Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Absolutely.” Impressed by Scotty’s rare show of caring, I spoke up for the first time to the whole group. “We have to find a way everyone can play.”
“Agreed.” Tony’s sister, Angel, was nominally in charge of the meeting, but so far, she’d seemed content to sit back and let others talk. But perhaps Angel had merely been biding her time because she clapped her hands together, voice going authoritative. “We’ll have to fundraise.”
“More than a carwash or two.” John’s tone was pragmatic as he glanced over at his dad. Eric had come straight from a shift to the meeting and was still in uniform. Expression weary, Eric nodded in support as John continued, “I wish we were as good at fundraising as the band. Their funding got slashed as well, but they held some sort of alumni band camp with a concert. They made enough to cover their bus fees for the whole year.”
“That’s a great idea.” Angel’s smile turned diabolical, like a general with a fresh plan of attack. “We’ll throw a football reunion fundraiser. And add a charity game of flag football featuring Mount Hope notables.”
“We don’t exactly have a lot of celebrities.” Cosmo had a tendency to take things too literally and wind up confused, which I found endearing.
“We don’t need big celebrities.” Angel waved a hand, a similar mannerism to one I saw often from Tony. However, her bubbly optimism seemed to be her own personality. “People would pay to see certain teachers or the police chief play flag football, and if we feed folks and maybe add a silent auction, it could be the event of the summer.”
“Uncle Tony could get a bunch of the guys from his year to come, like Sean Murphy.” Cosmo echoed his mother’s enthusiasm.
“People still remember the year we were good,” John added.
“Yeah, I can help come up with a list of names.” Shrugging, Tony smiled like he was used to his sister’s big ideas.
“We’re gonna be good this year.” Scotty had a confidence I hadn’t heard from him all evening.
“We? You sure you’re in, bro?” John narrowed his eyes at Scotty. “You sounded ready to hightail it out of here.”
“I’m in.” Scotty gave a sharp nod. “This fundraising plan isn’t crap.”
“I’ll help,” I said quickly before Scotty could change his mind. “I mean, obviously, I’m not playing. But I’m used to cooking for a crowd, and I can help with logistics.”
“Excellent. So that’s you and Tony on the planning committee.” Angel shifted into a commanding tone as she produced a clipboard. “Now let’s pass a sign-up sheet around…”
“Whoa. How did that happen?” I asked Tony in a low voice as folks passed the sign-up sheet around the room, precious few names joining ours on the committee I’d apparently volunteered for.
“My sister is a force of nature,” Tony said fondly. “Don’t worry. You can back out. I won’t hold you to helping.”
“I’m going to help.” I kept my voice firm. His assumption that I might want out only made me more stubborn. “I might not know much about football, but I know how it feels to be a kid who can’t afford fees, and I owe it to Scotty to make sure the team can play this year.”
“Well, I owe Angel and Cosmo, so we better figure out how to get along on the committee,” Tony whispered back.
“We’re not fighting.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His voice was gruff, making my skin prickle with fresh awareness of his nearness. I knew exactly what he meant. Keeping my hands to myself was hard enough at the station, where I had every reason to keep my distance. Away from work, it would be that much easier to forget all the reasons we couldn’t have a repeat of the Fourth of July.
After the list of the various committees came around, the meeting started to break up. However, before I could make my escape, Scotty bopped my shoulder.
“Gotta few bucks? The guys are going to Pinball Pizza. It’s one of their all-ages nights where you don’t have to be twenty-one.”
“I’m gonna be broke before the school year even starts,” I groaned as I dug out my wallet. “Okay. Have fun.”
“Hey, Scotty, you need a part-time job?” Angel strode over, brown eyes lighting up like they had with her earlier brainstorm.
“No,” Scotty said at the same time I said, “Yes.”
“Well, Cosmo’s dad runs a landscaping company.” Angel didn’t seem particularly deterred by Scotty’s no. “John’s been helping some too. It’s not glamorous, but it would pay for more pizza.”
“I’ll think about it,” Scotty allowed, which was as close to enthusiasm for work as I’d seen from him yet.
“Thanks,” I said to Angel as the kids headed out.
“No problem. Your brother seems like a good kid. He just needs a purpose.”
“Here’s hoping you’re right.”
“She generally is.” Tony chuckled warmly as Angel hugged him before joining the rush of parents and kids toward the exit doors. But Tony seemed in no such hurry, leaning against the table where we’d been sitting.