Senior Year Box Set

Yuri was just standing in the batter’s box and tried to duck under the throw. It clipped the top of his helmet, which changed the ball’s trajectory so that it bounced past the third baseman into the outfield corner.

Moose waved me home to score.

At that point, the wheels came off for Mt. Vernon as we scored three more runs to take a 4–2 lead. That was how the game ended. Next up, the winner of the Wesleyan and Riverside game.

◊◊◊

After the game, we decided it was time to take advantage of the event going on at the park. I’d just gotten in line for deep-fried candy bars with Tim and Wolf. I usually got the Snickers, but this time debated if I should try a Butterfinger or Peppermint Pattie instead.

“There you are. I forgot to give you your schedule,” Grandma Dawson said from behind me.

“What schedule?” I asked.

“It’s your turn to man the kissing booth.”

“What?” I asked and gave her the confused look Duke gave me when I told him to find the kitty.

“It totally makes sense,” Wolf said.

“You stay out of this,” I fired back.

“You did get nominated for MTV’s Best Kiss,” Tim reminded me.

“It’s for charity,” Grandma Dawson said as she grabbed my wrist and pulled me along like I was ten again.

I held out my money, and Tim snatched it.

“Get me the Snickers,” I said as Grandma led me off to my demise.

Once we got close, I saw Billy, my favorite police officer, manning the booth for five dollars a kiss. I smirked when an older lady quickly turned her head, and instead of her cheek, he gave her one right on the lips.

“I got some of the younger firemen and police officers to volunteer,” Grandma explained. “They’ve been pretty popular.”

“I think she got you,” I said to Billy when I walked behind the table.

“You have to watch them. I might have to cuff her later,” Billy said, winking at the older lady.

I think he made her day.

My grandmother had her phone to her ear, and she glanced over at me and smiled. Over the PA system, the music cut off, and an announcement came on.

“In the kissing booth is our very own David Dawson, who will only be there for a short time.” Grandma’s voice carried out over the PA system; apparently, they had some way to patch her in from her phone. “To kiss David will only cost you a hundred dollars. It’s for charity, ladies, so don’t be shy if you want to tip him if he does a good job.”

Then her grin turned evil as she remembered what Tim had said. “David’s been nominated for MTV’s ‘Best Kiss’ Award, so don’t miss your chance!”

I thought five dollars was a lot. No way I would sell kisses for a hundred a pop. A crowd started to gather because they probably thought the same. Then I spotted Tracy Dole with Pam. Tracy marched up and paid her hundred dollars.

“Thanks. I was afraid no one would pay that much, even though it is for charity.”

“You better give me my money’s worth,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

I reached over the table and let my fingers cup the back of her head while my thumb caressed her cheek. I gave her my best smoldering, sexy look and planted one on her. There weren’t many girls who could kiss as well as Tracy did, so it heated up in a hurry. My grandmother cleared her throat, causing Tracy and me to break apart.

“Oh, my!” Tracy said, fanning her face. “I have to run to the ATM for more money.”

Pam tried hard not to laugh at her friend’s act. Her little exhibition was all it took for the dam to break, and I suddenly had a line.

Two things made my day. First, the Wesleyan girls showed up to get a kiss. They’d come today to support their team, which I’d learned would be our next opponent.

The second was when my middle-school girls pooled their money for a kiss. One girl had won the kiss, but I told them if I could kiss them on the cheek, I would kiss all of them.

Their reaction was priceless. They were ecstatic, but each one became shy when her turn to be kissed came up. Seeing them squeal and run off to tell each other about their experience put an indelible smile on my face.

◊◊◊

Tim was dead to me because he gave my deep-fried Snickers to Cassidy. She explained that they weren’t as good once they cooled off, so she had done me a favor.

I got to the ball field just in time for the game to start and for me to sit on the bench. Moose moved Ty to center field and put Yuri in at third base. My brother Phil was pitching. He did well to start by only allowing one batter to reach base.

I understood why I’d been benched when we came up to bat. Mike Herndon, my archnemesis, was pitching. If there was anyone who wouldn’t care if they got tossed from the game for throwing at me, it was him. He was also the person I’d be most likely to retaliate against. Moose wanted me to play in the championship game if we won, so I was sitting this one out.