a snap.  "Fire Rich."

   "We can't do that," Spaulding said sulkily.

   "Then fire the district.  Suspend Lake until their coaching staff
represents the twenty-first century instead of the twelfth," Robbie
suggested.

   "We can't do that either," Spaulding snapped.

   "Actually, yes you can," I said.  "You mean, you won't."

   "No, we won't," Spaulding said standing again and motioning Kennedy back
in his seat.  "And we don't need any more of your suggestions."

   "Then what do you need?" Robbie asked.

   "We need you to end this silly boycott."

   For a second, I thought Robbie was going to reach across the table and
take his head off.  "Personally, I'd never get involved in a SILLY boycott.
But I didn't start it.  Ask Tony."

   "I'm guessing you never protested Vietnam or anything else."

   "A fucking liberal." The word fucking almost under his breath.

   "Actually, I plan to register Republican in another thirteen months."
Somehow that didn't make him happier.  "And I'm not a liberal, not in most
things, anyway.  What I meant was, I doubt you ever cared enough about
anything to protest it or even write a letter to the editor." I could see
in his eyes I was right.

   "What does that have to do with anything?"

   "We care.  We don't think Rich belongs in high school athletics, and
since you won't do anything, we've done what we could." I paused for a
breath.  "In fact, we've already had discussions with the guy who will
probably be captain of our baseball team about whether we're going." Okay,
maybe it wasn't an in-depth conversation, and maybe we were talking about
Robbie and me, but I can't be responsible for the conclusions they draw. 
Robbie cocked an eyebrow a fraction on an inch, but nodded
enthusiastically.

   "Now...!"

   "Frank!" Kennedy said, rising and putting his hand on the other man's
shoulder.

   Spaulding looked disgusted but sat down.

   "We applaud your convictions but think this has gone on too long." He
looked directly at Robbie.  "Coach Rich is willing to write you a letter of
apology.  If..."

   "No!" I said.  "She'll rip it up and throw it in his face.  If Rich
really wanted to apologize, he would have done it, not made it part of some
plea bargain."

   Robbie nodded.

   "I plan to play two more years of baseball and one more of football, and
I DON'T plan to play at Lake as long as Rich is a coach there."

   "Maybe you won't play then," Spaulding muttered.

   I grinned.  "Oh, please, try to suspend me.  I'll take your house, your
car, the clothes on your back."

   Spaulding jumped to his feet and opened his mouth.

   "I guess we're done here," Kennedy said quickly.

   "This is all off the record, of course," Rosen added.  I wondered if
Trout had warned them my girlfriend was a reporter slash columnist.

   "I don't think so," Robbie said.  "You want something off the record,
you tell us about it before the meeting, not after."

   Mr.  Reed caught our eyes and nodded toward the door.  We gathered our
stuff and left.

   It had been a little in-your-face, but I didn't think Mr.  Reed would
complain.

   Chapter 14

   "How's my favorite math genius?"

   Kelly Dubrey turned, a big smile on her face.  Then, for some reason,
her smile faded.

   Kelly had changed a lot in the last couple years.  For one thing, she'd
hit her growth spurt and wasn't the shortest kid in our class anymore,
despite being two years younger.  And she'd grown tits.  Not big
watermelons, but nice handfuls that seemed to be exclusive to Ryan Gates, a
boy a year older, a grade behind, and almost as smart as her.

   "What do you need hacked now?" That would explain it.  Someone was
feeling used.  Not that I could blame her.

   "Let me see about getting you out of gym and we'll talk."

   Kelly nodded, not about to blow a chance to get out of her least
favorite class.  I left Kelly by the door and went into the gym.  Miss
Wiley was standing by the opposite wall.  She was a substitute, but at
least I knew her.  I explained briefly, and she nodded just as three dozen
girls thundered into the gym from the locker room.  I took a second to
admire legs and bouncy titties, then went back to Kelly.

   "Now we can hang," I said as I got back.  Since the day was clear and in
the fifties, despite a forecast of eight inches of snow, I figured one of
the benches on the lawn by the side of the school would be perfect.

   "What do you want?" Kelly said a little sharply as we sat down.

   I ignored her tone.  "First of all, I wanted to offer congratulations."

   "For what?" Still a little sharp.

   "The NASA thing."

   "You congratulated me in December when I became a finalist.  I went to
Houston just before Christmas.  I haven't heard anything yet."

   I grinned.  "I have."

   "You have?" Excitement had replaced the sharpness.

   I stood and bowed.  "Miss Dubrey, may I be the first to congratulate you
on placing fifth in the NASA Challenge."

   Her face fell.  "Fifth?"

   I sat, took both her hands, and kissed her on the forehead.  "Before you
get terminally depressed and we have to buy you a white coat with extra
long arms that fasten in the back, then ship you to the state loony bin,
may I point out that the four people who beat you were all seniors. 
College seniors."

   "They were?  How the heck do you know all this.?"

   "Mr.  Reed told me since I'm interviewing you for the paper.  Let's see,
'Tears filled her eyes as she experienced the agony of defeat'.  How does
that sound?"

   "You wouldn't write that?"

   I grinned again.  "Of course not.  If you promise to be excited instead
of bummed about fifth."

   "But fifth?"

   "Out of twenty-three very smart college students.  The other high school
student, the kid from Boston, didn't even make top ten."

   "Cool."

   "Very cool.  And there's more if you promise to smile."

   Kelly grinned.  I think she forgot she was mad at me.  "I promise."

   "Well, the scholarship you won for fifth place is only three grand..."

   "So...?"

   "Well, I hope you like California, 'cause CalTech and Stanford just
offered you full rides."

   Kelly looked stunned.  "You're kidding?"

   "I'd never kid about Stanford.  CalTech maybe, but not Stanford."

   "But how?"

   "Mr.  Reed has a whole package for you and your parents.  Both those
schools want you to come visit.  Probably others too."

   "Tony, that's fantastic," she said hugging me.

   "I didn't do anything.  And before we try an interview, don't forget
you're mad at me."

   "I am?  I am."

   "And I was wondering why?"

   "Well...  it's just that...  I mean..."

   "Deep breath," I suggested.

   Kelly took a deep breath which gave me a chance to admire the tits she'd
grown.  "It's just that Ryan said you only come to see me when you need
something," she said quickly.

   Yep, feeling used.  Too bad Ryan doesn't play football.  I could
accidentally step on his face.

   "I guess Ryan's right."

   "He is?" Kelly sounded surprised.

   "In a way.  What I mean is, you and I don't have the same circle of
friends, so we don't hang much.  We talk when we see each other in the hall
and stuff, but usually if I come looking for you, it's for a favor.

   "Yeah," she said and nodded.

   "I think of you as a friend, and friends do favors for each other.  I
hope you realize that it goes both ways."

   Kelly thought about it, then nodded again.  "I remember what you did for
Allie when Mr.  Singara thought she cheated."

   My turn to nod.  "All my friends are important to me, even the ones who
are smarter than I am, like you and Robbie."

   Kelly grinned.  "You think Robbie's smarter?"

   I help out my hand with my thumb and forefinger a fraction of an inch
apart.  "That much.  But don't tell her."

   "I won't." Kelly giggled and nodded.  "I'm sorry I was mad at you."

   "Don't be.  I'd rather have you mad than resenting me silently.  This
way we cleared the air.  And I'm not mad at Ryan.  He was right.  I usually
want something when I come looking for you." Not mad, but I still wouldn't
mind stepping on his face.  Accidently.

   "But when you wanted me to hack those computers, it wasn't for you.  It
was for Tami and Luke," she said as if just realizing it.

   I shrugged.  "Ready for that interview?"

   "Did CalTech and Stanford really offer me scholarships?"

   "Nope."

   She looked like I'd just hit her between the eyes with a two-by-four. 
"No?"

   "Stanford and CalTech offered you scholarships.  In polite conversation,
Stanford is always named first."

   * * *

   "How is she?"

   Tami slipped her arm around me and her hand into my back pocket.  I'd
just joined her in the lunch line.  Robbie was about a dozen people in
front of us talking to Darlene.

   "A little on edge, but probably not dangerous as long as nobody makes
any fast moves," Tami said with a sigh.

   It was about what I expected.  "Is your news going to make it better or
worse?"

   Tami looked suspicious.  "Are you asking because you're concerned or
because you want to know before she does?"

   I sighed.  "Both, I guess."

   "That's my Tony.  Too honest for his own good."

   * * *

   "You're smiling," Robbie accused as Tami and I sat down with our
lunches. "You beat me again."

   "Not a clue," I said in my defense.  "Tami wouldn't let me see the class
lists, I went on another story.  And I'm smiling because I like to smile.
And because a friend got good news."

   "Who?" Robbie asked.

   "What?" Darlene added.

   So I told them about Kelly Dubrey.

   "If she takes a full scholarship from CalTech or whatever, what does she
do with the scholarship money NASA gives her?" Peter asked.

   I shrugged.  "Depends on what strings are on it.  If it's just for
tuition in an undergrad or graduate program, I guess she gives it to the
school and doesn't get anything out of it.  If it's a loose educational
purposes type thing, she can take a trip to Rome and look at the Coliseum
or something."

   Robbie laughed.  "Knowing Kelly, she'd probably go to Kazakhstan to
check on the Russian space program."

   I nodded.

   I looked over at Robbie, then Tami.  Tami was eating her hamburger gravy
on rice as if it was actually food.  Robbie looked at Tami then me, then
back at Tami.  Finally Mikee couldn't take it anymore.  "Are you going to
tell them or what?"

   "Tell them what?" Tami asked innocently.

   "Think we can get away with putting her on the table and tickling her
till the bell for next period rings?" I asked Robbie.

   She glanced over her shoulder.  "Mr.  Singara has the lunch duty.  He
doesn't like you.  He'd probably decide you were having too much fun."

   "Damn!"

   "The stage is empty," Darlene volunteered with a bright smile at Tami.

   "We could charge admission.  Make some more money for the prom
committee," Robbie suggested.

   Tami started choking on the mouthful of rice she'd just eaten, so I
pounded her a couple times between the shoulder blades while grinning at
Robbie for her suggestion.

   Tami wiped her mouth with a napkin, then looked at us.  "If it's that
important to you..." I looked at Robbie, then back at Tami and nodded. 
Robbie was nodding too.

   Tami grinned.  "I was seventh." Tami paused as if that was all.

   "Think Singara will give you a hard time when we carry her out of here?"
Robbie asked.

   "Okay, okay.  More good news for Kelly.  She beat Toby Mather for
third."

   I looked at Monster Girl, "So how much do you think we should charge?"

   Tami stood, putting her nose in the air as if offended.  She picked up
her tray and carried it to the kitchen window, then came back and stood
behind Mikee and Peter.  "I SHOULD make you both wait for the paper on
Friday."

   Robbie and I both held our hands in front of us, flexing our fingers.

   "Just remember, I'm just the messenger.  I was rooting for both of you."

   "I wasn't," Darlene said.  "I was rooting for Toby.  Poor guy's got no
life.  Grades are all he's got."

   I stuck my tongue out at her, then fixed my stare on Tami.

   Tami looked at Robbie and shrugged.  "My guy.  By three thousands of a
point."

   Robbie sighed.  "I should demand a recount."

   I hugged her.  "It's okay, everyone knows who the smart one of us is. 
Sometimes I just get lucky."

   Robbie hugged back hard.

   "I could have sworn there were rules about this sort of thing," Singara
said walking up.

   I let go of Robbie and grinned at him.  "Yes, sir.  The student
handbook. Page seventeen, the fourth paragraph.  Did you need me to quote
it for you?"

   Singara looked confused.

   "Just the group I was looking for," Mr.  Reed said as he came up on the
other side, "though I understand I might need a whip and a chair."

   Robbie looked defensive.  "I haven't been that bad."

   Mr.  Reed smiled.  "There's a picture of you in the teachers' lounge. 
The caption says 'Dangerous--approach with caution.'"

   Robbie's mouth opened to say something, but I gave her another hug and
quick kiss.

   "Robbie's been a little on edge today," Tami explained, "waiting to hear
about the play.  And other things."

   "And her friends haven't been as supportive as they could be," I added.

   Mr.  Reed smiled again.  "Any more supportive and I may have to notice
officially.

   I nodded, but gave Robbie one more hug.

   "And as far as the play, it may make her feel better to know that you
all have a dinner date in Seattle on Saturday."

   "Cool," I said.  Robbie's the competitive one, but I wanted it too.  We
all did.

   "It's been a good week for the school," Mr.  Reed said.  "Between your
play and Kelly Dubrey."

   "Tony told us.  It's fantastic," Tami said.

   "And you think that's good, just wait until baseball season," Robbie
added.  I thought about switching to track.  In baseball, losing was no
longer an option.

   "Page seventeen, paragraph four," Robbie accused as we headed for class.

   "It's in there somewhere.  It might as well be page seventeen."

   Chapter 15

   If there had been bonus points for style, Zoe's Song got 'em.

   Peter and I were turned out in black tuxedos, and the girls wore long
elegant dresses.  The official invitation to the banquet had said
semi-formal, and of the other two casts, only half-a-dozen guys had even
bothered with ties.  We stood out.

   It had been Robbie's idea.  She complained that she'd never seen me in a
tux and Tami had.  She'd been right.  As much as I hate even wearing a tie,
we looked good.  We looked the part of winners even if we didn't win.

   The banquet was pretty ordinary.  It could have been the end of season
sports banquet in the Holiday Inn back home.  Chicken that was--by luck of
the draw--either cooked dry or raw, and mashed potatoes better suited for
making sculptures of Devil's Tower.  Too bad I hadn't run into any UFOs
lately.

   The room was divided into three sections.  In a sports banquet, it would
be the coaches in front, the athletes at the middle tables, and the parents
in the back.  For this, the judges and foundation honchos had the front,
but the rest was the same.  The three casts were seated at three long
tables.  Vlad had the left side, we were in the center, and Mirror, Mirror
was on the right.  We'd seen Vlad the night before we performed, but all we
knew about Mirror, Mirror was that it was an adaptation of one of Agatha
Christie's Miss Marple stories.

   A distinguished black man stood at the dais as a waitress replaced my
half-eaten chicken--I'd gotten one of the half-raw pieces--with a dish of
tapioca that had seen better days.  "LADIES!  GENTLEMEN!" the background
noise of dozens of conversations started to fade.  "I am your host this
evening, Mark Eddington.  It is my honor to chair the endowment committee
of the Prentiss Foundation." There was a smattering of applause, mostly
from the parent section.  What is a smattering anyway?

   "This year we had thirty-seven entries from schools all over the state.
Three of the schools had mini-competitions among their students to select
their school's entry." Only three.  I was surprised.  I figured our school
was part of the norm.  I guessed that meant in most schools, the drama
teacher or someone selected the play for the students.  "So in total there
were forty-five plays, and in any other state, any one of them would have
won.

   "A quick note before we see some of the entries.  After much discussion,
it has been decided that next year the competition will be held in
February. It has been difficult for some of the school groups to get
organized so soon after school starts.  Especially in the schools with
multiple entries." Tami had mentioned that it was a possibility.  I think
she got it off the foundation's website.  I wasn't sure if I liked the
idea.

   "Now a quick look at the three semi-finalists who aren't with us
tonight." As he spoke, a large white screen descended in front of the wall
behind him, the lights dimmed and the screen lit with a group of teenagers
in period costume.  It took only a few seconds to recognize Hamlet.  Two
minutes later, the screen faded to loud applause which was more than it
deserved.  Not that it was bad, it was just ordinary.  I figured it was the
judges' nod to the classics.

   The screen lit again.  This time it took me longer to recognize The
Glass Menagerie.  As I watched, I searched under the table and found Tami's
hand.  I needed it.  I'd always thought the play was depressing, and
somehow this group had managed to make it even more so.  The applause when
the screen went dark was more subdued than for Hamlet.  I decided that
whatever region this play represented had no talent if this was the winner.

   The screen lit a third time, and it took almost a minute for me to
realize I was watching a musical version of Faust.  The devil was played by
a redheaded girl who could have been Robbie's cousin, and she hit a perfect
tone for the character.  If the rest of the cast had been half as strong, I
think we would have been looking at the winner.  The clip was longer than
the first two, because they included most of her song, Have I Got a Deal
for You.  They'd written the words to the music of another song that I
couldn't quite place.  A quick glance at Robbie across the table from me
told me that she was having the same problem.

   The clip ended to enthusiastic applause.  I didn't need an applause
meter to know which one of these three plays won.

   The lights came back on and Eddington stepped to the dais again.  "That
last clip was from The Devil's Deal, and that production caused us a lot of
trouble because the judges had a lot of trouble deciding on just three
finalists.  In fact, Colonel Gates left one of the meetings with a black
eye, though Mrs.  Turner swears it was an accident." The Air Force officer
turned to pretend to glare at the dumpy deputy mayor, who slapped her fist
into an open palm while the audience laughed.

   "After much debate, many hurt feelings, and only a little blood, the
judges managed to come up with our final three.  "Can I have a big hand for
the cast of Vlad." Everyone started applauding as the group on the right
stood and waved.  "Vlad was directed by Carl Thompson and written by Valery
Tucker based on the novel by Bram Stoker." Two of the boys lifted one of
the girls onto a chair.  She turned red but managed to keep waving.

   "Can we have another big hand for the cast of Mirror, Mirror," Eddington
said after the Vlad crew finally sat.  The applause started again as the
group on our other side stood.  "Mirror, Mirror was directed by Marie Chase
and written by Manuel Sicata and Marie Chase from a story by Agatha
Christie." One boy held her hand as a girl stood on a chair and took a bow.
I wondered if the boy was Manuel.  He looked more like a Lief or a Lars. 
"Unfortunately, Manuel Sicata couldn't be with us this evening."

   I found out later that the Immigration Service had suggested that his
parents go back to Costa Rica, and Manuel and the rest of his family went
with him.

   The group from Mirror, Mirror milked the applause for almost five
minutes.  Robbie rapped the table, and we all looked at her.  "Thirty
seconds," she whispered.  We all nodded.

   "Finally, our third finalist.  Can we get another big hand for the cast
of Zoe's Song." We stood and waved.  "Zoe's Song was directed by Robbie
Tate and written by Tony Sims from a story idea by Michelle Temple." Since
our table was just for the cast, Mikee was sitting with her parents.  I was
watching her as Eddington made his announcement, and she turned pink.  I
nodded to her dad, and he stood, picked her up, and put her on her chair.
The laughter turned her pink darker to red, but she deserved the applause.
After about thirty seconds, we sat down, taking the audience by surprise.

   It took Eddington by surprise, too.  He'd been talking to the army
officer with his back turned when the applause died out.  "Our three
finalists," he said opening his arms to take us all in as he stepped back
to the dais.  "Here's a look at why our judges had so much trouble."

   The light dimmed again and the screen lit up with a scene from Vlad. 
This clip was longer than the others.  It ran about five minutes and
featured several scenes, including my favorite, a scene where Dracula was
talking to and caressing several of the female vampires.  The kid who
played Dracula was good.  Dracula has been played in the movies by Bela
Lugosi and Christopher Lee and everyone in between including George
Hamilton and Leslie Nielsen.  The kid was closer to Lugosi than Lee, Lee
being my favorite.

   The end brought more applause, and the Vlad cast again stood, waved and
took bows.

   The screen came to life a fifth time with a middle-aged woman looking
curiously around an English drawing room before a butler entered.  The
makeup was great because I had no idea which of the teenagers at the other
table could have been this middle-aged woman.  From the scenes we saw, I
was sorry that we hadn't been able to come back last weekend to see the
play.

   Tami must have sensed what I was thinking because she whispered,
"They're sending us tapes of the other five plays when they send ours."

   I nodded thinking that I'd really enjoy Mirror, Mirror and The Devil's
Deal.  I'd seen Vlad, might watch Hamlet if I was really bored, and The
Glass Menagerie would make a good paperweight.

   The Mirror, Mirror cast were still taking bows when the screen came to
life again with Traci singing Too Many Feelings.  After a minute it
transitioned into the final scene after Zoe had died.  "She'd still be
alive if you hadn't interfered," Robbie accused.  "My baby would be alive,
she'd be here.  We'd be here." The camera had gone tight on Robbie's face
and you could almost see the anguish of a mother who'd just lost her child.

   The camera panned out, taking in the whole set as Peter dropped his head
for a long pause, then the camera moved in again, framing just Peter and
Susie as her hand moved forward and found his.  The camera tightened still
until just their hands filled the screen, and she gave him a squeeze.  Then
the camera moved out again as Peter said, "But she wasn't alive.  She was
existing..."

   The screen faded, and the applause started.  "Sit!" Robbie said as she
lifted her arm and waved.  We kept sitting and waved for several seconds.

   Eddington took his place again.  "Now you've seen a small part of them
and may understand our problem.  And if you thought it was hard whittling
the six down to four, then to three, now it really got fun.  Picking a
winner.  We had the riot squad on standby as the judges went into the room,
only to come out deadlocked several hours later.  It took five tries to
finally settle third place, and several of the judges still aren't talking
to the others.

   "Ladies and Gentlemen, the second runner-up, winning one thousand
dollars for themselves and their school..." he paused, took a breath,
"Vlad!"

   We stood applauding, so did the group from Mirror, Mirror as the Vlad
cast walked up to the podium.  Eddington handed them a plaque and two
checks, which they waved around.  Then one of the boys stepped to the
microphone.  "Thanks.  We really appreciate this.  Sometimes we thought
we'd never get this whole thing on a stage, let alone take third in the
state." He hesitated, started to add something, then changed his mind.  He
waved again, then led his troop back to their table.

   "When we got down to two, things got really serious," Eddington
continued.  "I saw judges going into the room with brass knuckles, saps,
and knives.  But finally Colonel Gates brought me the final results. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, the runner-up, winning two thousand dollars...  Zoe's
Song!"

   I sighed.  I was getting real tired of second place.  I looked at Robbie
wondering where I could get a tranquilizer gun on short notice and was
amazed that she was smiling.  I mean really smiling.  She stood, took a
small bow to the parents, and started toward the podium.  The rest of us
followed.  Eddington handed Robbie a plaque, then Traci a pair of checks.

   Robbie stepped up to the podium.  "Last year, we came in second in our
school's contest.  This year we took second here.  Next year we get it
right." The crowd laughed as she held the plaque above her head.  Then she
nodded to me.

   I stepped forward to the microphone.  "Zoe's Song was our tribute to a
classmate who died last year.  I hope we made her proud."

   I don't remember the rest of the night.  But I remember feeling warm and
good and knowing that Zoe was watching from wherever she was.

   * * *

   "Is honesty important?"

   "Um, I guess," I mumbled as I watched Jack Bauer crash an SUV into some
kind of culvert.  I never watched 24 when it was broadcast.  I knew with my
schedule, there was no way I'd see 24 episodes in a row.  But a couple
weeks ago, Mom had bought the first three seasons on DVD, and now I was on
the 24th hour of the second season.  And damn, I was hooked.

   Trace shifted her weight from foot to foot as I focused on the screen.
Jack and Mrs.  Palmer hijacked a good Samaritan's car and took off. 
Imagine calling the cops and reporting being carjacked by the president's
ex-wife.  Traci sighed and walked back to her room.

   The scene shifted to the CTU and...  and Traci's tone penetrated.  I
paused the DVD and sat back in Dad's chair to think about it.  Traci hadn't
been asking an idle question.  And it wasn't for school.  'Is honesty
important?' Traci had something she was trying to decide if she wanted to
tell.  And I ignored her for a television show.

   I got up and drained my Coke can.  I walked through the kitchen to toss
it on the way to Traci's room.  Her door was open about six inches, so I
gave it a push.  Traci was standing in the middle of her floor pulling a
t-shirt on.  The blouse she'd been wearing was lying on the bed.  She'd
been dressed up for church with Peter and his family.  They went about once
a month.

   I admired her breasts for a second.  They'd grown a lot in the last
year. They were probably bigger than Tami's, and she was only an eighth
grader, though she had a ways to go to catch Darlene.  Or Cousin Cinnamon.

   "Yeah?" she asked, noticing my presence without a trace of
embarrassment.

   I smiled.  "Yes, no, and maybe." I gave her a half bow, shut her door,
and returned to the living room by way of the kitchen, snagging a
replacement Coke.  I settled in Dad's chair, but didn't start the DVD
again.

   Traci stomped out.  "What the hell kind of answer is 'yes, no, and
maybe'?"

   "Language," I said as I opened the Coke and took a sip.

   Traci turned pink but repeated her question without the adjective.

   "It's the only answer I've got to a question like that.  Yes, honesty is
important if you're in court and sworn to tell it.  No, honesty isn't
important if your best friend has been crying and her makeup is running and
she asks if she looks okay.  And maybe, the rest of the time."

   Traci didn't look satisfied.

   "I happen to think honesty is pretty important and try to tell the truth
all the time, but if Tami is wearing that purple shirt of hers and asks if
it looks good, the truth goes bye bye, 'cause I think it's ugly but it's
one of her favorites."

   "It is pretty bad," Traci said with a grin.

   I nodded.  "Tami's easy.  Instead of lying, I can usually tell her that
something isn't my story to tell or that it's temporally inconvenient, and
she drops it."

   Traci grinned even bigger.  "The word, my English professor brother, is
temporarily," she said with deep satisfaction.

   A nice brother would have let her have the point.  "The word, my cute
but naive little sister, is temporally.  From 'temporal,' which is Latin
for time.  Temporally inconvenient, something I can't talk about right
now."

   "Do you ever get tired of being right?"

   I shrugged.  "It's a burden sometimes."

   Traci stomped her right foot, spun, and started stomping away.

   "Can I ask what your question was about?"

   Traci stopped and stood still for several seconds.  "I was trying to
decide about telling Peter something," she said without turning.  "Several
somethings."

   "You're definitely in maybe territory there."

   She turned and nodded.

   I had a feeling I knew where this was going.  "Has he asked?"

   She shook her head.

   "Silence can be very honest."

   She considered that, but I could tell it didn't satisfy her.

   "Can I tell you a story?"

   Traci nodded, moving to stand next to my chair.

   I reached up and pulled her down across my lap.  "Once upon a time,
there was a brave, handsome, and very clever prince, who just happened to
be at the top of his class."

   "By three thousandths of a point."

   I nodded.  "Which, by the way, is two thousandths more than I needed."

   Traci stuck her tongue out at me.

   "Before he was the wise and wonderful person he is, he was once the
lowest form of life known to man, an eighth grader."

   "Listen here, you..."

   I put my finger across her lips to silence her.

   "It is a condition that almost everybody goes through and outgrows. 
Well, maybe not your friend Bridgett."

   Traci giggled.  Bridgett was the twenty-first century poster child for
dumb blonde.  How she made it to the eighth grade was a congressional
investigation waiting to happen.

   "The prince as an eighth grader had a beautiful princess named Tamarone.
Princess Tamarone had sexy long brown hair that the prince loved to stroke.
He and the princess were madly in love."

   "Sickeningly in love," Traci modified.

   "One day, on a long bus trip without her, he gave in to temptation and
kissed another princess.  This one had long red hair, and the prince had
always had a thing for redheads."

   Traci grinned.  "Is that why you watch Kim Possible almost every night?"

   I grinned back.  "The prince also had a secret cheerleader fetish."

   "Not so secret."

   "Anyway, almost as soon as the prince returned to his princess, he
confessed his indiscretion, even though he knew that the truth might hurt
Princess Tamarone, or possible drive a wedge between them.  Even though he
knew that silence would be enough, that the princess wouldn't ask."

   "Why?"

   "That's a hell of a good question."

   "Language," she admonished with a giggle.

   "That's a good question," I corrected.  "It just seemed like the right
thing to do."

   "Was she mad?" Traci asked, cocking her head.

   "Not really, but Tami's and my relationship has always been a little
different."

   "You can say that again."

   "Tami's and my relationship has always been a little different."

   "Pickledick."

   "That's it.  No more cousins for you."

   Traci grinned.

   "Did that help at all?  Did it answer your question?"

   "I guess," she said crawling off my lap.  She took two or three steps
then stopped.  "Should I tell him?"

   "Does it seem like the right thing to do?"

   She hesitated.  "Yeah...  I think it does."

   "Any more questions?"

   She shook her head without looking at me and retreated to the back.

   I smiled to myself, wondering if her confessions about the other boys in
her life would include Robbie.

   So much for a nice quiet Sunday to finish the weekend.

   Chapter 16

   Monday night I got home about six.  It was kind of nice.  With football
and the play done for the year, all I had to worry about was school and
gymnastics.  It was almost like having free time.  I parked in front of the
trailer and then walked Tami to her house, with Kelly beside us heading for
her own.

   "Good practice," I said, swatting my favorite munchkin on the butt as
Tami and I stopped in front of her house.

   "I don't think Cheyenne thought so," Kelly giggled.

   "Go!" I said, pointing at Kelly's house.  Kelly giggled again and
skipped to her back door, waved, and disappeared.

   "I think she's right." Tami said.

   "I know she's right, but right now I want to think about kissing the
future Mrs.  Sims, not a spoiled brat."

   Cheyenne had told me at the beginning of practice that she wanted to
work on her double back flip.  I knew she'd been working it at the club and
almost had it to the point where Gary was thinking of letting her compete
it.  But I told her no and explained that I wasn't good enough to spot it
yet and that our floor wasn't as good as the club's.

   Half-an-hour later I saw her do one by herself.  She over-rotated the
landing and fell back on her butt, finishing with a backward roll.  I
screamed her name from clear across the gym, then sat her on a stack of
mats and kept her there the whole practice.  She'd scared the hell out of
me.

   "What are you going to do about her?" Tami asked.

   "You weren't listening.  Right now I want to think about kissing the
future Mrs.  Sims, not a spoiled brat." I sealed my point by kissing Tami
long and hard.

   * * *

   "Tony, you had a call," Mom said from the kitchen as I walked in.

   "Actually, you had seven calls," Dad corrected from behind a newspaper.

   "Seven?" Why hadn't they called me on my cell?  Then I realized that I'd
left it on my dresser this morning.

   Just then the phone rang.

   "I'll get it," Traci yelled from her room.  By almost knocking me down,
she got it before the second ring had completely died.  "Sims residence. 
Oh, he's here." She handed the phone to me.  "It's for you," she said in a
disappointed voice.

   "Toneijrdglhguvndgeruhg iunbtruinbrtnbiotrnstrio."

   I looked at the phone.  I wondered if I needed one of the scrambler
gadgets that spies fixed on their phones.  I was pretty sure the first
syllable-and-a-half was my name, but after that...

   "Once more in English," I suggested.

   "Tony, it's me, Ijsdgekrglrgvnrelavubsrlanbvbvn."

   Progress.  It's me.  "Hailey?"

   "Hey!  I, like, said it was me!"

   "Now try the rest, separating everything into individual words."

   "Pickledick."

   "Now that I heard."

   "Where have you been?  I've so been, like, calling and calling."

   "School and gymnastics practice."

   "Hey!  I got an A.  Like, almost an A.  An A-minus.  Ninety-four
percent."

   "I'm very disappointed young lady.  I expected at least one hundred."

   Hailey giggled.  "But I'm, like, so gonna pass history!"

   "This time."

   "Hey!"

   "Whitney Gwyneth, I don't expect you to become Super Student.  Hell, I
don't even want you to.  But maybe we could learn a little about
priorities."

   "Maybe."

   "So what did you miss?"

   "I kinda got it right, but Mrs.  Cleaver didn't like your answer about
the Gobi."

   The Gobi?  When had I mentioned the giant Chinese desert.  "You mean the
Golan?  The Golan Heights?"

   "Yeah."

   "If you called it the Gobi, I can understand why."

   "Hey!  I didn't.  Like, I don't think I did."

   "Check your paper.  If you didn't, get her e-mail and I'll argue the
point with her.  I figure you need every point you can get."

   "Hey!  Was that, like, a diss?"

   "Yep.  Want to talk to Trace?"

   "Okay."

   "Just for a minute.  Dinner's almost ready." I cupped my hand over the
phone.  "Traci!" I yelled.  "Telephone." I lifted the phone up again.  "
Don't teach her any more words," I added to Hailey as an afterthought.

   "If I got an intercom, would you use it?" Mom asked, setting a pot on
the dining room table.

   "Nope, yelling is more fun.  Efficient too," I said, handing the phone
to my sister.

   Mom shook her head and retreated to the kitchen.

   "I take it your cousin did well on her history final?" Dad asked from
behind his paper.

   "Yep," I said with a smile he couldn't see.  "Ninety-four.  We figured
she needed at least a high sixty to a low seventy."

   "Good, I'm glad.  That was a good thing you did."

   "Thanks."

   Dad closed and folded his paper.  "By the way, just for the record, I
really don't like being used."

   "Uh, used?"

   "But, Dad, Tami volunteered me to tutor her," dad mimicked.

   "Oh, yeah, I..."

   "Remember the Steve Martin movie, Sergeant Bilko?"

   I nodded.

   "The original with Phil Silvers was better, but just remember, you ain't
that good."

   "Yes, sir," I said nodding.

   "But still, it was a good thing you did.  We should raise your
allowance," he said just as Traci walked back in to hang up the phone. 
"We'll double it."

   "Don't be stingy dear," Mom said, placing a plate of rolls on the table.
"Triple it."

   "Now wait a minute," Traci protested before she remembered that I hadn't
gotten an allowance since I'd started working.  "I say we quadruple it."

   * * *

   The next day, Cheyenne didn't come out of the locker room with the other
girls.  I have to admit that I was kind of relieved.  Maybe she was taking
the day off.  I watched as Kelly started stretching the other girls.  It
was a pretty good group, but I kinda missed last year's smaller, more
intimate one.

   "Is he the one?" I heard behind me as I instructed Kelly to really work
their backs.  I turned.  Cheyenne in her leotard was standing next to man
about my dad's age, probably her dad.  'I don't need this,' I thought. 
"Cheyenne, you're late.  Get stretching.  Make sure you work your wrists
and ankles." I turned back to the girls.

   "Tony Sims?" the man said a few seconds later.

   "I'm Tony," I acknowledged without turning around.

   "Could I see you?" he asked as I moved over to Cassie Williams to adjust
her leg on her splits.

   "I'm a little busy," I said, standing and moving back again.

   "Young man!  I'm not used to being kept waiting."

   I counted to ten in English, Spanish and German, considering whether to
answer him 'Old man, I couldn't care less what you're used to.' I decided
to be good.  I counted to ten in French, Russian and Afrikaans for good
measure.  "Tami!" I yelled.  She was standing by the beam, talking with
Miss Calloway.  I nodded my head, and she walked over.  "Could you watch
them?"

   She glanced at Cheyenne and her dad, then nodded.

   "Can I help you?" I asked pleasantly as I walked over, ignoring the fact
that Cheyenne hadn't started stretching like she'd been told.

   "I'm John Morris, Cheyenne's dad."

   "Nice to meet you," I said, offering my hand which he ignored.

   "Cheyenne tells me that you haven't been treating her very well."

   'I treat her as well as any brat' is what I wanted to say.  But I knew
if I wanted to coach, I had to get used to dealing with parents.  Might as
well start now.  "I'm sorry to hear that."

   "She said that yesterday you made her sit in the corner for the whole
practice."

   "Not a corner.  That stack of mats there." I pointed to some accordion
matts stacked in the center of a wall.  "And it was about ninety minutes,
not all practice."

   "You think this is a joke?" he asked.

   "Not really," I said, looking back at the girls as they finished
stretching and started toward their events.

   "I'm talking to you," he reminded me.

   "And I'm a little busy.  Can you come back after practice?"

   "Listen here, boy..."

   "No, you listen, old man." Okay, I'll practice dealing with parents next
week.  "I gave Cheyenne an instruction.  She didn't follow it.  She got sat
down.  Now I've got a team to coach.  If Cheyenne wants to participate,
she'll get her ass on the mat and start stretching.  If she doesn't, you're
both in the way."

   I turned my back on him and started walking toward the bars.

   * * *

   "Problem?" Miss Calloway asked a few minutes later.  Cheyenne and her
father had left.

   "It's what I do," I said with a grin.

   * * *

   It was twenty minutes later when Cheyenne and her dad came back with Mr.
Hallowell.

   "Tony, can I see you a minute?" he yelled.

   I sighed and held up one finger to him, then looked back at Kelly on the
beam.  "Go."

   She took a deep breath and did three back handsprings in row, finishing
with a big wobble.  "You're dropping your left shoulder as you step out of
the third one."

   She nodded.

   I walked over to Mr.  Hollowell offering him my hand as I got there.  He
shook it.  I didn't bother offering it to Mr.  Morris.  Miss Calloway came
over too, nodding to her principal.

   "Mr.  Morris says you were extremely rude to him," Mr.  Hollowell
started.

   "I probably was," I admitted.  "Mr.  Morris didn't understand, and
obviously still doesn't, that these girls only have two hours, and he isn't
more important than they are."

   "I didn't say that.  This kid..."

   "I asked him if we could talk after practice, but apparently he doesn't
care about any girl but Cheyenne."

   Morris turned red.  "That's not..."

