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 ï>¿The Trailer Park: The Fourth Year A Story in the Wynter/Trailer Park
Universe by Wizard CopyrightÂ(C) 2006 by Wizard

   Chapter 41

   The Fall Concert had been rescheduled four times before we finally got
it done on Monday.  Between the plays, the football team making the
play-offs, and Mr.  Wade, the band teacher, breaking his foot, it was
beginning to look like we'd have to combine it with the Spring Concert.

   The show started out with the beginning band.  It was weird to watch Mr.
Wade conducting them without tapping his foot in time to the music, but it
was still wrapped up in a big walking cast.

   He told everybody that he broke it slipping on some ice, but his wife,
the typing teacher, let it be known that they were having an argument and
he slammed the door on it.

   After the beginning band, Robbie and I did a duet of Don't Fall in Love
With a Dreamer.  Our duets were almost becoming a school tradition.  Toby
Reyes accompanied us on the piano, then he and his sister Sally did a
four-hand piece called Variations on Chopsticks that was amazing.  I hadn't
even known Sally could play.  She usually had a drumstick in her hand.

   The chorus did three songs, then I got to sing Forever, a Beach Boys
song, though I'd heard it first on Full House when John Stamos did it.  I
dedicated it to Tami and stared down at her in the first row as I sang. 
Luke was working the lights and put a single spot on me and another on
Tami. I almost forgot anybody else was there.

   "If every word I said,

   Could make you laugh,

   I'd talk forever.

   I'd ask the sky just what we had,

   It shone forever.

   If the song I sing to you,

   Could fill your heart with Joy,

   I'd sing forever..."

   She was the only person in the world.

   The advanced band was next.  They did a great version of Hawaii Five-O,
Then Also Sprach Zarathustra, the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme, and finished
with the Braveheart theme.  It was almost perfect.  They needed Traci on
the sax.  She was better than the junior they had.  Oh well.  Two more
years.

   Then it was my turn again.  I brought out a stool, and Luke hit me with
the spot again.  Chad Davis was sitting a little behind me with his guitar.
"This is a very special song for a very special girl.  Ashley, this is for
you.  Hidden Feelings."

   Ashley was sitting in the front row next to Tami, and in the dim light I
could see her look down in embarrassment.  I'd thought about having Luke
hitting her with the other spot, like he'd done to Tami in my other song,
but I figured Ashley would try to crawl under her chair.

   Chad did eight quiet bars on his guitar, then I joined in.

   "No one knows my true feelings,

   Least of all, my friends, or you.

   But I'm always there when you need me,

   I'm always around, right on cue."

   "I ask myself so often,

   How do you talk to someone you love.

   How do I tell you, standing right there,

   That you're the one my dreams are of."

   "Hidden feelings.  Why do we have to hide them?

   Why are we afraid to try them?

   Why is it so hard to say out loud?

   The words that we hear inside."

   "Watching you dance, another guy in your arms,

   It's Impossible to be more alone.

   But I pick myself up, and try to stand tall,

   Besides, who cares if I moan and I groan."

   "Hidden feelings.  Why do we have to hide them?

   Why are we afraid to try them?

   Why is it so hard to say out loud?

   The words that we hear inside."

   "We grew up together, laughing at games that children play.

   Together, but always apart.

   Friends, never lovers, we'll always be,

   cause you never looked deep in my heart."

   "Hidden feelings.  Why do we have to hide them?

   Why are we afraid to try them?

   Why is it so hard to say out loud?

   The words that we hear inside."

   "Hidden feelings.  Why do we have to hide them?

   Why are we afraid..."

   I faded as Chad finished four more bars.  I looked out at the audience
as the polite applause started.  Ashley was staring up at me intently.  I
wondered if Robbie was history.  Tami looked amused.

   I gave the audience a quick wave, swept my arm back to indicate Chad,
then Luke cut my spot and opened another on the swing choir already on the
risers.  They opened with The Lion Sleeps Tonight.  Not one of my
favorites, but they did a good job.  Then they sand a jazzy version of the
sea chanty What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?  with Mike Reed in his
football jersey acting drunk and staggering around the stage.

   Then the stage went dark.  From the wings I could see a couple of guys
carry a lectern out and set it up in front of the risers.  Then still
without lights, Toby started a light piano melody.

   Then out of the darkness came Robbie's voice, throatier than usual.

   "Hot August Night,"

   Sally started beating out a soft rhythm on the snare drum.

   "And the leaves hanging down,

   And the grass on the ground smelling sweet.

   Move up the road,

   To the outside of town,

   And the sound of that good gospel beat."

   "Sits a ragged tent,

   Where there ain't no trees.

   And that gospel group,

   Telling you and me,"

   Luke brought up a pair of reddish tinted spots onto the swing choir. 
They came in on the chorus.

   "It's Love.

   Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.

   Pack up the babies,

   Grab the old ladies.

   Everyone goes,

   Everyone knows,

   Brother Love's show."

   The three rows of singers in the swing choir were swaying in time to the
music.

   The Robbie started again.

   "Room gets suddenly still,

   And when you'd almost bet,

   You could hear yourself sweat, he walks in."

   Another spot hit Robbie as she walked from the wings, singing into her
microphone.  She was wearing a black suit, her hair pulled back into a
ponytail.  She strode to the lectern and looked out over the audience.

   "Eyes black as coal,

   And when he lifts his face,

   Every ear in the place is on him."

   "Starting soft and slow."

   ("Startin' slow," the swing choir sang behind her.)

   Like a small earthquake

   ("Small earthquake", they echoed)

   And when he lets go,

   ("Lets go.  When he lets go.")

   Half the valley shakes."

   They came back hard on the chorus.

   "It's Love.

   Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.

   Pack up the babies,

   Grab the old ladies.

   Everyone goes,

   Everyone knows,

   Brother Love's show."

   Robbie came out from behind the lectern and walked toward the audience.
"Brothers and sisters," she shouted.  Most of the swing choir started
humming, the rest throwing out hallelujahs.  "You got yourself two good
hands," she said in a sing-song preacher's voice.  "and when your brother
is troubled, you got to reach your one hand to him, cause that's what it's
there for." She reached out toward the audience.  "And when your heart is
troubled, ya got to reach out your other hand, reach it out to the Man up
there.  Cause that's what He's there for." She reached her other hand
toward the sky and followed it with her eyes.

