Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise (24 page)

"Lucky," I said, "you get down from there."

Mother grabbed onto his collar. "It's okay, Charlotte. He can stay." She patted his head. His tongue lolled out, and I swear he got the sneakiest gleam in his eye, like he had now become Grandmom's favorite boy. "It will be nice having him in Florida."

I felt my eyebrows arch. "Did you tell him you were taking him to Florida?"

She laughed. "Now, don't be silly. This dog does not understand human talk."

I was never quite so sure about that.

A
nd so the time arrived for our game. The Angels had assembled, all wearing their bright new uniforms with the name
Elsmere Elastic
embroidered on the back.

Frankie was so pleased with hers that she modeled it for the team like she was Twiggy. "And see here," she said looking at her chest. "It says A-N-G-E-L-S." She spelled it out. "Angels. That's us."

Asa and Studebaker did a great job of chalking new lines and a batter's box. They even redrew the halo in the batter's circle. The grass was cut perfectly in a crisscross pattern, which gave it a real professional look. The boys had even set long purple benches along the sidelines. One for the Angels and one for the opposing team.

"You guys are amazing," I said.

"It was fun," Studebaker said. "Asa tells me you need someone to man the scoreboard."

I looked over at the monstrosity of a board standing over right field. "I do. I need someone to change numbers as the runs are scored."

"I can't," Asa said. "I'm coaching third base."

I looked at Studebaker. "There will be pie in it for you."

"Pie. You mean something besides Full Moon Pie?"

I nodded. "Dutch apple with raisins."

"Okay, why not?"

I sent the Angels out on the field to toss a ball around and take some batting practice. "But just have fun. Don't get tired. Don't forget, the Thunder stink."

Rose stayed with me and helped me organize everything else that needed organizing. We set extra bats against the cyclone fence that separated the field from the onlookers, put water jugs out, and orange slices and pumpkin seeds. I always liked to have orange slices and pumpkin seeds available to the team.

At six-thirty I saw a red school bus drive onto the Frost property.

"Here they come," I said. And I waved the Angels in. We all stood there and watched the Thunder get off the bus. It was not we expected.

I counted twenty players, twenty huge and husky players in pale blue uniforms. And last, but certainly not least, Cash Vangarten, also wearing a uniform.

"We've been duped."

The Angels gathered around, and we all stood there with our mouths open, including Asa and Studebaker. "I don't believe it," I said as they marched across the field like Hannibal's army across the Alps. I made eye contact with Vangarten. He smiled most nastily.

I clapped my hands and gathered my team. "Okay, Angels. Stop looking like you've already been beaten. So what if they're big?"

"Big," said Greta. "They're Amazons. They're bigger than Amazons. They're whatever comes after Amazons in the food chain, Charlotte."

"Okay, so what if they're extra-large Amazons? It doesn't mean they can play ball; probably trip over their huge, clown feet. We can take them. Just remember the fundamentals. Nothing fancy. No hotdogging, no unnecessary risks. Just hit and catch and throw. We'll do okay."

On the outside I tried to give a pep talk, but inside I shook like the last leaf of autumn on the last oak in the forest. I spied Ginger, who looked like she had met her doom.

"And Ginger," I said. "You be extra careful. Last thing I need is a flat midget—excuse me, little person—I have to scrape off the field."

"Don't worry, Charlotte. I can run right through their legs if I have to, you know."

"We can do this!" shouted Clara. She put her hand in the circle. Greta put her hand on top of Clara's, and so on until we were all in.

"All for one," shouted Ginger, who stood in the middle under the stack of hands. We had used her head as a hand stand, so to speak.

"Knock 'em dead!" Frankie hollered.

"Let's do this," Rose said. "But first—"

And then she lifted her hands to heaven and prayed."Almighty God, we need your mercy today. This team is large, Lord God, very large and strong. But we can go against this army. We might be a motley crew of Davids facing a team of Goliaths, but with your help and strength we can come out victorious."

"And don't let them kill any of us," said Marlabeth. "Especially Ginger Rodgers."

Just as she said those words, I had an image of their large third baseman rolling over Ginger like a boulder.