   "Here at five-thirty," Hollowell interrupted.

   "Works for me," I said and went back to the beam.  From the corner of my
eye I could see Morris fuming.  Cheyenne walked onto the floor mat and did
a back handspring.  "Cheyenne!  Stretch first," I yelled.

   Morris's mouth opened, but Hollowell must have said something because it
closed and the two men walked away.

   * * *

   It was a good practice, though Cheyenne was ignoring me so hard that I
almost laughed a couple times.  Mr.  Hollowell and Morris came back about
five-fifteen and watched.  At five-twenty I started the girls on
conditioning, took a deep breath, and walked over.

   "What can I do for you?" I asked.

   "I thought you were all tied up until after practice," Morris said
sarcastically.

   "They're doing conditioning.  I told Kelly what I wanted.  She'll take
care of it."

   "Your pet, I understand," Morris said.

   "I like Kelly a lot," I said smiling.  "She lives in my trailer park. 
I've known her forever.  But she's running conditioning because the other
girls elected her captain."

   "Is that a problem?" Miss Calloway asked as she walked up.

   "No, but..." Morris hesitated.  "It seems like this kid runs practice
more than you do," he said finally.

   "It probably does.  It seemed like he ran his eighth grade baseball
team, too," Miss Calloway said with a grin at Mr.  Hollowell.  He winked at
her.  "At this point he knows more about it than I do.  He's been working
with Gary at the club over a year.  And he's a natural coach."

   I nodded my appreciation for the remark.

   "Is that what this is about?  That he takes charge?" she asked.

   "No, it's about him making Cheyenne sit out yesterday."

   "Why?" Miss Calloway asked me.

   "You didn't even know about it?" Morris said in astonishment.

   Miss Calloway looked at him coldly.  "Mr.  Morris, these are middle
school girls.  Twelve, thirteen, and fourteen.  Sometimes they need to be
punished.  Tony, Tami, even Stephy and I hand out laps, sit-ups, or
time-outs all the time.  We usually don't bother discussing it."

   "But he made her sit out the entire practice."

   "Why?" she asked, and I explained about the double back.  Miss Calloway
looked back at Morris.  "She's lucky.  I would have sent her home."

   Cheyenne, standing next to her dad, lost her color.

   "For the week," Miss Calloway added.

   "I just want to understand," Mr.  Hollowell said.  "Tony, if she's
almost got the trick, why not let her do it?"

   "Because she's ALMOST got it.  She's been working them at the club with
Gary or Justin spotting her.  I'm not that good.  I've spotted a few double
back working with Megan Cressey.  She's a level nine and can do them
whether I spot right or not.  Plus, the floor at the club is a lot better
than this one.  More spring on the takeoff and more give on the landing. 
She's got a lot of talent, but I didn't think it was safe." I noticed that
the girls had finished their stretching, but nobody left.  They all sat on
the mat, pretending not to listen.

   "I understand," Mr.  Hollowell said.

   "I just don't think high school kids as coaches is a good idea," Morris
said.

   "I don't think this team would have done nearly as well as they did last
year without Tony.  And it's getting big enough that I know I can't handle
it by myself this year," Miss Calloway said.

   "I don't think it's a good idea," Morris said as if that settled it.

   "If you fire my brother, I'll quit," Traci said.  "That'll make the team
smaller." She stood and came over and hugged me.

   "I'll quit too," Kelly said.

   "Me, too," Susie added, then every single one of the others chimed in,
too.

   "No ones getting fired," Mr.  Hollowell said, "And no ones quitting." He
pointed to the locker room, and the girls scampered away.  "Mr.  Morris, as
Miss Calloway reminded me, Tony coached the eighth grade baseball team when
he was only an eighth grader himself, mostly while I stood around and
watched.  He IS an outstanding natural coach.  As principal, I am very
happy that he has volunteered all this time to work with our girls

   "If you feel that high school students coaching other grades is a
problem, you can take it up with the school board, most of whom already
know Tony.  As for Cheyenne's punishment yesterday, it seems to me that
Tony let her off too easy, but her punishment is his problem, and if he's
satisfied, I am.  But safety is the most important thing here, and if she
tries something like that again, I'll drop her from the team myself.  I
will not allow any of these girls to disobey orders and turn herself into a
quadriplegic."

   Morris looked stunned.

   "Anything more?" Mr.  Hollowell asked.

   Morris shook his head.

   "Then we're done here."

   "Cheyenne," I said before she and her dad could leave.  She looked up.
"We need you.  On time tomorrow?"

   She looked surprised but nodded.

   "Keep working your double with Gary," I said with a smile.  "You've
almost got it.  The one you did yesterday was awesome."



   Chapter 17

   "TONY SIMS.  PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE."

   I looked at Tami, and she shrugged.  Robbie, on my other side, was no
better help.  Then I looked at Mrs.  Conners.  She was looking at me.

   "I have a topic," I said with a big smile.  "Resolved: Teenagers and
debate teachers are prone to auditory hallucinations, but should learn to
ignore them."

   Mrs.  Conners smiled but inclined her head to the door.

   I sighed, picked up my books, and left, wondering which of my past
indiscretions was coming back to haunt me now.  I was just passing my
locker when the final bell rang, and that meant speed round was starting.
And this semester Mrs.  Conners was getting tough.  Well, tougher.  She was
docking points for every "uh," "ah," or other unnecessary pause.

   I stepped into the office.  Melissa Bates, a senior I knew to say hi to,
was standing behind the counter, buffing her nails and reading a magazine.
Mr.  Reed was sitting on the extra desk, chatting with Mrs.  Hatcher.  I
walked up to the counter.  "Hi, folks."

   "Tony, you have a phone call," Mrs.  Hatcher said.  I raised an eyebrow.
"It's Mr.  Hollowell at the middle school." She pointed at the phone on her
desk.

   "Thank you," I said as I came around the counter.  Damn.  I guessed the
Morris business hadn't gone away.  The pickledick had probably gone to
Butz. I realized that I'd thought of Morris as pickledick and decided no
more cousins for me, either.  They were contagious.

   "Hi, this is Tony."

   "Tony, this is Mr.  Hollowell.  We have a problem."

   "Mr.  Morris," I sighed.

   "No, I haven't heard anything more from him and don't expect to."

   "Then..."

   "Traci got in a fight."

   "SHE DID WHAT?" I realized that six eyeballs were locked on me, but I
ignored them.

   "She got in a fight.  I've tried your house and your mom's and dad's
offices, but I can't reach them."

   "Mom's in Portland and Dad's in Olympia.  I've kind of got the duty
right now.  I'll be there in five."

   I hung up the phone and looked at Mr.  Reed.  "Traci's in trouble, and I
need to go over there.  She..."

   He smiled.  "Go."

   "I'll take care of signing you out," Mrs.  Hatcher said.

   I started around the counter.

   "Tony." I looked back at Mr.  Reed.  "Ever hear of the mother's curse?"

   Mother's curse?  Oh.  "May you have a kid just like you?"

   "That's the one," he said, smiling.

   I waited.  There had to be more.

   "Your mother's curse must be especially strong.  It's starting early."

   His damn smile had become a grin, so I stuck my tongue out at him and
stuck my thumbs in my ears and wiggled my fingers for good measure.

   * * *

   'It's been an interesting week,' I thought as I drove to the middle
school.  Monday, Cheyenne tries to give me heart attack doing a double by
herself.  Yesterday, Morris tries to get me fired from coaching.  And
today, little Traci gets in a fight.  Tomorrow was an away meet, and I
didn't even want to think what was going to happen there.

   * * *

   Mr.  Hollowell was in the office when I walked in.  He was talking to a
secretary I didn't know.  She was new this year, and if Traci had mentioned
her name, I'd forgotten it.  I nodded.  "Can I talk to Traci for a minute?"

   "She's in Mr.  Banks' room.  It's empty this period," Mr.  Hollowell
said with a nod.

   Mr.  Banks had the classroom next to the office.  I went in.  Traci was
sitting in a straight chair under the front whiteboard, looking miserable.
I walked to the front of the classroom, took a seat in Mr.  Banks' chair,
and looked at her.  She looked back for a few seconds, then felt the need
to inspect her shoelaces.

   "Want to tell me about it?"

   "No."

   I watched her for a minute as she checked out her shoes, then the door,
then the window where a light rain was beating.  "Okay," I said, stood, and
pushed Mr.  Banks' chair back under his desk.

   "Tony?" she said quietly when I was halfway to the door.

   I turned and looked at her.

   "Are you mad?"

   "Should I be?"

   She stood up, then changed her mind and sat back down.  She was looking
towards me, but not at me.  "It's just...  Well, Mom left you in charge,
then I go and..."

   "Trace, one fight in thirteen years doesn't exactly make you a
gangbanger."

   "It's...  uh...  kinda not the first."

   "It isn't?"

   "I kinda got in a brawl with Torrie Wachman in the sixth grade and got
suspended for three days."

   "You did?" Where was I?

   "And Beth Middleston in fourth.  I asked Mom not to tell you, and we
kept it a secret."

   "A good secret." My sister the gangbanger.

   "Are you mad?"

   "Do you want to tell me about it?"

   "Later."

   "Okay.  Before I try to talk Mr.  Hollowell out of suspending you for a
week, is there anything else I should know?  Smoking?  Cheating scandals?
Gun running?"

   Traci shook her head.

   I smiled.  "I'm not mad.  But I wish Dad hadn't told me last week that
I'm not as good as Sergeant Bilko."

   "Huh?"

   * * *

   "Have you got one of those big paddle boards with the round holes in it?
Mom and Dad put me in charge of her.  I can authorize a public spanking. 
We'll call an assembly before school gets over."

   Mr.  Hollowell smiled.  "Tony, stop trying to play me.  And for the
record, I took psych in college and know all about reverse psychology."

   I grinned.  "Force of habit."

   "When does your mother come back?  I'll need to talk to her.  And Traci
will be suspended for a week."

   "Dad comes back Friday evening.  Mom thinks she'll be here Saturday
afternoon.  But you don't need to talk to her, she left me in charge.  I'll
handle it."

   "She may have left you in charge, but I doubt she expected anything like
this."

   "Trace has been in three fights in eight years of school.  Mom handled
the first two.  Maybe I can do a better job."

   Mr.  Hollowell looked surprised.  "I really have to..."

   "You have to speak to a student's parent or guardian.  Mom put me in
charge.  That makes me the loco parent."

   "It's called in loco parentis.  It..." Mr.  Hollowell saw my grin and
stopped.  "Tony, this is serious."

   "And Traci WILL know that.  I promise."

   "Are you just trying to keep her out of trouble with your parents?"

   "That and a little blackmail.  You never know when you'll need some
leverage with a little sister." Mr.  Hollowell opened his mouth, but I held
my hand up.  "Sir, I don't like fighting.  That's why I always tried to
avoid them and almost always succeeded.  I guess Trace's had two other
fights.  I don't know the details, but Mom dealt with them, and it didn't
stick.  I can come at her from two angles.  I'm in charge, and she knows
and accepts that.  But I'm also a peer.  I'm just a few years older."

   Mr.  Hollowell nodded.

   "And trust me, she won't enjoy her one-day suspension."

   "I said a week."

   "Did you?  I must have misheard.  I figured one day was enough to get
the message across, and since she's been a good student the last couple
years..."

   Mr.  Hollowell sighed.

   "Did Traci start it?"

   "Uh...  I got different stories from the witnesses.  Jaime says Traci
started it, and Traci declined to comment." I didn't remember Traci
mentioning a girl named Jaime she was having trouble with.

   "If you need to know, I can get Traci to tell me, but otherwise we can
call it mutual combat and let it go with a pair of one-day suspensions."

   Mr.  Hollowell sighed again.  "Planning on law school?"

   "Hell no.  I hate to argue."

   "I'm not sure that Jaime's parents will be happy about Traci only
getting a one day suspension.  He lost..."

   "He?  Jaime's a guy?"

   Mr.  Hollowell nodded.  "You didn't know?"

   "Nobody said."

   "Anyway, Jaime lost at least one tooth.  His mom has him at the dentist
now.  They may think Traci deserves more than one day."

   "That would mean Jaime gets more than one day too, since we don't know
who started the fight.  You could remind them of that.  AND remind them
that no matter who started it, it takes two to make a fight."

   Mr.  Hollowell smiled.  "I don't think that's what you said when you had
yours."

   "I think I said that Peter threw the first punch.  The first three
punches.  I don't think I ever said that I didn't start it."

   Both Mr.  Hollowell's eyebrows shot up.  "You might also point out that
since Traci will be suspended tomorrow she'll be missing a meet, and that
will punish her a lot."

   Mr.  Hollowell nodded.  "Okay, for the moment we'll call her suspension
one day.  I'll be talking to Jaime's parents after school.  If that changes
anything, I'll let you know."

   "Fair enough," I agreed.  "I'm guessing that her suspension has already
started?" He nodded.  "Is it okay with you if she goes to practice
tonight..." Mr.  Hollowell started to protest but I held my hand up.  "Goes
to practice tonight, but does not participate, and that includes talking to
the team.  It would be easier on me and harder on her than sitting at
home."

   Mr.  Hollowell thought for a moment, then nodded.  "We're agreed?"

   I nodded.  "You're the boss."

   Mr.  Hollowell gently shook his head.  "Sometimes, I think we both
wonder about that."

   * * *

   The end-of-day bell was ringing as I collected Traci.  We hustled to the
gym.  Miss Calloway was already there, sitting on the same stack of mats
I'd put Cheyenne on and working on her grade book.

   "Tony, you're early," she said as we walked up.

   "I had something to do.  Now, I've got to run back and pick up Tami and
Stephy."

   "Okay."

   "Traci will not be participating today, but she will be watching
silently.  Can you keep an eye on her while I run to the high school.

   Miss Calloway looked surprised.  I guessed she hadn't heard about the
fight yet, but she nodded.

   I pointed, and Traci sat down next to her.  I put my hands on Traci's
shoulders and looked straight at her.  "I am not mad.  But you are being
punished.  Today you will sit here and not say a word.  If you need to go
to the bathroom or anything, you'll raise your hand just like in class. 
When Tami or I or Miss Calloway see you, you may come over and ask.  Do we
understand each other?"

   Traci looked like an embarrassed five-year-old, but she nodded, then I
sprinted for my car.

   * * *

   We got back just as the girls finished stretching.  Kelly and Suzie
headed for Traci.

   "Ladies!" I yelled.  They all hurried over.  "Some of you may know why,
the rest will hear, but Traci is an untouchable today."

   "You, like, mean chasing bad guys with tommy guns?" Suzie asked.

   "No, I, like, mean the lowest class of person in India.  Untouchables
are ignored.  They are not seen, they are not talked to.  Bad things happen
to girls who don't ignore untouchables."

   "Traci's my friend," Kelly protested.

   "Traci's still your friend.  That's an untouchable.  Traci will be back
on Friday.  Now!  Vaulters line up, everybody else stations," I ordered.  I
think it was the first time I realized that Morris had been right.  I did
run the practices, and Miss Calloway let me.

   * * *

   About halfway through practice I saw Kelly sneak over to Traci.  I
watched for a minute.  I could see Kelly's mouth moving, but Traci's stayed
shut.  "Kelly, two laps!" I yelled.  "Then beam."

   * * *

   "Tony, can I talk to you?" Cheyenne asked as practice finished.

   "Sure.  Tami, would you escort the untouchable to the car?" Tami nodded.
"Remember, that no talking thing goes for coaches too." Tami started to
stick her tongue out, changed her mind, stuck her nose in the air, and
walked out with my sister.  I grinned at their backs.

   "What can I do for you Miss Wyoming?" I said turning back to Cheyenne.
The others had all left.

   "Miss Wyoming?"

   "Aren't you the capital?"

   Cheyenne looked disgusted.

   "Sorry, you probably get things like that too much."

   "Yeah."

   "Your tumbling looked real clean today." She hadn't thrown her double,
but she'd tried just about everything else in the book.  "What would you
like?"

   "Uh...  yesterday I had team at the club after practice here."

   I nodded.

   "Daddy talked to Gary about everything that happened.  The double and
everything."

   "Yeah?"

   "Gary exploded.  He kicked me out of the gym and said he wasn't sure
he'd wanted me back."

   I nodded again.  "Gary runs a good program.  He's big on safety.  I
don't think he's ever had a big injury in the club.  He doesn't want you to
be the first."

   Now Cheyenne nodded.  "He went ballistic on my dad, saying the only
thing you did wrong was not get tough enough on me.  He said a lot of the
same things about safety and injuries."

   I grinned.  "Gary's got a thing about safety, but he's also got a thing
about parents second guessing coaches.  You know, when you did your double
Monday, it was awesome.  You had good height and good rotation, and just
barely over-rotated your landing which made you sit out, and a lot of level
nines and tens who've been doing them for a while do that too.  But when I
looked over and saw you in the air, you scared the hell out of me.  'Cause
if you seriously over- or under-rotated you could have snapped your pretty
little neck."

   "Gary said that too.  I'm sorry."

   "I'll call Gary tonight.  He'll take you back."

   "Why?"

   "Why what?"

   "Why would you call him for me."

   I hesitated, deciding just how blunt I wanted to be.  "Cheyenne, I
really don't like you." Her face clouded.  "You are a major brat who's a
lot more concerned about yourself than anyone around you." I saw a tear
form in the corner of her eye then streak down her cheek.

   "But I think, I hope, you'll outgrow that.  I also think you're very
talented, and I want to see you push yourself as far as you can go."

   She nodded slightly.

   "As long as you push yourself the right way.  Deal?"

   She nodded again.

   "Go home and get some sleep.  You're all-arounding tomorrow, and I want
you rested.

   She nodded, turned, and fled to the locker room as I wondered if I was
going to hear from her dad about that little speech.

   * * *

   I drove home, sent Traci in the house to start homework, and walked Tami
and Kelly home.  The rain had stopped.  "Kelly, Traci's untouchable until
seven Friday morning," I said when we'd stopped in front of Tami's house.
"I hope you won't disappoint me again."

   "But..."

   "Kelly," I said warningly.

   "You used to be a lot more fun," she muttered as she nodded and walked
to her house.

   "It's okay, I still think you're fun," Tami whispered then kissed me.

   "Tonight, I think you're in the minority."

   * * *

   Traci was at the dining room table doing homework when I walked in.  I
ignored her and went to the kitchen to figure out dinner.  I thought about
having a steak while giving Traci bread and water, but decided that might
be pushing the point.  Finally I decided on some shrimp scampi over pasta.
I got everything working, then went out and sat across the table from
Traci.

   She looked up.  "You're really not mad?"

   I shrugged.  "Things happen.  Want to tell me what happened?"

   Traci looked hesitant.

   "Before you answer that, I've already decided on punishment.  If you
don't want to answer, it won't make a difference."

   "It just happened."

   "Okay.  First of all, Mr.  Hollowell is suspending you for one day."

   "Only one?" Traci said in surprise.  "It's supposed to be at least three
days for fighting.  Usually a week."

   "Well," I said, buffing my fingernails on my chest.  "I have some
Polaroids of Mr.  Hollowell and Mrs.  Kreiger at the teachers' Christmas
party last year..."

   "Tony!"

   "No, he and I bargained.  We decided that a one day vacation is all you
get."

   Traci looked relieved.

   "It's not going to be a fun day."

   Traci nodded.  "I know.  You're going to tell Mom?" she asked in a
little girl voice.

   "Do you think I should?"

   She sighed.  "I guess you have to."

   "I don't have to do anything.  Do you think I should?"

   Traci hesitated then nodded resignedly.  "I promised I wouldn't get in
any more fights after Torrie Wachman in the sixth grade."

   "I guess your promise wasn't worth much."

   "But Jaime...  I guess it wasn't.  She'll be so disappointed in me."

   "I'm not going to say anything to Mom or Dad.  And unless you have more
trouble at school, I don't think Mr.  Hollowell will."

   "He won't?"

   I nodded.  "Ready to hear about tomorrow?

   "No...  I...  Jaime is such a..."

   "Go ahead, say it," I encouraged.

   "A pickledick."

   I smiled.

   "He just...  nobody likes him, he's just annoying."

   I nodded again.  "I've known a few guys like that."

   "He's always asking girls out.  Almost no one ever goes with him.  He's
asked me a few times." Traci made a face, and I wished I had a camera with
me to capture it.  "I was hanging with Kelly before sixth period and he
came over.  She just broke up with Mike Hayward...?"

   She waited and I nodded, though I hadn't known Kelly was going with the
eighth grade quarterback, let alone had broken up with him.

   "He asked her to the dance at the Elks on Saturday, and I made some kind
of joke, I don't even remember what it was.  He got mad and started saying
some things.  Mostly about the team and how we'd never won a single meet."

   "In his defense, we haven't."

   "I know, but I didn't need that son-of-a-bitch rubbing it in my face. 
Anyway, Kelly and I kind of ignored him.  Then he started on Peter.  So, I
said I'd heard that he and Billy Lorenski, his best friend, had been
getting pretty friendly in the showers after P.E.  He slapped me, and I
decked him."

   "You know, there's really no excuse for fighting.  Unless he was talking
about me of course."

   Traci smiled weakly.

   "But that comes close.  Of course, if you hadn't decked him, knocking
out a tooth, I heard, he'd probably be suspended for a week right now,
instead of a day like you."

   "He's only suspended for a day?  That's not fair."

   "Life's not fair.  Besides, you didn't bother to tell me or Mr. 
Hollowell the story, and I guess the witnesses couldn't decide who started
it."

   "Oh."

   "I understand why it happened, and I don't blame you much, but fighting
in school isn't good."

   "I know."

   "Tonight, you'll be working on homework all night.  If you run out of
assignments, work ahead." Traci nodded.  "Tomorrow, you'll spend ALL day
working around the house and doing homework.  Even when I go to the meet."

   "The meet!  I forgot about the meet."

   "You might as well keep forgetting about it."

   "Can I go and watch?"

   "No." I felt bad about that, but Mr.  Hollowell had been real flexible,
and I didn't want to take advantage.  Not more advantage.

   "Okay."

   "Friday, you start with a clean slate."

   "Okay."

   "It could be a lot worse.  And if it happens again, it will be," I
threatened.

   "You're not a bad brother."

   "And if I had a brother, I'd want him to have a right hook just like
yours."

   Traci grinned, then went back to her homework.

   * * *

   The clock said three minutes after nine.  I looked over her shoulder as
Traci finished a page of problems from her math book.  "Okay, put it away,"
I said.  I glanced at the sink full of dishes and felt a little guilty, but
the dishes were only one of Traci's chores for tomorrow.

   "I'm going to take a walk with Tami, then it's bedtime." Traci nodded
without enthusiasm.  "Tami and I will probably take thirty minutes." Traci
looked up at me and nodded again.  "You and Peter can have ten."

   "We can?"

   I nodded, trying to suppress a smile.  I remembered when I been grounded
and Mom let me have a few minutes with Tami each night.  I'd decided when I
saw Traci ignore Kelly in the gym.  "If you want to follow Tam and me like
usual, okay.  If you want to go your own way, that's fine too."

   Traci grinned.  "Tomorrow?"

   "We'll see tomorrow."

   We grabbed jackets, and Traci skipped out of the house.  She didn't look
like someone getting punished.

   * * *

   The next day wasn't a lot of fun.  For either of us.  I took the day
from school and supervised as Traci cleaned the house.  In her and our
parent's bedrooms, I had her take everything out and move furniture, then
shampoo the carpets with a cleaner I rented at Safeway.  In the bathrooms,
she was on her hands and knees scrubbing grout with a toothbrush. 
Yesterday, I wasn't a bad brother.  I didn't think I'd ask her today.

   Her breaks were homework.  Since she'd finished all her assignments
yesterday, mostly I drilled her on her books.

   Just before two, Robbie showed up.

   "What's she doing here?" Traci asked from the chair she was standing on,
dusting the top of the glass-fronted curio cabinet Mom had in the living
room.

   "She's your babysitter."

   "I don't need a..." Traci stopped when I gave her a look.

   "Here's a list of chores." I handed Robbie the list I'd typed up
earlier. "After an hour-and-a-half of cleaning, she gets a half-an-hour
break for homework.  She finished everything that was assigned, so she can
read ahead, or you can drill on what she's already done.  Zero fun."

   Robbie nodded.  "Aye, aye Captain Bligh."

   "That's Admiral Bligh.  I was promoted," I said with a grin, then
escaped to my car before Robbie could come up with a comeback.  I had to
get to the high school and pick up Tami and Stephy, then meet the team to
get on the bus.

   * * *

   "LADIES!" I yelled after Tami, Stephy, Miss Calloway, and the driver had
gotten off.  The bus got quiet.  All the girls were sitting straight in
their seats, waiting.

   "Ya won one.  What more is there to say?"

   Cheyenne raised her hand, and I nodded to her.  "We could say we wish
Traci were here."

   I don't think the surprise showed on my face.  Maybe she was going to
try.  "And we do.  Go stuff yourselves."

   Kelly jumped up, hugged me, and raced for the door.  Then Suzie hugged
me and followed her.  One by one, all the girls gave me a hug until only
Cheyenne was left.  "I do wish she were here," Cheyenne said as she stood
up.

   "Then maybe I was wrong."

   "Maybe you weren't.  Gary called me last night.  I can come back to
practice tomorrow."

   "Good."

   Cheyenne looked at me as if trying to figure me out.  Then she grabbed
me in a quick hug and vanished out the bus door.

   Win one little meet and they get all emotional on you.

   * * *



   "How'd it go?"

   Robbie was reading in Dad's chair when I got home just before eleven.

   Robbie closed her book.  "Fine.  She's asleep.  She finished your list.
How'd the team do?"

   "We finally won one.  So how many games of cribbage did you play?"

   Robbie turned red.  "Just a couple.  For her arithmetic skills."

   "Un huh."

   "See if I babysit for you again," she said indignantly.

   "How many did she win?"

   Robbie looked away.  "Three out of five."

   "As long as she didn't have fun beating you."

   "God, I hate you sometimes."

   "Tami says that a lot.  Maybe you two should compare notes.  Did Traci
get her walk with Peter?"

   "She did.  You're not Captain Bligh, you're the captain of the Good Ship
Lollipop."

   "Nah.  I would have slapped that Shirley Temple brat clean off the
boat."

   Robbie shook her head, kissed me, and left.

   Traci had told me she only had one class with Jaime.  Second period. 
I'd told her that at the beginning of class she'd ask the teacher, then
stand in front of the class and apologize to Jaime for knocking him on his
butt and knocking a tooth out.  In those words.  Traci would be
embarrassed, and that was part of her punishment, but I'd bet my college
fund that Jaime would be more embarrassed.

   'All in all, a not unsuccessful suspension,' I decided as I headed for
bed.



   Chapter 18

   Mom got home Saturday afternoon and immediately collapsed in Dad's
chair.

   "Long day?" Dad asked.

   "Long four days.  Sometimes I'm sorry I took that promotion."

   "Tell you what...  Dad, if you'll make a store run for me, I'll cook a
dinner to revive any tired mother."

   "Deal," Mom said before Dad could have an opinion.

   I wrote out a quick shopping list.  "Why don't you take the brat.  She
needs to get out."

   Dad hesitated.

   "Maybe you could buy her an ice cream, do some of that father-daughter
bonding stuff."

   The look Dad gave me was not entirely trusting.

   "Mom, I've got something I think you'll appreciate," I said after Dad
and Trace had left.  I went to my room and got Bill O'Reilly's new book.  I
brought it out and handed it to her.

   "It's book marked," I said as I retreated to the kitchen to start
preparations.  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Tami.  "I"m
doing the gourmet thing for Mom.  She just got home and she's tired.  Want
to join us?  Your mom too."

   Tami laughed.  "Your idea of gourmet is a steak cooked medium rare."

   "And your point?"

   Tami laughed again.  "I'll ask and call you back."

   I went back into the living room.  Mom was staring at the pink paper I'd
used as a bookmark.

   "Oops.  You're not supposed to see that." I said, snatching it out of
her hand and stuffing it in my pocket.

   "Tony!"

   "No comment."

   "Tony!" she said again.  I stood mute.  "Your sister got in a fight and
got suspended?"

   "No comment."

   Mom stared at me, and it wasn't pleasant.  "But she only got suspended
for one day?

   "No comment."

   "You talked to Mr.  Hollowell?"

   "No comment."

   "Somehow you talked Mr.  Hollowell into one day instead of three or
four. The living rooms spotless.  Traci did this?"

   "No comment."

   Mom kept putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle.  "One day, so
the other girl is okay."

   I figured that needed some clarification.  "Oh, boy!  I can't wait for
dinner."

   "A boy!  Traci got in a fight with a boy?"

   "No comment."

   "He's okay?"

   "I heard the only injuries at Trace's school Wednesday were a loose
tooth and some manly pride."

   Mom nodded.  "And you promised you wouldn't tell?"

   "No comment."

   "And just happened to leave her suspension form in your book?"

   "It was handy."

   "You are a sneaky so-and-so," Mom said after she'd stared at me for two
minutes.

   I grinned.  "No comment."

   "You obviously think Traci's been punished and I should ignore this."

   I started to say 'No comment,' but Mom raised her index finger in my
direction and I took the hint.

   "Is she going to tell me about this?"

   "She's a good kid." Which I hope Mom translated as fifty-fifty.

   Mom picked up the book in her lap and started reading.  "This dinner
better be damned good," she said threateningly.

   "No comment," I said as I retreated to the kitchen.

   My life is complicated, but sometimes it works.

   * * *

   I was sitting in Dad's chair, exhausted.  Mentally exhausted.  There was
a Scooby-Doo cartoon on the screen in front of me, and that was too much to
concentrate on.  Robbie, Tami and I had been debating welfare.

   It started at Robbie's house.  We'd been playing three-handed pinochle
with Fox News on the television in the background.  A nice easy Sunday
after dealing with Traci's suspension and everything else.

   There was a story on about a single welfare mother with five kids who
won twelve million dollars in the lottery.

   "It's nice that she won that money," Tami said.

   "It's a waste," Robbie commented.  "She'll probably blow it in a couple
years and be back on welfare."

   "Twelve million dollars?" Tami asked in surprise."

   "Twelve million dollars," Robbie agreed.  "She should at least have to
pay back all the welfare she's gotten."

   My first mistake was having an opinion.  My second was talking.  "What's
really wrong is a welfare mother with five kids.  If she's on welfare and
has a baby, the state should offer to have her tubes tied.  If she has a
second, they should throw her off welfare and let her starve."

   "Tony!" both girls said together.

   "Who are you, Adolf Hitler?" Robbie said.  "Forced sterilization."

   "First of all, I wouldn't force anybody.  But if someone can't even take
care of herself, she has no business bringing a baby into the world.  But
accidents happen.  After the first 'accident' I would give them the option
of having their tubes tied and I'd make sure they understood the
consequences if they didn't.  Second accident, and they're on their own."

   "I can't believe you'd be so heartless," Tami said.  "A little baby..."

   "I said the mother would be in the street.  The kids would be taken care
of.  Orphanages may not be wonderful, but I think in some cases the kids
would be better off."

   "Tony!"

   "I notice you put it all on the woman," Robbie said dryly.

   "Not at all.  But the woman is easier to identify.  If you can track the
father, the same deal should apply.  First baby, vasectomy.  Second baby,
off the welfare roles.  And as long as I'm being heartless, I'd grab the
dough too.  If a welfare recipient wins the lottery, the welfare department
should grab it all, because they had no business playing it in the first
place.

   It went downhill from there.  Debating Robbie is never easy.  Say the
right thing the wrong way and she'd pounce.  And Tami was no slouch either.
I think I held my own, but if we'd had a judge, I'm not sure which side got
the win.

   Now I tried to concentrate on a cartoon mutt.  Tami had gone to dinner
with her mother and the family of one of her mother's friends.  Robbie was
at her house probably planning to take over the world and Mom and Dad were
having dinner at the Holiday Inn with some of Mom's coworkers.  Traci was
in the back with Peter.

   Maybe I could just zone out for a couple hours, then go to bed and this
week would be over.

   "You did WHAT with Robbie!" Peter's voice brought me back.  There was a
different cartoon on the screen, one I didn't recognize.  I looked at my
watch.  I'd been sitting here an hour.  I listened, and the back of the
trailer had gone quiet again.

   I guessed that Traci had decided that tonight was the night for honesty,
and that included her experiments with Robbie.

   I decided that the cartoon on the screen was stupid but didn't have the
motivation to reach for the remote six inches from my hand.

   "KELLY!  My sister?" Peter's voice startled me again.

   Traci and Kelly?  I'd never suspected.  I managed to stand and walked
through the kitchen to the utility room that connected to the main hallway.
I listened but couldn't hear any more from the back bedroom.  Peter was a
smart kid.  He'd realize that Traci had just been experimenting and that
she and he were meant...

   "Your BROTHER!"

   Oh, fuck.  I couldn't believe she'd told him about that.  Hell, I hadn't
even thought of it when she was talking about honesty.

   "Your own brother!" Peter wailed.  "You, you..." Then Traci's door
slammed open and Peter raced down the hallway.

   "Peter are you okay?" I asked stepping out of the utility room.

   "YOUR OWN SISTER!" he screamed and his fist slammed into my stomach.  eI
stumbled backwards and caught myself against the washing machine.

   The front door slammed.

   I straightened up and took a deep breath.  Peter was no fighter,
certainly no Monster Girl.  I walked down the hallway to Traci's room.  She
was sitting on her bed, tears freely streaming down her cheeks.  "Are you
okay?"

   She looked up at me.  "No." She wiped some tears away, to little effect.
"So much for honesty."

   I walked over and sat down beside her.  "It sounded like you told him
everything."

   "Oh, Tony!" She buried her face against my shoulder.

   "It's okay.  He'll come back.  It may take awhile, but..."

   "I don't think so," she said, her voice partially muffled.  "I told him
about Gary.  He was the first one, the one on the road trip.  Peter wasn't
mad, he said it was okay.  I told him about the others, and he was cool."

   I wondered just how many others, then decided that I didn't want or need
to know.

   Traci looked up at me.  The tears had stopped flowing but her face was
red and puffy.  "I told him about Robbie, and he freaked a little, but then
calmed down."

   I smiled and nodded.  She knew I knew about Robbie.  I think she also
knew that I tried hard not to think about it.

   "I told him about Kelly, and that bothered him.  Mostly 'cause Kelly's
his little sister."

   "I hadn't known about Kelly."

   Traci blushed.  It was hard to tell with her already red face, but I
could.

   "We just...  just fooled around a little."

   I nodded.  "Then you told him about us?"

   "There was no us.  It was me.  You didn't want to.  But Peter freaked.
You heard him."

   "I did." I decided that I didn't need to mention he sucker punched me on
the way out.

   "What am I going to do?"

   I put my arm around her and hugged her tight.  "You're going to take a
hot bath and go to bed.  In the morning, everything will be better or it
won't.  You're just going to have to take it one day at a time."

   "Maybe I shouldn't have told him," Traci said, reaching up and wiping
the remaining tears away.

   "Maybe you shouldn't," I agreed.

   "Life is complicated," she sighed.

   I've only hit my sister once.  But when she said those three words I'd
used so often I wanted to slap her silly.



   Chapter 19

   "Okay, Trace, you're up."

   Traci frowned but stood up.  "I don't know why you signed me up for
this. I've been vaulting like shit."

   That was the truth.  Since her fight with Peter almost a month ago, she
hadn't been worth much of anything, in gymnastics or school.  I'd told Mom
about the fight with Peter, though not what it was about, and convinced her
to give Traci some space to work it out.

   Now I was ignoring my own advice.

   I ignored her comment, smiled at her, then walked up to the vaulting
table and announced her vault to the judges.

   Traci's run reminded me of a bull moose after a twelve-pack of beer. 
Not that I've ever seen a bull moose after a twelve-pack of beer.  She hit
the board, flew in the air, and somehow managed to get upside down.  Then
instead of hitting the vaulting table and popping up to finish her vault,
she kind of landed on it and fell off, though she did finish on her feet.

   "I told you," she said after she'd saluted the judges.

   "No, I'm going to tell you.  This is our last meet.  The district
championship, and a lot of our girls want to finish better than fifth like
we did last year.  I signed you up for this event because you're a damn
good vaulter.  But if you'd rather mope about Peter than help your team,
you might as well go sit down.

   "I know what you felt for Peter.  And I know what's going on now is
hurting, but ditching the rest of your life is not an option.  You can go
talk to him and see if you can make it better, or you can forget about him,
but this feeling sorry for yourself is done.  Now get out of my face, and
go sit down.  I'll tell the judges you're scratching." Traci glared at me,
but I turned my back on her.

   When I turned back, Traci was at the end of the runway looking
determined.  I didn't smile no matter how much I wanted to.  I signaled
Traci to throw her new vault, then told the judges.

   This time Traci's run still reminded me of a bull moose, but a bull
moose that wasn't going to get stopped by anything short of a bigger bull
moose.  Traci did a roundoff onto the springboard and exploded into the
air. She landed on her hands on the table, exploded again and twisted a
complete rotation before her perfect landing.  Now I smiled.