   She walked back to the lectern, and sang.

   "Take my hand in yours,

   ("in yours.")

   Walk with me this day.

   ("Walk with me.")

   In my heart, I know,

   ("I know, I know."

   I will never stray.

   (Never stray.")

   The swing choir joined her,

   "Halle, halle, halle, halle, halle, halle, halle"

   "It's Love.

   Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.

   Pack up the babies,

   Grab the old ladies.

   Everyone goes,

   Everyone knows,

   Brother Love's show."

   I had goose bumps.  Her performance was almost enough to make me become
a Baptist and join a traveling gospel show.  Okay, maybe not.  But they
don't have agnostic gospel shows, do they?

   The show ended, and I went out into the auditorium to meet and greet.

   Okay, I went out so that a lot of people could tell me how wonderful I
was.  I have an ego, I admit it.

   "Mr.  Sims."

   There are sounds that are repulsive to people.  For a lot of people, the
sound of fingernails on a chalk board.  For me, those two words in Parker's
voice.

   I turned.  "Yes?"

   "Do you think that was appropriate?"

   Now there's an open-ended question if I ever heard one.  And there was
no way I was going to commit myself.  "What was appropriate?"

   "Trying to turn our school shows into your own personal dating service."

   I wondered if the blood vessel on his forehead had finally burst and
he'd lost it.  "Excuse me?"

   "First you seem to think these shows are all about you.  That the band
and the chorus and all the others are just the opening acts for your
concert."

   He had a point, though I'd never admit it to him.  Three songs in one
show was too much.  I was supposed to do two, the duet with Robbie and
Hidden Feelings, but Mr.  Wade had asked me that morning if I'd like to do
another.  Someone else had backed out and he wanted a vocal between the
piano and the advanced band.  I'll never turn down a chance to tell Tami
how I feel.

   I grinned.  "That reminds me.  I was thinking we need a new name. 
Instead of the Fall Concert, how about Tony Sims, The Tornado Tour?"

   Parker's expression didn't change.  "Then you use your talents to pick
up girls.  Roberta Tate, Tami Sharp and Ashley Burke."

   Parker had just admitted I was talented.  I was afraid to look up, a
rift might be opening in the universe.

   "I think in the future..."

   "Charley?"

   Parker turned, his face going a little green when he saw Mr.  Mulino
standing there with my parents.

   "Marty."

   "Tony wasn't trying to pick up Miss Burke.  He was doing a favor for
me."

   "He was...  a favor?"

   "Yes, a favor.  Was there anything else?"

   Parker looked disappointed.  He shook his head and wandered away.

   I think Mr.  Mulino was trying not to smile as he watched Parker drift
away.  He did smile as he looked back at me.  "Tony that was excellent as
always.  Especially Hidden Feelings."

   "It's a decent song.  Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish
connecting the dots."

   Mom looked confused, but nodded.

   I looked around and spotted my targets.  I collected my first one, then
escorted him to my second one.

   "Ladies," I said as I walked up to Ashley and Tami.

   I wasn't sure whether to be amused, flattered, or scared by the look on
Ashley's face.  Before, when she'd looked at me, she sometimes looked
hungry.  Usually before we'd do some making out or serious feeling up.  Now
she looked almost vampiric.

   I indicated the boy next to me with a sweep of my hand.  "Ashley, do you
know Robby?" Ashley giggled.  The boy, Robby went scarlet.  "Her best
friend is Robbie Tate," I explained to him.  "They've known each other
since kindergarten."

   Ashley blushed, though not as red as Robby.  "I've seen him in the
halls, but never met him."

   "Hi," he mumbled.  He seemed to be staring at Ashley's kneecaps.  Maybe
her shins.  Ashley had nice kneecaps.  Good shins too, but there were
definitely better parts to look at.

   "Robby wrote Hidden Feelings.  And he wrote it about you."

   I didn't think it was possible, but Robby turned even redder.  I was
reminded of Rudolph and his nose.

   "I, um, yeah."

   How he could write lyrics and still not be able to speak in complete
sentences, I didn't understand.

   I stepped behind Robby, reached over his shoulder and lifted his chin
until he was looking straight into Ashley's eyes.  "Okay, say, 'I'm Robby.
Nice to meet you.'"

   Robby tried to drop his head, but I held it in place.

   "I'm Robby.  Nice to meet you," he stammered.

   Ashley stared, swallowing twice, then looked down at Robby's feet.  Tami
stepped behind her, grabbed her chin and lifted it until she was looking
back at Robby.  "Say, 'I'm Ashley and I think you're cute.'"

   "I'm Ashley," she said.  "And I think you're cute." Her words trailed
off until I couldn't hear the 't' in 'cute.'

   My turn.  "Say, 'I think you're keen.  Do you want to go to the malt
shop?'"

   "What?" they said together.

   "Guys, you're on your own," I said, releasing Robby.  Tami let go of
Ashley.  I held my hand out to Tami and we walked away.

   "You're a nice guy," Tami whispered, laying her head against my
shoulder.

   "Nah.  Just doing a favor for the boss.  Robby's Mr.  Mulino's nephew."

   "Right," she said as if she didn't believe me.  "Think he'll kiss her?"

   "Oh, yeah.  I figure he'll work up the courage sometime before they
graduate." I smiled to myself.  "College."



   Chapter 42

   "Before we begin, I think we should say a few words."

   Dad set down the steaming bird, picked up his knife and his steel, and
started his ritual sharpening.  Like Mom didn't keep all her knives sharp
and ready.

   "Traci..." Dad began.

   "Would you mind if I went first?" I asked, standing.

   "Tony?" Mom said in surprise.  "Usually we have to practically threaten
you to get you to say anything.  And then you mumble something about
football or baseball, and sit down."

   "Last year it was both," Traci said helpfully.

   "Let's just say that this year, I have a lot to be thankful for." I
looked at dad, standing over the turkey, running his blade up and down the
steel.  "You might want to sit down.  This is going to take a couple of
minutes."

