Junior Year Box Set

“David, you’ll need to be here at 8:30. The Morning Show has asked that you do a live interview.

“Now that we have that out of the way, we need to pick our two representatives for the home run derby. Each team gets to highlight two players. I’ve always let the team decide who that would be,” Coach Kingwood said.

“Coach, who needs the exposure to help them make the final 40?” I asked.

I think everyone assumed I’d get one of the slots because I led everyone in home runs with nine. A kid on Pony had eight. What was funny was I also led all pitchers with three wins. Several pitchers had two. All eyes turned to Coach Kingwood, who obviously didn’t expect that question. I was glad he took it seriously.

“Without a doubt, I would say Dave. Since you got off to a rough start fitting in, you need to shine. The other person I’m worried about is Trent. If they were picking today, there are probably four catchers with better numbers. Where you have an advantage is your power. You need to remind them of that.”

“Any objections?” I asked, and there were none.

“I’ll put their names in. Now go sign some autographs,” Coach Kingwood said to dismiss us.

M.E. had been smart and gotten us ice cream cookies. That way she and Bob could carry them all and it was easier to eat while you autographed people’s stuff.

It took me forever to get out of there. I think Bob was happy his mom was at the game so he could go home. I talked Paul into taking me somewhere to get something to eat. We stopped at a Greek restaurant where I got a Greek pie. It was an egg dish with zucchini, feta cheese, and ricotta cheese. They’d put in fresh mint and dill to season it. Paul just had an iced tea.

“I know I’m on the road for the next three weeks. Are you coming with me?” I asked.

“It’ll be just me for Canada and Houston. Fritz might go with you to Japan, and obviously, Cassidy will be there too.”

I smiled. Paul knew where we were going for the guys’ week. Uncle John and Dad had been keeping it a secret. I hoped that meant we’d be going fishing.

“Do you know what kind of tackle we’ll need for the Canada trip?” I asked casually.

“Why would you need tackle?” Paul asked, acting confused.

He was so bad at this.

“Spill it. Where are we going?” I asked.

“Your dad said that until you’re 18, I work for him,” Paul said.

“In two weeks, you’ll have to come up with another argument,” I said, reminding him of my upcoming birthday.

“Until then …”

I got out my phone and called Cassidy.

“Hey, I’m with Paul. He couldn’t remember what lake we’re going to in Canada.”

“Hang on, let me look,” Cassidy said.

It sounded like she dropped the phone. I heard Brook in the background.

“Who’s on the phone?”

“David.”

I heard the phone get picked up.

“Hey. When will I see you?” Brook asked.

“I’m home this weekend.”

“Halle’s back. You should see her on Saturday night. I’d bet you’ll see Zoe Sunday. That leaves me and Beth.”

“When did you add Beth?” I asked.

“After she declared her undying love for you,” Brook said as if it were obvious.

“Cassidy has a big mouth,” I guessed. “Where is she? She was supposed to be finding out where I’m going for my guys’ weekend with my family.”

Brook chuckled.

“She left me a note with the name on it. Want me to read it to you?”

“Yes.”

“Lake None of Your Business.”

“Where did she go?” I asked. “I think I need to talk to her.”

“She’s making us popcorn. We got The Notebook. You really should watch that with us,” Brook teased.

I’d made my feelings about that movie known. No guy should have to watch it.

“Tell Miss Smarty-Pants I know where she lives,” I said in my most menacing voice.

“You do remember you bought her a gun.”

“Good point. Just tell her I miss her. I miss you too.”

“Come see me first. I plan to make you useless for all those other girls,” Brook purred.

I looked up at Paul. That stopped me from pursuing that line of conversation.

“I’ll be over Saturday morning,” I promised.

“Until then …” Brook said and then hung up.

I needed to wrap this baseball thing up.

◊◊◊

Chapter 16 – Top 40 Friday June 24

I was impressed. The Morning Show had flown a reporter out to interview me. I grinned when I recognized who it was: Jeff Delahey. Jeff was the sports reporter for our local newspaper.

They’d set up two folding chairs at home plate of the stadium for the interview. As we sat down, I gave him a raised-eyebrow look.

“What are you doing on TV?”

He just smiled.

“We’re live in three … two …” the cameraman said.

We had in earbuds so we could hear the studio announcers.

Studio Announcer: “I’d like to welcome Jeff Delahey to our network family. Jeff will be working on our sister channel, Sports TV.”