   "Bastard," she said between clenched teeth after saluting the judges. 
"I never want to talk to you again.

   I nodded, though she'd already turned her back to walk away.  She
disappeared into a small mob of girls full of congratulations, hugs and
kisses.  I could live with not talking to Traci as long as she rejoined the
rest of the world.

   "How come you're not in the middle of that?" I asked Kelly as she stood
off the side and stretched her wrists and neck.

   "I need to focus on my vault."

   "Okaaaayyyyy."

   Kelly gave me a dirty look, then glanced at the judges table where they
were just putting up a nine point six five for Traci's vault.  Her best
ever.

   She glanced at my sister, who hadn't noticed yet.  A smile snuck onto
her face, then quickly disappeared.

   'Now what?' I wondered as Suzie got ready to vault

   * * *

   It had been a rough month.  Not even my birthday last week could cheer
it up.  Of course, seventeen is kind of a blah year.  I mean, turn fifteen
and you get your learner's permit.  Sixteen and you get your license. 
Eighteen and you can vote.  But seventeen is just kind of there.

   Mostly, Traci sat in her room and listened to music.  Kelly was around
the first week, but after that it was Ann, and she hadn't changed much.

   I tried to talk to Traci a couple of times, but no luck.

   I was kind of surprised that it kept going on.  I could understand Peter
getting upset.  I mean, it was a lot to handle all at once.  Especially the
part about Traci and me.  Hell, I still don't handle that part very well.
But he and Trace seemed so natural together that I thought he would get
over it.

   Of course, Tami and I were pretty natural together, and our fights
always lasted way too long.

   * * *

   "Traci, awesome vault.  I saw your score," I said as I rejoined the team
after vault was over.  I have never been so thoroughly ignored in my life.

   "You were a little rough on her," Cheyenne said quietly.

   I bit my tongue to stifle the first response that came to mind. 
"Cheyenne, I really appreciate that you're trying to be more about the
team, but trust me, this is one you don't want to get in the middle of."

   Cheyenne looked like she had to reject her first thought too.  "Okay."

   * * *

   "Cheyenne!"

   She looked startled.  We were just getting ready for our one-touch on
floor.  In long meets, like districts, they give the next four or five
gymnasts in a rotation a one-touch warm-up just before they competed.  On
vault, bars, and beam, that meant exactly like it sounded.  The gymnast got
to touch the apparatus one time.  That's one vault or one sequence of three
or four moves on beam and bars.  On floor, three or four tumbling passes.

   "Coach?" she said tentatively as she walked over.

   "You feeling your double?"

   Her face lit up.  "You mean it?"

   "Gary said if you were having a good day, you could throw it.  You want
to do it today or save it for the club meet next week?"

   "Are you kidding?"

   I took that as a yes.  "Okay, we're going to throw it on your first
tumbling pass when you've got lots of energy."

   The judge signaled we could start one-touch.

   "Right now, I want your second pass first, then your third pass, then
we'll try two doubles and decide from there."

   Cheyenne nodded and ran to the corner to wait her turn.

   Cheyenne's second tumbling pass was a front handspring into a front
flip, walking out into a roundoff Shusanova.  A Shusanova is where she
rebounds out of the roundoff, does a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree straddle
jump, but lands with her whole body flat on the ground.  "Too much knees,"
I said when she finished.

   Her third tumbling pass was her easiest.  For her anyway.  A
double-twisting back flip.

   "Good height, but you over-rotated a little."

   Cheyenne nodded, probably having already figured that out.

   "You ready for this?"

   She nodded again.

   As Kelly finished her third pass, I walked out onto the floor, then
nodded to Cheyenne.  She nodded back, looked down at the floor for a
second, then exploded in her run.  Roundoff, back handspring, then punch
into the air.  I was there when she punched, but saw she didn't need any
extra power.  Cheyenne pulled her knees up sharply and started her
rotation, one, she was looking good, two, I was set up under her, saw her
open up and knew she had it.  I backed off.

   "I nailed it," Cheyenne said with a huge grin as she ran to the corner
to wait her last practice pass.

   "You did," I agreed.  "Do it like that in the meet and the judges may
have to figure out what comes after ten."

   Impossibly, Cheyenne's grin got bigger.

   "You want me out there?"

   I could see the word no on her lips, but she hesitated.  "Am I safe
without you?"

   I smiled.  "Cheyenne, no trick questions.  If you're confident, I'm
confident."

   Cheyenne looked out at the floor.  "I'm good."

   I nodded and moved over next to Tami.  Cheyenne's second double was even
better than her first.

   * * *

   I hugged Kelly as she ran off the floor.  It was probably her best floor
routine this year.  In fact, everyone seemed to have peaked tonight. 
Cheyenne got the signal to start from the judge and walked out to the
middle of the floor and took her starting pose.

   Tami, over on side, saw she was ready and started her music.  Cheyenne
started her routine on the third measure, dancing her way to the far
corner. The music changed, Cheyenne glanced at me, then burst into her
first tumbling pass.  After her back handspring she exploded upward into
what looked to me to be a textbook double.  She landed, grinned, then
danced away.

   When she finished her routine just over a minute later she saluted the
judges, then tackled me in a hug.  "How are your grades?" I asked when I
got my breath back.

   "My grades?"

   "IF you flunk, we can do this again next year."

   * * *

   We gathered our stuff and moved off to the side of the gym.  There was
still one school to go on floor and several competitors on beam and bars.
Vault looked like it was done.

   "Looks like you've got a new favorite," Kelly said with more than a
touch of spite as she shouldered her gym bag.

   "Not hardly.  You're still my favorite munchkin.  When you talk to me at
least.  You haven't been by the house in a couple weeks."

   "I...  I've been busy with other friends and stuff."

   "Un huh.  At least Cheyenne doesn't lie to me." I walked past her to the
rest of the team.

   * * *

   "Ladies!" I yelled.  The girls all sat up straighter in their seats. 
From the corner of my eye, I saw that Tami, Stephy, and Miss Calloway
hadn't gone into the pizza place like usual but were hanging just outside
the bus.  "You are making my job almost impossible."

   They were quiet, waiting.

   "We have one little tradition.  After a meet, I yell at ya." I noticed a
couple of parents had joined the coaches outside the door.  "But I have
nothing to yell about."

   "We came in third," Suzie suggested.

   "Nah, I can't yell about that 'cause it's two places better than last
year.  And we have girls in all four event finals tomorrow.  Besides--I
think, I'll check the stats to be sure--but I think that every girl on this
bus had at least one season best score, and for most of you, it was a
personal best too.

   "Seriously, I couldn't be prouder if I'd invented you.  Just remember
when anyone asks, I was your coach.  Miss Calloway, Tami, and Stephy just
sat around, ate bon bons and buffed their nails."

   "I heard that!" Stephy's voice came from outside.

   "What about next year?" Suzie asked.

   "Next year?  Unless your grades are worse than I've heard, there is no
next year."

   "What about high school gymnastics?"

   "That's not up to me.  If you want a team in high school next year, you
need to get your parents off the sofa and to the school board meetings. 
They need to petition the board."

   "Will you coach us if we get a team?" Cheyenne asked.

   "I'd hate to desert the middle school, but we'll worry about it when you
talk the board into it.  Besides, whoever coaches the team may not even
want me."

   "They'd better," Suzie chimed in.

   I grinned and shrugged.  "Go eat too much pizza!" I yelled.

   Suzie was the first one into the aisle, and she hugged me.  Cheyenne was
second with my hug.  Traci was the third one into the aisle, but she just
pushed past me.  One by one, all the girls gave me a hug until only Kelly
was left, still sitting in her seat.

   "Can I talk to you?"

   "Anytime and anywhere," I said swinging into the seat in front of her.

   Kelly hesitated.  "Do you know what she did?" she blurted finally.

   "I assume we're talking about Traci.  No idea.  Is this about her and
Peter?"

   "No.  Well, not really."

   I waited.  I'd learned my lesson last year.  With Kelly I had to wait
until she was ready to talk.

   "I guess it started there."

   "Okay."

   "When they had their fight, or broke up, or whatever they did, I decided
that I wasn't going to let myself get sucked into it.  Traci was my friend,
and Peter's my brother." I noticed the past tense she'd used on Trace.  "It
kinda worked, but Peter kept giving me funny looks.

   "I mentioned it to Traci, and she said...  well...  she...  uh...."

   "She said she'd told Peter that you and her had sex."

   Kelly went crimson.

   "You...  how...  when...  I...  uh...  Did Traci tell you too?

   "No.  Actually, Peter did."

   "Peter?"

   "When Traci told him, he repeated it at full volume."

   "How could she tell him something like that without talking to me
first?"

   "Come here," I said to stall for time.  Kelly got up and came around the
seat.  I pulled her across my lap.  "Traci had some secrets that she
thought she should tell Peter to make their relationship more honest.  She
forgot the other people in those secrets.  She's not real happy with how
that turned out."

   "Me and Traci, is that what has him weirded out?  It was just a couple
of times."

   I hesitated.  "No, I guess he was surprised but took that okay." I took
a deep breath and looked straight at Kelly.  "It was me and Traci that
bothered him."

   "YOU!"

   I nodded.  "It was just once.  On the road trip.  But Peter..."

   Kelly sighed.  "My brother's kind of conventional."

   I nodded.

   "But how could she tell him.  What if he...?"

   "Peter's not going to say anything about you."

   "How can you be sure?" Kelly asked.  "I mean, guys like to talk, and
that's kind of juicy."

   "Because Peter's known about you and me and Mikee and me for a long
time."

   "But how?"

   "I never asked.  But he and I were talking once and he told me he knew
about me and his sisters.  Peter you can trust.  Now if Kenny had known...
well, you might as well have put in on CNN."

   Kelly nodded.  "But Traci?  How can I trust her?"

   "I remember a couple years ago when someone who shall remain nameless
told your parents about a present Alana was going to give them for their
anniversary." Kelly turned crimson again.  "Did Alana stop trusting you?"

   "Maybe for a little while."

   "But she got over it."

   Kelly nodded.  "You think I need to get over it?"

   "I think right now, Traci needs all the friends she can get."



   Chapter 20

   "We need to talk."

   So much for my dream of a quiet Sunday afternoon after a long weekend of
gymnastics.

   Traci stood over me looking pissed.  She'd looked that way a lot this
weekend.  Kelly had just left.  The two of them had been closeted together
for almost three hours.  "What makes you think I need your help with my
friends?"

   Okay, that's it.  I stop trying to help.  Sisters, at least.

   "I..."

   "Kelly told me you talked to her Friday after the meet."

   "I did."

   "Why?"

   I got up out of Dad's chair.  "Certain brats may have forgotten, since
they've been so wrapped up in their own problems, but Kelly is my friend
too.  And MY FRIEND wanted to talk."

   Traci's jaw dropped.  I walked to my room and closed the door.

   * * *

   "Maybe I shouldn't go."

   "Maybe you should quit the job you love and stay home.  You can home
school the brat.  That way you can keep her in a bubble and protect her
from the world."

   "Tony!"

   I think I managed to shock my mother.  I smiled and let her think about
it.

   "You think I'm smothering her?"

   I shrugged.  "Not usually.  Usually you have a sometimes irritating
habit of letting us dig our own holes, then try to climb ou.  But right now
your only daughter is hurting and you want to help.  You want to make
everything better."

   "You don't?"

   "I know I can't.  Only Traci can make it better.  Either she and Peter
work something out, or she has to get over it."

   "Damn.  It's hell when your kids get smarter than you."

   I smiled.  "Not smarter, just more objective.  I can take a step back
and see that it's Traci who has to make the next move.  You can't.  You're
Mom."

   Mom climbed out of Dad's chair, came over, and ruffled my hair.  "So we
wait?"

   "Patiently."

   I sat on the sofa and watched as Mom paced the living room.  Traci was
over at Kelly's, which at least got her out of the house.

   "If I strangle the kid, will you bury the body for me?"

   "Peter?"

   "It's all his fault she's hurting."

   "It's..." Damn!  "It's nobody's fault.  It's just...  one of those
things."

   "You know.  You know, don't you?  What this is all about."

   Damn, Damn, Damn!  When I'd told Mom about the fight I'd managed to give
the impression that I didn't know what it was about.  "Yes," I said
finally."

   "Then..."

   I sighed.  "You already know my answer to that.  Is there any sense in
us getting in a fight, too?"

   "It's not your secret to tell," she said resignedly.

   I nodded.

   "But maybe I could help."

   "If Trace wants you to know..."

   Mom's turn to nod.  "So I wait?"

   "No, you go to Philadelphia.  You sit through three days of meetings and
pretend you couldn't have learned just as much in a one-page memo.  You
visit your old friend Mary and relive your glory years of protests and
getting hauled off to jail.  Then you call Dad and meet him in San
Francisco for a weekend and wonder why you ever had kids." Dad had a
planners' conference all week and had left today.

   "What about baseball?"

   "Doesn't start until next week.  I actually have a week with nothing
extra to do.  No football, baseball, gymnastics.  No play.  Nothing."

   "But she's not even talking to you."

   "Which just means it's a quiet week, too."

   * * *

   "Can I talk to you?"

   Traci stood in the door of my room, several large white specks in her
hair giving me a hint that either the weather had changed or Traci needed a
stronger shampoo.

   "If you can wait three-and-a-half sentences..." I was just finishing a
paper comparing international aid programs to the welfare state.  I typed
the last period and saved the paper, then turned to my sister.  The white
specks had disappeared, so I assumed they were snow and not dandruff.

   "Yes?" Considering our conversation that afternoon, I tried to sound as
neutral as I could.

   "I...  I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

   "For what?"

   "For jumping on you today.  I thought you were interfering."

   I smiled.  "I'm a big brother.  Interfering is in my job description."

   Traci ignored my joke.  "Kelly said she talked to you, not the other way
around."

   Traci stood, scuffing her feet.

   "Did you get why she was mad?" I asked after a minute.

   "Yeah, I guess I never thought...  I...  I wish I'd never talked to
Peter."

   You and me both.  "Trace, I don't want to pry." Pry, hell.  I don't want
to know.  "I don't know if you and Robbie...  or you and Kelly...  still...
I mean, if Peter had found out the hard way, walking in on you...  it would
have been worse." That had to be the most disjointed sentence I'd ever
uttered.

   "Sometimes." She didn't specify if she still played with Robbie or Kelly
or both.  I figured I'd leave it there.

   There was another long silence.

   "Trace, if it's any consolation, you're not the first teenager to wish
life had a do-over."

   * * *

   "TONY SIMS.  PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE."

   I snapped my book closed.  "Didn't we do this last month?" I said in
disgust.

   "And always debate," Robbie pointed out.

   "Maybe if you had an unlisted address," Tami suggested.

   "Have I ever mentioned just what a comfort you two are?"

   They shrugged in perfect unison.  I gathered my books, nodded to Mrs. 
Conners, and left.

   The scene in the office almost duplicated last month's.  Melissa Bates
was still buffing her nails while reading a magazine that was open on the
counter in front of her.  Mr.  Reed was chatting with Mrs.  Hatcher, but
this time instead of sitting on the edge of the spare desk he was sitting
in the chair behind it.

   "People."

   "Tony, you have another phone call.  Mr.  Hollowell."

   Without waiting for an invitation I came around the counter, picked up
the phone, and pressed the flashing button.  "Tony Sims."

   "Tony, This is Miss Stanton at the middle school.  Mr.  Hollowell had to
step away.  There's been another fight.  Traci..."

   "I'll be right there," I interrupted.

   Well, Mom can stop worrying about the brat, 'cause I'm gonna kill her.

   * * *

   "Where is she?"

   Mr.  Hollowell was back in the office when I got there.  He looked
startled at my tone.

   "In the nurse's station.  She said your parents were out of town again.
She..."

   "Can I talk to her?"

   "Yes, but you should know..."

   "I'll be back in a minute." As I walked to the nurse's station I counted
to ten in Aztec.  I was just learning and wasn't sure of my pronunciations.
I was probably as mad as I'd ever been.  We'd just done this last month,
and I thought she understood.  Mom was going to freak.

   I opened the door, walked in, and stopped short.  Traci was sitting on
the examination table.  One cheek was swollen, and turning a dark purple.
There was a small cut under her eye, but that couldn't account for the
volume of blood on her t-shirt.

   Traci saw the anger on my face and looked scared.

   But the anger faded quickly as I looked at her.  "What...?"

   "I didn't fight.  I didn't."

   "I...  Are you okay?"

   "Tony?" said a voice behind me.  I looked back and saw Mr.  Hollowell
had followed.  I looked back at Traci.

   "I didn't fight," Traci repeated.

   "Jaime?" I asked, and Traci nodded.  I stepped forward and took a closer
look at her face.  "The blood?"

   "Is Jaime's."

   I decided to be nicer to my sister.  She was tougher than I thought. 
"Where does it hurt?"

   "My jaw and my ribs.  He kicked me."

   The kid was dead.  "What happened?"

   Traci hesitated.

   "Did you start it?" Traci shook her head.  "Then tell it," I ordered.  I
figured even after getting hurt, she didn't want to squeal on the walking
corpse.

   "If it helps, I've already talked to Kelly Temple, Suzie Calloway, and
several others," Mr.  Hollowell said from behind me.

   "I kinda cut my sixth period class.  I mean, I just wasn't in the mood
for algebra.  Kelly, Suzie, and I went up on the stage.  There was about a
dozen kids hanging out."

   "Were you smoking?" Mr.  Hollowell asked.

   "No.  A couple of kids were, but I don't.  Tony would kill me, if Mom
didn't get to me first."

   You got that right.

   "Who?" Mr.  Hollowell asked and Traci clamped her mouth shut.

   I suppressed a smile.  "What happened next?"

   "Jaime and a couple of his friends came up a few minutes later.  He saw
us and came over.  He said something about how good I looked, then said
he'd heard I'd broken up with Peter and would I like to catch a movie.

   "I knew he liked Superman comics, so I said I wouldn't date him even in
an upside-down Bizarro universe.  He got mad and said that Peter was
telling everyone that sex with me was like one potato chip, over quick and
not very satisfying.  I knew Peter would never say that."

   "No, he wouldn't," I agreed.

   "So I laughed and told him his sex life was always going to be his right
hand, and the hand was already complaining it was bored."

   I smiled in spite of myself.

   "Then he slapped me.  I asked him if his mother taught him how to hit.
That's when he hit me with his fist.  It hurt, but I didn't hit him back."
Traci looked straight into my eyes.  "I didn't fight." I nodded and smiled
to let her know I was proud of her.

   "I said something about if that's as hard as he can hit, it's no wonder
he got beat up by a girl.  That's when he hit me again.  In the same
fucking spot."

   I didn't bother correcting her language, and behind me, neither did Mr.
Hollowell.

   "When he hit me the second time, I lost my balance and fell backward.  I
looked up at him and told him he was pathetic.  That's when he kicked me."

   Hailey had told me about Suzie's sister Caroline and her surgery on a
boyfriend.  Maybe if I bought Caroline a ticket, she'd come up for a
vacation and practice her knife skills.

   I lifted her t-shirt up and looked.  There was a large bruise on her
right side.  I gently felt along her ribs.  She winced, but I didn't think
there was anything serious.  Since Cousin Wynter didn't have her own x-ray
yet, I figured I'd take her to the hospital and use theirs.

   "That's when...  uh...  some guys grabbed him," Traci continued.

   "What Traci's trying not to say is Mike Hayward, Doug Reiner and Charley
Rositer pulled Jaime off her and worked him over a little.  That's where
the blood came from," Mr.  Hollowell clarified.

   "Are they in trouble?" Traci asked.  "They were just helping me."

   "They went too far.  They'll get three day suspensions."

   "Tony," Traci said pleadingly.

   I turned and looked at Mr.  Hollowell.  "Five days."

   "Tony!" "Five days?" Traci and Mr.  Hollowell said together.

   "Five days to send a message that fighting is not tolerated."

   "Tony!" Traci repeated.

   "Then you can suspend the sentence to acknowledge the extenuating
circumstances."

   Mr.  Hollowell smiled.  "If I ever get in trouble, will you represent
me?"

   I smiled back.  "Even if I have to go to law school to do it."

   "What about Jaime?" I asked.

   "I'm recommending expulsion.  What about Jaime?" he threw my question
back at me.

   "Five days, suspended?" I asked.  He nodded.

   "You're taking care of Traci's heroes so I owe you.  Tell Jaime if he
ever says a word to Traci again, I'll make sure he spends the rest of his
life in pain."

   Mr.  Hollowell nodded.  I think he accepted that I hadn't made an idle
threat.  Hopefully, Jaime would realize just how lucky he was.

   "Can I take Traci now?  I think her ribs are okay, but I want to get an
x-ray." I helped Trace of the table.  "Can she come back tomorrow?"

   "She's not in trouble for the fight.  And I think we can overlook the
cutting class if she promises not to do it again this year."

   Traci nodded.

   I put my arm around her, and she leaned against me as we walked out.

   "Think you could do me one favor?" I asked.

   "What?"

   "The next time you don't fight, do it when Mom is here.  I've got to
make a phone call I'm not looking forward to."

   Traci grinned, though it obviously hurt to.  "That's why they pay you
the big bucks."



   Chapter 21

   "TONY SIMS.  PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE."

   Fuck!  There is no way.

   Mrs.  Conners shot me a dirty look but didn't say anything as I closed
my notebook.  We were getting ready for a team debate, and I'd been jotting
down ideas.

   "ROBBIE TATE.  PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE."

   Robbie grinned at me.  "Maybe my little sister got into a fight too."
Darlene was a month-and-a-half younger than Robbie.

   "Maybe tomorrow you'll stay for the entire class," Mrs.  Conners said
dryly.

   "The way things are going, I may not make it at all."

   "Think Wa-say's ganging up on us again?" Robbie asked when we were out
in the hall.

   "Don't know, don't care.  I'm going to think pleasant thoughts as long
as I can."

   "What?"

   "Tami and me on a beach all by ourselves this summer."

   "No road trip?"

   I grinned.  "You can drop us off, then pick us up on the way back."

   We turned into the office.  Melissa Bates was alone in the office. 
Instead of standing at the counter buffing her nails, she was sitting at
the spare desk with her magazine in one hand and twirling a lock of hair
with the other.

   "You're supposed to go in there," she said, pointing at the conference
room.

   I held the gate for Robbie, and we walked toward the door.

   "Wa-say," I sighed.  "After yesterday, I don't know how much I can
take." Traci's x-rays were clear, but as predicted, the phone call to Mom
wasn't fun.  It took almost an hour to convince her that Traci would be
okay and she didn't have to jump on the first plane.  The call to dad was
less intense but not much better.  I knew it wasn't my fault, but I still
couldn't help feel I'd let them down.

   "Maybe I'd better do the talking," Robbie suggested.

   "Yeah, you're more concise," I said sarcastically, reminding her of a
comment she'd made last month.

   "True," she said, opening the door.

   I considered a comment about three thousandths of a point but decided
there was already one black-and-blue Sims.

   We expected Spaulding, Kennedy, and Rosen from WSAA, but we got three
boys and a girl about our own age sitting at the conference table.  If
Robbie was surprised, she didn't show it.  "Hi, I'm Robbie Tate, and this
is Tony Sims.

   The boys stood.  "Hi, I'm Billy Polaski," the tallest said holding out
his hand to Robbie, then me.  "This is Kyle Landers and Jake Liu." The two
boys also shook hands.  "And this is Marsha Zwicker."

   "The devil," I said leaning across the table to shake hands with the
seated girl.  Robbie looked surprised.  "The play contest," I explained,
and she made the connection.

   "You were the devil," I accused the girl.

   Marsha smiled.  "Most of my teachers didn't think playing the devil was
much of a stretch.  I'm surprised you recognized me, with all that
make-up?"

   I smiled.  "You were excellent.  I've watched the DVD twice." About a
week after the banquet, we got a package from the foundation with six DVDs.
One for each of the finalist plays.  None of them had copyright warnings,
so I used my computer to make copies for all of us.  If they'd had
copyright warnings, I probably would have made the copies anyway.

   "Kyle was in it, too.  He was one of my demons."

   I was glad I hadn't added a comment about the rest of the cast not being
up to her standards.

   "We came to see you...  and...  uh..." Billy stammered.  "We're from
Lake," he admitted.  I was surprised.  I'm sure that the schools were
identified in the beginning titles and end credits, but I hadn't paid any
attention.

   Robbie and I exchanged looks.

   "Kyle, Jake, and I are on the baseball team.  Marsha plays softball."

   "Okay," Robbie said.

   "We want to play ball."

   Robbie looked at me, and I knew the ball was in my court.  It was nice
to know that she trusted me to be the spokesman.  Of course that trust
would only last as long as I said what she wanted said.  "Why aren't you in
school?"

   "We cut.  We wanted to talk to you."

   "So this was your idea?" Robbie asked.

   "Mostly," Billy said.  "My dad and I talked about it."

   I was glad I hadn't jumped to a conclusion.  Spaulding from WSAA had
assumed that teenagers couldn't make their own decisions and I almost
followed in his footsteps, thinking their principal or athletic director
had sent them.

   "What do you want us to do?" Robbie asked, sitting down across from
them. The boys sat and I followed suit.

   "You're supposed to be our first game.  Our first league game.  We want
you to play," Billy said.

   "We heard about your team last year," Jake added.  "You're the team to
beat."

   "We want our chance," Kyle finished.

   "The problem is Coach Rich..." I said.

   "He's the problem," Billy agreed.  "I know he's a sexist."

   "And a fascist," Kyle added.  "I played JV football my freshman year,
but not the last three 'cause I didn't want to play for him.

   "And a pervert," Marsha added.

   "But we're stuck with him," Billy finished.  "The school board won't do
anything."

   "We're trying to make a point," I said.

   "You've made it.  But the fact is, Rich could care less if a few
basketball games get canceled.  Or baseball, softball, whatever.  And he
figures it will all blow over, over the summer.  The ones who care are the
players.  We want to play ball."

   When Billy finished, Marsha stood up and leaned across the table. 
"Look, we've got a pretty decent school.  Most of the teachers are cool,
and we've got good coaches in all our other sports.  How come we're getting
punished for one fucking jerk."

   I looked at Robbie and had a feeling that she was thinking the same
thing I was.

   "It's your call," she said finally.  "I just wanted to tackle the S.O.B.
and take out both his knees."

   I looked back at Billy and offered him my hand.  "We'd be happy to come
to Lake and teach you how to play baseball."

   "In your dreams," he said, shaking it.

   "No, it's going to be your nightmare."

   "If it's any consolation, my dad's brought up Coach Rich at three
different school board meetings.  It gets tabled every time," Billy said.

   "Other people have brought it up too.  Every meeting since you guys
walked out on us." Kyle added.

   "My dad's going to try again at the meeting in two weeks."

   "Um." I looked at Robbie.  She had a look on her face that said somebody
should be afraid.  Very afraid.  "Does your dad really want the board to
fire Rich?"

   "Maybe not fire him, but a letter of reprimand or something."

   Robbie grinned.  "I think that can be arranged."

   'Now what?' I wondered as I shook hands with the delegation.  And was it
going to get me suspended again?

   * * *

   Tuesday was Traci's fight.  Yesterday the Lake delegation ambushed us. I
wondered what was left for today and tomorrow as I looked around the
crowded cafeteria.  Mikee and Tami were sitting on either side of me.  Both
were sipping the soup.  I figured if they were still upright a minute from
now, I'd have a taste.  Chicken noodle was one of my favorites.

   Robbie and Darlene walked up with their trays, giggling about 'him'.  I
didn't know who him was and wasn't sure I wanted to.  "Ladies," I greeted
as they sat down.  Peter hadn't eaten with us since his fight with Traci,
though I'd told Mikee to let him know he was welcome.

   "What are you two doing Friday?" I asked.

   "That's tomorrow," Darlene said.  I nodded that it was.  "The usual."

   I knew she'd been going out with Tyler Brock, but didn't know what the
usual was.

   "I thought I might catch a movie with...  someone." Robbie added.

   I wondered if someone was related to him.

   "You are both invited to a party."

   "A party?" Darlene echoed.

   "Nice you could give us so much notice," Robbie added.

   I bowed in my seat, then tried the soup.  It was excellent.

   "Whose party?" Darlene asked.  "I hadn't heard anything." As one of the
cheerleaders she usually did.

   "Traci's.  I'm giving it for her."

   "I thought you were mad at her?" Robbie said.

   "Nope, she's mad at me.  Big difference."

   "And you think a party will help?"

   "It's not a bribe, if that's what you're thinking.  She made me proud
Tuesday.  I owe it to her."

   Robbie nodded.

   I looked straight at her.  "She really doesn't like you, but I have to
invite you.  It's at your house."

   Robbie had just taken a sip of her Coke.  It came back through her nose
as she snorted.  "My house!" she exclaimed as she wiped her face with a
napkin.

   "Mine isn't big enough for a big party," I said innocently.  "I cleared
it with your dad, but he said I HAD to invite you."

   Darlene, Tami, and Mikee were trying hard not to giggle as Robbie
glared.

   "I wouldn't come to one of your parties if you paid me," Robbie said
finally.  "But I'll come for Traci.  I'm proud of her too.  Though I would
have turned the creep into a eunuch."

   * * *

   "Where's Kelly?"

   Traci wandered through the living room, picked up a magazine, looked at
the cover, then dropped it.  "She has a date with Charley Rositer."

   "What about Ann?" I managed to ask without making a face.

   "She went out with Coleton Reeves." Traci made a face and I guessed she
didn't like Ann's boy of the week.

   "So Friday night and nothing to do?"

   "I guess."

   "Good!" I said and climbed out of Dad's chair.  "You can help me."

   "Doing what?"

   "I have to pick up some stuff at Robbie's house."

   "I don't..."

   "You've been sitting around since you got home from school.  Get your
coat."

   "Okay," she mumbled.  Since she and Kelly got back to being friends,
she'd forgotten she wasn't talking to me.  But she hadn't forgotten she was
mad.

   "What's going on?" she asked when we pulled up at Robbie's a few minutes
later.  The house was brightly lit and music pounded at us.

   "Some kind of party.  Let's go."

   We walked in, and Traci quickly recognized most of the guests.  About
twenty middle schoolers were hanging out in Robbie's big living room, more
in the dining room.  On the stage I'd put together that afternoon in the
dining room, Robbie and Unrehearsed were performing one of Britney Spears'
songs.

   "What...?  Traci mumbled as she realized that almost everyone was from
the middle school.

   I pulled her through to the dining room.  The group was just finishing
the song, so I jumped up on the front of the stage.  "LADIES!" I yelled and
in a few seconds, the whole gymnastics team materialized in front of the
stage.  I looked at Trace, "Aren't you part of this team?"

   Looking confused, she walked over and stood next to Kelly.

   Robbie handed me a microphone.  "Peoples," I said and listened as my
voice echoed through the house.  Slowly everyone moved into the dining
room. "Most of you have probably heard that the gymnastics team took third
in districts."

   There was scattered unenthusiastic applause.

   "Some of you may think that's not very good, but remember, last year we
were the only new team in the district.  We lost every meet.  And only
through superior coaching did we manage to squeeze out fifth place at
districts."

   Kelly blew me a raspberry.

   "This year, we won two."

   "And tied one," Suzie yelled.

   "And tied one," I said making a face.

   The team laughed, but everyone else looked confused.

   "Then went on to take third in the district meet."

   "Through superior coaching," Suzie yelled.

   I took a small bow.  "Your third place on their way to being a
championship gymnastics team," I yelled spreading my arms to encompass the
team.

   This time, the applause was loud and long.

   "At districts, every one of these girls had some of their best scores of
the whole season," I continued after the applause died down.  "And for
everyone to peak at the same time is a special thing."

   A little more applause.

   "Two of the girls, went a little further.  Cheyenne, come on up."

   Cheyenne turned pink but stepped onto the stage, then turned, facing the
crowd.

   "Before she met me, she could barely do a cartwheel.  Ladies and
gentlemen, the DISTRICT all-around champion, Cheyenne Morris!" I leaned
down and kissed her, and the pink turned bright red.

   "At the meet, for the first time in competition, Cheyenne did a double
back.  And it was the best one I've ever seen in all my years of coaching."

   "All one of them," Kelly yelled.

   "Kiss him again," some boy yelled.

   Cheyenne, who'd almost gotten back to her normal color, turned red
again, but put her arms around my neck and kissed me again for several
seconds.

   "Wow!" I said when she pulled away.  "Guys, if she already has a
boyfriend, put your name on the waiting list."

   Cheyenne, still beet red, escaped to the team.

   "One more gymnast to mention, ladies, gentlemen and seventh graders, the
two thousand and six district vaulting champion, Traci Sims!"

   Traci looked stunned, though she had to know it was coming.  Kelly gave
her a push toward the stage, and she stepped up.

   I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.  "And that's all she's getting," I
said and got a big laugh.

   "This party is about heroes.  These are your gymnastic heroes, but we
also have three real-life heroes.  Three guys who rescued my sister
Tuesday. Mike Hayward, Doug Reiner and Charley Rositer.  Guys."

   The three guys came up, and I shook their hands.  "Trace, I think you
owe these guys something special."

   Traci managed to turn redder than Cheyenne had, but gave each one a long
kiss.

   "That's enough," Kelly yelled after Traci's kiss with Charley lasted
about ten seconds.

   "Enough talk," I yelled.  "Let's party!"

   "I still hate you," Traci said softly.

   "Can't blame you."



   Chapter 22

   I woke up when Tami elbowed me in the stomach.  I opened my eyes.  She
was still asleep in my arms but had shifted position.  Her head shared my
pillow with mine.  Right now she was facing away from me, so that all I
could see was hair and an ear, but that was enough.  Besides, it was a
beautiful ear.  I could stay like this forever, just watching that ear and
feeling Tami's gentle breathing.

   Forever or until five o'clock when Mom and Dad were supposed to get
home. I glanced at my clock on the night stand.  It was just after ten. 
Forever or seven hours, whichever came first.

   I heard Traci moving around the trailer and smiled.  The party Friday
night had been great, though I felt like a hypocrite considering the number
of couples that I shooed away from the bedrooms.  And the one couple I
didn't, Kelly and Charlie Rossiter.  But the party had done what it was
supposed to, it got Traci almost back to herself.  She spent most of it
laughing and dancing.

   And when people kept asking her to sing with the band, it was almost
like, "Peter who?"

   Robbie's dad hadn't come home until the party was breaking up.  He
looked around, clicked his tongue a couple times, shook his head, but
didn't say anything.  Yesterday, I was up at the crack of dawn, even though
it was a Saturday, and over at Robbie's house cleaning the mess.  It was
amazing the amount of trash that forty middle schoolers could make.  Then I
disassembled the stage and stored it in the utility building out behind the
chicken coop.

   Robbie came downstairs just as I was getting ready to leave.  She looked
around with half-closed eyes, mumbled something, and headed for the
kitchen. I grinned and took off.  I spent the rest of the day at the gym.
We were hosting a big meet, and besides helping Gary with the team, I was a
general go-fer.

   The meet had three sessions, and our team was in the second one at two.
The meet went great.  Our level eights took first and our level sevens took
second, though Kelly and Cheyenne tied for first all-around, something that
neither of them was happy about.  We had nines and tens too.  They did
good, but we didn't have enough to make a team score.

   It was fun, but I didn't get out of the gym until after ten.  I
collected Tami, and we took a short walk, short because I was beat, then we
came home.  Tami's mom had, accommodatingly, gone to a concert in Seattle
with friends, so I had my Little Mustang all to myself.

   And I could stare at her ear forever.

   My doorknob turned.  "Tony, are you awa...?" Traci asked quietly before
realizing I wasn't alone.  "Oh, I'm..."

   "It's okay," I said.  Traci had turned red.  You'd think the number of
times she'd caught me with Tami, it wouldn't get to her anymore.  "I'll be
out in a second."

   Traci nodded and quietly closed my door.

   I wondered if I installed a lock on my door, if Mom would consider it a
violation of her discreet rule.

   Tami was between me and the floor, so I started to crawl over her,
pausing to kiss that beautiful ear.  As my feet hit the floor Tami moaned
and rolled, over so I took the opportunity to kiss her other ear.

   I dressed quickly, made a quick pit stop, then went to find Traci.  She
was in the kitchen creating havoc.  Trace was turning into a pretty good
cook, but she could dirty six bowls, three forks, a whisk, and four plates
just making scrambled eggs.

   I watched her for a second and didn't have a clue what her finished
product was going to be.  My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't
eaten since five o'clock yesterday and then only some nachos.  I didn't
want to get into Traci's production line, so I snagged a bowl, some milk,
and a box of Cocoa Krispies.

   I was half done when Trace came out to the table, her plate loaded with
eggs benedict, hash browns, and sausage.  She sat down and started eating,
her eyes wandering between her plate and me.  "Can I talk to you?" she
asked finally.

   "You're my favorite sister.  Anytime," I said, setting down my spoon and
lifting my bowl to drink the last of my milk.

   "I'm your only sister."

   "That we know about." I set my bowl down.  "It occurs to me that maybe
Mom was more adventurous than we gave her credit for."