   I took a deep breath.

   "I'm thankful for a lot of things this year.  First of all, I'm thankful
that I've grown up enough to realize that I have a lot to be thankful for."

   Mom laughed into her napkin, then exchanged looks with Dad.

   "I'm thankful for my sister Traci, who has turned from an evil brat into
a human being."

   Traci, across from me at the table, grinned and stuck out her tongue.

   "Mostly," I added, and she blushed.  "I'm not sure exactly when this
transformation happened, but I assume it was my outstanding example as a
role-model that did it.

   Traci stuck out her tongue again.

   "I'm thankful that we finally got the Fall Show done."

   "And I'm thankful that you made it through it without getting
suspended," Mom added under her breath, though not far enough under.

   I smiled at my mom.  "I was glad I didn't get suspended too.  And I got
brownie points with Mr.  Mulino.  They ought to be worth something."

   I didn't add that I was glad for uric acid crystals.

   Mr.  Parker suffered from gout and had missed Tuesday and Wednesday,
making for a peaceful end for the short week.  I'd never heard of gout
outside of old movies about British aristocrats and had looked it up on the
internet.  While Mom didn't have any more use for Parker than I had, I
didn't think she'd appreciate my thankfulness.

   "I'm thankful for good friends." Robbie, Mikee, Kelly.  Peter, the
girl's brother.  Ashley.  Zoe, who could be annoying.  Paula, Darlene,
Allie.  Luke, who I'd grown away from but was still a good friend.  Ricky
Calloway.  Toby and Sally.  Larry.  Hell, the whole football team except
Mike.  I had too many friends to count.  "A lot of good friends."

   "I'm also thankful for good enemies," I added, thinking about Peter
King.

   "I'm thankful for our storm and its perfect timing." I looked out the
big picture window, where snow was still pelting against it.  The snow had
started last night.  In fact, I saw the first snowflake when we were lining
up for our first first-down.  It landed on Alex's butt as he got into
position to hike the ball.  It came down harder and harder.  By the second
quarter the entire field was white, but it never got bad enough to shut
down the game.  But it did manage to shut down the airport.

   I glanced down at Tami beside me, then smiled at her mother at the foot
of the table.  "While I'm sorry that you couldn't spend Thanksgiving with
your mother," I said to her, "I'm not sorry that you're spending it here
with us."

   She smiled back.

   "Like Mom pointed out, I'm thankful for football and baseball.  Though
I'd be more thankful if the damn sportswriters gave us any credit at all."

   The second game of the play-offs was yesterday because of the four-day
weekend.  The team from Yakima was good.  After all, according to all the
sportswriters, they were supposed to win.

   We were better.  Five touchdowns better.

   In the Seattle paper today it wasn't so much that we won as Yakima lost.
The writer deplored that a great team hadn't played their game.  I guess
all we did was show up.  But still, only four teams were going to the
Tacoma Dome next week for football, and we were one of them.

   "I'm very, very thankful for two parents who have taught me that there
is a time to respect authority and a time to rebel." I gave them a warm
smile.  "And even more because they usually support me in my revolutions."

   "I hope that's not a hint," Dad said.  I grinned and shrugged.

   "Mostly I'm thankful that I've already found somebody very special to
me," I said, looking down at Tami.  She looked up and smiled, and for a
moment we were the only people in the universe.  "I know Mom cringes when I
use the L-word, probably Mrs.  Sharp too, but I know we know what we have,
and we're thankful for it.

   "And I'm thankful that I like cold turkey, since I've been standing up
here a long time."



   Chapter 43

   Tami was sitting in the driver's seat of Dad's Porsche when Larry
dropped off me and Robbie.

   "Lookin' good, girl." I said, leaning in the window.

   Tami grinned, gripped the steering wheel and pretended to steer.

   "Should I even ask why you're sitting there?"

   "Your dad gave me a driving lesson.  I'm basking."

   "My dad let you drive his baby?"

   Tami nodded.  I opened the door and held out my hand to Tami.  "I guess
it's official.  Welcome to the family."

   Tami climbed out.  "He said I was easier on the clutch than you are."

   My jaw dropped.

   "I wonder if I can talk him into a lesson too," Robbie said.

   "Probably," I said with a grin of my own.  "Weakness for redheads runs
in the family."

   "I am kinda cute."

   "The poor man hasn't got a chance."

   Tami nodded.

   The snow that had almost buried Thanksgiving was mostly gone now.  In
fact, for the last day of November it was beautiful.  The temperature was
in the low fifties, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  It was gonna be a
crystal clear night.

   "So how'd you get home?"

   "Larry brought us," Robbie said as she ran her hand over the hood of the
Porsche.

   "I'm gonna be so glad when February gets here and I won't have to beg
rides anymore," I said.

   "You know, just because you get your license doesn't mean you'll have a
car," Robbie cautioned.

   "If you get your license," Tami added.

   "What?"

   "Don't forget, I've ridden with you."

   I stuck my tongue out at her and pretended to pout.

   "Awww, you hurt his feelings," Robbie said.

   "Not really.  He's just hoping I'll cheer him up." She did, pressing up
against me and giving me a kiss.

   "So, your parents going to buy you a car for your birthday?" Robbie
asked when we came up for air.

   "Not hardly."

   "Well, maybe your mom will let you borrow the mini-van.  At least it has
an automatic so you won't have to worry about burning out the clutch," Tami
suggested.

   "I am NOT that bad on a clutch.  Dad was just joking." I really wasn't.
I don't like the things, but I can use them.  "And I'll get a car."

   "What?  A VW bug older than my dad?" Robbie asked.

   "Or something." I'd been saving for a car since I was eleven.  Most of
the money I'd made mowing lawns or, since moving to Washington, shoveling
snow, wound up in my bank account.  The last two summers I'd managed to
have a real job washing dishes at the Three Blondes, a restaurant in the
center of town, and that added a nice chunk too.

   I had the incentive that Grandpa Doug said he'd match whatever was in
there on the day of my birthday.  And, of course, when I told Grandpa
Cooper about that, he said he would too.  I knew he would.  He and Grandpa
Doug have never really gotten along, and they're just a bit competitive.

