Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise (30 page)

"Why not?" Thomasina said. "Some of us just have to remember to catch the ball." She glared at her sister.

"And some of us need to hit the ball." Gwendolyn said.

"Okay, okay. Let's get started with some batting practice."

I waved to Greta, who had run to check on the kids in the Frost Sisters' yard. She held Baby Ruth and spoke with Studebaker a minute. He took the baby and shooed her away.

I waved everyone around again and tried my best to convince them that they were better than the Thunder. "They may be big, but you all have something they don't."

"Yeah," Marlabeth said. "The stinks. We got the stinks real bad."

"I won't listen to that. I was going to say you all have heart and soul. Think about it. Who rushed to Fleur de Lee's side when she was having the baby? The Thunder just stood there like oxen in headlights. Look at the way we pitched together through the storm. We are a real team."

"We are," Rose said. "One for all and all for one."

"That's the spirit. Keep talking and let's get out there and beat the socks off 'em. We have four days before the game. Gwendolyn, you bat first. Frankie, you pitch her some hard ones. Don't let up. Ginger, you get over there at shortstop and start thinking about some trick plays you can pull—you know you're dying to."

She scampered off like a munchkin. I expected her to burst into song, she seemed so elated to have permission to be sneaky.

Rose plopped her catcher's mask on. "And Rose, you just concentrate on where you throw the ball. Take your time. Get it to the correct player and you'll do fine."

"I can do all things. I can do all things," she repeated on her way to home plate.

I raised my hands to heaven. "Lord, if you're listening, ignite a fire in these women that won't blow out."

T
he Angels had their best practice ever. Studebaker Kowalski was a natural with the children, and Asa managed to get Edwina to keep her eyes open when a pop fly came her way. Gwendolyn just kept getting better at hitting, Thomasina could catch pretty much anything, and Frankie controlled her pitches like the pro I knew was inside her. The Angels were shaping up, and I was very proud.

Afterwards, I invited Rose and Ginger back to my trailer. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed a buffer between myself and my mother again, and they always did the job so well.

"I'm hungry," I said as I pushed open the door. "How about you guys?"

"Sure," Ginger said. "I could eat."

Lucky greeted me with his usual enthusiasm. I patted his head and then reached for the Milk-Bones on the counter."Here you go, boy."

He slid under the kitchen table and gnawed on his treat.

"How'd that crazy dog know she was hurt and lying in the woods?" Ginger asked. She hopped up on her chair.

"Dogs have a kind of ESP," Rose said.

"Get out," Ginger said. "ESP."

"I said a
kind
of ESP. They're very tuned into their surroundings, and when something isn't right, they know it. And they do their best to tell you."

"Where's my mother?" I said.

"She wouldn't just leave, would she?" Rose asked.

"She's done crazier stuff. Once she had an argument with my father and ran off to France for dinner by herself."

"France?"

"Yep. Got on a plane and ZOOM! Off she went for escargot."

"Eww, snails," Ginger said.

"Don't knock them till you tried them," Mother said as she walked down the hallway.

"Mother. I was worried you left."

"No, Charlotte. I just took a nap. And don't forget I brought you back that lovely perfume from Paris that time I ran away as you called it and that dish you were so crazy about."

I pulled some burger out of the freezer. "Darn. I should have gotten this out this morning. Had my mouth all ready for a juicy cheeseburger."

"Let's go out," Ginger said. "Let's drive into Shoops and go to the Pink Lady Restaurant. I hear you can get a mighty fine burger there."

"Pink Lady, oooohhh," Rose said. "That's where Charlotte met Cash Vangarten." She said it with a sing-song lilt to her voice.

"Sounds like a plan," I said. "How about it, Mom? Want to come?"

Mother's body language spoke volumes. "No, no. That's all right. I'll stay here. Don't take this wrong, dear, but I could use a little space tonight."

"Come on, Rose, let's go. When was the last time you went out to eat?"

"Years."

"We'll get Asa for protection and go," I said.

I pushed the burger back into the freezer next to some spaghetti sauce I was saving.

"I don't know," Rose said.

"Come on, Rose," I said. "It'll be fun. Girl's night out . . .well, except for Asa."

Rose heaved a sigh. "Okay. Let's go."

I called Asa, and he jumped at the chance. I invited Studebaker also, but he had already gone back to Bright's Pond.

So there we were, piled into the bright red Galaxy headed into town—the widow, the midget, the one-armed man, and the tattooed woman.