   Traci made a face, and I knew she was entertaining the thought I did my
best to avoid: that my parents may have actually had sex and maybe not just
with each other.

   "I wanted...  uh...  that is...  I..."

   It was always fun when Traci couldn't get the words out.  I considered
letting her plod on but only had a few more hours with my sleeping beauty.
"Trace, you know, and I know, that you've decided to ask me something that
you think is awkward or embarrassing or a combination of both.  We also
both know that eventually you'll spit it out, so why not save the
stammering and just ask."

   Traci glared.  I grinned.

   Traci looked down at her half-eaten breakfast.  "Why'd you make me
vault?" she asked so quietly that I almost didn't catch it.

   It was a hell of a question.

   I ignored her for a minute while I got up and took my bowl to the
kitchen.  I rinsed it out and put it into the dishwasher.  I tried not to
look at the rest of the kitchen.  I came back and laid my hands on Traci's
shoulders.  I could see her in the reflection of the picture window.  "You
want an answer that'll make you feel better or the truth?"

   Traci took a bite of her eggs, then said "Both."

   "I made you vault because I'm you're big brother and I could."

   Traci turned her head and looked up at me.  "That's supposed to make me
feel better?"

   I gave her shoulders a squeeze then moved around the table to my seat.
"It's simple.  It's expected.  It's the stereotype."

   Traci cocked her head as she stared at me.  "And what's the truth?"

   "Do you remember when Tami was mad at me?"

   "Which time?" she asked more glibly than was necessary.

   "The first time.  In seventh grade, when she thought I was messing
around with Paula."

   Traci nodded.  "Did you?  You and Paula, I mean.  Ann thought..."

   "Not going there," I said firmly.  "The point is, Tami thought something
happened.  She was mad, and she wouldn't talk to me." And she's listening
right now, I thought, as I noticed some movement in the utility room that
connected the kitchen to the hall.

   "I remember," Traci said and shoveled some more eggs into her mouth.

   "It really threw me.  I mean, I didn't realize that I loved her yet, but
she was still special to me.  She was more than just a girl, she was a
friend.  A friend that wouldn't give me a chance to explain.  A friend who
was hurting.  A friend who felt betrayed."

   "I remember," Traci repeated softly.

   "It threw my whole life out of whack.  It happened on a Thursday, and I
was lucky there was no school that Friday 'cause my GPA probably would have
taken a huge hit.  I know my baseball did.  I played probably the worst
game of my life.  Hell, the coach pulled me from the second game.  I sat on
the bench.  I hadn't sat out a whole...  anyway, like I said, it threw my
whole life out of whack."

   "I know how you felt."

   I nodded.  "My whole weekend was just...  unfocused.  I couldn't do
anything.  Couldn't concentrate on anything.  Then that Monday, something
happened that helped.  That made me focus."

   "What?"

   "This little brat I knew came up and asked me, in an annoying sing-song
kind of voice, if I'd had a fight with my girlfriend.  I hit her.  I hit
her as hard as I could."

   I waited for Traci to make the connection.  It didn't take long.

   "I remember that," she said loudly, getting mad all over again.  "I was
just..."

   "You were teasing and you just chose a bad time to do it."

   "I..."

   "That's not the point.  The point is, I reacted in a way that wasn't me.
In a way that I felt bad about.  You made me focus on the problem, and you
weren't it."

   Traci got over her mad and nodded.

   "After that, I went over and had my say to Tami.  We didn't talk, but I
said what I wanted to say, and she heard it.  It made me feel better.  It
was a couple of months before we got back together, but at least I wasn't a
basket case.  I lived my life and wished her well.  But I lived my life."

   "What's that got to do with vaulting?"

   "I figured it was safer than letting you hit me.  All those push-ups
have made you pretty strong."

   "I don't get it."

   "When I decided to make you vault, I figured one of two things would
happen.  I figured your natural competitor would come out, and you'd do
great and really help the team."

   "Or?"

   "Or you'd mess up big time, and I would come down on you hard, which you
did and I did.  Then you put all your mad into your vault instead of
hitting your poor defenseless brother."

   Traci glared for a minute, but I looked back neutrally.  "What if it
hadn't worked?" she asked finally.

   "I would have looked like I was being a jerk to my sister, and you would
have kept moping."

   "I wasn't that bad."

   I waited.

   "Well, maybe."

   I figured there was one more step, but it would take awhile, so I stood
up, picked up her plate, and went into the kitchen and started cleaning up.
Traci got up and stood at one end, watching.

   "After you hit me, you went over and talked to Tami?"

   I nodded as I rinsed all the dishes Traci had used to make her
breakfast.

   "Do you think I should talk to Peter?"

   I put the dishes in the dishwasher, added soap, and closed it.  "I think
it all comes down to do you have something to say?  With Tami, there were
some unsaid things I had to get out.  You had a talk with Peter.  That's
what started this whole thing.  Is there more to say?"

   "I think so."

   I turned on the dishwasher and turned to face my sister.  "Then I think
you need to talk to Peter.  Or maybe, like Tami, talk at him."

   "What if he won't...?"

   "If you want to talk to him, I can get him here.  I can't make him
listen, but I can make him hear you."

   "Thanks, I..." Traci turned and started walking away.

   "Traci." She stopped but didn't turn.  "I think what you had with Peter
was special.  No one knows if you'll ever have it again."

   "That makes everything better," Traci said with just that gentle hint of
sarcasm that I'd come to know and love.

   "I'll bet if you tried, you could name a dozen grown-ups who just go
through the motions.  They go to work, they go home.  They drink a few
beers, or something stronger, then they go to sleep and start all over
again.  Day after day after day.  They're the people who lost something and
gave up.  They never tried again."

   "I guess."

   Damn, I wasn't getting through.

   "Like Mr.  Ramsey?" she said after a second, still not turning to face
me.

   "Exactly like Mr.  Ramsey." Ramsey had lived in our neighborhood when we
lived in California.  He worked at some kind of plant all day, then went to
a bar for three or four beers, then home for a couple more.  A year before
we moved, he went in his garage, sat in his car, turned it on, and used the
remote to close the garage door.

   Traci nodded, and I watched as she walked away through the living room.

   "You know..." a soft voice said behind me.  I turned and saw Tami there,
dressed in one of my t-shirts and nothing else.  "If I had a brother, I'd
want him to be just like you."

   I grinned.  "If I was your brother, what we're going to do in about five
minutes would be a sin."

   Tami smiled coyly, "Some people think it's a sin anyway."

   "Just the ones who aren't doing it."



   Chapter 23

   Robbie rushed in just as we were finishing the speed round of the day. I
think Mrs.  Conners was picking on me 'cause my topics were women shouldn't
be allowed to serve in the military and women are too emotional to be
president, especially once a month.  Robbie nodded to Mrs.  Conners but
didn't offer any explanation.

   Robbie's got a wonderful face.  It can be almost miraculously expressive
when she sings or acts or as stoic as any Easter Island monolith when she's
keeping her own counsel.  Right now she was playing monolith.  Except for
her dancing eyes.  That told me that something was up.  The glance she gave
me as she sat down said I wasn't going to like it.

   Mr.  Reed walked in while Mrs.  Conners was assigning topics for our
team debates on Thursday.  We got the con side of government services of
illegal aliens, which should be easy.  When she'd finished, Mrs.  Conners
looked at Mr.  Reed.

   He smiled.  "I was wondering if I could borrow Mr.  Sims for a few
minutes.

   Mrs.  Conners looked at me and smiled at the expression on my face. 
"I'm not sure he wants to be borrowed."

   "If I spend much more time in the office during this period, I may not
pass," I complained.

   "Just give him half of Tami's participation," Reed suggested with a
chuckle.  "He doesn't have opinions until she gives them to him anyway."

   I felt my cheeks burn as Mrs.  Conners grinned and nodded toward the
door.  I ignored the laughter behind me as I left.

   I'd managed to get rid of Parker.  Maybe it was time to start working on
Mr.  Reed.

   We walked down the hall and into the office without comment, and he
flicked a finger toward the open door of the conference room.  "In there."
He hesitated and then added, "Tony, I expect you to be polite, but you
don't have to stay any longer than you want to."

   I sighed.  "Wa-say again?"

   "Not this time." He walked over to the mail area and started checking
his slot.

   I walked in, not knowing what to expect.  A woman was sitting at the
table with her back to me.  "Hi, I'm Tony," I said.  She turned in her
chair, and I realized it was Allie's mom.  Now I realized why Mr.  Reed had
said to be polite: he knew we had a history.  I walked around the table and
sat down opposite her.

   "Tony," she acknowledged.

   "Mrs.  Schmidt," I said and waited.  It was her dime.

   "I talked to Roberta.  She said you make these decisions." Robbie was
letting me make decisions?  That explained the gleam in her eye.  I
wondered if it was because Allie's mom called her Roberta or other reasons.

   "What decisions?"

   "As I'm sure you know," she said, preening, "I am the chairman of the
county historical society."

   I knew that, but wasn't going to make it easier for her.  Allie still
wouldn't talk to her after the way she'd felt betrayed during the cheating
incident.  "I didn't even know we had a historical society.  You never hear
about them.  They must not do anything."

   Allie's mom looked annoyed, which suited me just fine.

   "We do plenty.  Teenagers don't bother reading the newspaper and knowing
what's going on around town."

   For someone who wanted a favor, she had a funny way of going about it.
"Actually, I read the paper at least three times a week.  I never miss Tami
Sharp's column.  She's a teenager you know."

   "That's beside the point."

   Ever notice that when someone says something is beside the point, it's
because they don't want to acknowledge the point you just made?  "So,
what's the point?"

   "I know you're a friend of Alison's.  As chairman, I thought I would
give you the opportunity to let you and your friends perform at our
benefit." Translation: we need somebody popular.

   "Gee, that's swell," I said with a straight face.  "But we're just kids.
We wouldn't want to ruin anything."

   "I'll be supervising you to make sure that nothing goes wrong."

   Like that's going to happen.  "What's the benefit for?" I asked to
change the subject while I decided how to handle this.

   "The Sugarman house."

   "That monstrosity!"

   Mrs.  Schmidt looked pained.  "The house is an historical as well as
architectural landmark and should be preserved.  Though I can't expect
someone as young as you to recognize that."

   Damn funny way of asking for a favor.

   "And just how is it historical?" This could be fun.

   Mrs.  Schmidt sniffed disdainfully.  "I would have thought they'd teach
you that in school.  Cyrus Sugarman built the house for himself and his new
bride when he was assigned to command the garrison here."

   "And that makes it historical?"

   "He was an important figure in our history."

   I grinned.  "Cyrus Sugarman was a colonel who was assigned here shortly
after the Civil War because the War Department couldn't fire him.  His
father was a U.S.  Senator and his uncle an influential presidential
advisor.  They figured he would do the least amount of harm up here."

   "Really!"

   "Yes, really.  His one claim to fame is attempting to invade British
Columbia at a time when we weren't at war with Canada and having his four
troops routed by three Mounties and a pair of Indian scouts."

   The look on her face told me she was aware of the colonel's history and
didn't have anything significant to add.  I decided to rub salt in the
wound.  "Of course the house does have some REAL historical significance."

   I leaned back in my chair, interlaced my fingers and tried to look
satisfied.  "During World War Two, it was the largest cat house in the
Northwest.  Soldiers, sailors, and shipbuilders came from all over.  Great
morale booster."

   Mrs.  Schmidt sniffed again.  "I'm not surprised you know that bit of
trivia.  Men are all alike."

   I wondered if she'd be surprised that I learned it from Robbie.

   Mrs.  Schmidt's scowl turned into a smile.  I could almost see the
wheels turning in her head as she decided that you can catch more flies
with honey, etc, etc.  "About the benefit, we were thinking..."

   "Just out of curiosity, how is it architecturally significant?"

   "It's unique," she said as if it was obvious.

   I nodded.  It was that.  "Just because something's unique, doesn't make
it significant.  Or worthy of saving," I pointed out.

   The look she gave me made it obvious that Mrs.  Schmidt was of the
"children should be seen and not heard" school of philosophy.

   "Then you're not interested," she said, standing.

   "I didn't say that.  When and where were you planning your benefit?"

   Mrs.  Schmidt sat back down.  "Friday.  We wanted to do it at the
Sugarman estate if the weather's nice, or the Elk's ballroom if it looks
like rain."

   "Friday!  That's not much time.  Why the rush?"

   "The city council is planning to discuss the Sugarman property at a
special meeting next Tuesday.  They own it.  We thought this would put some
pressure on them as well as raise money for the preservation of the
estate."

   Something about next Tuesday tugged at the back of my head, but I
couldn't put my finger on it.  Mrs.  Schmidt was droning on, but I tuned
her out.  Why would I know something about a city council meeting next
Tuesday?  Where would I have heard about it?  Then it hit me.  Proofing
Tami's column.  The city wanted to build a youth recreation center.  And
now I knew where.

   So it came down to doing a benefit to preserve something that would be
better off knocked to the ground and preventing something the area
desperately needed.

   I held up my hand to stop her speech.  "We'll do it," I said smiling.

   "That's wonderful.  We just need you and your group for four or five
songs.  We already have the Youth Chorale and the City Orchestia."

   Oh, boy.  "We'll go last.  Definitely three songs and maybe four."

   "Okay," she said, looking at me a little suspiciously.

   "I sure hope the weather cooperates."

   Mrs.  Schmidt nodded as she stood.  "Uh, just let us know what you
need."

   "I'll do that." I looked down at the table, then snagged a yellow legal
pad from the center.  I ignored her and started making notes.  After a
minute she left.  I had the perfect songs for Traci, Robbie, and me.

   Now if Sally or her brother could write one about cat houses in three
days.

   Maybe I could watch Best Little Whorehouse in Texas again and steal one
of theirs.





   Chapter 24

   "Nobody out, man on first!" I shouted, then tossed the baseball in the
air and smacked it toward Elvis Carson, who was playing first.  The
freshman snagged it on one bounce, spun, and raced toward first, tagging it
easily.

   He looked at me, tossing the baseball up and down and grinning like he'd
just been named Rookie of the Year in the American League.

   "Great play," I yelled.  Impossibly, his grin got bigger.  "We now have
a man in scoring position with only one out." His face fell.  "I know Mr.
Hollowell mentioned getting the lead runner at least once or twice last
year." He'd better have.  I taught him.

   "Yeah, lard butt," yelled the freshman on the pitcher's mound, Danny
something.

   "Guess what, lard butt junior." Danny looked around until he realized I
was yelling at him.  "Guess who was supposed to be sprinting to cover first
if Elvis had thrown to second like he was supposed to?"

   Danny looked like he wanted to argue but thought better of it.  "Take a
lap," I yelled.  I looked at my reserves over by the third base dugout. 
"Jason, take the mound."

   "I'm not a pitcher," Jason said walking to the base line but not
crossing.

   "And if I ask you to pitch, you can remind me of that."

   Jason ran to the mound.

   "Freshmen," I muttered under my breath.  "Let's try that play again."
And again.  And again.  "Okay, time out," I said finally.

   I looked over at the batting cage.  "Coach, can I borrow Robbie, Ricky,
and Jake for a minute?"

   Coach Calloway nodded, though Robbie already had a batting helmet on and
looked like she was next.

   "Infield in," I yelled while the three trotted over.  "You, too," I
added when the reserves didn't move.  "The problem is you're throwing the
ball to where people are instead of where they're going to be." I explained
when they were gathered around me.  "Watch."

   Ricky had taken position by first, and Jake was on the mound.  Robbie,
still wearing a batting helmet, was playing second.  "Nobody out, man on
first," I yelled and hit a hard one bouncer about fifteen feet to Ricky's
right.  Ricky charged forward, snagged the ball and without appearing to
look, fired it to second.  Robbie took the throw about a foot behind
second, stepped forward onto the bag, and fired to Jake's waiting glove on
first.

   "And that, guys, would be a double play in any league." I nodded to my
friends, and they jogged back to the batting cages.  "If you want to play
varsity," like that's going to happen with this crew, "you have to throw
the ball where it needs to be and trust that the other player will know
where he's supposed to be and take the catch."

   I gave them a few seconds to let it sink in.  "Now, anything wrong with
the play they just ran?"

   The boys in front of me looked around at each other.  Finally Danny
whatever raised his hand.

   "Lard butt junior," I acknowledged.

   Danny turned red.  "Shouldn't the shortstop take the throw at second?"

   I held my hand out to him.  "Junior, there may be hope for you yet. 
Normally, the shortstop would take the throw from first unless he was
playing deep or out of position for some reason.  But you noticed that
Robbie didn't hesitate.  She knew there was no short, so she played it. 
Any questions?"

   Most of them shook their heads, but one kid -- I couldn't remember his
name -- raised his hand.  I nodded.

   "Have any of us got a chance?"

   'No way in hell,' I thought but smiled.  "Everybody's got a chance. 
Coach Calloway makes everybody try out and then picks his squad.  It
doesn't matter if you're a senior or a freshman.  If you already played
three years of varsity or never picked up a glove before today.  Ricky made
it as a freshman.  So did Robbie and me."

   "You're not trying out," Jason said, then looked surprised that the
words had come out of his mouth.

   "I will.  Since Coach Saxon, the JV coach, couldn't be here today, the
coach will have some of last year's varsity helping out.  He's over there
at the batting cage, but you'd better believe he knows what's going on over
here too.  It's only Monday.  We've got four more days after this.  Okay,
you and you, first and second..." I started moving my reserves onto the
field.

   * * *

   "Sit!  Stay!  Quiet!" Tami pushed me into dad's chair while the others
grinned.

   "I'm glad to see you finally figured out how to handle him," Robbie said
while Darlene and Allie giggled.

   "I'm glad you think so," Tami said.  "Sit!  Stay!  Quiet!" she commanded
as she pushed Robbie back onto the sofa.  Robbie looked stunned.  Tami
looked satisfied.  The rest tried to keep their faces neutral while they
figured out where the nearest fallout shelter was.

   Tami ignored Robbie's look and checked out the room.  "Where's Peter?"

   "I told him we were getting together, but he wasn't interested," Mikee
explained.

   "Tony, fetch!"

   "I thought I was supposed to sit."

   When I saw the determined look in her eye, I jumped up and headed for
the door.

   I knocked, and Peter opened the door.  "What...?" From the look on his
face, he wasn't happy to see me.

   "We're having a meeting.  It has something to do with the play.  Tami
asked me to get you."

   "I don't think..."

   "Whatever there is between you and Traci, or between you and me, you
were and ARE a member of the play committee.  The committee is meeting,
though I don't know why.  And Tami has always been your friend, and she
asked me to ask you to come."

   He didn't look convinced, so I played my trump.  "Once upon a time, I
did you a big favor.  Now I'm asking you to do me one.  Forget about Traci
or me and just come be part of the group.

   Peter looked embarrassed.  "I, uh, I've got something on the stove. 
I'll be there in a minute."

   "Good enough." I closed the door and left.

   "He'll be here in a minute," I reported when I got back.  'I hope,' I
added to myself.  Mikee and Tracy both looked surprised.

   It was almost a minute exactly when there was a knock on the door. 
Susie opened it and let Peter in.  Peter's eyes scanned the room, and he
looked embarrassed when they lighted on Traci and his younger sister.  "I,
uh..."

   "Good, you're here," Tami said, gliding across the room and putting her
arm around his shoulders.  "We couldn't start without you."

   "Start what?" Robbie asked.

   "We have a big problem," Tami announced after she got Peter settled
between Darlene and Allie.  Allie wasn't part of the committee but had been
hanging with Darlene after school.

   "How could we have a big problem?  The play's over.  Hell, we've already
spent the money," Robbie complained.  The committee had voted to spend our
share of the prize money on a memorial plaque for Zoe.  It had been Tami's
idea, and the decision was unanimous.  I'd sent Zoe's mom pictures of the
bronze plaque and the dedication ceremony two weeks ago.  "Since they
changed the dates, we have almost a year before the next one."

   "That may not be enough time," Tami said flatly.  I was pretty sure I
looked confused.  I know everyone else did.  "The problem is, you people
watch too much television."

   If I'd looked confused before, I must be positively slack-jawed now.

   "I..." "What..." "How..." "Are..." "We..." Everybody tried to talk at
once until Tami held up her hand for silence.

   "This weekend," Tami focused on me, "Tony watched an old Steve Martin
movie, Leap of Faith.  He got inspired and thinks he should write a play
where he can be a smarmy evangelist.  I think it's a great idea."

   Robbie looked disgusted for some reason.

   "But..." Tami added, "Also watching the idiot box this weekend, Robbie
saw an old Henry Fonda/Joanne Woodward western, A Big Hand for the Little
Lady.  Robbie thought it could be a great play, mostly 'cause she wants to
play the little lady.  And she's right.  It could be a great play."

   I thought about it.  She was right.  It was perfect since it mostly took
place in one or two rooms.  We could make it work, and Robbie would be
perfect.

   "To make matters worse, they're both thinking right now that the other
one has a great idea.

   I exchanged looks with Robbie, and we both grinned.  Tami knew us too
well.

   "They both could be great plays, either straight or as musicals.  We
could spend a whole year arguing about which one is better."

   She got that right.  In my head, I could see both.

   "But it's worse than that," Tami said.  "Someone else was watching the
boob tube.  Personally, not being one of the two top students in the junior
class, I was doing homework."

   Someone else?  I looked around, and since Traci was doing a great
imitation of Rudolf's nose it wasn't hard to guess.  Tami was looking
straight at her to make it easy for everyone.

   "Someone else watched an old movie on TV, a musical, and figured we
could change and modernize it and it would be perfect.  But since I made
the mistake of telling that person that her brother, I mean another group
member already had an idea, that someone else has decided not to say
anything even though it's the best idea of the three."

   "I thought, I meaIsathisolmovand itwoulbgreifroband
tamperfandjkjesflagulernvunireqnv." Traci mumbled turning even redder.

   I was pretty sure there were seven or eight distinct sentences in there
and she'd managed to spit it all out in about two-and-a-half seconds.

   "If anyone got that, I can get them a job as director of translations at
the U.N." I suggested.

   Traci shot me a dirty look.  "I said I saw an old movie this weekend. 
While I was watching I thought it would be a good one for our group." Traci
took a deep breath.  "It's already a musical and the songs are pretty good.
When I was watching, I thought Tami would be great as Rosemary.  And Robbie
would be perfect as Hedy."

   I tried to remember a musical with a Rosemary and a Hedy and came up
blank.

   "Then I thought about changing it and it would be even better," Traci
added.

   "Does this musical have a name?" Robbie asked with just a hint of
sarcasm.

   Traci ignored the sarcastic tone.  "How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying."

   It took me just a second to remember the Robert Morse classic.

   "But I thought maybe Tony could change it and we could do How to Succeed
in Politics Without Really Trying."

   I looked at Robbie.  She nodded instantly, then stood.  "All in favor of
Traci's play?"

   The ayes had it.



   Chapter 25

   "So, ya finished act one yet?"

   I turned and stared at Robbie.  "Are you...?"

   "Heads Up!" the coach shouted and smacked the ball in a line drive shot
right over second base.  I was off-balance but dove anyway, feeling the
satisfying thunk of a ball hitting the pocket just before I hit the dirt.
Hard.  With zero air in my lungs, I still managed a feeble backhand toward
Robbie.  She snagged the ball and zinged it to Ricky at first.  The
freshmen who'd been on the base was halfway to second and couldn't get back
in time.

   "Good play," Coach Calloway yelled.  "But if you'd been paying
attention, you wouldn't have had to kill yourself to make it." That was one
of the things I loved about the coach: his compassion.  "Tyler, try short.
Mark, take second.  Robbie, see if you can get him off the field."

   I managed to get to my knees by myself, but was happy to have Robbie
help me the rest of the way up.  We walked toward the foul line, her arm
around my back and my arm across her shoulders.  By the time we were off
the field, I was halfway sure I wouldn't need an iron lung.

   I grabbed a bottle of water off the bench, drank half in a gulp, and
poured the rest over my head.  Robbie looked like she considered an all-wet
comment but decided against it.  "Act one?" I asked, shaking my head.

   She smiled.

   "We just decided on the play last night," I reminded her.

   "It's not like it's an original." Robbie smiled even bigger.  "You're
just adapting."

   For just a second I wondered where I could bury the body.  Then I bowed.
"Madame Director, I know you want to win this time, but as your playwright,
I plan to watch the movie a couple times, then let it percolate for awhile.
I don't even plan to put pen to paper until at least May."

   "You don't use a pen.  You type on your computer."

   Now it was my turn to smile, evilly I hoped.  "You know, the only
drawback to putting you over my knee and spanking you right here, is that
outfit of yours already has the freshmen worked up.  Any more and they
wouldn't be able to catch a ball."

   Robbie wiggled her butt in the black cutoffs she was wearing.  Her red
bikini top left even less to the imagination.  "If the freshmen are the
only ones I'm working up, I may have to enter a nunnery."

   * * *

   "Tony, go."

   "Every last one of them," I said smugly.  It was debate and speed round,
and Mrs.  Conners had just asked if the news media was biased.

   "I thought you liked Fox News," Tami said, surprised.  "Are they
biased?"

   "Definitely."

   "The news isn't biased," Janet Blake said from across the circle.  "Next
you'll be blaming the Jewish influence."

   "The Tri-Lateral Commission, actually."

   Mrs.  Conners tried hard not to smile, but I think she liked my sense of
humor.  "Tony, elaborate."

   I leaned back in my chair, interlacing my fingers behind my head and
stretching my legs out in front of me.  "Two examples and I think my point
is made.  The Daily Planet has two spaces left for stories, one on the
front page and one on page thirty.  Two stories come in.  One is an
earthquake in Samoa.  The other is a charity drive in Chicago.  Perry White
puts the earthquake on the front page 'cause he's biased against Chicago."

   "That's not bias," Janet protested.  "That's..."

   "That's journalism one-oh-one.  He picked the story he thought was more
important, but it's still bias.  His readers may be tired of earthquakes
and not give a hoot about Samoa but be very charity minded."

   "True," Mrs.  Conners said, turning to Janet.  "We all have biases.  If
you have a hamburger for lunch instead of a hot dog, your bias is showing."

   "But that's not what you meant when you asked him about bias," Janet
complained.

   I ignored the interruption.  "My second example.  A lot of people think
Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are going to run for president.  At the Daily
Bugle, J.  Jonah Jameson likes Giuliani and can't stand McCain.  He has
space for one more story on page one, he runs a blurb about Giuliani
cutting a ribbon on a new highway instead of McCain opening a new prison."

   "Yeah, but..."

   "I think we'll give this point to Tony," Mrs.  Conners said, cutting her
off.  Janet pouted.

   "The Daily Planet and the Daily Bugle?" Tami said as I sat up normally.

   "I wanted journalistic integrity."

   * * *

   "I thought we'd have a little fun today."

   I looked at Coach Calloway suspiciously.  We hadn't had any fun at
tryouts my freshman or sophomore years.  And definitely not when I tried to
redshirt in the eighth grade.

   "As of today," the coach continued, "only two of you have made varsity.
Robbie Tate and Tony Sims."

   "What about me?" his son protested.

   "Bobble another ball at first and you'll be lucky to make the middle
school team," his dad said with a grin.  Yesterday had been a disaster for
Ricky.

   "As I was saying, Robbie and Tony have already made the team since they
won't be here tomorrow.  So, we're going to have some fun.  We're going to
have a scrimmage game, and Robbie and Tony will be captains."

   Robbie stood.  "Better give Tony's team a couple of runs to start, just
to keep it interesting." The coach smiled as I stood.

   He pulled a fifty-cent piece out of his pocket.  "Winner chooses.  Home
team or first draft pick." He nodded at Robbie then tossed the coin high in
the air.

   "Hea...  Tails!"

   The coach caught the coin and slapped it down on the top of his left
hand.  He took his other hand away, and a shiny eagle looked up at us.

   "I'll take first pick and take Ricky, though if he screws up, not even
the middle school will take him."

   Ricky pretended to cringe, then stood and walked over to Robbie.  I knew
a pitcher was my first priority, so I grabbed Jake Fraser.  It took almost
six minutes to split the group.  When we finished I had nineteen and Robbie
had twenty.

   The coach had put on shin guards and a chest protector and was holding a
face mask.  He called us over.  "I know you have way too many kids, but bat
them all and work 'em in and out as much as possible.  If you need to call
time to switch a couple, go ahead."

   We nodded and headed for our dugouts to organize.  Since I was home
team, we had the field first.  I decided to put freshmen out first, then
rotate in more experienced players as they made mistakes.  Except I put
Jake on the mound.  Robbie had grabbed Tyler Morse, the other varsity
pitcher from last year, and I just didn't trust any of the others.

   Robbie was her own lead-off batter.  She tossed me a big grin before she
stepped into the batter's box and took a couple swings.  I had a feeling
that if my team won this was just a scrimmage, but if we lost I'd never
hear the end of it.

   Jake threw a curve to start.  Robbie brought the bat down in front of
her, her hand on the barrel, and laid down a perfect bunt.  The ball rolled
toward third just a few inches from the foul line, and my third baseman
watched it roll.

   Jake ran over, picked up the ball, and side-armed it to first, but
Robbie was already camped on the base.

   "Lard butt junior out, Elvis take third," I yelled.  Danny
Whatever-his-name slumped off the field as Elvis ran out to the field.  I
motioned Danny to me.  "What'd you do wrong?"

   "I should have moved in when she squared to bunt," he mumbled.

   "Bingo.  Watch the game.  Think about what the third baseman should be
doing on every play.  You'll go back in after a couple outs."

   Danny grinned, relieved that he wasn't out for good.

   Robbie stole second on the first pitch, and I pulled my center fielder
who hadn't been ready to back up the play if the catcher had tried to throw
her out.  I would have pulled my catcher too, but getting gear on and off
took too long.

   Robbie stole third before Tim Kreline, one of her freshmen, got a weak
one bouncer.  It should have been an easy out, but my shortstop hesitated.
That left Robbie at home laughing at me and put Tim on first.

   It was going to be a long afternoon.

   Her team had scored five before we got our first out, but the next two
outs came quickly.  I hadn't planned to bat myself.  I changed my mind when
I saw Robbie on the mound and decided to lead off.

   I stepped into the box, and Robbie and I glared at each other for
several seconds.  She threw a fastball that was belt high but a little
inside.

   "Strike one!" Coach Calloway yelled.  I turned and gave him my best
where's-your-glasses look.

   I looked back at Robbie.  She licked her finger and chalked up an
imaginary point in the air, then she wound up and fired another pitch in
exactly the same spot.

   "Strike two!"

   I shook my head and swung the bat while holding it against my stomach.
Robbie chalked up another imaginary point.  I took a couple of practice
swings for inside pitches, then grinned at her.

   Robbie wound up and fired a shot right to the low outside corner where
I'd known she was going.  I swung and connected with a satisfying thunk. 
The ball sailed over the head of the startled center fielder and bounced
against the fence.  I sprinted for first, blowing my redhead a kiss as I
rounded the bag and headed for second.  I probably could have made third,
but I stopped on second and bowed to the pitcher's mound.

   Robbie looked disgusted, called time, and changed her entire outfield.

   * * *

   "Hit the showers!" the coach yelled two-and-a-half hours later.

   Robbie, Ricky, and I walked over to him while the rest headed for the
locker room.

   "So who won?" Robbie asked as the coach pulled off gear.  I don't know
about her, but I hadn't kept track.  I was too busy trying to get everyone
in and out.

   "I can't count that high," the coach muttered with a shake of his head.
I think we were pretty close, but both our scores were probably in the
teens, maybe even the twenties.

   "Should I head for the middle school tomorrow?" Ricky asked his dad.

   "Ask your coach," Coach Calloway said and nodded toward Robbie as he
unstrapped his shin guards.

   "No middle school for you," Robbie said and clapped him on the back. 
"You've got JV written all over you," she added mischievously and jogged
toward the school.

   * * *

   I grabbed a fast shower, dressed, and headed for the stage.  Mr.  Reed
was letting us use it to practice for tomorrow.  Everybody else was already
there, including Robbie, who looked like she was ready for a Cosmo Girl
photo shoot.  How the hell did she do it?

   We practiced till nine, which gave us time to run through all the songs
four or five times.  I had three, Robbie two and Traci one, then we all had
the finale.

   * * *

   "Think Allie will catch hell after we're done?" Tami asked as she laid
her head on my shoulder while we walked around the park.

   "From what I've heard, she hasn't said more than a dozen words to her
mother since last year.  It can't get much worse."

   Tami lifted her head and looked at me.  "And you call other people
naive."

   I shrugged.  "If it does, Darlene gets a roommate."



   Chapter 26

   Tami and I pulled up to the Sugarman house a few minutes after school
let out.  Robbie was seconds behind us.

   Sally Reyes was leaning against the hood of her brother's car, with Chad
Davis leaning against her.  I'm not sure when those two had become an item,
but they had.  It was sometime after the road trip, 'cause in Wyoming, she
had treated him like another brother.

   Toby was in the car, fiddling with an MP3 player.  I wondered how he
felt about his sister and his best friend.  I had a quick flash of Traci
and Robbie together and decided that I wasn't going to worry about it.

   "They haven't decided yet," Sally said when she noticed she and Chad
weren't alone anymore.

   Robbie looked at her watch.  "They better decide soon.  It takes time to
set up those pots and kettles you bang on." Sally's van was parked behind
her Toby's car.  We assumed her drums and the keyboards were inside.

   Sally shrugged and went back to inspecting Chad's tonsils with her
tongue.

   The problem was weather.  We were scheduled to do an outdoor concert at
the Sugarman house, and right now the weather was beautiful.  Sixty-two
degrees with clear skies, but the forecast was for a rain storm to hit
sometime tonight, and we didn't know exactly when.  As a backup, they'd
reserved the ballroom at the Elks Club.  It was just before four.  We were
scheduled to perform at six.  So if the rain held off three or four hours
we were good, if it didn't...

   Mrs.  Schmidt came out of the house and walked over to us, glancing
disapprovingly at Sally and Chad.  "The executive committee hasn't decided
yet."

   "We need to know," I said.  "It's going to take time to set everything
up, especially the sound system." Cousin Cinnamon was supposed to have an
electronics wiz who took care of things like that.  We had to do it for
ourselves.

   "Just be patient," Mrs.  Schmidt chided.  "It's an important decision."

   I looked at Robbie and shrugged.  She looked up and studied the sky for
a minute.  "Here," she said finally.

   "Chad, Toby, let's get set up," I said.  I knew that once Robbie had
made up her mind, the rain wouldn't dare start before eight.

   "But..." Mrs.  Schmidt sputtered.

   I'd opened the back of Sally's van and pulled out a drum.  Toby was
beside me grabbing one of his keyboards.  Chad was still playing tonsil
hockey.

   "The executive committee," Mrs.  Schmidt protested.

   "Yeah," I agreed, walking by her toward the large porch we were going to
use as a stage.  "You'd better let them know."

   Mrs.  Schmidt walked back to the house, her face alternating between
being perplexed and being annoyed.

   "You enjoyed that too much," Tami accused.  I grinned and went back to
the van for another drum.

   * * *

   It was after five by the time we got everything set up and the sound
system adjusted to Robbie's satisfaction.  Mom pulled up with the brat a
few minutes later.  Traci had had some kind of field trip today.  Then Mom
took food orders and made a Wendy's run.  I really had to put Mother's Day
on my calendar this year.  I'd really lucked out in that department.

   People were starting to arrive by the time she came back with the food,
a few glancing warily at the grey clouds that were starting to move in.

   At six o'clock on the dot, Mrs.  Schmidt stepped in front of us and
started a long-winded spiel thanking everyone for coming and supporting the
grand old Sugarman House.

   About six ten I gave Sally a nod, and she started beating out a soft
rhythm on her snare drum.  Mrs.  Schmidt looked back annoyed but then
continued.  Some people just can't take a hint.  I nodded to Chad and he
picked up on Sally's beat with his guitar.  Then Toby joined in.  Still
keeping it soft, a subtle hint that someone was taking way too long.

   "Is that a song?" Traci asked from beside me in the wings.

   "Define song."

   Traci looked annoyed.

   "If you mean, has anyone else ever played it, I don't think so.  I think
they're improvising."

   "Too bad."

   "Why?" Tami asked from my other side.

   "'Cause I can hear the perfect lyrics for it in my head."

   "Write em down," I said quickly.

   I scrunched down and walked out to Toby on the stage.  Cousin Cin had
used headsets when they were on stage at Otter Park.  It occurred to me
that my cousin might be more advanced than I was.  Not that I'd ever admit
it.

   "This is an improv, right?"

   He nodded without missing a beat, then hit some keys above the keyboard
and changed his whole sound.

   "Try to remember it.  Traci thinks she's got lyrics."

   He nodded again just as Chad jumped to a whole different rhythm with
Toby and Sally only a half-measure behind..

   When I got back to the wings, I went over to our sound board and slowly,
over a minute or two, raised the volume on the instruments and cut it for
Mrs.  Schmidt's microphone.  I think her mic had been completely dead for
over a minute before she noticed and stomped off the stage.