The fans started to gather. They came with lawn chairs and blankets, coolers and picnic baskets. I was both delighted and scared to death. Here was Paradise all ready to watch their Angels win, when all I could think about was how in the world I would find enough gauze and tape to patch them all up. I thought maybe I should send the children home to roll bandages.

Fleur de Lee arrived with Jaster. I waved. I didn't think it was possible, but she appeared even more pregnant than just yesterday. She waddled like a duck to a waiting lawn chair, plopped down, and rested her hands on her belly. Jaster stood right next to her like a sentry.

"I better go speak to Fleur de Lee, Charlotte," Marlabeth said. "She looks awfully uncomfortable."

"Okay, go ahead, but get right back. We need to take the field in just a minute or two."

I looked around for my mother. I didn't see her, but I didn't really expect her. She was home making plans with Lucky to move us down to Florida.

"Okay, Angels," I called. "Take the field."

I strolled over to the Thunder's side thinking I'd shake Vangarten's hand in a display of good sportsmanship, but about halfway there I saw a couple of his players snicker and point at Ginger. She was in position at shortstop. I looked them square in the eye, shook my head, and went back to my side, but not before I heard someone say, "They got to be kidding. They got a midget on their team. This ain't the peewee league."

I raised my hands to heaven like Rose did whenever frustration set in. "Lord, help us now."

Asa was out on the pitcher's circle with Frankie, probably giving her some pointers. I wished I had done some spying of my own or at least tried to get a scouting report on the Thunder. But no, I believed Cash Vangarten when he said his team stank to the high heavens. Herman always said I was gullible, like a sponge.

Greta, Edwina, and Thomasina tossed a ball back and forth in the outfield and looked pretty good, but I knew it wouldn't take much for one of the Thunder women to sail a ball over their heads and probably into the Frost sister's cornfield.

There was precious little I could do for my team now but watch and encourage them to keep going and concede the game at first blood.

The umpire, a middle-aged man with a paunch, called the team captains together.

Frankie came off the field and stood next to me. Cash Vangarten strutted toward us, accompanied by the largest, most square-shouldered, shortest-haired woman I had ever seen. Now, I am not saying she was a bulldog or anything, I mean she had the prettiest little face, but I got to say she could have been Paul Bunyan's kid sister.

"Okay," the ump said. "You all know the rules. No stealing. No taking leads off bases, no cussing, and if one team scores ten or more runs before the fifth inning, it is at the losing team's discretion to concede the game."

Frankie curled her lip. "Never happen."

I touched her arm, wanting her to settle and not get overconfident.

Missy—that was their team captain's name—reached out her hand and Frankie reached up and took it. "We're gonna kill you," Missy said with clenched teeth. Missy growled. She actually growled like a grizzly.

Pride filled my heart. Frankie never backed down. I shook Cash's hand and our eyes met again and I think my toes might have curled in my Keds when I noticed just how blue his eyes were—like crystal lakes.

"Play ball!" hollered the ump.

I went back to the sidelines, and on my way I saw my mother and Hazel hobbling out of the woods. "Oh, my goodness gracious," I said to no one. "They came."

I waved until Mother found me and waved back. They marched right up to our purple bench and sat down like they belonged there. Hazel wore a dark brown shawl and a widebrimmed straw hat with a banana, two plums, and a bunch of grapes nestled on the side. Mother had changed into a stylish pantsuit.

"Mother," I said. "You came."

"Course she did," Hazel said. "I told her we couldn't miss the first game. Now, get over there and coach this team to victory."

My mother nodded. "Go on, dear. Mother wants to see her baby girl coach the team."

I turned away and stood along the third baseline as their lead-off batter took the plate. She was mean looking, maybe not as mean as Missy, but I swear she had red eyes, red, glowing eyes that bore right through me when she looked my way. She banged dirt out of her cleats and then tapped home plate three times and took her stance. Steam puffed from her nostrils.

Frankie looked over at me as if to say, "You've got to be kidding."

Gwendolyn, on third base, had already started to cry.

I grinned and waved. "It's okay, Gwen. You can do this."

Frankie wound up. I held my breath. Frankie pitched. The ball took a nice, high arc and SMACK! I could tell by the sound it made that it was a goner. The ball sailed over Edwina's head. The batter took off like she had been shot from a cannon, blew past Marlabeth at first, became a blur as she headed for Ginger at shortstop, who leaped and dove out of the way, and by the time she rounded third and headed for home, Rose was cowering behind me.