   What they don't know is that I've mowed a lot of lawns.  I have a bit
more than eight grand in savings.  Mustang convertible here I come.

   "At least it'll have four wheels," I told the girls as we went up the
stairs.

   "So how was practice?" I asked the next day.

   Tami giggled.  "I usually ask you that."

   "You do, don't you?" I said as I got out of the mini van and kissed her.

   "OHHHH!" several young girls standing by the door of the gym said.

   Tami looked over at them.  "Extra sit-ups tomorrow." They giggled.

   I slid open the door of the van and helped Tami in, then followed her
in.

   "I hope you two aren't setting a bad example."

   "No ma'am," we said together.

   I saw mom shake her head.  "We have to pick up your sister in front of
the school," she said.

   "We could leave her and rent out her bedroom."

   "We could sell you to the circus as a dog-faced boy," Mom said as Tami
punched me in the arm.

   Mom pulled up to the curb, and Traci got in the front seat.

   "You know, squirt, if you're going to stay after school, you could walk
around to the gym with Tami and save Mom an extra stop."

   Traci turned pink for some reason, but nodded.  "I'll remember
tomorrow."

   I turned to Tami.  "So how was practice?  What's your team like?"

   "It's your team too, if you ever get done with football."

   "Next Monday, if we play like we practiced today.  A week from next
Monday if we play like usual."

   "Not a good practice?"

   "Rotten would be a compliment for what we did today.  I don't think Mike
completed a single pass.  He was all over the place."

   "What about Robbie?" Tami asked.

   "She was about fifty percent."

   "How about my superstar brother?" Traci asked from the front seat.

   "I was worse than Mike."

   "I don't believe that!" Traci declared.

   I smiled.  "Remind me to talk to dad about raising your allowance," I
said to the back of her head.  "So how about the team, how do they look?"

   "There's nine girls.  Seven, like Kelly, have been taking gymnastics for
years.  Two are just starting."

   "Just what we need.  Bench warmers," I mumbled.

   "Anthony Sims, that wasn't very nice!" Mom said quickly, and with a
little more venom than necessary.

   "Sorry.  I just meant that if they haven't done gymnastics before, they
probably won't be much help to the team."

   "What makes you the expert?  You've never coached gymnastics before,"
Tami snapped.

   "I'm not an expert," I defended myself.  "But if they haven't done it,
how much can they learn in three months?"

   "It so happens that EVERY girl there tried their best today," Tami said
and turned away from me to look out the side window.

   "Do you only coach superstars?" Traci asked.

   "No, but..."

   "Isn't sports about trying your best?" Mom asked.

   "Yes, but..." I realized that no one was listening.

   It's amazing just how long a ride two miles can be.

   "WILL THE FOOTBALL TEAM AND CHEERLEADERS PLEASE REPORT TO THE FRONT
LOBBY?" the P.A.  blared.

   I closed my book and stood.  I nodded to Miss Renland, today's
substitute, and walked out of the classroom.  I was the only football
player in the class, but out in the hall, I was joined by more members of
the team.

   There was a lot of back slapping and high fives as we headed for our
lockers.  I put my book away, grabbed my backpack, and headed for the
lobby. I'd dropped my suitcase off that morning, and hopefully it and my
equipment bag were already on the bus.

   In the lobby as we gathered I noticed Coach Branson talking to two men I
didn't know, but I noticed that one of them had a camera.  "Settle!" he
yelled as we drifted in.  "This is Bob Lewis and Mark Rees.  They'll be
riding to Tacoma with us.  They work for the Wenatchee World, and Bob isn't
very smart." The coach grinned.  "He's the only sportswriter in the state,
outside our town, that has picked us to win tomorrow."

   I happened to be standing behind Paula.  I leaned forward and whispered
in her ear.  A minute later, she and the other cheerleaders were chanting
"Bob, Bob, he's our man.  If he can't pick 'em, no one can!" It wasn't much
of a cheer, but on a minute's notice, not bad.

   Before we got on the bus, Mark the photographer took some shots.  He got
the team, the cheerleaders, the offense, and the defense.  He took one of
Mike, Robbie, and me.  Then he took several of just Robbie.  I might have
been annoyed if I hadn't been having so much fun watching Mike fume.

   We piled on the bus, and I took a seat about five rows from the front
while most of the team headed for the back.  I looked out the window and
watched the sky.  It had been threatening all morning, but so far hadn't
done anything.  I'd seen two forecasts.  One said snow, and the other snow
mixed with rain, so I didn't know what to expect.

   Tacoma was a little over a hundred and eighty miles away, so if we
didn't hit weather, about three to four hours.  We were supposed to get to
the motel about five, and it was just eleven, so that gave us some leeway.

   "Can I sit here?"

   "Me too?"

   I looked up and saw Darlene and Allie standing in the aisle.

   "I wouldn't recommend it.  I may be contagious."

   "Why?" they asked in stereo, then looked at each other and laughed.

   "Tami's mad at me.  Robbie's mad at me because Tami is.  My mom and
sister are mad at me."

   "What'd you do?" Allie asked.

   "I'm not sure," I said with a shrug.  "But whatever it is, I'm sure it's
my fault."

   "Why?" Darlene asked.

   "I'm male.  It has to be my fault."

   Allie reached out and patted me on the head.  "He can be taught." She
swung in and sat between me and the window.  Darlene squeezed onto the seat
on the other side.

   "So, what'd you do?" Allie asked again as the bus driver closed the door
and put the bus into gear.

   "I really don't know.  Yesterday, I was riding home with Tami and my mom
and my sister.  We were talking about the new gymnastic team at the middle
school.  Then all of a sudden, no one was talking.  Tami wouldn't even say
hi on the bus this morning.  Then she talked to Robbie and I was in the
doghouse with her too."

   "Poor baby," Allie said and patted my thigh.

   "So what's your sister think of the team?" Darlene asked.

   "My sister?"

   "Yeah.  Dana went to watch, and said Traci was there."

   "My sister?"