   From the other side of the stage, Allie and Robbie walked out holding
their own mics.  I faded the volume on the instruments down slowly, then
cut it completely as the girls got to the center of the stage.  It actually
wasn't much of a stage.  The Sugarman House had a huge porch that ran the
entire length of the front of the house and extended outward almost thirty
feet.  We'd hung canvas curtains on either side to give us wings and a
place for the sound system and other stuff.

   Allie smiled at the audience.  She hadn't originally been part of the
show but saw the speech I'd written and demanded that she got to give it.
"Thanks Mom," she said, holding the mic in front of her face.  "For that...
that...  that..." she turned and looked at Robbie.  "You're pretty smart.
What's an adjective I can use that won't get me grounded for a month?"

   The crowd of probably six or seven hundred roared.

   "You could say inspirational," Robbie suggested.

   "Daddy says I'm not supposed to lie." Allie delivered the line so
deadpan that the audience completely cracked up.  I could see Allie's mom
sitting with the other committee members in the front row and glowering at
her daughter.

   "How about insipid?" Robbie suggested.

   "I may not be blond, but I am a cheerleader." Small laugh.  "What's that
mean?"

   Robbie leaned close and whispered in her ear, holding the mic so that it
picked up every word.  "Tasteless.  Lacking in flavor."

   "That'll get me grounded till June.  Hey Tony!"

   I stuck my head out of the curtain.

   "I need an adjective," Allie whined.

   I pretended to think.  "How about innocuous?"

   Allie nodded.  "That'll work." She looked straight out at the audience.
"Thanks Mom, for that innocuous speech."

   The audience applauded.  I looked at the first row and saw Mrs. 
Schmidt's seat was empty.

   "I ain't standing next to you anymore, she'll ground me too," Robbie
said and walked off the stage.  The audience laughed again.  Allie looked
over at me and smiled.  She was having fun.

   "The youth chorale and city orchestra were supposed to perform tonight
but due to scheduling conflicts, couldn't be here." The conflicts had come
up when Allie's mom had shown up at their practices and tried to tell them
not only what to play but how to play it.  "So tonight you're stuck with
Unrehearsed." The applause made me feel pretty good.

   "We're just kids.  But we think it's great when people do something.  My
mom and the historical society think this house is historical and should be
saved.  And they're doing something about it.  They organized this concert
for you, so that you would have to think about it."

   Polite applause.

   "We thought that tonight, we'd try to pick songs that mean something. 
Not just the same old tired love songs that Tony sings to Tami every time
we let him near a microphone."

   Allie looked over at me and grinned as the audience laughed again, even
though she knew I'd written her lines.

   "I won't be singing tonight, and if you see people looking skyward and
saying thank you, they're the ones who heard me when I was in sixth grade
chorus.  Joining us tonight as a guest flute-est...  flutist... 
fluterian...  on the flute, Miss Christine Warther.

   Chris, a slightly overweight blond senior, walked out and stood next to
Chad.  He adjusted a spare microphone stand for her.  We hadn't had time to
arrange any kind of lights, so we couldn't put a spot on her.

   Allie walked off over toward me.  I gave her a quick kiss, and Tami
hugged her.  Then Robbie came out and set down a stool, and a half-dozen
first-graders sat in a circle around her.

   Chris lifted her flute to her mouth and started playing as Robbie sat
and opened a large book.  Toby had written an overture to lead into the
simple start of Robbie's song.  Mostly we needed the flute for four or five
measures at the beginning and end of the song.  Toby had said he could
sample it on his keyboard, but Robbie and I thought the real flute was a
nice touch of class.

   Chris finished her overture and started into the song itself.  Robbie
lifted the book as if showing the kids a picture.  On the last measure Chad
and Toby came in with Toby's keyboard sounding like a regular piano.

   "Listen children to a story,

   that was written long ago."

   Sally picked up a tambourine and came over behind Robbie, shaking it to
the music.

   "Bout a kingdom on a mountain,

   and the valley folk below.

   On the mountain was a treasure

   buried deep beneath a stone

   And the valley people swore

   They'd have it for their very own."

   As she sang.  Robbie kept up the pretense of telling a story, turning
pages and showing the kids an occasional picture.

   "Go ahead and hate your neighbor;

   Go ahead and cheat a friend.

   Do it in the name of Heaven,

   You'll be justified in the end.

   There won't be any trumpets blowing,

   On the Judgement Day.

   On the bloody morning after,

   One tin soldier rides away.

   "So the people of the valley,

   sent a message up the hill,

   asking for the buried treasure,

   tons of gold for which they'd kill.

   Came the answer from the kingdom.

   With our brothers we will share,

   All the secrets of our mountain,

   All the riches buried there.

   "Now the valley cried with anger.

   Mount your horses, draw your sword."

   Two of the first grade boys stood and pretended to sword fight until
Sally separated them and sat them again.

   "And they killed the mountain people,

   so they won their just reward.

   Now they stood beside the treasure,

   on the mountain dark and red.

   Turned the stone and looked beneath it,

   'Peace on Earth' was all it said.

   "Go ahead and hate your neighbor;

   Go ahead and cheat a friend.

   Do it in the name of Heaven,

   You'll be justified in the end.

   There won't be any trumpets blowing,

   On the Judgement Day.

   On the bloody morning after,

   One tin soldier rides away."

   Sally and the little kids all joined in as Robbie reprised the chorus
again.

   "Go ahead and hate your neighbor;

   Go ahead and cheat a friend.

   Do it in the name of Heaven,

   You'll be justified in the end.

   There won't be any trumpets blowing,

   On the Judgement Day.

   On the bloody morning after,

   One tin soldier rides away."

   We should have gone fade-to-black, but instead, Robbie closed her book,
stood, set it on the stool, and she and Sally walked off to the other side.
Then, one by one, the first graders stood and walked off toward me.  I gave
them each a high five, and Tami led them off to where their mothers were
waiting.

   Allie walked back out into the center of the stage as Sally came back
and grabbed the book and Robbie's stool.  I reminded myself to get the book
back.  It was my only copy of Green Eggs and Ham.  Mom said I made her read
it every night was I was little.

   "That was Robbie Tate and the theme to Billy Jack," Allie announced. 
"Next we have Tony Sims and one of his favorite Harry Chapin songs.  If any
of my teachers are in the audience, I never saw this guy before."

   I walked out, nodded to the audience, then gave Allie a kiss on the
cheek.

   "You can do better than that," came a voice from the back of the
audience where we'd planted Ricky.

   So I grabbed Allie and twisted my body, bending her backwards in a long
deep kiss.

   As I stood her back up, Allie pretended to stagger, then said, "I still
don't know him," and disappeared into the wings.

   "How come I never get to kiss the girl?" Toby asked into his mic.

   "You know, it's not fair.  Tell you what.  After the show, I'll set you
up with the cute drummer."

   Toby growled and started playing.  His keyboard was still set to sound
like a piano, but now he worked out a ragtime beat.

   "Harry Chapin died before I was even born, but I miss him.  He seemed to
have the ability with his songs to reach inside you and pull out thoughts
and emotions you didn't know you had.  And who besides Chapin would even
try to write a song about a sniper on a rooftop, or the dance band on the
Titanic as the ship went down.  When he died, he didn't leave much in the
way of money--because he did most of his concerts for charity--but I think
he left a legacy that not many entertainers have even tried to live up to.
I think this song sums up modern education."

   I looked back at Unrehearsed and nodded.  The ragtime changed into a
simpler rhythm.  Then I looked back at the audience.

   "The little girl went first day of school,

   She got some crayons and started to draw.

   She put colors all over the paper,

   For colors was what she saw."

   Tami came out of the wings wearing a jumper and carrying a big piece of
construction paper and a box of crayons.  Her hair was tied into two long
ponytails with big red and white bows.  She lay down on her stomach off to
the side and started to color.

   "And the teacher said..  What you doin' little girl?"

   Robbie, who'd slipped on a white blouse and grey skirt, strode across
the stage in front of me and started wagging her finger at Tami.

   "I'm paintin' flowers she said.

   She said, It's not the time for art little girl,

   And anyway flowers are green and red.

   There's a time for everything little girl,

   And a way it should be done.

   You've got to show concern for everyone else,

   For you're not the only one

   And she said,

   Flowers are red little girl,

   Green leaves are green.

   There's no need to see flowers any other way,

   Than they way they always have been seen."

   Tami looked up at Robbie.

   "But the little girl said,

   There are so many colors in the rainbow,

   So many colors in the morning sun,

   So many colors in the flower and I see every one.

   "Well the teacher said, You're sassy.

   There's ways that things should be.

   And you'll paint flowers the way they are.

   "So repeat after me,

   And she said,

   Flowers are red little girl,

   Green leaves are green.

   There's no need to see flowers any other way,

   Than they way they always have been seen."

   "But the little girl said again,

   There are so many colors in the rainbow,

   So many colors in the morning sun,

   So many colors in the flower and I see every one."

   Robbie reached down and pretended to lift Tami by her ear, then marched
her over to the edge of the stage.

   "Well the teacher put her in a corner.

   She said..  It's for your own good.

   And you won't come out 'til you get it right,

   And are responding like you should.

   Well finally she got lonely,

   Frightened thoughts filled her head.

   And she went up to that teacher,

   And this is what she said..  and she said."

   Tami walked, head down over to where Robbie stood tapping her foot.

   "Flowers are red,

   Green leaves are green.

   There's no need to see flowers any other way,

   Than they way they always have been seen."

   Tami and Robbie walked off as the group played a musical bridge, then
Tami came back and sat down as stiff and straight as she could on the edge
of the stage, holding just two crayons.  She put a piece of paper on her
lap and pretended to color.

   "Of course time went by like it always does.

   They moved to another town.

   And the little girl went to another school,

   And this is what she found,"

   Allie came out with a big smile and a fistful of crayons.

   "The teacher there was smilin'.

   She said...Painting should be fun.

   And there are so many colors in a flower,

   So let's use every one.

   "But that little girl painted flowers,

   In neat rows of green and red.

   And when the teacher asked her why,

   This is what she said..  and she said,

   "Flowers are red, green leaves are green.

   There's no need to see flowers any other way,

   Than the way they always have been seen."

   Allie shook her head and walked off.  Tami just kept coloring.

   "But there still must be a way to have our children say...

   "There are so many colors in the rainbow,

   So many colors in the morning sun,

   So many colors in the flower and I see every one."

   Again, we should have gone fade to black, but instead, I walked over,
held out my hand to Tami, helped her up, and we walked off.

   Allie came back out.  "The views expressed by some of our performers are
not necessarily those of this announcer or our sponsors."

   That got Allie another laugh.

   "This is the part where Darlene Carter was supposed to sing, but she
decided that strep throat was more fun.  So, once again, here's Robbie
Tate!"

   Sally had replaced Toby at the keyboards and the boys had disappeared
into the wings.  She adjusted the keyboard and had it sounding like a piano
again, and now she picked out a melody with just a couple fingers.

   "She walks to school with the lunch she packed."

   Robbie's voice came through the sound system though she hadn't appeared
on stage yet.  Now Sally was playing with both hands, but still she keep
the melody simple.

   "Nobody knows what she's holdin' back."

   Robbie walked out from the opposite wing.  Her shoulders swayed gently
in time with the melody as she walked to the edge of the stage, a place
where the low fence around the porch was broken, and sat down, her feet
dangling in front of her.  She didn't look out at the audience, but to a
place in the sky above them.

   "Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday,

   She hides the bruises with linen and lace, oh-hoh.

   "The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask.

   It's hard to see the pain behind the mask.

   Bearing the burden of a secret storm,

   Sometimes she wishes she was never born.

   "Through the wind and the rain,

   She stands hard as a stone,

   In a world that she can't rise above.

   But her dreams, give her wings,

   And she flies to a place where she's loved.

   Concrete angel."

   I don't think I'd ever heard Robbie's voice clearer.  She sang softly,
but you could feel the power behind every word.

   "Somebody cries in the middle of the night.

   The neighbors hear, but they turn out the lights.

   A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate.

   When morning comes it'll be too late."

   If I'd staged this in the auditorium, I'd have used a single spot softly
focused on Robbie.  Maybe another on Sally.  If I had, the audience would
have seen the tear as it slid slowly down Robbie's cheek.

   "Through the wind and the rain,

   She stands hard as a stone,

   In a world that she can't rise above.

   But her dreams, give her wings,

   And she flies to a place where she's loved.

   Concrete angel."

   Robbie dropped her head and looked at the ground just below her feet as
Sally started a musical bridge.  A second later, Chris stepped on stage
next to Sally and added her flute.  As the bridge finished, both girls
stopped playing and Robbie lifted her head to the sky again and sang the
next verse all alone.

   "A statue stands in a shaded place.

   An angel girl with an upturned face.

   A name is written on a polished rock.

   A broken heart that the world forgot."

   Sally and Chris both joined in as Robbie stood and sang the last chorus.

   "Through the wind and the rain,

   She stands hard as a stone,

   In a world that she can't rise above.

   But her dreams, give her wings,

   And she flies to a place where she's loved.

   Concrete angel."

   Rob Crosby may have written it.  Martina McBride may have sung it first.
But Robbie just made it her own.

   As she, Sally and Chris hugged and walked off the stage holding hands to
the other side, I doubted that hers was the only damp cheek.

   The applause was thunderous.  Then someone stood, then someone else,
then the whole audience was on it's feet and still applauding.  After a
minute Robbie came back, Still holding Sally's and Chris's hands.  They
took a bow and ran off again.

   Considering the next three songs, I was glad we'd picked an upbeat one
to end on.  I also decided to lighten the mood a little first.  I grabbed
Allie before she could go out and whispered instructions.

   Allie smiled, nodded, and stepped on stage.  The audience was settling
back in their seats.  "That was Robbie Tate with what used to be Martina
McBride's Concrete Angel.  We already have her booked on next season's
American Idol, but don't let that get around, the producers are afraid that
none of the other contestants will show up."

   The audience laughed, and across the stage I saw Robbie look shocked,
then glare back at me.  I grinned back, then whispered more instructions in
Tami's ear while Sally and the boys snuck back on stage.  After Tami
nodded, I whispered more to Traci.

   "We do have one small technical difficulty," Allie continued.  "Both
Tony and Traci refuse to follow Robbie's act.  And since Darlene is still
pretending to be sick...  shows over.  Everybody go home."

   Tami stuck her head outside the curtain and hissed loudly.  Allie walked
over, then Tami pretended to whisper in Allie's ear while Allie nodded. 
Allie walked back to the middle.  "Tami suggested that we could probably
coax Tony out on stage if we chanted his name.  But I think Tony's ego is
too big all ready.  So I figure, if we all chant for Traci, Tony won't be
able to stand for his little sister getting all the attention and will come
out.  So, Tra-ci!  Tra-ci!"

   After a second, the crowd picked up the chant, and the night echoed with
Traci's name.  I nodded to Trace, and she started walking out with a big
grin.  Just before she got to Allie, I ran out, grabbed Traci's shoulders,
turned her around, and pretended to boot her toward the wings.  Traci
pouted and ran off as the audience laughed again.

   "You can't treat me like that," Allie said into her mic.

   "Wanna bet." I looked straight at the audience.  "How many of you would
pay extra to see me put a cute red-headed cheerleader over my knee?" As the
audience started applauding, Allie squeaked and ran off the stage.

   I waited a few seconds for the applause and laughter to die down.  "This
summer, during, what Tami calls our concert tour, she found me a song that
reminded me of a girl that we all knew too short of time.  With apologies
to Rascal Flatts, I'd like to do Skin."

   As Toby played the introduction, I thought we really had to find
somebody who played the violin.

   "Sarabeth is scared to death,

   To hear what the doctor will say.

   She hasn't been well,

   Since the day that she fell.

   And the bruise it just won't go away.

   So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad,

   And flips through an old magazine.

   Till a nurse with a smile stands at the door,

   And says will you please come with me.

   "Sarabeth is scared to death,

   Cause the doctor just told her the news.

   Between the red cells and white,

   Something's not right,

   But we're going to take care of you.

   Six chances in ten,

   It won't come back again,

   With the therapy we're going to try.

   It's just been approved,

   It's the strongest there is,

   And I think we caught it in time.

   Sarabeth closes her eyes.



   "She dreams she's dancing,

   Around and around without any cares.

   And her very first love is holding her close,

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair.

   "Sarabeth is scared to death,

   As she sits holding her mom.

   Cause it would be a mistake,

   For someone to take,

   A girl with no hair to the prom.

   For just this morning right there on her pillow,

   Was the cruellest of innocent cries.

   And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands,

   The proof that she couldn't deny.

   Sarabeth closes her eyes.



   "She dreams she's dancing,

   Around and around without any cares.

   And her very first love is holding her close,

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair.

   "It's a quarter of seven,

   That boy's at the door,

   And her daddy ushers him in.

   When he takes off his cap,

   They all start to cry,

   `Cause this morning where his hair had been,

   Softly she touches just skin.

   "They go dancing,

   Around and around without any cares.

   And her very first true love is holding her close,

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair.

   "For a moment she isn't scared."

   As the music died, Allie stepped out before the applause could start. 
"This fall, Tony and the others wrote a play about Zoe.  Tony and Sally
wrote the theme song and a lot of you have asked to hear it again.  This is
Zoe's Song."

   I'm not sure I even heard Unrehearsed start to play.  I just shut my
eyes and started singing, with images of Zoe dancing in my head.  I didn't
even realize I'd finished until Tami and Robbie hugged me.  I opened my
eyes, and the audience was on it's feet again.

   I nodded my appreciation, took Tami's hand, and walked off.  I hoped Zoe
heard, both the song and the applause.

   Allie came back on stage.  I didn't pay much attention.  I just hugged
Tami, holding her as close as I could.

   "And he thought Robbie was a tough act to follow.  Poor Traci."

   Someone in the audience yelled, "Tra-ci!" and in seconds, everyone was
chanting again.  I felt good for the brat as I finally let Tami go.  I
wondered if it was spontaneous or if Allie had arranged it.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, everybody's favorite little sister, Traci Sims!"

   Traci walked out and waved, and the audience cheered.  Robbie ran out
and set a stool in the center of the stage, gave Trace a hug, and ran off.
Traci sat, hooking one heel over the bottom rung.

   Toby started the introduction, with Sally and Chad coming in as Traci
started to sing.

   "Some kids have and some kids don't,

   And some of us are wondering why.

   And Mom won't watch the news at night,

   There's too much stuff that's making her cry.

   We need some help,

   Down here on earth.

   A thousand prayers, a million words,

   But one voice was heard.

   "A house, a yard, a neighborhood,

   Where you can ride your new bike to school.

   A kind of world where mom and dad,

   Still believe the golden rule.

   Life's not that simple,

   Down here on earth.

   A thousand prayers, a million words,

   But one voice was heard.

   "One voice, one simple word,

   Hearts know what to say.

   One dream can change the world,

   Keep believing till you find your way.

   "Yesterday while walking home,

   I saw some kid on Newbury Road.

   He pulled a pistol from his bag,

   And tossed it in the river below."

   I guess I'm a cynic, but every time I heard that line, whether Bill
Gilman or Traci sang it, I couldn't help thinking that the kid on Newbury
Road was ditching evidence, not making a moral choice.

   "Thanks for the help,

   Down here on Earth.

   A thousand prayers, a million words,

   But one voice was heard."

   "One voice was heard.



   "One voice was heard."

   For the third time, the audience was on it's feet.  I walked out and
hugged Trace, with Robbie and Tami joining us and making it unanimous.  If
this had been a contest, Traci would have taken it all if Robbie had chosen
any other song.

   "All that talent in one family, and I can't sing a note," Allie said as
she walked out on stage.  "Ladies and gentlemen, Traci Sims and One Voice."
I let go of Traci long enough for her to take a bow, then hugged her again.

   "Tony said I didn't have to introduce the band because he was the star,
but Robbie said I'd better.  And since she's tougher than he is..." Allie
spread her hands and shrugged in a "what can I do?" manner.  "On keyboards,
Toby Reyes!" She waited for the applause as Toby played a couple riffs. 
"On guitar, Chad Davis!" More applause.  "And on drums, Toby's favorite
sister and Chad's favorite girlfriend, Sally Reyes." Sally turned a
delicious shade of pink as the audience applauded, but for some reason, so
did Toby and Chad.  "And finally, our guest flute-est...  flutist... 
playing the flute, Christine Warther"

   Allie took a deep breath then started reciting the speech I'd written a
couple days ago.  The one she'd seen that she said her mother would hate
and that she begged me to let her give.

   "Before the group does their last song--and we all run for cover because
those clouds are getting darker--I'd like to remind you why we're here."
She opened her arm in a sweeping motion to encompass the house behind us.
"This is the Sugarman house.  Cyrus Sugarman was the area commander here
just after the Civil War.  While Cyrus was not much of a military man, this
is the last remnant of that era since they tore down the fort in the
thirties."

   I noticed that Allie's mom had resumed her seat in the front row and
resumed her frown.

   "Cyrus's major achievement was attempting to invade British Columbia,
and let's just say that didn't go so well." The audience laughed, which
must have meant most of them took seventh grade history here.  "Something
not so widely known is that apparently Cyrus' wife Amelia found a
particular role model in Valeria Messalina, the wife of the Roman Emperor
Claudius.  Since Mom would kill me if I explained that, in the words of
many of my teachers, 'If you don't get it, look it up.'"

   That got a short laugh and I had a feeling that Wikipedia was going to
get a lot of hits tonight.

   "That's enough young lady!" Allie's mom shouted.  I wondered if she
recognized Messalina or already knew Amelia's reputation.

   "Not yet, Mom.  I haven't mentioned its use as a recreation center in
World War Two."

   That got another laugh, mostly from the men.

   "Anyway, this is a historical building and the county historical society
would like to preserve it.  Buuuuut..." She grinned.  "The city council,
who owns the property would like to tear this down and build a youth
recreation center, something the community really needs.

   "As I said in the beginning, we're just kids.  But we think it's great
when people do something.  So we're asking you to do something.  Get
involved.  If you think, like my mom and the historical society, that this
landmark should be preserved, then let the mayor and city council know. 
But if you think, like me and my friends up here, that this house should be
torn down so that a youth center can take its place, then let them know
about that too.  Or maybe you have a different idea all together.

   "Whatever you decide, do something about it.  Make a call.  Send an
e-mail.  Or both.  Send a lot of e-mail.  Whether they preserve and restore
this place, or tear it down, don't just wait to read about it in the
newspaper."

   Allie took a short bow and started to walk off, then turned to face the
audience again.  "Oh, by the way, Tami's column in the paper tomorrow will
be her arguments for a new youth center." In the front row, Mrs.  Schmidt
did not look happy.  I'd decided that our appeal for the youth center
should be low key 'cause I'd known she'd browbeat the audience with her
appeal, and her speech had proven me right.

   Allie grinned.  "I have to go home and be grounded now." As the audience
laughed she tossed her mic to Tami and skipped off.

   Tami stepped forward as Mrs.  Schmidt jumped to her feet.  "Mrs. 
Schmidt, if it will keep Allie from getting grounded forever, Tony wrote
that speech." Mrs.  Schmidt turned red and hastily sat down again.

   "As Allie said in the beginning, tonight we wanted to sing songs that
meant something.  Songs that either had a message or made you think.  One
Tin Soldier about greed and war.  Flowers Are Red about enforcing
conformity.  Concrete Angel about abuse.  Skin and Zoe's Song about a girl
who died too young.  And Traci's One Voice about hope.  We wanted to finish
with another song with meaning, but one that hopefully will get your toes
tapping too.  We did this one for the big Fourth of July celebration in
Sheridan, Wyoming, and maybe it's time to do it here too."

   Like this summer, I started.

   "Well, the eagle's been flying slow,

   And the flag's been flying low.

   And a lot of peoples saying

   That America's fixing to fall.

   But speaking just for me..."

   Robbie walked out holding a microphone and took over the song.

   "And some people from Tennessee,

   We got a thing or two,

   To tell you all."

   Traci picked it up.

   "This lady may have stumbled,

   But she ain't never fell.

   And if Al Quida don't believe that,"

   We all joined in, even Tami and Allie who'd come back on stage.

   "They can all go straight to hell.

   We're gonna put her feet back on the path,

   Of righteousness and then,

   God bless America again."

   "And you never did think that it ever would happen again.

   In America, did you?

   You never did think that we'd ever get together again.

   Well, we damn sure fooled you.

   We're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again

   In America.

   You never did think that it ever would happen again."

   My turn again.

   "From the sound up in Long Island,

   to the San Francisco Bay,

   And everything between them is our home."

   Traci.

   "And we may have done a little

   Bit of fighting amongst ourselves,

   But you outside people,

   Best leave us alone."

   Robbie put her arm around Tami's shoulders and sang.

   "Cause we'll all stick together,

   And you can take that to the bank."

   "That's the cowboys and the hippies,

   And the rebels and the yanks."

   Me.

   "You just go and lay your hands

   On a Seattle Seahawks fan,"

   The crowd cheered.

   "And I think you're gonna finally understand."

   All of us and some of the audience.

   "And you never did think that it ever would happen again.

   In America, did you?"

   "You never did think that we'd ever get together again.

   Well, we damn sure fooled you."

   We're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again

   In America.

   You never did think that it ever would happen again."

   Chad and Toby each tried to outdo the other on the bridge as everybody
in the audience came to their feet.

   "And you never did think that it ever would happen again.

   In America, did you?"

   "You never did think that we'd ever get together again.

   Well, we damn sure fooled you."

   We're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again

   In America.

   You never did think that it ever would happen again."

   "Ladies and gentlemen," I yelled.  "Don't forget to talk to your city
council and God bless America!"

   * * *

   "So, Tony, I've always wondered, did you ever forgive Miss Tate for
dragging you to that audition with me?"

   I grinned and shook hands with Mr.  McCoy, the middle school music
teacher.  Traci was standing with Miss Breslin, her old fifth grade
teacher. Tami and Robbie, with a bundled up Darlene in the middle, were
talking to the mayor.  Allie was successfully ignoring her mother as she
chatted with Mr.  Reed.  And Mom and Dad were accepting congratulations
from almost everyone.

   "Almost," I said as the first raindrop hit the back of my neck.  "Maybe
by graduation."



   Chapter 27

   "That red light goes on, and I spank."

   Robbie grinned, and I knew she wasn't taking my threat very seriously.

   "I mean it.  If Mom hears me tonight, my life is over."

   Robbie smiled sweetly.  "And I care, why?"

   "You wrote the script," I reminded her.

   "True," she admitted.  "But my dad won't ground me."

   I nodded agreement.  "Yeah, he's given up on civilizing you."

   "No, but I explained years ago that well behaved women rarely make
history."

   I grinned.  I could imagine Robbie saying just that and her dad taking
it as a simple statement of fact.

   "Any comments before we start old business?" the man in the center of
the table on the stage asked.

   I took a deep breath and raised my hand.  The man on stage recognized
three others before he got to me.

   "Yes?"

   I stood.  "My name is Tony Sims.  I'm not from this school, I'm go
to..."

   "I know who you are," The man said stiffly.

   "I just wanted to say that the team from my school has decided that
they'd be happy to come to Lake and play baseball."

   The man looked surprised, then smiled.  "I'm glad to hear that you've
decided to end this nonsense."

   I smiled back.  "They decided that they were punishing the Lake students
for something that wasn't their fault." I paused 'cause I knew that I had
to get the rest out in one breath.  "After all, it's not their fault that a
bunch of fucking idiots hired an asshole and don't have the guts to control
his tongue!"

   I gave the school board a half-bow, turned, and walked out as the
auditorium erupted into pandemonium.

   * * *

   I had to get the rest of the story from Tami, Robbie, and the video that
Robbie shot, a video that, I wasn't very surprised to find, included my
little tirade.  I went out, sat in my Mustang, and started reading the
first of James Patterson's Murder Club mysteries.

   * * *

   Tami and Robbie sat quietly as the board discussed a dozen items of old
business.  Robbie had changed memory cards in her camera after I left and
now kept her camera focused on the board on the stage.  The board opened
the floor for new business.  A man a few rows ahead of the girls stood up
as Robbie focused her video camera on him.  "I'm John Polaski.  I think all
of us are happy that the boycott against Lake is ending, but we can't
ignore the Coach Rich situation any longer."

   The man in the center of the board table brought down his gavel sharply.
"Mr.  Polaski.  The board certainly appreciates your concerns, but this
isn't the appropriate time for that discussion.  We will deal with it at a
later time."

   "What time?  This is the fourth time I've brought up the subject since
November.  And I'm not the only one."

   "When the time is right," the board chairman said.  "Right now we should
just be happy that our student athletes will be able to compete.  Though
one thing I can assure you is that that young man's inappropriate remarks
will be reported to his school."

   "I'm not sure his remarks were all that inappropriate," Polaski said as
he sat back down.

   * * *

   From the camera angle, Robbie had moved back several rows as the meeting
broke up.

   "Mr.  Kellerman?  I was hoping to get some comments," Tami said as she
approached the board chairman.

   "Young lady, isn't it past your bedtime?"

   'Bedtime?' I thought when I watched the tape.  Both girls had been back
in my car by a quarter after ten.

   "I'm here as a reporter," Tami explained.

   Kellerman smiled condescendingly.  "I'd be happy to talk to our school
paper another time.  Right now..."

   "I'm not with your school paper.  In fact, I don't even go to Lake."

   Kellerman looked surprised, and Tami pulled a laminated card out of her
jeans pocket.  "I've done a number of articles for the Seattle paper." She
held out a press card for his inspection.  We'd thought the Seattle press
card would be more impressive than her local one.

   Kellerman looked skeptical.

   "I'm doing a story on school boards that ignore public input."

   Kellerman's face went from skeptical to disgusted.

   "Your board has ignored eleven requests to discuss Coach Rich and his
remarks in the last three meetings and another one tonight.  Do you ever
plan to address the concerns of your constituents?"

   "Young lady, I'm getting really tired to listening to the bitching and
moaning from your school.  First your boyfriend tonight, now you." I
grinned as I watched that.  I guessed from all the columns Tami wrote about
Rich and the boycott, someone pointed out that she and me were a we.

   "Sir, I'm here as a reporter and columnist, not as a girlfriend.  I've
identified the story I'm working on and asked a simple question.  I'd be
happy to hear any or all of your views on the subject.  And the fact that
I'm young and a female isn't all that relevant."

   "I am sick and tired of you people whining about Coach Rich.  I'm..."

   "So in addition to not caring what your constituents think, you don't
want the press to have questions?  I assume that's what you mean by you
people."

   Kellerman spun and stomped away.

   Though I couldn't see it since she was behind the camera, I knew there
was a big grin on Robbie's face.  One of her patented
I-love-it-when-a-plan-comes-together ones.

   * * *

   "I guess she's one up on the rest of us."

   "Huh?" Robbie said, tearing her eyes away from a TV commercial about
beautiful Hawaii.  Outside it was raining hard.

   I patted Tami's hip as she sat across my lap.

   "Tami.  She's one up on us.  We've been on the radio, but she's on TV,"
Traci explained.

   I grinned.  "Speak for yourself, Brat-zilla.  I've been interviewed
several times after games and so has Robbie.  Plus, she has an ESPN special
to her credit."

   Robbie, sitting next to Trace on the sofa, buffed her nails on her left
breast.

   We'd been watching the local news, where the Lake school board meeting
had only been beaten out for top story by a big warehouse fire in
Wenatchee. They had used the entire video of Tami's exchange with
Kellerman. Tami came off looking professional despite her age, and the
anchorwoman mentioned that Tami was a regular contributor to the Seattle
paper as well as having three columns a week in the local paper.

   Kellerman came off looking confrontational and having something to hide.

   We knew the Seattle TV station that was affiliated with Tami's paper was
running the story, too, though probably cut down a lot.

   "You going to give up newspapers for television now?" Traci asked.

   "Not in a million years," Tami said laying her head against my shoulder.
"Television is cool, but reporting in print has one big advantage." Tami
paused, leaned up, and kissed me lightly.  "A backspace key."



   Chapter 28

   "Have you ever considered having a study hall for seventh period?"

   I shrugged as Mrs.  Connors glared at me.  The PA system had just
summoned me to the office again.  I'd expected the summons yesterday or the
day before.  I gathered my books and stood.

   "TAMI SHARP, PLEASE REPORT TO THE OFFICE."

   Tami and Robbie looked surprised.

   "I give up," Mrs.  Conners muttered.  "Anybody else want to go?  The
office?  The library?  Hell, Dairy Queen?"

   I think a few students liked the Dairy Queen idea but nobody dared raise
their hands.  I waited as Tami closed her notebook and stood.  Robbie
stared at the speaker wondering if she was next.

   "Now if it's Wasay, you're not supposed to be in-your-face," I said out
in the hallway.  "If it's a student delegation, be nice and if it's Allie's
mom you have to be polite."

   "If it's Allie's mom, I'm going to stick my foot so far up her ass that
I'll probably lose my shoe," Tami growled.  I grinned, turning my head to
the side so that Tami wouldn't see.  My Little Mustang was still pissed. 
Majorly pissed.

   Two weeks ago, after our concert, the city council had one of it's best
attended meetings in years.  And almost everyone spoke in favor of tearing
down the Sugarman house and building a youth center.  The mayor said city
hall had logged over two hundred phone calls and another couple hundred
e-mails and letters running seven-to-one for the youth center.

   The council voted unanimously to build the center.

   But Allie's mom was smarter than any of us gave her credit for.  She and
Bill Hyatt, the historical Society's lawyer did an end run, sending a
petition to the state historical buildings commission.  The commission, not
bothering with public input had slapped a protected status on the damn
building.

   "Maybe in chemistry Monday, Robbie and I can try making nitro," I
suggested.

   Tami grinned, a more natural look than the scowl that appeared when I
mentioned Allie's mom.  "As long as you don't accidentally blow up my best
friend."

   "What about me?"

   "You can be replaced.  Robbie's unique," Tami said as she slipped her
hand in my back pocket.

   * * *

   The school office sent us to the superintendent's office at the other
end of the school.  Mrs.  Price, the superintendent's secretary sent us to
the district's conference room which was in another building across the
parking lot.

   I knocked and heard a muffled "Come in".

   I opened the door, then shared a look with Tami.

   Sitting on the other side of the long conference table were three men
and none of them looked happy.  Mr.  Reed the principal sat on the left,
and Mr.  Whitting the school board chairman sat on the right and Butz had
the center.

   I swallowed.  Butz not looking happy was normal, but Reed and Whitting
almost always had a smile on their faces.  "You wanted to see us?"

   "Sit down!" Butz ordered.

   I closed the door behind us and walked to the table but didn't sit. 
Nether did Tami.  "No thank you.  I'd rather stand."

   "I said, sit down!" Butz bellowed."

   "No," Tami and I said together.

   "I'm getting real tired of your attitude," Butz said staring at me. 
"It's time you learned..."

   Mr.  Whitting whispered something from the side and I never learned what
it was time for me to learn.

   Butz looked down at the yellow legal pad in front of him.  "You took it
upon yourself to go to Lake and disrupt their board meeting," he accused.

   I smiled.  "I might quibble with the word disrupt, but yes, I went to
the Lake school board meeting."

   The look Butz gave me suggested that I was supposed to be more
intimidated.  "You used language that was entirely inappropriate."

   "I used language that was completely appropriate for the situation and
the people I addressed." All three men looked surprised.  I decided to add
insult to injury.  "And what the hell made it any of your business?"

   Butz looked stunned.  Next to me I heard a soft giggle.

   "Tony..." Mr.  Reed started but Butz exploded to his feet his fists
resting on the table.

   "Before you do something ludicrous like trying to suspend or expel me, I
went to Lake as a private citizen.  I did not identify myself as
representing this school or any school organization, though I passed on a
message from the baseball team.  The opinions I expressed were mine, they
had nothing to do with the school or you.

   "If you think you can control my actions or words outside of school,
then you are a lot more stupid than you look."

   "Tony that was uncalled for," Mr.  Whitting said, coming to his feet.

   "No sir, I think it was entirely called for," I said, looking at him. 
"One of the first things Butz ever said to me was that he was too busy to
care about my or any other student's opinion." I deliberately omitted the
honorific.  "The second was that he thought Parker's opinion of me was
correct.  I think we all know Parker's opinion of me."

   "Right now, we're both missing class for something that is none of your
business," Tami said, speaking up for the first time.  "And unlike some
students, we like our classes and resent missing them for ridiculous
reasons.  And for the record, I wasn't representing the school either.  I
represented a newspaper in Seattle and I don't think our...superintendent
wants to take them on." I had a feeling that Tami searched the right
adjective and came up blank.

   "Mr.  Reed, Mr.  Whitting, do you mind if we go back to class now?" I
asked when Tami finished.

   Both men looked blank but nodded.  Butz just glared.

   Outside I put my arm around Tami as we walked back to class.  I had a
feeling that our respite was only temporary.

   * * *

   Mr.  Reed was waiting when the bell rang ending the period.  "Mrs. 
Connors, can I borrow your classroom for a few minutes?"