The Pink Lady was crowded, but we got a table pretty quickly. Probably because I went in first, secured the table, and then the others followed. The crowd eyed them like a traveling freak show had just come to town. I could feel Rose's anxiety in my chest. Ginger walked across the crowded room with her head held as high as she could. Even though I heard someone whistling the "Heigh Ho" song from
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

"I miss my sweater," Rose said. "You should have let me wear a jacket." She slid into the booth.

Ginger sat next. But not before someone in the restaurant said, "Hey, she needs a booster seat."

I watched Asa make eye contact with the creep.

The waitress brought us waters and slopped them on the table. "I'll be back for your order." She snapped her gum.

"That's disgusting," Rose said.

"Shh. Just enjoy being out."

Now, I would never say this to anyone, but I will admit that as I sat there with my friends, I felt a little like the nurse taking the patients out of the asylum on a trial run.

Rose sipped her water. Her hand shook as she drank.

"I know what I want," I said. "Cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. I haven't had a good cheeseburger since I left home. Left home. Listen to me, I make it sound like I ran away."

"You did," Asa said.

The waitress, wearing a pink uniform with white lace on the collar and sleeves and a white apron smeared with grease and ketchup, came back. She dropped four menus on the table."I'll be back for your order."

Ginger sneezed twice.
Not now!
I thought.

"Hey Sneezy," hollered the creep. "Where are the other six dwarfs?" Then he let out a belly laugh that shook the tiny restaurant.

That was all Asa could take. Ginger tried to settle him down. But Asa, being the protective sort, leaped to his feet and marched toward the creep. The creep stood, all six feet of him, with shoulders just about as wide and a pulsing tattoo of a scantily clad girl on his bicep. I could smell his onion breath from where we sat.

"You got something to say?" Asa said. "You say it outside."

"Oh yeah?" the creep said. And he balled up his fist. "What's a one-armed freak gonna do?"

Asa decked him. Just like that. Asa reared back and SMACK! Home run.

That was when the cook came running out of the back wielding a spatula. "Get out of my restaurant. Take it to the alley."

Asa brushed his jeans and extended his hand to the creep, who was still on the floor rubbing his jaw.

The creep pushed his hand away. "Ah, go back to the circus."

"Better to have one arm than no brains," Asa said.

The waitress congratulated Asa. "Glad somebody finally decked that moron. He's been asking for it for a long time." She gave Asa extra fries.

My burger was exactly what I wanted. Asa ate two—one was on the house—and Ginger and Rose enjoyed their first restaurant meal in a very long time.

It was nearly nine o'clock by the time we got back to Paradise. I dropped off Rose and Ginger and then drove up the hill and parked the Galaxy. Asa was slow to move and fidgeted with the buckle on his boot.

"You okay?" I put my hand on his shoulder. I was always glad when I could touch his left arm. There was still something creepy about touching what was left of his right.

"I haven't seen Suzy in a couple of days," he said before opening the car door. "I hope she's okay."

"Do you really see her that much? I mean, she does stay inside her trailer most of the time. And I'm sure Fergus has a tight leash on her now."

Asa smiled. "Yeah. I see her. Used to anyway. We had a signal. She knew when I was coming by the trailer, and if Fergus wasn't around she'd meet me in the back. Just to say hi. It wasn't like we—"

"I understand. I worry too, but let's pray she's all right."

"I hope," Asa said. "But I got to admit that I'm afraid Fergus is gonna kill her one of these days. Maybe not on purpose, but—"

"Have you ever talked to Suzy about it?"

"I tried. Once or twice. She just keeps going back to him. Heck, I even told her she could leave him and marry me. I'd never, ever treat her like that."

"I know, Asa. You're in love with her."

He nodded. "Think I should try and talk to her again?"

"I do, Asa. I think you need to tell her how you feel."

He reached over and kissed my cheek. "I'm glad you found Paradise, even if it isn't what you wanted."

"Oh, Asa, let's just say it's not what I expected, but as it turns out, it's exactly what I needed. I just didn't know it."

I waited until he was out of sight. I looked toward Hazel's trailer. It was still there, with the bent roof. "Hurry home, Hazel. I miss you."

Mother was asleep on the couch with Lucky's head in her lap. That explained why he didn't greet me. He didn't want to disturb her. I patted his head and rubbed behind his ears."Good dog," I whispered.

Mother woke. "You're home. Have a good time?"

"We did." I held up a pink bag. "I brought you a doggie bag."