   "Yeah.  She was working out, so I figured she was on the team."

   "Shit!"

   "Tony!" The girls did the stereo thing again.

   "Thanks," I said, then kissed Darlene on the cheek.  "At least now I
know why I'm in trouble, and it's deeper than I thought."

   "What?" Allie asked.

   "Well, Tami said there were two girls on the team who hadn't done
gymnastics before, and I said something about bench warmers and not being
able to help the team.  I didn't know Traci went out."

   Allie looked over me at Darlene.  "Maybe we should move.  He just might
be contagious."

   "Not me," Darlene said and put her arm around me.  "Without Tony, I
wouldn't be on the bus right now."

   Allie looked inquiringly.

   "Steve, my step-father," she added for Allie's benefit, "thought I
should stay home and baby sit Dana and Teresa, while he and my mom came to
root for Mike.  If not for Tony's temper tantrum, my mom might have let him
get away with that."

   Allie looked confused, but nodded anyway.  "Come to think of it, without
Tony, I wouldn't be on the bus right now either." She put her arm around my
shoulders too.

   We rode like that for awhile.  It gave me time to think.  Tami was mad
at me, because I'd hurt Traci.  I didn't know why Trace was keeping
gymnastics a secret, but I needed to find a way to make it up to her.

   "Team Romeo," I heard and looked up, just in time to get a flash in the
face as Mark took a picture.  Bob swung into the empty seat in front of me
and looked back.  "Tony, isn't it?" I nodded.  "You must be doing something
right, to be sitting here all by yourself with a pair of cheerleaders."

   What can you say to something like that.  I shrugged.

   "I'll be right back," Darlene announced and headed for the back of the
bus.

   "Your coach tells me you're responsible for two thirds of his offense."

   "Excuse me?"

   "He says you got Monster Girl into football."

   "Not exactly.  She's played football all her life.  I just helped get
her on the middle school team when she moved here from Tennessee.  Coach
Feldman was..." I searched for the right word, "reluctant."

   "Now you, Reed, and her share the quarterbacking duties?"

   "Yeah."

   "And you and her play some defense too?"

   "Yeah." I had a feeling that he was looking for more than one word
answers, but I didn't know what else to say.

   Darlene came back, Paula and Diana 'Bambi' Coleson with her.  Before I
could say anything, Paula and Bambi had each climbed on one of my legs and
Darlene taken her seat beside me.  She smiled at the reporter, "Tony's
depressed.  His girlfriend's mad at him."

   "His girlfriend?" the reporter repeated with wide eyes.

   "It's not..." I started to say when Paula kissed me.  It may have been a
couple of years, but damn, can Paula kiss!

   "Feeling better?" she asked almost a minute later.

   "I..." Bambi shut me up, her tongue going deep into my mouth.

   At some point I decided to relax and enjoy it.  After all, Tami was
always telling me that she wanted me to be happy and that messing around
was okay.  Of course, she didn't mention if it was okay when she was mad at
me, but if there were exceptions, I'm sure she would have mentioned them.

   Bambi reclaimed her tongue, and I leaned over kissed Allie.  Bob gave up
on his interview, but Mark stuck around and took some pictures.  I wondered
if I could order a set of prints.  Someday I'd be old, sitting in my rocker
on the front porch of the home, and I could tell the other old fogies about
my glory days, making out with half the cheerleading squad.

   And have pictures to back it up.

   One Seattle paper headlined their sports:

   GRIZZLIES DROP THE BALL IN YAKIMA

   The other:

   KENNEDY'S F'BALL RUNS OUT OF STEAM

   The Yakima paper said:

   VANCOUVER'S HOPES DASHED
Spokane:

   GRIZZLY'S ERRORS LOSE GAME
Vancouver:

   MAYBE NEXT YEAR

   And the Wenatchee World headed their front page:

   WE TOLD YA SO



   Chapter 44

   "Traci, get your big fat butt out here!" I yelled from the living room.

   "What?" she asked a minute later, looking a little apprehensive.  I'd
rode back from Yakima with her and the folks yesterday, and she hadn't said
five words to me.  Now Mom and Dad were off having a quiet Sunday brunch,
and I was calling her butt fat.

   "You are going to learn a back walkover and back handspring if it kills
you," I said as I pushed the chairs and sofa out of the way to create room.

   "What?" she said again.

   "No sister of mine is going to be one the first gymnastics team at the
middle school and embarrass herself by not doing her best."

   "But..."

   "No buts.  Start stretching.  Though you may want to change first. 
It'll be easier in shorts than jeans."

   "But..."

   "No buts.  You're on the team, and I'm one of the coaches.  I said
stretch."

   "You knew," she accused.

   "Traci." I scooped her up and sat down with her on my lap.  "In the car
Wednesday, I didn't know.  And I didn't mean what I said to be mean, even
if it wasn't you being one of the new girls.  Basically, it's going to be
harder for you and the other new girl to be competitive when you're in with
a bunch of girls who've been doing this for years.

   "You may not be very good this year, but you're a Sims.  Look at Mom,
college softball and volleyball.  Then there's me." I buffed my fingernails
on my shirt.  "Of course there's also dad, but we'll just have to hope you
don't take after him."

   I pushed her off my lap.  "Go get changed."

   "Do you want me to tell Tami I'm not mad anymore?"

   "Nope.  It's good for her to be mad at me every now and then.  We were
due."

   She took a couple of steps, then turned back and stared at me.  "Do you
know what you're doing?"

   "Would I be your coach if I didn't?" She seemed to accept that and
nodded.  "Traci, I haven't got a clue what I'm doing," I admitted before
she started back to her room.  "But after we got home yesterday Kelly
showed me some stuff, and she's coming by in a while to help."

   "Okay," she said, nodding again.  My sister is way too trusting to be my
sister.  She must be adopted.

   "Where's Zoe?" I asked, looking around.  "She didn't ride the bus
yesterday either."

   I was talking to Traci since Tami was still ignoring me.

   "I think she's sick.  She misses a lot of school."

   "I hadn't noticed," I admitted.  Usually I was too focused on Tami.  I
guess there's a silver lining to everything if you look deep enough. 
Having Tami mad at me, gave me a chance to notice the rest of the world.