   Mrs.  Connors looked at him, then me and Tami, then back at Mr.  Reed
and nodded.  The other students were already streaming past him, but Tami,
Robbie and I sat still.  Mrs.  Connors packed her brief case, nodded to Mr.
Reed again and left.  He glanced at Robbie, then closed the door.

   Mr.  Reed stepped in front of Mrs.  Connors desk, leaned back against it
and looked at us.  "I hope you don't mind if I take a couple minutes of
your time."

   "No, sir," I said since I didn't think he was being sarcastic.

   "Lake has been a hell of a problem from the moment Rich opened his
mouth. I was very proud of what your team did for Robbie."

   From the corner of my eye I caught Robbie's blush.  "We all love Robbie,
but I'd like to think we would have done it for anyone," I said.

   Mr.  Reed nodded.  "I think you would have.  And I'd like to think that
at least most of the team would have followed you if it had been someone
else." Now I could feel the heat in my own cheeks.

   "I wasn't any less proud when you talked to the WSAA after the walk off.
Though your attitude was a little too much..."

   "In your face," I supplied.

   Mr.  Reed nodded.  "While I'm handing out compliments, I was also proud
of you for what you did for Luke Hastings."

   I looked at Tami.  She smiled.  "It was the right thing to do," I said
looking back at Mr.  Reed.

   "Funny how he randomly came up for testing every week," he said with a
smile.

   I shrugged.  "You never know about random."

   "He's still coming up, even though he didn't play winter sports."

   Oops.  I guess I didn't tell Kelly to stop it after football season.  I
shrugged again.

   "Probably a good idea," Robbie said.  Mr.  Reed nodded.

   "I was happy that you decided to play Lake after you talked to those
kids."

   "Like they pointed out, Rich could care less.  He wasn't the one who was
getting hurt," Robbie said.

   "And..." Mr.  Reed hesitated.  "Tony I didn't lose any respect for you
over your visit to Lake, though your language..."

   "Was necessary."

   Mr.  Reed seemed to process that.  "And Tami I saw you on the news.  You
handled yourself well."

   Tami nodded.

   "As for Mr.  Butz..." he hesitated again.  "You're probably right that
it was none of our business, but you may not want to be as antagonistic to
the superintendent.  You're going to be in his school for another
year-and-a-half."

   I opened my mouth, but Tami beat me to it.  "Tony could have been polite
to that pickledick and we'd still be there trying to explain to him that
it's wasn't any of his business.  Tony was efficient and we at least made
it back for half the class."

   Mr.  Reed shook his head and waved us away.

   'Pickledick?' Now I have to keep Tami away from my cousins too.

   Maybe I could just declare Colorado out-of-bounds.

   * * *

   "Tony, we need to talk," Dad said quietly as I walked in the door after
practice.  "Your room?" Mom was in the kitchen.

   "Butz called?"

   Dad glanced toward the kitchen then nodded.

   I sighed.  "I'll be back in a minute." I took my bag into my room and
set it beside the bed.  I really wish there was a limit on confrontations
in one day.

   I walked back into the living room and sat down on the sofa.  "Mom! 
Have you got a minute or two?"

   "About five," she called and came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on
a dish towel.  Traci followed, eating a banana.

   "Dad got a call from Mr.  Butz today." From the look she gave Dad, I
hoped that I hadn't gotten him in trouble.  "I have a feeling that it had
two parts, the Lake school board and our meeting today." Dad nodded as Mom
settled on the arm of his chair and the brat sat in the dining room.

   "The meeting today, he wasn't too happy when I explained that what I did
off school property and off school time was none of his business."

   "It's spring.  Are you suspended?" Mom asked.

   "Not yet.  It really isn't school business, and he had no right to call
Tami and me in to discuss it."

   Mom and Dad both looked surprised when I mentioned Tami.

   "Is he going to pursue it?" Mom asked.

   "Well, he called Dad, but I think that's as far as it's going."

   "And this was about a school board meeting at Lake?"

   I nodded.  "Tami, Robbie, and I went on Tuesday.  I, uh, wanted to tell
them that we'd decided to play them in baseball."

   "That's all?"

   "Butz felt that some of my language was inappropriate."

   Mom exchanged a look with Dad.  "What language?"

   "I said that we'd decided to play 'cause it wasn't the kids fault
that...that a bunch of fucking idiots hired an asshole and didn't have the
guts to control his tongue."

   Traci gasped.

   "I see," Mom said narrowing her gaze at me.  "That doesn't sound like
you.  You thought it was appropriate?"

   I stood.  "For that situation and that audience, yes I did."

   "Why?"

   "Uh, you saw the news Wednesday night?" Mom nodded.  I'd thought they'd
seen Tami on the eleven o'clock news.  I knew they hadn't seen it at five.
We only saw it 'cause practice was rained out.  "We, uh, I kinda wanted to
get Mr.  Kellerman in the right mood to meet Tami."

   Dad laughed.  "Tony, remember what I said about you and Sergeant Bilko?
I withdraw the comment."

   Mom looked down at him like he'd lost it.  "Go wash up, I'm putting
dinner on the table."

   I tried not to grin as I walked away.  I was glad I hadn't mentioned
that Robbie wrote my script.



   Chapter 29

   "Remember this summer?"

   Warning bells.  Hell, more like an air raid klaxon.  "Of course."

   I turned off the highway onto the road that led to Robbie's house.  I
was driving Darlene home after school.  Tami had stayed after to work on
something for the paper, and I had the afternoon off because of the rain
pounding down around us.

   "Remember when we..."

   "Something I'm not likely to ever forget," I said quickly, remembering
her self-esteem issues.  "A sexy cheerleader losing her virginity in my
tent is one of those stories I'll bore everyone with in the old folks home
ninety years from now."

   "I wasn't a virgin," she giggled.

   "Might as well have been."

   Damn, I hoped she wasn't horny.  That would be all I needed, along with
Tami still bugging me about Bobbi's virginity.

   I parked and shut off the car.

   "I just wanted you to know that you were right."

   "I usually am," I said pompously.

   "Not according to Robbie," Darlene said and giggled again.

   "What was I right about this time?" I asked, ignoring her comment.

   "Afterward, when we were talking, you said there were guys out there who
knew how to do it right."

   I remembered our talk.  We were walking, just enjoying the quiet of the
morning and Darlene was telling me about her first time.  Her real first
time.  "I'm glad."

   During the play, I'd thought she and Luke were about to hook up, but a
week or so later I found out that she'd been dating Clay Willingham. 
"How'd you hook up with the enemy anyway?" Clay was a senior and had been
the quarterback on North Lincoln's football team.

   Darlene smiled.  "During the home basketball game with them, I kind of
got into it with one of their cheerleaders.  It was his little sister.  It
just kind of happened."

   I decided for the eight-thousand-three-hundred-and-sixteenth time that
the world was a strange and wondrous place.

   "And he treats you right?"

   Darlene reached over, cupped my face in her hands and kissed me gently.
"Almost as good as you."

   * * *

   "I want you to listen to something," Robbie said as Darlene and I ran
dripping into the house.

   "Can I dry off first?" I asked sarcastically.

   "Nope, just shake like a dog." Robbie got out of her chair and headed
for the stairs.  Lying on the floor in front of the chair, the twins
giggled.  I decided that I needed to speak to their dad about spanking them
more often, or maybe Robbie's dad since they hung out here as much as their
own house.

   I shook like a dog, then followed Robbie up the stairs.  I grinned when
I saw the drops of water that had landed on the entryway mirror.  Robbie
had complained more than once about constantly cleaning it.

   Robbie was sitting at her computer when I walked in her room.

   "This is a seventies song I found.  I wanted you to hear it."

   I cocked my head in question.

   "Just listen," she ordered and clicked something on her computer.

   [girl singing]

   Ah-ah, ah-ah.

   Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault.

   He means so much to me.

   Daddy please don't, we're going to get married.

   Just you wait and see

   [boy singing]

   Every night the same old dream, I hate to close my eyes.

   I can't erase the memory, the sound of Julie's cries.

   She called me up late that night, she said, "Joe don't come over.

   My dad and I just had a fight, and he stormed out the door.

   I've never seen him act this way.  My god, he's going crazy.

   He says he's going to make you pay, for what we've done,

   he's got a gun,

   so run Joey, run Joey run."

   [girl singing]

   Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault.

   He means so much to me.

   Daddy please don't, we're going to get married.

   Just you wait and see

   [boy singing]

   I got in my car, and I drove like mad,

   till I reached Julie's place.

   She ran to me with tear-filled eyes, and bruises on her face.

   All at once I saw him there, sneaking up behind me.

   [girl, shouting]

   Watch out!

   [boy singing]

   Then Julie yelled, "He's got a gun."

   and she stepped in front of me.

   Suddenly, a shot rang out, and I saw Julie falling.

   I ran to her.  I held her close.

   When I looked down my hands were red,

   and here's the last words Julie said:

   [girl singing]

   Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault.

   He means so much to me.

   [voice fading]

   Daddy please don't, we're going to get mar-ried.

   Ah-ah, ah-ah.

   [both singing]

   Run, Joey, run Joey, run Joey,

   run Joey, run Joey, run Joey, run.

   "What's your very first thought?" Robbie asked as the song faded.

   I shrugged.  "If he'd listened to her and stayed home, Julie would still
be alive."

   "And your second thought?"

   "With the bruises on her face, they could have put Dad away and lived
happily ever after."

   Robbie smiled.  "Good, I thought I was getting cynical in my old age."

   "You?  Never." I paused waiting to see if I needed to dodge.  "Who was
that?'

   "The guy was David Geddes.  No idea who the girl was."

   I'd never heard of him.  "One hit wonder?"

   "Two, actually.  He did a song called Last Game of the Season."

   I smiled.  "That was the first thing you ever sang to me."

   Robbie looked startled, then remembered the afternoon in the bleachers
our eighth grade year, when our last game of the season got canceled
because of snow."

   "You said you didn't know I could sing," she said, smiling wistfully
herself.

   "And you said you were Supergirl and could do anything.  My life's been
downhill ever since." I didn't move fast enough and her fist punched me in
the side of the thigh.  "Thinking about that song for one of our duets?"

   "Nah.  I wouldn't do love-struck naive waif very good.  Maybe you could
do it with Traci."

   "I don't think so.  Might send the wrong message."

   "To who?"

   "The love-struck naive waif."

   Robbie turned her head quickly but not in time to hide her grin.  "One
of us should do Last Game sometime."

   "I've never heard the whole thing," I said, happy to change the subject.
"Just the little bit you sang me four years ago."

   "You know, it's hard to believe it was only four years ago when I
knocked on your door and said I needed a favor."

   "And I took one look at you and hoped that the favor was helping you
with your nymphomania."

   "That sounds like my Tony.  You know..." Robbie's eyes flicked toward
the bed.

   "Have you got that other song?  I'd like to hear it."

   Robbie sighed.  "That's what I thought." She clicked her mouse several
times and a piano started playing.

   "He's just the blind man on the bleachers..."



   Chapter 30

   As I walked in the door, I looked at Dad's empty chair.  I closed the
door and made a beeline for the chair, sinking into it with a sigh. 
Thursday, practice had been rained out, so the coach pushed us twice as
hard yesterday.

   Today, I worked at the gym club all morning, but now, I could just veg
out for the rest of the weekend.  Life was good.  It'd be better if Tami
hadn't gone to Seattle with her mother, but life was good.

   I picked up the remote and flicked through channels, finally settling on
something on the Sci-Fi Channel: a giant snake was eating someone.  Not
exactly great television, but sometimes mindless entertainment was just
what I needed.

   The movie ended and another started.  Apparently giant snakes were the
theme today.

   Traci wandered in and sat on the sofa.  And fidgeted.

   I watched the snake eat a cute blonde, then took pity on my sister.  I
clicked off the TV and looked at her.

   Traci took a breath.  "I think it's time to talk to Peter."

   "Okay."

   "He doesn't want to talk to me." She took another deep breath.  "You
said..."

   I remembered our talk when I'd said that when she was ready, I'd make
sure that Peter would be there.  "I'll see what I can do."

   Reluctantly I got out of the chair where I'd planned to spend my
afternoon.

   It took a couple minutes to walk to Peter's trailer.  He was outside
with Mikee and Kelly, unloading groceries from their mom's mini-van.

   "Ladies," I said as I walked up.  The two girls smiled at me, then
picked up a couple bags each and walked into the house.

   "Traci wants to talk to you."

   Peter shrugged.  "Not interested."

   "I really think you should," I said as the girls walked back out.

   "Or what?" Peter said, looking straight at me for the first time.  "You
going to beat me up if I don't?"

   "Yeah, I think I will."

   Peter looked surprised.  So did the girls.  But I don't think any of
them were more surprised than me.

   Peter glanced over at his sisters, then looked back at me and nodded.

   We walked back to our trailer.  Traci wasn't in the living room, so I
lead Peter down the hall to her door.  I stopped and looked back at the
kid.

   "You know Peter, I can make you be here.  I can make you hear what she
has to say.  But I can't make you listen.  But as long as you're here, you
might want to consider it."

   Peter looked stubborn as I knocked on Traci's door.

   Inside, Traci was sitting on her bed.  I pointed at her desk chair, and
Peter sat.  I started to leave, but Traci shook her head, so I leaned
against the doorframe.

   There was a long silence.  Traci couldn't seem to focus.  Her eyes
wandered from the floor to Peter, to the wall, to me, the ceiling, and back
again.  Finally, Traci sighed and looked at Peter.

   "Peter, I've wanted to talk to you.  But it's taken awhile to figure out
what I had to stay.  You were, you are, very special to me.  And I never
wanted to hurt you, but I have.  I may not be as smart as my brother,"
Trace gave me a small smile, then looked back at Peter, "but I'm smart
enough to know that I can't take it back.  I'm not asking forgiveness.  I
don't need forgiveness.  But I want you to understand.  I want you to
really know who I am.

   "The simple fact is, I've had more sex than you.  A lot more.  We both
know you were a virgin when we..." Peter turned red as Traci left the rest
of the sentence unsaid.

   "I was kissing guys, I mean seriously kissing them, in the fifth grade.
The next year, in sixth grade, I gave Kyle Thomas a hand job.  I probably
shouldn't have, but he worked so hard for it.  We'd been making out and he
kept saying that an unattended hard-on could do permanent damage.  I knew
he was lying, but...  It was pity and curiosity that finally got him what
he wanted.  There have been a few others."

   Traci glanced at me, then looked straight into Peter's face.  "Maybe
you'll think I'm a bad girl, a slut, but that's part of my history, part of
who I am." He looked away indifferently.

   Traci sighed.  "Then last year, I kinda fooled around with Robbie," she
continued.

   Was it just last year?  It seemed like a lifetime ago.

   "We were at a slumber party.  Our sleeping bags were next to each other.
She tickled me and I tickled back.  We could hear Tony and Tami making love
a few feet away and...  I guess one thing kind of led to another.  We
slipped away, back to my bedroom, and I had sex with her.  There were a few
more times after that."

   'The road trip,' I thought.

   "I never wanted to be a lesbian, and I'm not.  I just...  Robbie made me
feel good, and I hope I did the same for her.  And there's nothing wrong
with that."

   Peter looked back at Traci for a second.  The look on his face was
interesting.  He was still trying hard to look indifferent, but I think
there was some lust there as he pictured Traci and my favorite redhead
locked in sexual frenzy.

   "This summer, on Tony's road trip, I met a guy and we went all the way."
Traci paused and seemed to think about it.  "I mean we had sex.  We fucked.
There was nothing special between us, but Gary was a nice guy, and it was
safe.  I knew I'd never see him again.

   'That explains a lot,' I thought.

   "It was also on the road trip that I had sex with Tony."

   I really wished she'd left that part out.  Peter glared at me
accusingly.

   "He was asleep and I...  I...  kinda took advantage of him.  I'm not
sure why I did it.  I know Tony was way freaked.  It was just...  just...
it was stupid.  And it almost ruined the best relationship a little sister
ever had."

   Mental note: Talk to Mom about raising the brat's allowance.

   From the look on Peter's face, it had never occurred to him that sex
with me hadn't been all my idea.

   "After we came back," Traci was looking at the ceiling as she talked. 
"There were a couple guys and...  another girl." Traci looked at me, and I
smiled.  She was trying not to violate Kelly's privacy.  The girl can be
taught.  "The girl was just experimenting.  Two friends making each other
feel good.

   "Then there was you.  And there hasn't been anyone since you.  I just
didn't want anybody else.

   "And now, I don't know."

   Traci tried to swallow the lump in her throat.  I sent her all the good
vibes I had.  She looked down from the ceiling and looked straight at
Peter.

   "I know when I told you before, you were all weirded out.  I'm sorry if
I disappointed you.  I'm sorry if you thought you didn't know me.  But this
is who I am.  Warts and all, as the Colonel would say.

   "I hope someday you understand me.  Understand who I am.  'Cause I like
me and I wouldn't change anything, even..." she looked at me, "even my
mistakes.

   "But until then, you are the best friend I have, and you always will
be."

   Traci stood quickly, squeezed past me, and a few seconds later I heard
the front door.

   I watched Peter.  After a minute, he stood and left, not looking at me.
His expression hadn't changed much the whole time.

   I made another mental note to be extra nice to Trace.



   Chapter 31

   The ball took one hop and seemed to home in on my glove.  I'd been
playing up close, right on the edge of the grass.  I pulled the ball out of
my glove and tossed it backward.  As I turned, I saw Robbie take the toss
from just behind second base.  She stepped forward onto the bag and made a
hard throw to first as the runner slid into the base.  Ricky, his foot on
first, leaned forward.  The ball slapped into his glove a good second
before the batter got there.

   I grinned at Robbie.  Two pitches and two outs, this was the way to
start a season.  The first batter had bunted the first pitch and just
barely beaten the throw to first.  The second batter swung at the first
pitch too, one-hopping it into a double play.  Now let's see what number
three can do.

   A few seconds later it was all over.  The third batter popped up his
first pitch and Ricky caught it easily.  A three pitch inning, you can't
beat that.

   Four innings later, it hadn't gotten much better for the Bulldogs.  They
hadn't gotten past first base, and we'd scored at least three every inning.
After the third out, another pop-up, the ten-run mercy rule ended it.

   We were in Idaho for a tournament.  Everyone said we had the toughest
bracket, but the first game had been a walk in the park.  Ours was the
third game of the day, so counting the Bulldogs, three teams were already
in the loser's bracket of the double elimination tournament.

   It was a great way to start spring vacation.  We'd left school about one
for the two-and-a-half hour drive to Coeur d'Alene.  If we could have left
a little earlier and skipped the taco pizza lunch, the day would be
perfect.

   Our second game was going to be with the Warriors, but we wouldn't know
for a couple hours whether it was the Warriors from Southern Washington or
the Warriors from Oregon.

   "You going to scout the competition?" I asked Robbie as we walked across
the infield.  The two Warriors teams had been warming up on another field
and would start their game as soon as we got off and they had a short
infield practice.

   "Aren't you?"

   I pointed to the gate next to our dugout.  Robbie saw Tami and waved. 
"So much for the dedicated athlete."

   I shrugged.  "Think you'll miss anything if I'm not there to keep you
straight?"

   Robbie made a rude noise and walked over to Ricky and his dad.

   I went in the dugout, slapped a few backs, and stuffed my glove and bat
into my equipment bag.  Outside, I caught the coach's eye and pointed to
Tami.  He nodded, then went back to his conversation with Robbie and Ricky.

   I let myself through the gate and hugged Tami.  "I didn't know you were
coming."

   "I wasn't sure I was," Tami said after a long kiss.  "Had to talk Mom
into it.  I told her that with you gone for the weekend, it's be a good
chance to check out some colleges."

   "And she bought that?"

   "Officially, I'm checking out the University of Idaho and Lewis and
Clark State College."

   "Did your mom happen to remember where our tournament was?"

   Tami grinned.  "Probably."

   I kissed her again, then we moved off to the side to let other
ballplayers use the gate.

   "What time do you play tomorrow?" Tami asked as I hoisted my bag and we
started toward the parking lot.  Tami had been to so many of these, she
could probably have drawn the double elimination tournament bracket for
them.

   "Since we won, tomorrow at one.  If we lose, we play again at five,
otherwise Sunday."

   "So I can check out colleges in the morning and be good with Mom."

   I nodded.  "You should also check out Headmaster's School of Hair Design
just in case.  We saw it when we drove in."

   Tami stuck out her tongue, and I pulled her into another kiss, her
tongue sliding easily into my open mouth.

   Tami led me to her motel, which was just up the road from the field. 
Ours was across the street.  In the parking lot I kissed her again.  As we
broke apart again, a suspicion flashed across my mind.

   "How did you get here?'

   Tami smiled coyly.  "There was this cute Little Mustang just sitting
there." Tami tried to look sneaky as she looked over each shoulder.  "And I
knew where the guy kept the keys."

   "You can be replaced you know," I said as Tami unlocked her door and
opened it.

   She grinned.  "With who?  Robbie just started going out with Troy
Benning."

   "How about with her," I said, pointing at the girl on one of the double
beds.

   Bobbi blushed.

   Tami shrugged.  "You didn't expect me to drive all the way here by
myself, did you?"

   It wasn't the first time my beloved had set me up, so why was I
surprised.  "Let's take a walk."

   Tami looked startled.  "We can't just leave her..." Despite the fact
that Tami had left her while she went to the field to collect me.

   "Not you, her." I held my hand out to Bobbi.

   Bobbi looked like she'd rather be anywhere else, but after a few seconds
hesitation stood and took my hand.

   "Robbie should be at the field till at least nine.  Watching the
Warriors and the Warriors go at it.  You might as well keep her company."

   * * *

   "I'm sorry," Bobbi said as we walked through the little park behind the
motel.  There were three paths, and I took the one that led toward a stand
of trees.

   "Why?"

   "I, uh..." Bobbi stammered.

   "Relax, I know it wasn't your idea to ambush me."

   Bobbi blushed.

   "Tami thinks she knows how to run my life better than I do.  She
probably does, and someday she probably will.  But right now, I want to at
least pretend to be independent and make my own decisions."

   Bobbi giggled.  "I understand, I guess.  Are you mad at Tami?"

   "No.  You know, I don't think I've ever gotten mad at Tami.  I was
really disappointed once.  And right now, I'm mildly annoyed.  But I've
never been mad."

   Bobbi nodded.  "So when she comes back, do you want me to pretend...?"

   We'd been following the dirt path through the mini-forest and came to a
clearing.  I stopped and turned Bobbi till she was facing me, then gently
kissed her.  When she didn't resist, I kissed her longer and harder.  "When
Tami asks," there was no if about it, "tell her that a lady never tells."

   Bobbi nodded.  I took her hand and led her back down the path to her
motel.  I was glad that the team was in the motel across the road so I
didn't have to try explaining the pretty freshman.  We let ourselves into
Tami's and her room, and Bobbi flopped onto the closest bed on her back and
looked up at me expectantly.

   How do I get myself into situations that almost any guy would kill for,
but that I dreaded?

   "First rule," I said looking down at the beautiful teenager.  "Just
because you thought you were ready, doesn't mean you are.  You can change
your mind."

   "But I am."

   "Repeating first rule, just because you think you're ready, doesn't mean
you are.  You can change your mind."

   Bobbi nodded, but I doubt I penetrated.

   "Second rule.  There is no right way or wrong way to have sex.  What I
like, what's-his-name may not and vice versa." I hesitated, considering
whether to mention fetishes, S&M, water sports, or other--in my humble
opinion--unfun stuff.

   "Third rule, and it's important, so repeat after me.  Sex is supposed to
be good for both partners."

   Bobbi had a funny look on her face.  "Sex is supposed to be good for
both partners," she repeated.  "I thought you were supposed to be seducing
me.  This is like school."

   I grinned.  "I'm not what's his name, your boyfriend, so I'm not
seducing you.  This is a kind of a sex school.  Want a different teacher?"

   "Never."

   "Okay.  Then listen and learn.  Rule three is important because there
are girls out there who don't, who've never gotten off during sex.  Some
guys think it's all about them and quit after they've gotten their jollies.
I don't know if what's-his-name..."

   "Josh.  His name is Josh."

   I grinned 'cause I'd known his name.  "...if Josh is one of those, but I
want you to know that you're entitled to have fun too."

   "I think he's a virgin."

   "So this is your chance to train him right.  Future girlfriends will
thank you."

   "Any more rules?" she asked after a few seconds.

   "No."

   Bobbi grinned and reached for the snap on her cut-offs.

   I smiled.  "Slow down, girl.  The rules are over, but now we get to the
good stuff.  Question-and-answer period, where I see just how red your face
can get.  First, have you ever given Josh or anyone else a handjob?  Or a
blowjob?"

   "How could you ask that?"

   "Because I'm trying to figure out how advanced you are.  Well?"

   "I've given Josh some handjobs.  And there was a boy last year."

   "How about blowjobs?"

   Bobbi's red darkened.  "Josh has hinted, but I...  It just seems kind of
yucky.  Marcy says it's no big deal--she's been doing it since fifth
grade--but..."

   "Remember rule two?"

   Bobbi's brow furrowed as she thought, then nodded.

   "This is a great example.  Some girls love giving blowjobs, some hate
it. Some do it just to make the guys happy.  You have to find what's right
for you and Josh.  And it won't always make sense.  A lot of guys who love
getting BJs think going down on a girl is major gross."

   "Do you?"

   "Think it's gross or go down on girls?" I asked with a smile.  "Yes, I
like going down on Tami and other girls.  'Cause I like the girls to get a
lot out of it, and that's a great way to do it."

   Bobbi smiled.  From the look on her face, I think she was imagining a
tongue in her goodie box.  My tongue.

   "Do you play with yourself?"

   "Tony!" I think her face hit a ten point oh on the redness scale.

   "I know that's embarrassing, but if you have, it will make things
easier.

   Bobbi nodded almost imperceptibly, maybe a millimeter and a half.

   "Good, though I imagine with all those sisters hanging around it's not
the easiest thing to do."

   "You got that right."

   "Speaking of sisters, you look a lot like Betty."

   "I'm the big sister.  She looks like me!"

   "Speaking of your big little sister, when's she going to want to lose
her virginity?"

   Bobbi sighed.  "About half-an-hour after she finds out I've lost mine."

   I was suddenly very happy that I had a sister and not a brother.

   "You ready for this?" I asked after several seconds.

   Bobbi grinned.  "I've been ready.  You're the one who's been stalling."

   I really wish girls would stop reading my mind.  Though in retrospect I
guess in was obvious.

   "Sure you don't want to wait for Josh?"

   "I'm going to tell Tami you're stalling," she threatened.

   I stepped up to the bed, reached down, and gently caressed her shoulder.
I smiled and stroked her hair.  Then flipped her over and brought my hand
down hard on her denim covered ass.

   "Hey!  That wasn't nice."

   "THAT was for threatening me with Tami.  Besides, some girls get turned
on by spanking.  So it's all part of your lesson."

   Bobbi, still on her stomach, reached back and rubbed her right cheek.

   "Want me to kiss it and make it better?"

   "Oh, yeah," she moaned.

   I knelt on one knee on the bed, leaned down and kissed her right cheek,
then her left, and finally the middle.

   "This isn't going to work," I said and reached beneath her and
unfastened and unzipped her cut-offs.  I slipped them slowly down her legs.
I repeated my kisses on her barely panty-covered ass.

   I grabbed the waistband of her panties, pausing for any objection, then
slipped them down and dropped them on the floor next to her cut-offs.

   Her ass was cute, but about as white as a ghost, especially compared to
the dark tan that covered the rest of her body.  I leaned down again and
kissed her right cheek.  Though she knew it was coming, she still jumped as
my lips touched her skin.  I quickly kissed her left cheek and the crack of
her ass.

   "All better?"

   "No.  Do it again." So I did.

   I pulled her up to her hands and knees, then positioned her so that her
knees were on the edge of the bed and her feet hung off in the air.  I
stepped between her feet then used one hand to caress her warm--and very
wet--pussy, while I unfastened my pants with the other.  Bobbi purred.

   I let my pants fall around my ankles, then put my right foot on the back
of my left shoe and stepped out of it.  I repeated the process for my other
shoe, then stepped out of my pants as well.  A second later, my underwear
had joined the pile of clothing all while I hadn't missed a beat working
Bobbi's pussy.

   Tami--bless her sneaky little heart--had left a small pile of rubbers on
the night stand, and using one hand and my teeth I got a package open.  I
rolled one onto my iron rod just as Bobbi's back arched and her head, eyes
closed, lifted to the ceiling as her orgasm hit her.  I pulled my hand from
beneath between her legs and slipped my cock into the valley.  As Big Tony
rubbed against her opening, I lifted my fingers to my nose and sniffed. 
Every girl I'd known smelled different and tasted different.  I was pretty
sure that even blindfolded I could identify each with my nose or tongue.

   "That was so goo..." I think she just realized that it wasn't a finger
at the gates anymore.

   I kept rubbing.  I'd been hard before I'd even gotten my clothes off, of
course.  This may not have been my idea, but I wasn't stupid enough to
think I wouldn't enjoy it.

   I reached down and used both hands to open her up, then bent my knees to
increase the angle and eased Big Tony's head against her inner lips.  She
wiggled against it, getting used to the invader.  I moved my hands to her
hips and pulled her slowly onto my shaft.  There wasn't much resistance,
just her natural tightness.  She must have already lost her cherry either
from playing with herself or some other activity.

   I had about half my length inside her when she grunted.  I stopped and
let her adjust, taking the opportunity to reach forward and tease her
t-shirt covered nipples.  Her breasts weren't even half the size of her
little sister's, but perky.  And damn, did I like perky.

   "Is this...?"

   I grinned to myself.  "Nope.  This is just getting you ready.  Trust me,
you'll know when we're fucking." I eased another inch into her.  "Has
anybody ever told you, you have nice tits?"

   "No." Her voice was in-between a groan and a purr.

   "Not even what's-his-name?"

   "Ha!  Josh is always sneaking looks at Betty's."

   "The boy's obviously mentally challenged."

   Bobbi didn't argue but pushed her ass back against me, swallowing
another inch.

   I moved my hands back to her hips, pulled back to the head, then slammed
forward to the hilt and stopped.

   "That felt..." a long pause, "goooood."

   "I'm guessing you want me to do it again?"

   "Yes, please," she said politely.

   I pulled back, and this time as I slammed my shaft forward, Bobbi pushed
her ass back to meet it.  "This is fucking," she declared.

   "We're getting there," I agreed.  I started building a rhythm, and soon
she was moaning as her second orgasm started building.  My balls ached as
my own climax neared, but I used every ounce of willpower I had to hold it
back as I increased the pace.

   "Oh, God!" Bobbi moaned and started to slump forward just as I drove
forward one last time and released my load into my protective sheath.  I
pulled out and collapsed next to her.  "That was the best ever," she said
weakly, lifting her head and looking at me.

   What do you say to that?  Thank you?

   "Why did I wait so long?" she asked rhetorically.

   I smiled and kissed her nose.



   Chapter 32

   "You dog, you."

   I didn't recognize the voice, but it had a touch of envy, so I looked
around.  Calvin Bateman was coming out of a room three doors down.  I
guessed that he'd seen me kissing a half-naked Bobbi saying goodbye.

   He walked over and clapped me on the back.  "I heard you were a player,
but I have to admit I'm impressed."

   Calvin was the only sophomore to make varsity and hadn't been my pick
for the job.  Robbie said he had potential, and I wasn't going to argue.

   Calvin grinned.  "If she's any good, maybe you could set me up."

   I wondered how much potential he'd have with two broken arms.

   "Not going there," I said simply.  I hoped there was enough edge in my
voice to shut him down.  I thought about saying that she had a boyfriend,
but under the circumstances, didn't think that would help.

   "I just thought that you had enough that you wouldn't mind sharing with
a buddy." Calvin was still grinning.

   "I was never big on sharing." We'd crossed the road and were in front of
our own motel.  My room was upstairs, and I thought his was on the ground
floor, so maybe I could end this without blood.

   "I just thought...  I mean, everyone knows you're doing Tami and Robbie.
And those cheerleaders, Mikee and Darlene.  And last year, you took that
seventh grader to the dance, you must have got some action there."

   I'd heard a few people on television talk about the whole world turning
red just before they killed somebody.  I understood, 'cause my world was
getting darker by the second.  Last year when I'd taken Kelly to the dance,
it was to find out what was wrong with her.  And what was wrong was she'd
been raped.

   "Tony!"

   The voice dispelled the darkness that had been starting to surround me.
Tami and Robbie were coming out of the burger joint that shared the parking
lot with our motel.

   "We've been looking for you," Tami said as she ran up and gave me a full
body hug.  "And you don't want to kill anybody," she whispered in my ear
proving yet again her mind reading ability.

   "How about maiming?  Just a little?" I whispered back.

   Tami grinned, shook her head and kissed me.

   "You do realize that I'm here too," Robbie said after a minute.

   I stopped kissing Tami for a second.  "And I care why?" I went back to
wrestling with Tami's tongue.

   Robbie pouted.  Something she doesn't do well--not enough practice. 
"'Cause I'm a redhead and you have a thing for redheads."

   I stopped kissing Tami again and pulled back enough to look my love in
the eye without going cross-eyed.  "She has a point."

   Tami grinned.  "A pretty good one."

   "If only she hadn't cut off all that long beautiful hair," I lamented.

   "You said the other day that you'd gotten used to it," Tami reminded me.

   "Yeah, but..."

   "One more crack about her long-gone hair and I'll dye mine pink."

   I cringed and said, "Yes, ma'am."

   "Now kiss her before she tries to pout again."

   "Yes, ma'am."

   I let go of Tami, turned, pulled Robbie close, and kissed her hard.  I
believe in following orders.  Well, as long as they're fun orders.

   Tami noticed that Calvin was staring.  "Close your mouth already.  We've
already seen your tonsils."

   Calvin followed orders too.

   "Calvin, just a suggestion," I said when I'd let go of Robbie. 
"Concentrate on baseball.  It's all you can handle right now."

   Calvin stared.

   "And Calvin," Robbie added, "drop another easy fly ball 'cause you're
one-handing it, and I'll kick your balls into your sinus cavity."

   I put my arms around both girls and walked them toward the stairs up to
Robbie's room, which, coincidentally, was right next to mine.

   Calvin was still staring.

   * * *

   Top of the seventh.  Down by two.  Two outs and nobody on.  And Sims
steps to the plate.

   Normally a good thing, but not this weekend.  I think I was batting
about one-twenty-five for the tournament and that might be optimistic.  And
the pitcher for the Warriors--the Oregon Warriors--threw a wicked fast ball
that had already burned me twice.  Though my last time up I got a piece of
it and beat out a slow roller to third.

   I took a couple cuts with my bat, then waited.  The pitcher wound up,
then seemed to grin as he sent me a fast ball that just cut the bottom
inside corner.  I knew it was a strike even before the ump yelled.

   I nodded to the pitcher and took another practice cut.  You had to
admire an artist.

   The pitcher wound up and fired again.  I watched the ball, and it was
coming straight for that low inside corner.  I swung just as the ball
dropped away.  Strike two.

   I backed out of the box and looked at the coach.  He smiled
encouragingly and mimed swinging the bat.  Easy for him, standing there in
the third base box.  I stepped back into the batter's box.  I didn't bother
taking a practice cut.

   The pitcher sent me another fast ball on the outside corner, and I
fouled it off.  The next pitch was perfect, middle of the plate belt high,
but all I managed to do was to foul it back, bouncing it off the catcher
and the umpire.  This was getting ridiculous.

   I was hitting good last year.  And fair to middlin' in practice.  The
pitcher fired another one, and I fouled it down the third base line, making
the coach jump.

   At least I was hitting the damn ball.

   Three more pitches and three more fouls.  My personal record was
thirteen foul balls in a row, and I really hadn't planned to beat that
today.

   The pitcher was getting frustrated--he wanted to finish me off and get
the game over--and he let loose with another fast ball, this one just a
little inside.

   I turned my body, brought the bat in front of me, and let the ball
bounce off it and roll down the third base line.  I dropped the bat and
took off for first.  The Warriors were caught flat-footed.  Nobody expects
a bunt with two strikes.  It was too stupid.  If the ball rolled foul, it
was strike three.

   Their coach started yelling from the dugout, and the Warrior's pitcher,
catcher, and third baseman all charged the ball, but I was safe on first
before anyone got a hand on the ball.

   I grinned.  My batting average just jumped almost a hundred points.

   The pitcher was back on the mound and looked at me.  I stepped off the
bag and smiled.  He threw the ball from his hand to his glove.  He was
still staring, so I took another step.  He stepped onto the rubber, looked
at the catcher, and took his sign.  I took another step.  He slowly brought
his hand and glove together over his head, lowered them in front of his
body, and came set with his hands in front of his sternum.  Then he turned
and fired to first in one fluid motion that I would have admired if I
wasn't busy diving back to the base.  I lay on the dirt, my left hand on
the base and waving at him with my right.