Their player scored the first run before Edwina even snagged the ball. I let the air out of my lungs and sent my own prayer heavenward that the Angels would score at least one run today.

By the time the first half of the inning was over, the Thunder had scored five runs, Ginger had fallen over twice, Edwina had cried, and Marlabeth had threatened to quit. But now it was our turn. Clara was up first.

"Just try to hit the ball. That's all," I said. "Just make contact, don't kill it."

She struck out. The Thunder smirked and giggled when Ginger took the plate. But she stood tall, as tall as possible, and drew a walk. Unfortunately she was left stranded on first base and the inning was over. I watched my dejected team take the field, and I knew they wanted to be anywhere but there.

Cash Vangarten sat on his bench looking mighty smug with his arms folded against his chest and his long legs outstretched. I caught him looking at me every now and again. I loathed him when he made fancy hand signals. I was just happy if my team remembered to swing, let alone do some fancy hitting. By the third inning, the score was eleven to zip, and I was ready to concede according to league rules, even though the Angels wanted to finish the whole game. I just didn't want to see any more bloodshed. But Frankie spoke for the team and said, "Please, Charlotte. Let us finish the game."

Hazel called me to her side. "Don't give up, Charlotte. Just see it to the end. My Birdy always said quitters never prosper."

"Birdy?" Mother said.

"My dead husband. Wisest man to ever walk God's green earth."

I walked away before Mother had the chance to defend my father as the wisest man on God's green earth.

We had just taken the field in the top of the fourth when Fleur de Lee and Jaster made their way toward the field. Jaster had his arm around his young wife's shoulder and seemed to be pushing her toward us.

"What are they doing?" Asa asked. "They're heading toward first base by way of the infield."

"She looks sick. She's trying to get to Marlabeth."

Cash ran over to me. "What's that woman doing? She can't walk across the field like that."

Asa dashed out to Marlabeth and pointed in Fleur de Lee's direction. Marlabeth dropped her glove. I went to the home plate umpire. "Stop the game. Stop the game."

"What?" he said.

I pointed. "That woman is pregnant and she looks pretty . . . "

He raised his arms and the game stopped.

Cash Vangarten came running up to me. "What's going on? Are you ready to concede?"

"I am not conceding, Mr. Vangarten. Look."

We turned and saw Marlabeth and Jaster gently lay Fleur de Lee on the ground with her head resting on second base.

"I believe that woman is about to have a baby," I said.

"Right now? Here? On second base?" Cash said. "She can't."

By then his Amazons had gathered around, shouting all manner of expletives and complaints. They were so loud and rambunctious that the umpire threatened to eject them from the game.

"Ever try to stop a woman from giving birth?" I said. "Just go back to your bench and sit."

"I never called a game on account of childbirth," said the umpire. "There is nothing in the rules about this. Rain, yes, darkness, yes. But childbirth?"

"Let's just treat it like a rain delay," I said.

The ump removed his black cap and scratched his bald head. "If this don't beat all."

Then all of a sudden Missy leaped from the bench and hollered, "I know that girl. She's a retard. She lives in that home. Why they let her have a baby for?"

Rose, who had been standing near home plate praying, rushed near and waggled her finger in the woman's face. "Don't you ever call my friend a retard again." Rose ripped her facemask off and threw it on the ground. The other woman put up her fists like she wanted a fight. "I don't have time to flatten your nose," Rose said. "I need to go help my friend."

"Chicken." Missy clucked.

"Just so you know. I once killed a man." And she marched off toward the now gathering crowd at second base.

"I don't have time for this either," I said. And I headed toward Fleur de Lee. I could hear her crying and moaning."She's in pain. What do I do now?"

That was when I felt my mother behind me. "Of course she is, dear. She's in labor."

"Do something, Mother."

"Charlotte," she put her hand on my shoulder. "Nature is a good teacher. She'll do fine, and she looks to be in good hands. Lots of them. I suppose these farm women have had a lot of experience with birth."

"Cows, Mother. Pigs. Maybe a horse, but this is a human being."

Hazel appeared next to Mother. "Calm down, child. Watch if you want. Go home and make pie if you want, but you are the team leader, the coach. You can't let them see you panic."