   Yesterday had been a pretty good day for a Monday.  The whole school was
psyched about our win and the fact we were going back to the Tacoma Dome
for the state championship.  In fact, the only black mark, aside from the
fact that I don't get my Tami-walk when Tami's mad at me, was that Mom and
Dad seemed upset about something after dinner, and I couldn't find out what
it was.

   The bus pulled up, and we started piling on.  I noticed that Traci sat
with Kelly.  The two had been real friendly since our impromptu lesson
Sunday.  I also noticed Ann glare at them as she sat with a girl I didn't
know.

   I swung into an empty seat, and a second later Tami sat next me, then
continued to ignore me.  Which was cool.  I'd rather be close to her mad,
than far away in love.  I think.

   "Mr.  Walker, I had an idea," I said as soon as journalism had started.

   Mr.  Walker groaned.  "Is this going to involve you getting suspended or
me getting fired?"

   "I don't think so.  But with Parker and I in the same school, you never
know."

   "Mr.  Parker," he corrected automatically.

   "Isn't that what I said?" I asked innocently.

   Mr.  Walker sighed.  "What's your idea?"

   "We've been running profiles on student athletes..."

   "And you think it's your turn," he finished for me.

   "Actually, it should have been my turn a month ago, but that wasn't my
idea."

   "Well?"

   "I think we should do a weekly profile on students who make a
difference."

   "I see.  What do you mean by make a difference?"

   'Well, Brenda Kelly volunteers at the hospital.  Paul Reiser and Susan
Sherman help out at the Humane Society.  Cindy Brady helps with the girl
scouts.  Her troop has been tops in cookie sales the last couple years."

   "That's a good idea, Tony.  But why do I have a feeling that you have
somebody else in mind to start with?"

   "I was thinking, to start the series, just off the top of my head, you
understand..."

   Mr.  Walker sighed.  "Tony, did you ever think about getting straight to
the point?  I already like the idea.  You don't have to sell so hard."

   "Where's the fun in that?" Mr.  Walker looked at the ceiling.  Maybe I
should be a priest.  I seem to inspire a lot of people to look to God. 
"Something wrong?"

   "Just trying to remember why I wanted to be a teacher."

   "'Cause you wanted to mold bright, impressionable minds," I suggested.

   "Yeah, that's it.  Okay, what's your idea?  And without all the B.S.  I
want to get home before midnight."

   "Well, you probably know that the middle school is starting a gymnastics
team this year." Mr.  Walker nodded.  "There's a girl here at the high
school who is giving up all her afternoons to help out with them.  And she
isn't even a gymnast."

   "I see.  Do I know her?"

   "She's a solid student.  A's and B's.  Involved in extra curricular
activities like the newspaper.  And a real school supporter.  Hasn't missed
a football game this season."

   "Sounds good," he mused.  "You know what would really sell it?  If she
had a boyfriend on the team."

   "As a matter of fact.  Though she's mad at him at the moment."

   He smiled.  "Use B-4 for the interview.  I want a first draft on my desk
in the morning."

   "Have I mentioned you're my favorite teacher?"

   "Only when you want something." He turned away to check on the rest of
the class.

   "Tami." She looked up from what she was writing.  "We're in B-4."

   She glanced at Mr.  Walker, and he nodded.

   I walked out into the hallway and down to B-4.  The journalism room, for
reasons known only to long gone administrators, was in the basement under
the main gym.  As you came down the stairs, B-1, the dark room, was on your
left.  The journalism room, B-2 was next to it.  Then B-3 and B-4, two
smaller classrooms that we used for special projects.  Across from the
journalism room was the boys' locker room, and just past B-4, the girls'.

   I was already sitting at the work table, a steno pad open in front of
me, when Tami walked in.

   "Go ahead and close the door."

   She looked at me suspiciously, but closed the door behind her.

   "Have a seat." I pointed at the chair across from me.  "So, Miss Sharp,
how...  ?'

   "Miss Sharp?"

   "I know you're mad at me, so I figured you'd want to keep this on a
professional basis."

   "Professional," she echoed.

   "So, Miss Sharp, how do you like working with the middle school
gymnastics team?"

   Tami looked startled, but recovered quickly.  "This is only my second
week, but so far it's been a lot of fun.  I'm learning a lot."

   I wrote quickly and wondered how hard it was to learn shorthand.

   "I understand you never did gymnastics yourself?"

   "That's true.  Just forward rolls and cartwheels in P.E.  Sometimes we'd
walk on the beam."

   "What made you volunteer?"

   "A, uh, friend of mine was going to help out.  I thought it would be fun
to do it with him.

   "Has it been fun?  Coaching with your friend?"

   "He's on the football team, you doofus, and since they're in the
play-offs, he hasn't been able to start yet."

   I wondered if I should include doofus in her quote.

   "You know two of your gymnasts pretty well.  Kelly Temple and Traci
Sims. Does that make it harder or easier?"

   "Traci?"

   "Yes, Traci Sims, I believe her name is."

   "You knew.  You bastard, you knew."

   "My birth certificate is dated well after Mom and Dad's wedding license.
Now about the question?"

   "You knew."

   I set down my pencil and looked up at Tami.  "No, I didn't.  I had no
idea that Traci was thinking of going out for gymnastics.  In fact, I still
don't know why.  In the car, I hurt her feelings, and I know that's why
you've been mad at me."

   "I, uh, yeah."

   "I found out Thursday that Traci was on the team, and figured out what
had happened.  I talked to her after we got back from the game.  I
explained that I wasn't being mean.  I was trying to be realistic. 
Gymnastics is a year-round sport.  The middle school season is like twelve
weeks long.  It's almost impossible to learn enough in twelve weeks to be
any good.  Especially when you're competing with girls who've been doing it
for years."

   "I'm kinda learning that.  The other new girl, Christy Romano, has
already dropped out."

   "Traci won't.  She's tenacious."

   "I wonder where she gets that from?" Tami grinned.

   "So are we cool?"

   "That depends on two questions."

   "Shoot," I said, hoping that I had the right answers.