   The first baseman threw the ball back, and I climbed to my feet, dusted
myself off, and took three big steps again.

   The pitcher glared, so I took another small step and he fired back to
first.  The first baseman took the throw and slapped a tag down on my
shoulder--a little harder than necessary, I thought--but again I was lying
on the ground with my hand already on the base.

   The first baseman walked to the pitcher and handed him the ball,
whispering something, then walked back.  I stood, dusted myself off again,
and took three big steps.

   The pitcher watched me.

   I took another step.

   "Sometime today!" Robbie yelled from the plate.  The pitcher glanced at
her, then back at me.  He stepped onto the rubber.  He took another look at
me, and as he did, I took another small step toward second.

   The pitcher came set, then spun and fired to first, but I was already on
my way to second.  The first baseman caught the ball cleanly and fired to
second, but the throw was high.  It went over the second baseman's head and
into the gap between left and center fields.

   I hit second without stopping and headed for third.  I had no idea where
the ball was, so I went down, sliding headfirst, my hand outstretched
toward the bag.  Just as my hand clamped the canvas bag, the third
baseman's glove slapped down on top of it.

   "Safe!" yelled the umpire who'd run up behind me.  I held my other hand
in the air and he added, "Time!"

   I stood and dusted myself off for the third time.

   "I guess the memory is really the first thing to go," the coach said
from his box.

   I shrugged.

   "I don't even remember giving the signs for bunt or steal."

   I grinned.  "Seemed like a good idea at the time."

   I looked at the pitcher, who seemed frustrated.  I considered
curtseying, but he seemed like a good guy and I didn't want to rub it in.
Robbie ain't so nice.

   "Can I bat now?" she yelled.  "Or did you two want to play one-on-one
some more."

   The pitcher went from frustrated to mad.

   I decided that Robbie wasn't the only one who wasn't nice.  I caught the
coach's eye and gave him a signal.  He thought about it, then nodded,
though not as enthusiastically as I'd hoped.

   The pitcher stepped on the rubber.  Now, as he came set, he was looking
straight at me.  I took a big lead.  I could see him thinking about me and
smiled.

   "Go ahead and windup!" his coach yelled from the dugout.  The pitcher
stepped backward off the rubber with his right foot, then back on with both
feet.  He glanced at me, and I waved.  He made a face, then started his
windup.  As soon as he was in motion, so was I.

   Someone behind me was yelling, "He's going!"

   I'd had a big jump, so the ball and I were going to get to the plate at
the same time.  I went down, sliding head first again as Robbie laid down a
perfect bunt and took off for first.  I lay on the plate and watched as she
beat the throw by at least a step-and-a-half.

   Okay, life was getting better.  Still two outs, but only down by one,
and the tying run was on first.  And the tying run was Monster Girl.  I got
up and started walking toward the dugout, then changed my mind.  Ricky was
coaching first.  I went over and took his place, giving the pitcher another
friendly wave.

   Robbie took a big lead off bag even before the pitcher stepped on the
rubber.  He glared at her.  Then me.  "Another step," I said loudly as he
stepped on the rubber.  He ignored us, turning his back and coming set.  I
caught Robbie's eye and shook my head, then yelled, "Big step!"

   The pitcher turned his shoulder and looked.

   "Balk!" the umpire yelled.

   Robbie gave me a grin and trotted to second.  I'd swear her ass was
wiggling more than usual, but maybe it was my imagination.

   The pitcher was obviously shook up.  He glared at Robbie, but she was
standing on the bag chatting with the shortstop and second baseman and not
even looking at him.  Then he glared at me, and I shrugged.  Then he
stepped on the rubber with both feet facing the batter.

   'He's not going to throw from the windup,' I thought, but a second later
he'd started his motion.  Robbie had seen it too and was heading for third
before I could even yell, "Go!".

   The pitch to Chet was outside.  The catcher snagged it and fired to
third, but Robbie was already there.

   Their coach was yelling traditional coach things from the dugout. 
"Settle down." "Get the batter.  He's the one we want." "Three strikes and
we're out of here."

   The pitcher glared at me again.  I'm not sure why.  I'm not the one who
told him to windup.  He took a deep breath and focused on the batter. 
Robbie took a big lead but he ignored her.  He started his motion and
fired.

   The ball hit the dirt and bounced to the side, though for some reason
Chet had swung at it.  The ball was past the catcher, and he scrambled
after it.  Robbie was halfway and Chet was waving her home.  The catcher
got to the ball, turned, and...  there was no one to throw to.  The
pitcher, instead of covering home, was stomping around the mound.

   Robbie crossed the plate.

   Their coach was out of the dugout and yelling about a foul ball and
Robbie going back to third.  The plate ump looked confused.  "Did you see
it touch the bat?" I asked the base ump who was standing on the foul line a
dozen feet from me.

   "It never came close," he said.

   "You might want to point it out to them," I said pointing to the plate
umpire and Warrior's coach.

   And life was good again.  We were tied.

   The pitcher threw four pitches that weren't even close and walked Chet.
Then their coach called time, put the pitcher on third, the third baseman
in center field, and the center fielder came in and started throwing warmup
pitches.

   The new pitcher walked Ricky, but that might have been a plan.  Ricky
had two ground rule doubles already today.  That put runners on first and
second and brought up...  Calvin.

   Calvin hit the first pitch into deep center.  The center fielder caught
it on the bounce and fired it to the shortstop, who turned and fired home.
Chet was already across the plate, and Ricky was getting close.  The
catcher was straddling the plate.  He caught the ball and slapped down the
tag as Ricky slid.

   There was a lot of dust and...

   "Got him!" the ump yelled.

   There was enough dust that I wasn't going to argue, even though I wanted
to.

   Not the worst position to be in going into the bottom of seven.  Up by
one.

   We hold 'em and win, or let 'em score one and we play another inning, or
we let 'em score two and move to the loser's bracket.

   "Hey, coach," I said as I joined the team in front of the dugout.  "Got
a wicked idea." Even without hearing it, Robbie grinned.

   Rickie was grinning too as I explained.  The coach just nodded.

   "Play it up," I said as we put our hands in the center of the circle and
yelled, "Hold 'em!"

   We ran onto the field.

   "Hey, Robbie, you should pitch," Rickie yelled.

   "Okay!" Robbie yelled back and ran to the mound and picked up the ball.
She stood on the rubber looking real serious then did an exaggerated
wind-up and pitched the ball.  The ball flew slowly right into Chet's mitt.

   "Strike one!" Ricky yelled.  "Hey, Jake, we don't need you."

   Jake, who'd pitched the first six innings, blew Ricky a raspberry.

   Robbie threw another easy pitch as Jake and the coach walked out to the
mound.  The coach held out his hand and Robbie dropped the ball that Chet
had thrown back into it.

   Ricky at first was throwing a grounder to Jimmy at third, so I checked
out the Warrior's coach.  Just as expected, he was in conference with the
plate umpire.  A second later, as Robbie trotted to second, the plate
umpire signaled the base umpire to join them.

   "Uh, coach!" the ump yelled a few seconds later as Jake was taking his
place on the mound.

   Coach Calloway joined them.

   I walked over to Jake.  He glanced at the conference, then at me.  "You
have an evil mind."

   I shrugged.  "Monster Girl has the evil mind.  I just try to stay
competitive."

   The coach was gesturing frantically.  "You want her to pitch?"

   I grinned and slapped Jake on the back before walking back to shortstop.
"Ham it up," I said to Robbie as I passed by.

   A minute later, the coach was back at the mound sending Jake to the
dugout and calling Robbie over.  She threw three more practice pitches.

   Before the game I'd been talking to some of the parents in the stands.
One of the Warrior's parents happened to mention that their coach liked to
play the rulebook.  I happened to know that there was a rule that if a
pitcher threw even one warm-up pitch, he or she had to face at least one
batter before they could be replaced.  I also knew that Jake had told the
coach at the end of the last inning that his arm was getting sore.  Put
that all together, and Robbie was going to pitch to their best batter.

   The umpire called "Play ball!" and their first baseman stepped to the
plate looking like Christmas had come early.  Robbie looked nervous.  She
looked around as if waiting for the cavalry to ride to her rescue.  The
batter grinned.

   Then Robbie started her wind-up, not so exaggerated, and blew a fast
ball right through the high inside corner.

   It was my turn to grin.  Robbie might not be as fast as some of the
other pitchers, but man, could she place the ball.

   "What the hell was that?" The warriors coach yelled in amazement from
the third base coaches box as his batter just stood and looked at the ball
nestled in the catcher's glove.

   "That was a strike," I yelled back.  "Didn't you hear the ump call it?"

   The batter kept looking at the ball, then back at Robbie, then back at
the ball.  Ricky laughed, which probably didn't help.

   Chet, our catcher, stood up, then pulled his mask up leaving it propped
on top of his head.  He looked down at the ball.  "Damn, how'd that get
there?" he said with a grin before throwing it back to Robbie.

   Robbie smiled at the batter, then fired another fast ball, middle of the
plate, right across the letters.

   Strike two.

   My plan was to get their clean-up hitter off-balance and it seemed to be
working.  He'd expected easy meatballs like she'd thrown in warm-ups and
was having trouble making the mental adjustment to Robbie's pitching.

   Robbie and I had both noticed that he liked low pitches, so she was
keeping them above the belt.  Fortunately we had a good ump who called the
high pitches too.  Some umps didn't.

   Robbie glanced at me and I--as nonchalantly as I could--stuck out my
thumb and swiped it across my neck.  Robbie nodded and stepped on the
rubber again.  She wound up and fired, the ball was high and inside, about
six inches in front of the batter's throat.  He backed out swinging.

   The ump rung up strike three.

   The choke pitch is mean.  It's almost a complete reflex to back out
swinging when you think the ball is targeted on your Adam's apple.  Plus,
if the pitcher doesn't have great control, he, or she in this case, could
really hurt the batter.

   One out and still up by one.

   The second batter went down swinging.  Robbie had rung up a pair of
strikes on two fastballs, one on the inside corner and the other just
catching the outside.  Then she gave him her curve.

   Two down.

   The next batter was taking her seriously.  I'd watched him timing her
pitches in the on-deck circle.  He stepped into the batter's box, and
Robbie sized him up.  She started her wind-up and fired a fast ball on the
outside corner.  The batter swung and fouled it off the face of the first
base dugout.

   Ricky jogged over, picked it up, and tossed it to Monster Girl.  Robbie
stepped onto the rubber again.  She took her sign from Chet, but shook it
off.  She nodded at the next one, wound up, and fired.

   I recognized her curve, but unfortunately, so did the batter.  He
waited, then swung as the ball started to break.

   I heard the crack of the bat and was already moving toward left field.
Calvin was playing left and was running backwards, trying to get under it.

   The ball hit the top of its arc and was coming down.

   It was going to stay in the field at least.

   Calvin was camped under it, waiting.  I heard Ricky yell, "Second!"
which meant the runner had rounded first and was on his way to second base.

   The ball came down to Calvin's left, and instead of moving under it he
reached over.  The ball landed in the top of his glove.  I waited to see if
it popped out.  If it did, they'd never find the body.

   The base ump was running beside me and signaled a catch and the third
out.  We won.

   Robbie, Ricky, and I jogged to the dugout, while the rest of the team
ran out to hail Calvin as the hero.  The coach watched the three of us and
the rest of the team as the Warriors slunk off the field.

   When the team gathered round and quieted down, the coach looked at me.
"Tony, who are you thinking for MVP?"

   I was startled.  The last two years he'd announced the
Most-Valuable-Player by just tossing him the game ball.  I glanced around
the team, I know a lot of them were thinking Calvin.

   "Chet.  No question.  He did a great job behind the dish and with the
deep backstop they have, a few passed balls and we could have gotten
pounded.  He was hitting pretty good, too.  A lot better than me anyway. 
Of course my aunt's chihuahua hits better than I did today."

   Annoying how many people nodded agreement about Aunt Patti's chihuahua.

   Coach Callahan looked at Ricky and Robbie, and they nodded.  He smiled
and tossed Chet the game ball.  "Good job."

   "What about me?" Calvin whined.

   I looked over at him.  "I'm not the captain, but if I was, you'd be
running laps until next week for that catch."

   We hadn't voted a captain yet, but my money was on Ricky.

   "If I was captain, I'd trade you to JV," Ricky added.

   "And if I was captain, you'd be going back to T-ball," Robbie said,
having the last word.

   * * *

   Robbie and I sat in the bleachers and watched games while Tami and Bobbi
went shopping.  On the other side of the winner's bracket, The Spartans
beat the Cavaliers which meant we'd be seeing them tomorrow.

   Then the Warriors stayed alive by beating the Panthers.  The Cavaliers
weren't ready to go home yet either.  They beat the Bulldogs.

   "Are you two baseballed out?" Tami asked.  She and Bobbi showed up just
before the last out.

   "No," we answered together.

   "Are you two shopped out?" I added.

   Tami grinned.  "Not hardly, but I may need a loan."

   "I wonder what she'll use for collateral," Bobbi said with a leer.

   Robbie grabbed her by the back of the neck and started steering her out
of the bleachers.  "Obviously, I need to teach my little sister some
subtlety," she said as they disappeared.

   "And just what collateral were you planning to ask for?" Tami asked.

   "It occurs to me that I don't have a game until tomorrow at eleven.  We
have time to negotiate."

   Tami slipped her hand into my back pocket as we climbed down the
bleachers.  "Negotiate.  Is that what the kids are calling it today?"

   * * *

   The Warriors beat the Cavaliers easily in the nine o'clock game, and two
hours later we'd polished off the Spartans.  The Spartans had to turn
around and face the Warriors and just ran out of steam, letting the
Warriors ten-run them in five innings.

   Since it was a short game, the Warriors had a chance to rest before
facing us again in the championship game.

   They might as well as taken a nap.

   We put five runs on the board in the first inning, and neither of us
scored again.

   Four games and we were undefeated.

   And had a nice big trophy to take home.

   That's how to start spring break.



   Chapter 33

   "It's really over, isn't it?"

   I've never wanted to lie more.  There was so much pain in her voice.

   "Trace, I..."

   "You don't have to say anything.  I think he made it clear."

   It was Tuesday after our tournament.  I'd worked at the gym all day, and
Traci and Kelly had team.  Just before we'd finished, Mikee and Peter had
shown up, looking for a ride home.

   Peter hadn't said a word to Traci all the way home.  Hadn't even looked
at her.

   "I don't think it matters.  The boy ain't got all that long to live."
Peter hadn't said a word to me either.  He hadn't asked for a ride, just
climbed in with his sisters.  And hadn't bothered to say thanks or
acknowledge me in any way.  If there's one thing I hate, it's being taken
for granted.

   Traci smiled.  I was kind of amazed that she still could.  "Let it go."

   "Can you?"

   Traci shrugged as she got out of the car.  I got out and followed her
into the house.  We had it to ourselves again.  Mom was in Seattle and Dad
was in Olympia.  And Tami was over at Robbie's.

   "Any thoughts on dinner?" I asked.

   "Not hungry," Traci said as she headed for the back.

   She should have been.  It had been a long hard workout, and she hadn't
eaten since lunch.

   I walked down the hall to her room.

   She hadn't closed the door.  Inside, she'd peeled off her sweat-soaked
leotard and pulled on a pair of shorts.  She was sitting on her bed in the
shorts and a black sports bra staring into space.

   "You okay?"

   She blinked.  "I guess.  It just hurt."

   "I know," I said and sat down beside her.  "I wish I could make it
better."

   Traci hugged me.  "My big brother.  He'd fix everything if he could."

   I kissed her forehead.

   "I wish...  Sometimes I wish..."

   "Yes?" I prompted.

   "I wish you weren't my brother.  I wish you were just the boy next
door."

   I kissed her on the nose.  "I think that's one of the nicest things
anyone's ever said about me," I said, knowing just how she'd meant it.

   Traci kissed me on the mouth.  It wasn't a sisterly kiss.

   I didn't pull away.  At first it was because I couldn't do that to her.
But then, it was something else.  Without realizing it, my hand was full of
her bra covered breast.

   Traci moaned softly.

   There was a voice in the back of my head yelling, `Run, don't walk to
the nearest exit.' I ignored it as I pushed Traci onto her back and
continued to kiss her.

   Her nipple had grown hard under the thin material of her sports bra, and
I massaged it between my thumb and forefinger.  Her hand reached down and
started rubbing the bulge in my shorts.

   I knew there was a reason this was bad, but I couldn't remember what it
was.

   Traci's hand pushed into my shorts and enveloped my cock, and I almost
lost it right then.  I broke away from our kiss, pushed her bra up off her
tits, and sucked one of her nipples into my mouth, teasing it with my
tongue.

   Traci worked my shorts down, rolled me onto my back, and straddled my
legs.  There was a frenzied haste to our actions, as if we both knew we had
to finish before reason took hold.

   Traci worked her shorts off, then guided my rod into her tunnel of love.
She ground herself against me at a fevered pace, and almost before I knew
what we were doing, it was over.  For both of us.

   Traci lay against me, breathing hard.  "You don't know how much I needed
that."

   I looked at her as if seeing her for the very first time and wondered
why it had taken so long.

   "I needed that," she repeated.  "But it was the last time."

   "Huh?"

   "Tony, I don't want pity fucks.  I wanted that one, but no more. 
Besides, when you little head stops hogging all the blood and your big head
gets some, you're going to feel guilty.  My advice, don't.  "I think this
was inevitable.  It was fate or something.  But it's done.  And from now on
we're brother and sister.  Just brother and sister."

   "Brat," I said with a smile.

   She smiled back.  "Just like that.  My big brother who protects and,
like the song says, `watches over me.'"

   I remembered back to the Fourth of July show when Trace had sung Someone
to Watch Over Me.

   Traci stood, grabbed her shorts off the floor and a t-shirt off the
dresser and turned toward the door.  She paused and looked back at me still
lying on her bed.  "But if you want to fantasize about my body..." And with
an extra wiggle of her butt she was gone.

   * * *

   "I had sex with Traci."

   "I know," Tami said and laid her head on my shoulder as we walked.  I
wondered if I'd have any secrets at all when we were married.  Decided I
wouldn't, and also decided that I didn't care.

   "She needed it," Tami added.

   "That's what she said.  She also said it was the last time."

   "She's a smart girl.  You raised her right."

   "I think Mom and Dad would like some of the credit."

   "Fifty per cent you and fifty per cent them?"

   "More like sixty forty.  I'm a hell of an influence."

   I felt Tami nod against my shoulder.  "That you are."

   We walked it silence for a couple of orbits.

   "Are you okay with it?" Tami asked finally.

   "I am.  I think I'm surprised, but I am."

   "It was...  just something that had to happen."

   "That's what Traci said."

   Tami nodded again.  "Like I said, a very smart girl.  Now what?"

   "She said now we go back to being just brother and sister." I wondered
for the first time if maybe, just maybe, I wasn't the smartest one in the
family.

   "So what about the rest of your harem?"

   "What?"

   "You've ignored them for months.  Now that you've broken the ice with
Bobbi and Traci, do the rest of them get some attention?"

   I smiled in spite of myself.  "Why do you always ask the hard
questions?"

   "Because the easy ones are no fun."



   Chapter 34

   'Damn!  This day just keeps getting better and better,' I thought as I
saw that someone had parked their SUV in front of our trailer, in MY
parking spot.  I parked my Mustang along the side road, Lauren Chapin
Boulevard.  At that point I would have parked on Lauren Chapin herself.  I
never liked Father Knows Best, and Kitty was usually annoying.

   I grabbed my equipment bag off the back seat and slammed the door.  Then
I went back and apologized to Sally.  Yeah, I know, Mustang Sally is a
cliche, but sometimes I like cliches.

   As I walked in the door, I saw Dad in his chair and could hear Mom--or
Traci, but probably Mom--in the kitchen.  I tossed my equipment bag
disgustedly in the hall.

   "I'm quitting school," I announced loudly.  "That damn Butz had..."

   "Attennnnn-shun!!!"

   Without conscious thought, I snapped straight.  Shoulders back, chest
out, eyes forward, and barely breathing.  A few seconds later, a face
appeared in my field of view.  Though I was now an inch taller than him, he
had no trouble getting nose to nose with me.  Off to my left I heard a
giggle and knew Trace was in the room, too.

   Colonel Grandad stared at me.  I wanted to blink but couldn't.  I'm not
sure how long we stayed like that.  I think it was less than a week, but I
wouldn't put money on it.

   The Colonel finally stepped back.  "What happened on June twenty-fifth
nineteen fifty?" He asked without making eye contact again.

   "Sir!  North Korea crossed the thirty-eighth parallel, invading South
Korea, Sir."

   "And what happened on July fifth?"

   "Sir!  The Twenty-Fourth Infantry Division engaged North Korean troops
at Osan and was forced to retreat to Taejeon, Sir."

   "And on July twelfth?"

   "An ROTC cadet received highly unusual and suspicious orders to leave
college before his senior year and the completion of his ROTC and report
via military transport to Pusan as a second lieutenant.  The Marine Corps
never did figure out who originated those orders, Sir."

   I thought I saw the corner of the Colonel's mouth lift just a little in
a hidden smile but sure as hell wasn't going to mention it.

   "And despite not finishing my senior year before going to Korea..."

   "Sir!  Or starting it, Sir."

   "Or starting it." This time I was sure that Gramps was hiding a smile.
"What degrees do I hold?"

   "Sir!  You have doctorates in history and economics.  You also attended
the National War College, though I don't know if they give a degree or what
it is.  You're currently working on a masters in political science, which
you consider bullsh..." I knew Mom was listening.  "BS, Sir."

   "So, are you quitting school, boy?"

   "Sir!  No, sir.  Only a fool would quit school.  Unless of course North
Korea invades again."

   The Colonel lost the fight to hide his grin.

   "And there's only one fool allowed in this family.  Grandpa John," I
said naming my other grandfather.  Dad's dad and the Colonel were friendly
antagonists.

   The Colonel's grin got bigger.  "You got that one right, boy."

   * * *

   "Permission to speak, Sir?"

   I'd been released from attention and was sitting on one of the dining
room chairs.  Trace was sitting next to Grandpa Doug on the sofa.

   The Colonel smiled.  "You're not in trouble, so you don't have to
pretend to be in the Marines." Unlike some jarheads, according to Mom, when
she was growing up, Grandpa left the Corps at the door and treated family
like family.  But I always enjoyed treating him like the senior officer he
was.

   "I just wondered where the smart half of the couple is?" The Colonel had
two doctorates, Grandma Vickie had four.

   "She's either in Tulsa teaching a seminar on the civil rights protests
of the sixties or in Houston having a beer at her friend's restaurant."

   "Actually, in between," said Mom's voice from the kitchen.  "She called
me from the airport an hour ago."

   "Is that the restaurant that has beer from thirty countries," Traci
asked.

   "They were up to fifty-eight the last I heard," The Colonel answered.

   "That reminds me," Dad said from his chair.  When you were in Antarctica
last year, did you happen to run into a marine biologist named Gerald
Ken...?"

   "I didn't hang out with no namby-pamby scientists," Grandpa Doug
thundered.  Dad had always been a little intimidated by my favorite Marine,
and the Colonel enjoyed rubbing it in.  "I was with Marines."

   "We were just asking because we just found out Gerry Kennedy's a
cousin," Traci explained.

   "Kennedy, you say," The Colonel mused.

   "Fitzgerald or Gerry."

   "Name sounds familiar, but I didn't meet any of the science staff.. 
There was a medic though.  Something Kennedy.  Kinda cute.  If I wasn't a
happily married man..."

   I laughed.  "That would be your niece once removed, you dirty old man."

   The Colonel grinned.  "Really?"

   "Yep.  Gerry is Aunt Millie's youngest son."

   "I'll be.  Now that you mention it, I think Vickie sent him something
for his wedding."

   "He mentioned that.  Something Japanese.  I figured it was when you were
a major in Osaka."

   The Colonel chuckled.  "Yer a smart one, boy, but ya missed that by a
few years.  I got out of the Corps in seventy-eight.  He probably hadn't
even started high school yet.  It was a few years later.  I was a guest
lecturer at Waseda University.  Vickie has always been a smart cookie.  In
our travels she picks up dozens of knick-knacks from exotic places so that
she has them on hand for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and that sort
of thing.  She kind of overdid it in Japan.  For years, everybody who got
married got Japanese figurines.

   I remembered that Mitch had mentioned a Japanese wedding gift too.

   "So how did you find out about that side of the family?"

   "It all started this summer," Traci explained.  "Tony's girlfriend Tami
decided to highjack everybody on a road trip and..."

   * * *

   "So, are you ever going to tell us just how you got ordered to Korea
when you were a cadet?" I asked before taking a bite of my lasagna.

   Gramps finished chewing.  "I've told you.  The orders came out of
BUPERS, the Bureau of Personnel in the Navy Department, just like all
orders.  They just never figured out who initiated them."

   "And you had nothing to do with it?" I asked skeptically.

   Gramps took a bite of his garlic bread and chewed thoughtfully for a
minute.  "What was it you said was the favorite saying of that spice girl
cousin of yours?"

   "Cousin Cinnamon," Traci supplied.

   "You can never have too many friends," I added.

   "Let's just say she's not the first one in the family to figure that
out."

   * * *

   "I want to hear Grandpa tell the story about Mommy and Daddy getting
married,"

   Traci, sitting next to the Colonel, kept a straight face as Dad turned a
delicious shade of red.  I was sitting on the floor across from them.

   Mom chuckled.  "I think we should save that for when Tami comes over
later."

   I'm not sure if Dad looked relieved or annoyed.

   "Dad, why don't you tell Tony and Traci about the Philippine general."

   The Colonel leaned back on the sofa.  "Well, it's a good story, but it's
classified."

   "I don't think the kids are security risks," Mom prodded.

   "Trace maybe.  She can't keep a secret." The female half of my
generation shot me dirty looks.

   "Besides," Mom continued, "you told me and Patty the story years ago."

   "Well..."

   "Please," Traci pleaded.

   "I don't know..."

   "Pleasssseeee."

   I didn't say a word.  I knew how hard it was to say no to Traci's
puppy-dog look.

   "Okay.  But bear in mind that under the National Security Act of
nineteen-forty-seven, if you repeat anything I tell you, you could be
finishing school at Guantanamo."

   "Dad, you've told that story in every officer's club in the Western
Hemisphere."

   "But those were Marines."

   "And these are your grandchildren."

   "Okay." He looked at me first, then Traci.  "How much do you know about
the Philippines?"

   "Traci can find them on a map," I said smiling, "but usually forgets the
double-P."

   The brat stuck her tongue out at me.

   "The Philippines were run by Ferdinand Marcos from about sixty-five on.
In the seventies, he declared martial law.  He said to protect the country
from communists, but others claimed it was to protect his power.  In early
seventy-eight, the Philippines held an election while still under martial
law, and Marcos's power was reconfirmed.

   "The election did not go completely smoothly, and there were a lot of
charges of vote buying and election fraud.  People in the United States
were very critical, and as a result, relations between us and the
Philippines were not happy.

   "During that summer, the CIA discovered that one of Marcos's top
generals and closest friends was being paid by the Soviets.  The CIA's head
man in the islands brought the evidence to Marcos and was thrown out of the
office, and I do mean thrown." Grandpa grinned.

   "That left us with the problem of the general.  His name was Varata.

   "The spooks wanted to have him killed, but the State Department boys
thought if there was even suspicion by Marcos that we were involved, Marcos
might throw us out of the country.

   "The story happened to get to a friend of mine, a captain named Tommy
Rawls.  Tommy came up with a plan.

   "It just so happened that I was doing a stint with G-2, that's
intelligence, and got attached to Tommy's unit, so I was there when it all
happened.  I even held the camera most of the time.

   "The general was head of the Philippines Special Forces.  Someone at
State suggested that the U.S.  and the Philippines make a training movie
about counter-insurgency techniques.  The general loved the idea.  It was a
chance for him to showcase his troops and be a star.

   "The idea was, the Philippine troops would do a jungle patrol and then
set up a camp and the Marines would attack them.  Then a narrator could
explain what each force did right and wrong.  Then the roles would be
reversed and they'd do it again.  There were supposed to be five attacks
each, two on the patrol as it moved through the jungle and three against
the camp."

   I thought I could see the plan.  "Let me guess, the Philippines special
forces weren't all that special."

   "No, some of them were very good," the Colonel corrected.  "But the
general had never bothered to learn the tricks of the trade, and he was in
charge.  Some of it's common sense and some of it's things learned the hard
way in places like Korea and Vietnam.  Little things.  The first time the
Marines hit the camp, there was a big silver sign with a four stars on it
in front of the largest tent.  That's like taking an advertisement in the
New York Times: Big shot here, please blow me up.

   "The Marines hit the general's men five times and each time, inflicted
over eighty-per-cent casualties--simulated, of course--including the
general and his senior officers.  When the Phillies hit the Marines, we
never lost more than two people--that's out of a thirty-two man unit--and
the Phillies lost fifty-per cent or more."

   "Not exactly even," I commented.

   "Not exactly," Gramps agreed.  "When we attacked, I was on the movie
camera, and Tommy told me where to keep focused.  When we got attacked, I
or one of the Marines would grab the camera as quickly as possible, though
for most of those, we knew when the attacks were coming because of our
scouts."

   "I don't get it," Traci said.  "In war games there's always winners and
losers."

   Grandpa looked at me.

   "Machismo," I said tentatively and he nodded.  "I'll bet when the film
got edited, the comments were really critical about every little mistake
the Filipinos made, but couched in flowery language that sounded at first
take like they were complementing the Generalissimo." That was how Robbie
or Cinnamon would have done it.

   "Exactly," the Colonel agreed.  "And somehow the film got on television
all over the islands.  Not everyone had television, but those that didn't
see it still heard about it."

   Traci still looked confused.

   "The Philippines is a Latin culture.  Very big on Machismo," I
explained. "It's like the Japanese and their face.  You know how in the
movies a Japanese dude is disgraced and 'loses face', then commits
Hari-Kari?"

   "Seppuku," the Colonel corrected as Traci nodded.

   "The general was disgraced over the failure of his men to stop the
marines.  I'll bet he resigned within a week."

   "Four days," the Colonel corrected again.  He caught my eye and made a
pistol out of his thumb and forefinger, then pointed his forefinger into
his open mouth and dropped his thumb.

   I nodded.

   "So it was kind of like Mission: Impossible," Traci said.

   Gramps grinned.  "But without the rubber masks and Peter Graves."

   "Peter who?"

   * * *

   Tami was sitting, straddling my legs as I sat on a chair at the edge of
the dining room.  She'd come over a few minutes after the Colonel had
finished his Philippines story.  I was massaging her shoulders while the
adults talked.  Traci and Grandpa still had the sofa, and Mom sat on the
arm of Dad's chair.

   "You have the best relatives," Tami whispered after the Colonel had
finished his story about last year's arctic, or rather antarctic, training.

   I nodded and started nibbling on her ear.

   "Hey!  Adults in the room," Mom said in mock disapproval.

   "And little sisters."

   Mom gave the brat a dirty look but didn't say anything.

   "I thought I broke you of the habit of sitting on chair arms," Gramps
said in his own mock disapproval.

   "You did.  You said when I buy the furniture I can sit any way I want. I
bought this myself."

   Gramps shook his head.

   "And Tony and Traci know better than to sit like this until they buy the
furniture too."

   We both nodded.

   "Dad, I think you should tell Tami that story that Traci wanted to hear
about us getting married."

   Dad, my dad, that is, gave Mom an 'et tu, Brutus' look.

   "I think she should know the kind of family she's getting into," Mom
added, ignoring Dad and his look.

   Dad sighed.  "And I think you and I should learn a lesson from our
first-born and take a romantic walk around the park." Without waiting for a
response, he stood and held out his hand.  Mom took his hand, and the two
left.

   "Coward," the Colonel muttered.  I guessed he was talking about Dad.

   "Let's see, Tony's seventeen, so it must have been about fourteen years
ago that your mom called and told me she was engaged."

   "Try again," I corrected.  "I've seen the wedding license."

   "Me, too," Traci added.

   "Actually, I've seen it too," Tami put in.  "And I'm not as good at math
as Tony, but when I subtracted the date from this year, I came up with more
than fourteen."

   "Did I say fourteen?  I meant twenty-one," he said with a grin. 
"Anyway, I was in Brussels visiting an old friend, your grandmother was in
Paris visiting the dress shops, and your mom calls and says she's engaged.
And not only wasn't the guy a Marine, he wasn't even a swabbie or Air
Farce. Not even a grunt.  AND...  well, the shame of it all--but Tami
darling, you have to know if you're going to marry that guy you're sitting
on--his parents were Democrats.  Even voted for that damned peanut farmer."

   "You mean Carter?" Tami asked.

   "Shush!" Traci and I said together.

   "Around Grandpa that's a dirty word," Traci explained.

   "The amnesty and all," I added.

   "Amnesty, my great Aunt Petunia!" the Colonel bellowed.  "It was an
invitation for people to ignore their duty.  If there's ever another war
and we need the draft, everyone will just take a vacation in Canada until
the next blasted amnesty." He realized how loud he was and added, "Sorry,"
in a normal tone.

   "Anyway, I flew to Paris, then the two of us flew back to DC 'cause the
Marine Corps Ball was the next night."

   He looked at me, then at Traci.  "You should have seen your grandmother.
I was just another retired colonel, but she was the queen of the ball." He
looked misty-eyed off into space for a minute.  I'd seen the pictures. 
Grandma was beautiful.

   "Your mom and dad had driven from college.  It was about one in the
morning when we got back to the hotel, and they were waiting.  I took one
look at your dad and said, 'Throw him back, he ain't even legal limit.' "

   I love my dad but I have to admit that physically, he ain't very
impressive.  Average height, average build, average weight, though I think
lately he'd been putting on a couple of pounds.

   "So your mom looked me in the eye and said, 'Daddy, I'm going to marry
him,' while your dad quivered in the corner."

   "Gramps." The Colonel looked startled 'cause he hates to be called
gramps.  "You're not being completely fair," I said.  "You forgot to
mention that you were decked out in dress blues with a row of ribbons that
practically stretched to the floor.  You were a pretty impressive sight."

   "And you had a sword," Traci added.

   "What's that got to do with anything?" the Colonel thundered.

   I don't think Gramps would have been intimidated by a T-Rex in full
roar. Gramps stared alternately at the three of us for several seconds
before continuing.  "So your mother said 'Daddy, I'm going to marry him,'
and I looked him over again, and said, 'Over my dead body.'

   "Your grandmother whispered something to your dad, then he stepped
forward, looked me in the eye, and said, 'Then I hope your life insurance
is paid up, so that Vickie is provided for, 'cause we're getting married.'
Then he stepped over to your mom, kissed her, and looked back at me.

   "We stared at each other for about a minute.  It would have been more
impressive if he hadn't blinked every three seconds."

   Dad never could win a staring contest.  Even when Trace and I were
little.

   "Then your dad said, 'And WHEN we get married, we MIGHT invite you if
you can do two things.' 'What?" I asked.  He said, 'Behave yourself and...'
I waited.

   "He smiled.  'Wear that uniform when you give away the bride.' I decided
then that he might not be the worst son-in-law on the planet."

   "And I'm glad you did too," Trace said.  "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."

   Gramps smiled.  "In that case honey, I'm glad I did too."

   * * *

   Gramps had gone to bed--he was the early-to-bed-early-to-rise type--and
Tami and I were taking our walk.  She was full of questions about the
Colonel.  After all, he was a hell of a guy, even in jeans and a plaid
flannel shirt.  I couldn't wait to have her see him all decked out in
blues.

   "I feel like I'm not doing my part."

   "Huh?" I replied brilliantly.

   "Relatives.  You have grandparents, your Aunt Patti, your cousins in
Colorado, and all those other cousins you don't even talk to.  All I've got
is Mom."

   "And guess what?  That's just Mom's side of the family.  Dad just has
his parents."

   "That reminds me.  Why is your other grandfather named Cooper?"

   "Grandpa John's parents were named Cooper, and they thought it would
make it easier to keep track of him."

   "Smartass."

   I grinned.

   "Why aren't you a Cooper?"

   "'Cause my parents are named Sims and they thought it would make it
easier to keep track of me." I love it when Tami feeds me an easy straight
line.

   Tami glared at me.  She has a way of seeming to stomp her foot without
actually moving.  That foot just stomped.

   "Tami, my Little Mustang, my grandparents--Dad's parents--were pretty
much hippies.  They never did the drop-out-tune-in thing or lived in a
commune, but they were as liberal as could be.  Very eco-minded, civil
rights marches, anti-establishment, the whole thing."

   "Do they know you plan to be a Republican?"

   "Yes, but so far, they haven't written me out of the will.  Anyway, when
Dad was born, they thought it was anti-woman to have a child take the
father's name, so Dad and now Traci and I are Sims."

   "Am I ever going to meet them?"

   "You never know, but probably not until the wedding.  Grandpa just
retired from teaching three years ago, and I don't think they've slowed
down since.  Last week they were doing a photo safari in Kenya, and now
they're checking out the Pyramids.  Then I think they're off to Turkey for
another archaeology dig.  When Grandpa Cooper was teaching, we'd see them a
couple times a year, but now..." I shrugged.

   "Your grandfather was a teacher?  He'll be proud when he finds out
that's what you're going to do.  It may even make up for the Republican
thing."

   "I'm not so sure," I said ruefully.  "I want to teach middle school or
high school so I can coach.  John Cooper was head of the history department
at Harvard." I'd pronounced Harvard as pompously as I could.  "He'll
probably accuse me of slacking."

   We'd stopped in front of Tami's trailer.  Inside I could see her mother
moving around and suddenly wondered if she felt slighted.  I mean we always
hung out at my place.

   "As long as you don't slack on my goodnight kiss," Tami said breaking my
train of thought.

   I think I did my whole family proud.



   Chapter 35

   "I see you decided to show up after all."

   I'd been standing and talking to Coach Calloway and Doug Mendenhall. 
Doug was the plate umpire for today's game and the senior umpire for this
part of the state.  The base umpire was pretty senior too.  I guess Wasay
wasn't taking any chances.  I turned and saw Coach Rich standing just
inside the backstop.

   I looked back at Coach Calloway.  "Coach, if I call a teacher a
fat-assed neanderthal idiot will I get in trouble?  Especially since he
isn't one of my teachers.  We're not at our school.  And he is a fat-assed
neanderthal idiot."

   Coach Calloway looked tired.  "Yes, Tony."

   I looked at Rich.  "Too bad."

   "Why you little..." Rich said as he stepped toward me.  'Please hit me,'
I prayed.

   Coach Calloway stepped between us.  "Tony apologize."

   "Sorry, Coach, can't do it."

   "Two laps.  Then hit the dugout.  You're sitting."

   "That's putting the little twerp in his place," Rich smirked.

   A baseball slammed into Rich in the side of his rib cage.  He staggered
against the fence.  Coach Calloway, the ump, and I looked at the field as
Rich groaned and held his side.  Robbie shrugged.  "Sorry, Coach, it
slipped," she yelled.  "That's why spectators shouldn't be on the field."

   "Are you going to let her..." Rich moaned.

   Coach Calloway ignored him and turned to Mendenhall.  "If that person is
still on the field in twenty seconds, I'll take my team and go home." I
hadn't started running yet.  The coach ignored me and walked back to the
dugout.

   I smiled.  "By the way, Coach, enjoying your vacation?"

   Just before spring vacation the Lake school board had suspended Rich for
a month without pay for `unprofessional behavior'.  I'm pretty sure that
the recall petitions circulating the district for every member of the board
had nothing to do with them finally deciding it was time to deal with Rich.

   Rich glared as Mendenhall pointed toward the gate next to the dugout.  I
tossed Robbie a salute and took off at a trot for my laps.

   * * *

   Lake turned out to be a pretty good team.

   But not good enough.

   The final score was seven to three.

   Rich left after the fourth inning.  I think he came to see us get beat
and we disappointed him.  Or maybe it was Coach Calloway letting me in the
game in the third inning.

   Tami and Darlene had driven my car over to watch the game.  After the
game, Tami gave the coach about five seconds of her puppy-dog face, and he
let me ride back with them instead of on the bus.

   Robbie didn't need to use a puppy-dog face.  I think the coach is afraid
of her.

   My parents, Traci, and the Colonel had driven up, too, and we arranged
to meet them at an A&W about a mile from the school.  Dad had seen it
driving in and--according to Traci--had been reminiscing about an
old-fashioned root beer float ever since.

   I let Darlene drive to the restaurant.  Unlike a lot of guys, I didn't
have a thing about girls driving my baby.  Besides, she'd been thinking
about buying a car of her own instead of sharing Rodrigo with Robbie.  Tami
had been thinking about a car too, but I pointed out that she usually was
going places with me or just stole Mustang Sally when I wasn't looking.

   At the restaurant, after we'd ordered burgers and root beer floats for
everyone, we talked about the game.  Robbie liked the Colonel immediately
and wasn't a bit intimidated by the old Marine.  Of course Tami hadn't been
either.  He usually only played General Patton with dad or me.

   "Not a bad game, boy," the Colonel said.  "Almost as good as when I
played ball in college."

   "I didn't know you played baseball," Traci said before I could.  I'd
heard a lot about the Colonel's military career, but now it occurred to me
that I didn't know a lot about him before the Corps.

   "Yep.  In high school and college both."

   "And you were better than Tony?" I knew Trace was just trying to tweak
me, but I still decided some revenge was in her future.

   "Good enough to have some scouts checking me out.  I probably could have
gone to some minor league club and tried to work my way up, but I'd already
decided the Corps was for me."

   "Baseball's loss," Robbie said.  "Now we know where Tony gets his
talent."

   "We knew it wasn't from Dad," Traci said, earning her a hard look from
that worthy.

   "So how far you going to get this year?" the Colonel asked.

   "Last year we got to the first round of the play-offs." Robbie gave me a
glance to remind me that I was part of the reason we hadn't gone further. A
big part.  "This year, we're going all the way."

   "You've got a good start," he mused.

   "We're one and oh in league.  Six and oh overall," I agreed.

   "Keep it up, and I'll be back for the championship," he promised.

   I grinned.  "Tell you what, bring Grandma and it's a deal."

   The Colonel looked at Mom and Dad.  "You don't beat this boy nearly
enough."



   Chapter 36

   "You've got to be kidding."

   Robbie grinned, then shook her head.  "It's perfect for your next song
in the Spring Concert."

   "But..."

   "After all, you're the Donny Osmond fan."

   I sighed.  "I made one little comment about him going from teen idol to
game show host.  That doesn't exactly make me the president of his fan
club. Does he still have fan clubs?"

   Robbie grinned again.  "Sure.  Teachers, librarians, and waitresses in
their fifties who go home, put on their old mini-skirts, and..."

   "No, thanks.  Not an image I need before I go to bed." Tami was on an
overnight field trip, and Robbie was walking the park with me.  She'd
brought her MP3 player and had just played me a song.

   Robbie shrugged.  Evidently images like that didn't bother her.

   "But C'mon Marianne?" I complained.  "And it was disco."

   "It's perfect.  Besides, it was a Four Seasons song before Osmond got a
hold of it.  And you need to do something different to shake things up. 
The line: 'It was a passing thing, not a burnin' thing.' For a week before
the show we'll have Tami completely ignore you while you beg and plead. 
Then she can stand on stage as if you didn't exist while you sing. 
Everybody will be wondering who the passing fling was."

   I could imagine it, certainly better than the fifty-year-old teachers in
mini-skirts.  "Welllll, just as long as I don't have to have a real passing
fling with somebody."

   Robbie grinned again.  "I'll be your passing fling."

   I grinned back.  "You, my lady, could never be a passing fling.  You'll
always be a burning thing."

   Robbie's grin got bigger at the compliment, then her face went blank. 
"As long as you're not calling me a rash."

   I smiled enigmatically.  I'd been practicing.  It didn't work with Tami,
she'd read my mind, but maybe with Robbie...

   * * *

   "At least we get a day off."

   I knew before I said it that it wouldn't help.

   "It's not raining that hard.  We could have practiced."

   I knew Robbie was right.  The rain coming down on the parking lot in
front of us was barely a sprinkle.  We'd practiced and played in worse.  "I
think the coach just wanted a day off.  Maybe he figured we all deserved
one."

   Robbie looked at me, then back at the barely damp parking lot.  "Yeah,
but..."

   "Robbie, we're two thirds through the season and haven't lost a game
yet. And in league, we haven't won by less than three.  I think we can
afford to miss a practice."

   "I guess." She didn't sound convinced.

   "Would it help if I pointed out that you two have already broken the
state record for double plays?" Tami suggested.

   Robbie grinned and put her arm around Tami's waist.  "I knew I always
liked you.

   "I like you too," Tami said, her arm going around me, but instead of
finding it's way into my back pocket, it slid into my front.

   "And the bonus is, Mr.  Hollowell has been bugging me for weeks about
the three of us meeting with Mrs.  Bryant and him, and now we can do it."
Tami's fingers found my car keys and pulled them out.  She flipped them to
Robbie, who snatched them out of the air.  "Why don't you take Mustang
Sally and we'll meet you there."

   "We will?" "What?" Robbie and I said together.

   "What's the idea?" Robbie asked, frowning at the keys.

   Tami's hand had found it's way to it's accustomed place and she gently
guided me out the door.

   "I've got my own personal Fred Astaire, and it's a perfect day for him
to serenade me," Tami said over her shoulder as she walked me toward the
side of the building.

   "I think you mean Gene Kelly," I said after I'd followed her twisted
logic to the end.

   "Whatever.  Sing boy."

   "I just hope you don't expect him to dance," Robbie called after us.

   "I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain.

   What a glorious feeling, I'm..."

   * * *

   "Have fun?"

   Robbie was waiting for us just inside the middle school.

   Tami and I looked at each other and grinned.  "Yeah, we did," we said
together.

   Robbie shook her head and led us to the teacher's lounge.  "Mr. 
Hollowell said it was okay.  There's already something going on in the
conference room."

   Robbie opened the door and walked in.  I followed, but it seemed wrong.
This was a hallowed place, only for teachers.  I know respect has never
been my strong suit, but I couldn't help waiting for a lightning bolt to
smite us.

   Robbie had no such problem.  She walked to the refrigerator, pulled out
a Coke, and plopped down in a overstuffed chair.  I looked at Tami, who
seemed as off-balance as I was.  We ignored the refrigerator and sat
together on the couch.  Robbie shook her head and smiled.

   It was a few minutes later when Mr.  Hollowell and Mrs.  Bryant came in.
Mr.  Hollowell pointed Mrs.  Bryant to a chair, then went to the fridge and
got pops for them both.  He looked at me, and I shook my head.  I guess
Tami must have too, 'cause he sat down in another chair.

   "Mrs.  Bryant, I don't know if you know our distinguished alumni.  This
is Robbie Tate," he said nodding at my favorite redhead.  "Varsity football
and baseball, the recent play contest and one of the best GPA's in the high
school."

   Mrs.  Bryant smiled.  "I'd have to live in a cave not to know about
Monster Girl.  I think both my boys have crushes on her."

   "Mrs.  Bryant has two boys in the middle school," Mr.  Hollowell
explained.  "Dalton is an eighth grader and Michael is in sixth.  Then she
has a girl in fifth."

   I think Kelly went out with a Dalton Bryant for awhile, so she and Traci
would both know him.

   "Then this is Tony Sims," Mr.  Hollowell continued the introductions. 
"Also football, baseball, and the play.  And almost as good a student as
Robbie." Obviously he hasn't been following the class standings.  Either
that or he knew something I didn't about the new standings coming out
Friday.

   "And finally, Tami Sharp.  She doesn't play football or baseball, but
she has a popular column in the paper."

   "I wouldn't miss it," Mrs.  Bryant said and seemed sincere.

   "Mrs.  Bryant is the president of the Parent Teachers Organization."

   Damn, another benefit.  I was starting to feel used.

   "Thank you, Mr.  Hollowell.  Like he said, I'm this year's president of
the P.T.O., and we'd like your help." The look Robbie passed me indicated
she'd come to the same conclusion I had.

   "I wanted to talk to the three of you because you're all role models. 
With your football and baseball, you," she indicated Robbie and me,
"inspire all the sports nuts, yet you both have good grades too.  And I
know a lot of kids who don't bother to read your column," she looked at
Tami, "think it's cool that their parents and teachers do.  In some ways,
you're the best role model of all because even though you're still a
teenager, a, pardon the expression, kid, you're already making it in the
adult world." I patted Tami on the knee to add my agreement.  But if she
was talking role models, maybe we weren't talking about a performance. 
Besides, Tami doesn't sing.

   "I think we're buttered up now," Robbie said.

   "I wasn't buttering you up.  Well, not just buttering you up.  I was
trying to explain why the PTO wants your help." Robbie's face was neutral,
but her eyes were skeptical.

   "The PTO, in association with the national organization, is starting a
new campaign in the schools." I caught a very small shake-of-the-head from
Robbie and knew that she knew more about this `campaign' than I did.  "We
intend to start in ten days and run programs throughout the rest of the
year."

   "Just what kind of campaign is it?" Tami asked.

   Mrs.  Bryant hesitated.  "Sex education," Mr.  Hollowell supplied.

   That wasn't so bad.  I knew from experience how poor the sex education
was.  Anything would be an improvement.

   "Abstinence," Robbie amended.

   "Yes," Mrs.  Bryant agreed.  "But I'm sure you'll agree..."

   Tami stood.  "We're wasting your time.  None of us are interested."

   I was surprised.  Tami usually isn't this assertive.  Mrs.  Bryant was
surprised, too.  "Maybe you should let the others speak for themselves."

   "Trust me," Tami said.  "I'm doing you a favor.  Tony isn't always as
patient with ideas he thinks are stupid as he should be.  Sometimes his
mouth takes over when his brain should be keeping him quiet."

   I'd object, but I remembered all those cautions I'd gotten from Mr. 
Reed about in-your-face attitude.

   "And while Robbie might be more diplomatic, her sarcasm is sharper than
any knife in your kitchen."

   Robbie glanced at me and flashed me a superior smile.

   "None of us are interested in preaching abstinence to the middle
school."

   "I've read your column.  You're an intelligent girl." I could have sworn
I heard the shadow of the word 'little' in between those last two words. 
"You don't think sex in middle school is a problem?  You think these kids
are mature enough for sex?"

   "You're right.  Most of them are not mature enough for sex," Tami
agreed.

   "Then why...?"

   "There are a lot of students in college who aren't mature enough either.
Are you going to run your abstinence campaign there?"

   "Don't be ridiculous, they're adults."

   Tami nodded.  "By act of Congress, but that doesn't make them mature. 
Besides, adult is a very elastic term.  Look at drinking.  For a long time
a lot of states thought eighteen was adult enough to drink but now they all
say it's twenty-one.  English kids must mature faster because it's still
eighteen there.  In Germany and Italy it's sixteen and Portugal doesn't
even have a drinking age."

   "This isn't about drinking," Mrs.  Bryant said stiffly.

   "No, it's about maturity, and that's just one test.  My point is you
can't assign a number and magically make everyone mature when they reach
it."

   "I never said that."

   "But you think you can decide who's mature enough to have sex and who
isn't."

   "Teenaged sex is a problem.  We have to do something."

   "I agree.  It's a problem.  But abstinence isn't the solution, education
is.  You need to make sex education more realistic." I couldn't help it, I
had an image of Tami and me on top of a desk, fucking in front of a class
of eighth graders while Robbie stood to the side and explained--excuse the
pun--the ins-and-outs of the process.  I looked at Robbie, and from her
grin, she had a similar picture in her head.

   "We need to stop these kids from having sex, not teach them how."

   "How are we going to stop them, by having them take the virginity pledge
and wearing a ring or a bracelet?'

   "That's one way."

   "Doesn't work.  Most of the studies agree that pledged kids have almost
the same incidence of sex as non-pledged.  Leslie Warren, who's a freshman,
was still wearing her ring last month when little Ashley was born."

   "We can't just ignore the problem," Mrs.  Bryant demanded.

   "Like I said, education is the answer, not preaching abstinence. 
Teenage sex is nothing new, and it's not going away just because you tell
kids not to."

   "In my day..."

   "In your day, kids had sex.  Both Tony's parents started having sex in
school."

   They did?

   "So did his grandfather."

   The Colonel?  I still can't believer the Colonel ever had sex, Mom and
Aunt Patti not withstanding.

   "You probably graduated high school mid-eighties?"

   "Ninety-one," Mrs.  Bryant corrected, seeming offended.

   "How many girls in your class didn't graduate because they got pregnant?
Or had their kids in the audience?"

   "Not the good girls."

   "That's what it comes down to.  You've got the idea that good girls
don't.  Or good boys for that matter.  But I'm a role model--you said so
yourself--and I was having sex in middle school.  Tony's a role model too.
He had sex in middle school."

   So much for Mom telling me to keep being discreet.

   "And Robbie's probably the biggest role model of all, and she had sex in
middle school.  We all had sex in middle school.  We all still have sex in
high school.  We may not be--in your eyes--mature enough, but I don't think
it's hurting us."

   Tami indicated that it was time to leave.  "What it comes down to is
that all of us hate hypocrites.  So we're not going to stand in front of
your school and tell them to wait when we didn't and when we don't regret
it."

   * * *

   "You're pretty amazing," I said when we were out in the parking lot. 
The rain had stopped.

   "I'll second that," Robbie added.

   Tami grinned.  "It felt kinda good, upstaging you two."

   "As long as you don't make it a habit," Robbie said with an answering
grin.  "Did you make that up?  The part about Tony's parents and grandad?"

   Tami shook her head.  "I'm in the same debate class as you.  I can site
my sources."

   "Which are?" I asked.

   "Your sister."

   "My sister?"

   Tami nodded.

   "How would she know?"

   Tami gave me her 'you're-stupid-but-I-love-you-anyway' look.  "She asked
them."

   I was amazed.  "She just asked them when they started having sex?

   "I think they were giving her one of their sex talks, and she kind of
turned it back on them.  Your dad said he was a junior with a girl named
Marsha."

   That explained why he always said Marsha with a sigh when he looked at
his old yearbooks.

   "Your mom was a sophomore."

   "And Traci asked the Colonel too?"

   Tami shook her head again.  "She didn't ask the Colonel, she asked her
granddad.  You're the only one who treats him like he's still in the Corps
and you're one of his recruits."

   I started to protest, then grinned.  "And the Col...  I mean Gramps told
her he had sex in high school?"

   "His senior year."

   It was my turn to shake my head.  "And when did your mom lose her
virginity?"

   Tami looked shocked "My mom has never had sex."



   Chapter 37

   "We're on with the one and only Monster Girl," the disc jockey said in
his best announcer voice.  Tami reached forward and turned up the volume on
the radio.  We were driving home after she'd picked me up at the club after
I'd worked all morning.  It was the first Saturday since the baseball
season started that I didn't have a double header.

   "An undefeated season so far.  That's got to feel good." the announcer
prompted.

   "It feels great."

   "Tuesday you play Lake again, and if you win...?"

   "If we win, we sew up the district championship."

   "And if you lose?"

   "We won't, but we'd still be in good shape.  Lake has the best win-loss
record in the district next to us.  If they win and then win their next
three games and we lose to Lake and our last three games we'd be tied and
there'd be a playoff game.  If they lose even one of their last four games
or we win, then we can't be caught."

   "Last year you won district and then lost in the first round of the
state play-offs," he reminded her.

   "That's not going to happen this year." I knew it was radio, but I
couldn't help feeling that she was staring straight at me.

   "What's the outlook for the Lake game?"

   "Lake and North Lincoln are probably the toughest teams in our league,
and we've already beat them both once.  This time, when we play Lake we
have home field advantage, too.  But this is baseball, anything can happen.
As my friend Tony likes to say, `Any team can beat any other team on a
given day.' A ball takes a bad hop, the wind catches a fly ball, anything
can happen.  We should be able to beat Lake, but we'll still have to work
for it."

   "Should be a great game, I'm looking forward to it.  On a final note,
what about football next year?"

   "All the way."

   * * *

   "Your girl sounded good."

   "My girl?" We'd gotten home and were walking toward the front of the
park to get the mail.

   "Isn't she your protégée?"

   "Pretty much, since the day we met, I've been wondering who was
protogeeing who."

   "Is protogeeing a word?"

   "It is now."

   Tami grinned, slipped her hand in my back pocket, and leaned her head on
my shoulder.

   "Put your head on my shoulder," I crooned.

   "I could get used to this."

   I grinned.  "I thought you already were."

   We got to the mail boxes and each opened our own.  I was curious when
Tami pulled out a large official looking envelope with her name on it. 
Tami looked guilty and put the envelope under her mother's copy of Cosmo.
She saw me looking at her and turned red.  "It's nothing," she mumbled.

   I nodded and decided she'd tell me when she was ready.  "I was thinking
lunch."

   Tami nodded looking relieved.

   "What are you going to make me?"

   Tami looked startled since I usually cooked.  "How about a grilled
cheese?"

   I grinned.  "Your kitchen or mine?"

   * * *

   "What's up, Brat?"

   "Going to a movie.  Have you seen my jean jacket?" Traci asked, getting
down on her knees to look under the sofa.

   "Not lately," I answered, not paying a lot of attention.  I was watching
a tape of yesterday's O'Reilly Factor, and he was talking about Pelosi's
latest lunacy.  I liked O'Reilly.  He and I agreed most of the time, except
about sex.  "Your blue one is in the closet.  Wear it."

   "I want my jean jacket," she said emphatically.

   A light bulb went on over my head.  "Who you going to the movies with?"

   "A guy," she mumbled, turning pink.

   It occurred to me that since I was in charge again--Dad was in
Sacramento for a conference and Mom had gone with him--it wasn't just
brotherly curiosity, it was a duty to find out more.  "Do I know him?"

   "Don't think so," she mumbled as she stuck her head in the closet and
started rooting around.  "Dalton Bryant."

   The world is too small.  "Didn't he used to go out with Kelly?"

   "That was ages ago," she said standing up with her jacket in her hand. I
was surprised she didn't yell `Ah-ha' or `Eureka'.  She looked over at me.
"This isn't a big thing, but a pretty smart guy I know said I had to get on
with my life."

   I grinned.  "Anybody I know?"

   Trace grinned back.  "I don't think so." Traci shifted from foot to foot
for a few seconds.  "Can I ask your advice about something?"

   "Shouldn't you ask one of your smart friends?"

   "I don't think Robbie's home," Traci shot back.  Robbie had once again
climbed to the top of class standings, and I'd fallen to third behind
uberstudent Tony Mather. "What do you want to know?'

   "Uh, I got this friend..."

   I nodded knowingly.

   "I mean it.  You know Darcy."

   It took a second.  "The one with the lop-sided tits."

   "They're not lop-sided, they're just..."

   My turn to grin.  "If you think of a better description, let me know. 
Meanwhile, I know Darcy."

   "She, uh..."

   "Trace, you know how I feel about secrets?"

   She nodded.

   "That includes secrets that come to me second-hand."

   "She, uh, she's thinking about taking some nude pictures of herself for
her boyfriend."

   "And you want to talk her out of it?"

   Traci nodded.

   "Isn't she the one who wants to be a lawyer when she grows up?"

   Trace nodded again.

   "This is an easy one.  Ask her what firm will hire her if they find her
nudes on the internet.  If she doesn't think they'll get there, ask her how
many pictures of other girls she's seen."

   Traci nodded again, looking relieved.

   "There are a few guys you could trust with those kinds of pictures, but
not many."

   Traci mumbled something and headed for the back.  It took me a minute to
realize she'd said "Peter."

   "Trace, one suggestion," I said a few minutes later when she came back
ready to leave.  "When you're talking to Dalton's mother, you might not
want to mention you know me."

   "What'd you do now?"

   "Not me, it was Tami."

   As Traci left, I had the distinct feeling she didn't believe me.

   Chapter 38

   "What's he doing here?"

   "Tony, in the dugout," Coach Calloway said quickly.

   "But..."

   "Tony, now!"

   Reluctantly I walked over to the dugout and sat down.

   "What now?" Robbie asked.

   "Check out Lake's coaching staff," I said nodding toward the first base
dugout.  She looked, and her eyes got wide.

   "What's he doing here?"

   "That was my question." I waited for Coach Calloway to come back.  Okay,
I didn't just wait, I pouted.

   "Okay, here's the deal," the coach said when he came back.  Ricky and
the rest of the team had joined us on the bench.  "Lake's coach, Bill
Seguerra, is out for a week because of his appendix.  Coach Rich is taking
over."

   "Why?" Robbie and I said together.  "Isn't he suspended?" I added.

   "His suspension ended last week.  And apparently everyone else had other
commitments or didn't want the job." The coach looked straight at me. 
"Everyone on the field, let's get infield."

   The team ran out, but Robbie and I sat.

   "Let's play some ball, Tony."

   Before I could decide how to answer, Robbie pulled me to my feet and
tugged me toward the field.  I took my place at short as the coach started
hitting to the outfield.

   "Look, they all throw like girls," Rich said loudly as Calvin threw the
ball into me.  I fired and accidently missed Ricky at first base.  Coach
Rich jumped out of the way just before the ball smashed into the screen in
front of the dugout.

   Rich glared and I shrugged.

   A couple minutes later I missed again.  Rich charged over to the umpire.
I saw the coach gesturing wildly and the umpire shaking his head and
shrugging.

   The rest of our infield went smoothly as Rich stayed close to one or the
other of the umpires.  Lake had already taken infield, so as we finished,
Jake took the mound and started throwing warm-up pitches.  Chet yelled
"Coming down!" and after the next pitch fired to Robbie at second.  The
throw was perfect.  Robbie caught it about a foot over the ground and
slapped it down on the bag.

   Robbie tossed the ball to me.  I should have fired to Ricky, but I
didn't.  I held the ball several seconds, then looked at Robbie.  "I can't
do this," I said quietly.

   "Don't.  Not for me."

   I smiled at my best friend.  "It's not about you.  Not anymore." I
walked across the field to Rich, standing in the third base coach's box.  I
dropped the ball at his feet and kept going toward the dugout.

   I hadn't noticed Butz and Mr.  Reed in the bleachers until they walked
onto the field.  "Get back out there," Butz ordered.

   "Not happening." I kept going past them toward the dugout.

   "You walk off this field and you won't play ball again," Butz yelled.

   I stopped and turned.  I looked around the field.  Everyone was staring
at Butz and me.  The whole situation felt familiar, and I realized that I
hadn't changed since Parker and the locker room.  I nodded.  "Okay."

   "You can't just walk out on your team," Butz said

   "I'm not walking away from my team, but I've said before that I won't
share the field with that fucking idiot."

   "Apologize!"

   "I'll apologize when you start treating students like human beings able
to have opinions and make decisions."

   "I'll..."

   I never found out what he'd do.  Dad stood up in the bleachers and
started clapping.  Robbie's dad and my mom were only seconds behind him. 
Then one by one, everyone stood and started clapping.  I turned my back on
Butz, walked into the dugout, and grabbed my equipment bag and bat.

   "You can't..." he yelled.  I looked at Butz, but he wasn't focused on me
anymore.  He was looking at Robbie who was just crossing the foul line on
the way to the dugout.  I smiled to myself and let myself out the gate. 
Tami was waiting for me and gave me a hug.

   "If anyone else takes one step, I'll cancel baseball forever!" Butz
threatened.

   From the corner of my eye I saw Ricky start walking across the field.  A
second later Chet was taking off his chest protector and helmet and
dropping them on the plate.  Jake was next.  He flung his mitt in Butz's
direction, then walked to the plate to help Chet with his shin guards.  One
by one, they all followed me to the dugout and off the field where we
stood, not quite knowing what to do next.

   Mr.  Reed looked embarrassed, and I felt sorry for him.  He seemed to
get caught in the middle of my battles with other authority.

   Butz walked to the gate and stared at me.  "You will never play sports
again." More deja vu.

   At that moment I didn't care.  I didn't want to represent HIS school in
anything.

   Mom and Dad walked up, Dad laying his arm across my shoulders.  "Put it
in writing and sign it," Dad said.

   "Make sure you include your reasons for the action," Mom added.  "If
you're stupid enough."

   Dad took his arm off my shoulder and put it around her.

   I liked my parents.

   The tableau continued for several minutes as Butz stared at me, Mom and
Dad stared at him, and the team shifted aimlessly in a circle around me. 
Surprisingly, it was Katie Moore who broke the tension.

   The six one blond senior was captain of the softball team.  She walked
up to Butz and dropped her mitt on the ground at his feet.  One at a time,
the rest of the softball team added to the pile.  The softball team had
been playing Lake on their field on the other side of the football
grandstand.  Obviously someone had run over and told them what was going
on.

   Katie walked over, put her arm around my shoulder, and started walking
me toward the school.  The rest of the two teams followed us.  None of us
said a word.

   It was too bad that the track team was at Wenatchee.

   Somebody sticking their javelin right between Butz's feet could have
been a hell of an end to the show.



   Chapter 39

   "Yo, stud, the music stopped."

   There was something about holding Tami.  We were surrounded by a hundred
other couples, but as I held her close and danced we might have been alone
on a deserted island.  I'd been looking in her eyes and had gotten lost in
them.

   "Huh?" I looked around.  The band had stopped playing, and the other
couples had stopped dancing and were applauding as Dennis Krimalaenski
walked to the center of the stage.  Ski, as everyone called him, held up
his hand and the applause stopped.

   "Last year, when I was a lowly junior," a few chuckles, "the prom got
canceled, and then rescued by three sophomores who should have known better
than to interfere with upperclass activities.  A lot of people, including
me, said it was the best prom ever." I concentrated on not turning red as
the audience clapped.  Tami was less successful.

   "This year, those same three, now lowly juniors themselves--or maybe
not, since they were voted honorary seniors last year.  Maybe now they're
honorary alumni.  Anyway, those same three took over the prom committee,
and despite rumors of embezzlement and Caribbean vacations made an even
better prom."

   More applause as a breeze blew through the park, ruffling gowns and
decorations.  Tami wore her long hair loose, and I never tired of watching
it billow in the wind.

   Ski held up his hands to quiet the crowd again.  "Most of you know the
weatherman was predicting a thirty per cent chance of rain tonight, but I'm
told that when she was helping set-up earlier tonight, Robbie looked up at
the sky, shook her finger, and said `No.' And the weather has been perfect
ever since."

   This time, I joined in the applause.  I couldn't see Robbie, but knew
she and Troy Benning were somewhere in the crowd.

   "Last year, they became honorary members of the class of two thousand
five.  So this year, I'd like them to become honorary members of the class
of two thousand six as well." This time the applause was louder, and a lot
of hands started pushing Tami and me toward the stage.  We got there at the
same time as Robbie and Troy.  I hugged Robbie, then she hugged Tami before
we joined Ski on stage.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, the double, soon-to-be triple, seniors," Ski said
with a flourish.  The three of us took a quick bow before escaping.

   "That was a pretty good hand, considering two of them managed to kill
school sports," Ski said with a wink toward us.  The crowd laughed, and I
felt my cheeks burn.

   "Not fair,"Robbie yelled.  "Katie helped." The got the laughter even
louder.  Butz had canceled the rest of the season for baseball and softball
after the Lake game, or rather non-game.  Two days later, the track and
tennis teams had walked off their fields in protest.  There'd been a lot of
grumbles from the parents and community, but the school board decided that
they didn't have enough time to adequately contemplate the situation before
the season ended anyway.

   I missed baseball.  And I was depressed that we wouldn't get our chance
at the state title that had eluded us so far, but I wouldn't change what I
did even if I could.  I'm not sure everyone on the baseball team felt the
same way.

   Ski finished talking, and the band started playing again.  I gave Robbie
a light kiss and started dancing again.

   "It's a perfect night, isn't it?" Tami murmured in my ear.

   "I can't think of anything that would make it better."

   I don't know why, maybe it was the mind reading thing working my way for
once, or maybe there was something in here body language, but I knew Tami
was trying to make up her mind about something.  I gave her her mental
space and just enjoyed her nearness.

   "Tony, remember that letter I got two weeks ago?"

   "Yep.  It looked important."

   "You wondered about it?"

   "Sure did," I agreed.  "But I knew you'd tell me when it was time."

   Tami hesitated.  I just danced.

   "It was from the Times."

   "Okay."

   "The New York Times."

   "Wow." I was impressed even if the Times wasn't my favorite newspaper.
They were a little too far left for my taste.

   "I applied for an internship, and they accepted me," Tami said softly.

   I let go of Tami and stepped back.  She amazed me.  "That's fantastic,"
I said and meant it.  "I didn't think the Times was that smart."

   Tami grinned as couples danced around us.  "It's for six weeks.  Right
after school ends," she said dropping the bad news.

   Six weeks without Tami.  I wasn't sure I could stand it.  Even in the
seventh grade when she was mad at me, I could still see her, or know she
was close.

   "You can't go." Tami looked shocked, but I knew right then that if I
asked, she wouldn't go.  I grinned.  "If they find out your boyfriend's a
Republican, they'll have you flogged."

   Tami smiled and shook her head.  "Tony, the New York Times does not flog
people." The music stopped, and couples milled near us, waiting for the
next song.

   "An exorcism, then," I suggested.

   "Anyway, I'm an independent."

   "That you are, me lady," I said with a bow and a flourish.  "But the
Times is a bastion of liberals and Democrats.  And please note that,
especially at the Times, Democrat and democracy are two different and
totally unconnected things."

   "You and Democrats.  And you call the Times biased."

   "Did you ever hear my perfect definition of a Republican?"

   Tami shook her head.

   "This was an e-mail joke one of my online friends sent me.  I don't
remember which one."

   "Probably from one of the porn groups you used to visit."

   "Could be, I really don't remember where I got it.  Anyway, a rich man's
daughter came home from college where she had picked up a lot of liberal
ideas.  At dinner that night, she proceeded to lecture her father on the
evils of being a Republican and the joys of being a Democrat.  Her father
listened patiently and waited until she ran down.

   "He looked at his daughter and asked, `What did you get in your history
class?' "

   "His daughter was startled.  `Daddy, you know I got an A.' "

   " `What did your friend Jenny get?' "

   " `Jenny barely got a C.' "

   " `I've got a great idea.  Why don't you talk to your professor and give
some of your class points to Jenny.  Then you both can get B's.' "

   "His daughter looked shocked.  `Daddy, I worked hard for that A.' "

   "Her dad smiled.  `Welcome to the Republican Party.' "

   Tami smiled.  "Maybe I'm a Republican."

   "Better stay an independent until after your internship."

   Tami kissed me.  "You're okay with it?"

   "Of course not.  I'm not sure I can live with you that far away.  I may
just fade away.  But this is too good a chance to pass up.  You HAVE to
go."

   "But the road trip?"

   "You said six weeks.  We can do a road trip after you come back.  Or we
won't.  A road trip will be fun, but this is something you need to do."

   "You are way too sensible to be seventeen."

   "I may be sensible, but that doesn't mean I won't be crying myself to
sleep in June."

   The music started again, and Tami took hold of me.  "You say the
sweetest things."

   "And you know how I feel about the truth," I added as I nibbled her
ear."

   * * *

   I hugged Mikee as we watched Tami and Robbie on the stage.  Her date, a
kid from my class who's name I couldn't remember, didn't look happy about
it.  Allie joined them a minute later and Darlene a minute after that.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, your junior court," Ski announced and stood aside
so we could admire.  I grinned to myself as I realized that my harem had
swept the contest.  A few minutes later, four seniors, none of whom I knew
well, had joined my girls and gotten their Tiaras.

   "And finally, your prom queen, Paula..." Paula's last name was
obliterated by the applause that swept the room.

   It was a perfect prom.  At least it would have been if Robbie had let me
sneak Trace in.  She was doing better.  She dated, though nothing serious.
I knew she missed Peter but she was getting on with it.

   * * *

   Two hours later the drummer--who'd graduated North Lincoln a couple
years ago--stood and walked to the microphone.

   "This has been a fantastic prom." Cheers.  "The only thing that could be
better than dancing on the grass with you is being up her playing with
Prisoners of War." More Cheers.  "Just one thing before we get to our last
couple of songs.

   "Everybody knows how we feel about shit-kicker.  Oops, forgot this was a
school.  I mean, country music.  It's even lower than opera." Some cheers,
some boos, and some laughs.  "A couple weeks ago, this guy comes to us and
not only wants us to play a shi...  country song, he wants to sing it with
us.  I said, `No way.' The next day he says he's a superstar athlete.  I
checked.  This school don't even have a baseball team." A few laughs as
people started looking my way.  "I say, `Not happening.'

   "He comes back a day later and says his girlfriend's a star columnist. I
asked how old she was, he says, `Seventeen.' I told him to take a hike.

   "Yesterday he comes back and says, `Did I mention my best friend's
Monster Girl and she could hurt you?' Ladies and gentlemen, Tony Sims and
our first country song."

   I grabbed Tami's hand and pulled her up on the stage with me.  The
drummer went back to his kit as I took the microphone and knelt on one knee
in front of Tami.

   "I come here today, I'm kind of nervous.

   You know how words get in my way.

   It should come easy, I've been rehearsing.

   I don't know why I'm so afraid to say

   Will you marry me?

   Put our life and love together.

   Will you stay with me,

   For always and forever.

   On bended knee, would you take this ring.

   Will you marry me, please?

   Will you marry me?

   To be with you is what I live for.

   But at this moment I confess,

   Though I love you, God knows I love you,

   Deep down inside I'm scared to death.

   Will you marry me?

   Put our life and love together.

   Will you stay with me,

   For always and forever.

   On bended knee, would you take this ring.

   Will you marry me, please?

   Will you marry me?

   On bended knee, would you take this ring.

   Will you marry me, please?

   Will you marry me?

   As the music ended, I stayed on my knee.  "Tamerone Elizabeth Sharp,
will you marry me?" If the crowd reacted I didn't hear it.  My whole world
was Tami and her words.
   "One year from today, big boy.  One year from today."