   "You figured out why we were all mad on Thursday."

   I nodded.

   "And you fixed it with Traci on Saturday."

   "Sunday," I corrected.

   "And you let me be mad for two more days."

   I knew that was the question, even though it didn't sound like one.  "We
have a weird relationship.  I think it helps us to get mad now and then."

   Tami thought about that, then nodded.

   "What's the other question?" I asked after a minute of silence.

   "Does that door have a lock on it?"

   "You guys gonna leave before lunch tomorrow?" Tami asked the next day as
she, Robbie, and I stood in line outside the cafeteria.

   "I think so," Robbie said and looked at me.

   I shrugged.  I hadn't heard.

   "I was talking to Mr.  Mulino yesterday.  He thinks school Friday is
going to be like a ghost town.  He figures three quarters of the student
body is going to Tacoma for the game." I said.

   "He should just cancel it then," Robbie said.

   "You'd think," I agreed.

   "Guess what?" Tami said.  "I heard Robby and Ashley talking in complete
sentences."

   I slapped Robbie on the back.  "Congratulations.  Complete sentences."

   "The other Robby, you jackass."

   "Oh." I leaned forward and whispered, "Does this mean you're dumped?"

   "Yep," she whispered back.  "Do you want to console me?"

   I grinned.  "I can see if B-4 is available."

   Tami turned deep red.  Robbie looked blank.  Life is good.

   The weather was cooperating so that Tami and I could take our last
evening walk for awhile.  Tomorrow the team would leave about eleven and
spend the night in Tacoma.  Friday was the game.  And I mean THE game. 
We'd come back Saturday.

   It was cool, but we wore sweatshirts without jackets.  My hand was in
its accustomed place in her back pocket, and her hand was in mine.

   All was right with the world.

   So it was time to push my luck.

   "Remember in the eighth grade when I went to the Halloween Bowl?"

   "I remember you spent the bus trip down making out with Robbie."

   "Funny that should be the first thing you think of."

   "You didn't!" she said, stopping and pulling away to look at me.  "Did
you spend the bus ride last week making out with Robbie?"

   "Of course not," I said with a laugh.  "She was mad at me too.  I made
out with Darlene."

   "Darlene?"

   "And Allie."

   "Allie?"

   "Paula and Bambi too."

   Tami came to an abrupt stop.  "You made out with four cheerleaders on
the bus?"

   "The other four weren't interested."

   Tami took a few seconds to process the information.  "They don't know
what they were missing," she said finally, and started walking again.  I
fell into step and our hands found their accustomed places.  "Did you, uh,
did you sleep with anybody?"

   "Yeah," I admitted.

   "You did?"

   "Yeah, Larry," I said, putting her out of her misery.  "He snores."

   "Four cheerleaders.  I'm surprised you had anything left for the game
Friday."

   I pulled her closer as we walked.  "That's why I think I'll cut back to
two tomorrow."

   Tami giggled.  "Darlene and Allie?"

   I nodded, then realized that Tami was looking up at the starry sky and
couldn't see me.  "Probably.  Paula and Bambi's hearts just weren't in it."
Then I told her about the trip, and how Paula and Bambi had played along.

   "Maybe Mikee will make cheerleading next year.  That'll give you another
one."

   I grinned.  "Remember yesterday, when I said our relationship was
weird?"

   Tami nodded.

   "I'm beginning to think that weird isn't a strong enough word."



   Chapter 45

   "I'll take two."

   Mike slid a card off the deck and across the bed.  I lifted the corner.
A ten.  He slid me another card.  I peeked.  Another ten.  Life is good. 
Larry took one, then Mike didn't take any.

   Jimmy Prescott made a disgusted sound and tossed his cards in the
middle. Phil Barnes laughed, then opened for a nickel.

   I looked confident as I picked up my cards and fanned them out.  I took
a quick look, then folded them together again.  I smiled and picked up a
quarter.  I hesitated, dropped the quarter and tossed in a nickel.  "I
call." I knew Mike would build the pot.

   Larry tossed in a nickel, then another dime.

   Mike grinned and put in fifteen cents, then another twenty-five.

   Somebody knocked as I watched Phil.  His hand hovered over his change.
He only had two quarters there.  Finally, he tossed his cards into the
middle, along with a comment I won't repeat.

   Jimmy got off the bed and went to the door.  "Hi, Coach," he said after
opening it.  The coach walked into the motel room.  I tried to look
thoughtful as I tossed in thirty-five cents.  Then I smiled as fakely as I
could and tossed in another quarter.

   Larry studied me, then tossed two quarters of his own.

   Mike didn't hesitate.  He flipped a fifty-cent piece up in the air, and
it landed in the pot.  Then he added another.  I felt a large body behind
me as I studied the pot, I knew the coach was watching.

   I got a thing for Kennedys.  I wanted Mike's.  I added seven quarters
without a pause.  Larry folded.  Mike dropped a dollar bill in the pot. 
His hand hovered over another.  He looked at me, I looked calmly back. 
"Call."

   I laid down my cards.  "Three kings."

   "Ha!" Mike said, triumphantly.

   I fanned my cards out a little more.  "And a pair of tens."

   Mike looked stunned, like he'd just been sacked by Monster Girl.  He
tossed down his cards, full house, sixes over fours.  I raked in the pot.

   "Sims, I might have known," the coach said.  I wasn't sure if he meant
the gambling or the winning.

   "Just a little math lesson."

   "And the money?" the coach asked.

   "Unimportant.  Just a way to see who's learning and who needs more
tutoring." I glanced over at Mike and he glared back.  Poker had been his
idea.  I was up about twenty bucks for the afternoon.

   "Okay, guys, enough homework."

   The coach made a funny?

   "We're heading to Sizzler for dinner," he continued.  "In the lobby in
five.

   I stood and stretched.

   "Not you, Sims.  You're staying here."

   "What?  Why?  How long?"

   "You stay here."

   Mike grinned.

   "But...  For how long?"

   "You'll know."

   Larry and Jimmy shrugged as they looked at me but grabbed their jackets
and followed the coach.  Phil went next and Mike last.  "Just can't stay
out of trouble, can ya?" he said as he closed the door.

   I stared at the closed door.  Now what?  There was a Denny's next to the
motel.  I could go over there if I got hungry, I looked down at the bed. 
After all, dinner was on Mike.  But how long was I supposed to stand here?

   Why was I standing here?  Was it about the poker game?  The other guys
were playing too.  I won, but the whole thing was Mike's idea.  Now what?

   I started gathering my winnings while I tried to figure that out.  As I
was dumping the loose change, minus the Kennedy fifties and the dollar
bill, into my backpack, there was another knock on the door.

   "Yes?" I called.

   "Ya want dinner?" a distorted voice called through the door.

   "I..." I pulled the door open.  "Oh, fuck!"

   "Tony, your language," Tami laughed.

   "What are you doing here?"

   "I came to watch you play football, if you're not too busy with
cheerleaders."

   "I, uh, I meant, I thought you were coming tomorrow with Traci and the
folks."

   "I got a different ride."

   "Who?"

   "Just someone I know." I could tell Tami didn't want to say any more
right then, so I dropped it.

   "I can't believe you're here." I stepped forward and pulled her into my
arms.  My mouth found hers.  We were half-in, half-out of the door and an
elderly couple was passing.  The man gave us a disapproving glare, but his
wife smiled and winked.

   "I needed that," Tami said a minute later.  "It was a long drive."

   "When did you get here?" I asked, not letting go of her.

   "About ten minutes ago.  I saw Coach Branson in the lobby and asked him
if I could shanghai you."

   "Remind me to put the man back on my Christmas card list."

   "You ready for dinner?  I'm starving."

   It occurred to me that I had a motel room that would be empty for at
least an hour, but I nodded.  "The team went to Sizzler.  I suppose we
could get a taxi."

   "I like Outback better.  I used to go out with a guy who played on their
Babe Ruth team.  Besides, I don't feel like sharing you."

   I grinned.  "Let's go down to the desk.  They can call us a taxi."

   "The motel has a shuttle.  It should be waiting for us."

   "You have this all planned," I accused.

   "That's not all I have planned, if you're good."

   We got back about nine.

   There were a dozen football players and all the cheerleaders hanging out
in the lobby when we came in.

   Robbie saw Tami and came over to give her a hug.  Then Darlene and Allie
too.  We hung out and talked for about a half-hour, then headed upstairs.

   Larry lay sprawled on his bed, reading Garrison Allen's Movie Cat.  His
mp3 player was plugged into some portable speakers and playing something
ragtime.  "Hi, guys," he said when he looked up.  "The coach had a message
for you."

   "Yeah?"

   "He said to tell you he was tired and wasn't going to do a bed check,
but to get lots of sleep.  The team's meeting in the lobby at ten to go to
breakfast next door." He was looking at Tami as he said it.  Without
looking, I knew she was blushing.

   "Obvious, aren't we?" I asked, knowing from an afternoon of watching
that poker game-face that Larry had a card, a queen, hidden up his sleeve.

   Larry shrugged.  "Well, I figured that way my snoring wouldn't bother
you."

   I grinned.  "Larry, you're a saint.  And just which cheerleader were you
planning to do bible study with?"

   Larry blushed, and Tami's elbow hit me in the side at the same time.

   "It's not a cheerleader?" I blurted out.

   "He's quick," a voice said behind me.  "No wonder you like him." Robbie
pushed past us and sat on the bed next to Larry.

   "Robbie?  Why...  ?"

   Tami reached over, turned my head, and kissed me.  "The only way you're
ever going to get your foot out of your mouth is to shut up."

   I nodded and kissed her again.

   "Get your stuff.  My room's just down the hall," she said.

   "You're alone?"

   "Sort of."

   I wondered for a second if she'd brought Mikee or Kelly, but when we got
to her room a couple of minutes later, it was empty.  Just her suitcase
sitting on the king bed.

   "The coach wants you in bed early.  I hope you're not going to
disappoint him."

   There's something especially nice about waking up with a soft bundle of
Tami in your arms.  I don't want to sound like I'm in touch with my
feminine side or any nonsense, but it's just nice.

   I opened my eyes.  She was looking at me.  "Good morning.  Sleep well?"
I asked before kissing the tip of her nose.

   "Not really.  The first few hours, somebody kept waking me up and
sticking hard things into me."

   "I seem to remember somebody waking me about two and wanting some
attention." "That was different," she protested.

   "Why?"

   "Cause I'm the girl and you're the guy."

   "I should have known."

   "You really should have," she agreed.  "I thought you were smarter than
that."

   "If you keep doing that, you're gonna be complaining about hard things
again." Tami's hands were under the blankets, massaging my cock and balls.

   "Who's complaining?"

   I grinned and rolled onto my back, pulling Tami with me so that she was
sitting on my hips.  "Be gentle with me."

   Tami smiled and reached down to grab the base of my big stick.  She
eased herself up, then guided Big Tony into his home-away-from-home.  I
grinned, thinking of our first time when she'd almost crushed my balls. 
Now it seemed so natural.

   "You know, I read in sex ed that most guys prefer the missionary
position, guy on top."

   "Uh huh."

   "I can never figure if you like this position cause you're sensitive to
letting the girl be in control, or if you're just lazy."

   "Bit of both."

   "Oh, God!" She moaned and shuddered, and I knew Tami was already
reaching her climax.  Me, I could hardly believe that Big Tony was hard. 
We must have done it four or five times last night.  Maybe six.  I didn't
know whether I could cum again, but I was glad Tami had.

   Tami sagged against me, lying on my chest.  I rolled again.  On top, I
started pumping.  I might not cum, but maybe I could bring Tami off again.
And again.  And again.

   Tami was having her second orgasm.  I rolled onto my side, hugging her
to me.  I could stay like this forever.

   Or maybe another thirty seconds before I had to hit the bathroom.

   I pulled Big Tony gently from my love and rolled off the bed.  Someday,
sleeping with Tami wouldn't be unusual, but it would still be special.

   I went to the bathroom and pissed.  And pissed.  It seemed to go on
forever.  I came back and found Tami sleeping.  I stood and watched.