Lucky barked. "Not for you, silly. A people doggie bag."

She looked inside it. "Cheese fries. I haven't had them in a long time."

I made tea, and we watched TV for another hour or so before turning in for the night. "Tomorrow's a big day," I said."I hope the Angels play well. I'm a little nervous."

"Don't let them know," Mother said. "If you're nervous, they'll all be nervous. You be strong, they'll be strong."

"Thanks, Mom." I kissed her cheek. "Good night." I patted her cheek and she caught my hand.

"Charlotte. I still think you should come to Florida. We'll wait until after softball, but please, would you at least consider it? You deserve more than a run-down trailer."

"Mother, look, I'll think about it."

G
ame day arrived, and I woke with a headache the size of Mount Rushmore after a third in a row of restless nights. Mother had coffee brewing, and I thought I even heard bacon sizzling. Lucky sat near the bedroom door waiting for me.

"Today's the day," I said. "Do you think we can do it?"

He barked and then lay down and hid his eyes with his paws.

"Some cheerleader you are."

I took a quick shower and dressed. Mother looked as though she had been up for hours. The trailer was clean, dusted, and organized. Breakfast waited for me on the kitchen table.

"Thank you, Mom, this is so sweet," I said as I sat at the table.

She filled my cup—even remembering that I preferred morning coffee in an actual cup and saucer. "I'm happy to help, Charlotte. This is what it will be like when you come to Cocoa Reef."

"Mother. I have a headache. I don't want to discuss this now. I like it here."

"Here? But, Charlotte, that maniac who thinks he's Paul Revere was out riding through the place again this morning. Woke me from a sound sleep at five a.m."

I laughed. "Boy, I must have been tired. I didn't hear a thing."

"See, see, that's what's worrying me. You've gotten so used to the . . ."

"Zaniness?"

"Okay, zaniness. You're numb to it. Who knows when your guard will be down and something terrible will happen. A bullet could zing right through here and blow your brains out."

"It won't."

I sipped coffee and dipped the corner of my toast in the yolk of one of the perfectly cooked dippy eggs on my plate."You still make the best dippies, Mother."

She smiled and joined me at the table. "I'm starved. I waited until you got up so we could eat together. "Looks like a splendid day," she said, looking through the window. "Now that that man has gone home. Charlotte, he's a menace. One of these days he's going to kill somebody."

"Mother, please. Not now. I have to get ready for the game later."

"I understand, Charlotte. I really do. I'm just concerned for your well-being. To be perfectly honest, and you know I like to tell the truth whenever possible, I'm afraid that nasty Fergus Wrinkel is going to . . . oh, Charlotte. He could kill you. He has threatened you already."

I gave my mother a reassuring squeeze of her hand. "That won't happen."

We finished our meals in relative silence. I couldn't tell her how frightened I really felt.

Rose couldn't have prayed for better weather. The temperature hovered around seventy-five degrees all day with light clouds floating high in the sky. According to the channel two weather lady any rain would hold off until tomorrow. After supper, I got dressed in my uniform, which Mother had laundered and pressed for me. She had even washed my Keds, which didn't make me real happy, but I let it slide.

"Okay, Mom, the game starts at seven. I'll see you then." I hugged her and patted Lucky's head. "Now, don't make any plans to move to Florida with him, Mother."

She grinned. He grinned too, and I got the distinct impression that they were in cahoots.

I met Rose at her trailer about an hour before the Thunder were scheduled to arrive. We sat in the hand and Rose prayed for each and every Angel. She prayed for the Thunder and Cash Vangarten, and she prayed for me.

"And Lord God, be with Charlotte in a special way. Father, I'm just asking that you be Charlotte's coach and show her the way to victory if that be your will."

She signed off as usual.

"Do you really think we have a chance?" she asked after we climbed down.

"Sure. Why not? We have some good players, Rose. I'm banking on the fact that we didn't know what we were facing last time. But now, well, now we know, and we have two good incentives to win—baby Angel and Suzy."

"I sure would like to win," she said. "It would mean so much to everyone."

The team was at the field getting in some batting practice. Asa pitched while the others took turns smacking the ball. I watched Gwendolyn knock one three rows back into the cornfield.

"That ball is gone," Rose said.

"Now, if she could only do that when it counts," I said.

I saw Studebaker up on the scoreboard. He waved.

The Thunder's bus rolled in about ten minutes after six.

"They're early," Rose said.

"Just trying to psyche us out," I said. "Ignore them."

I gathered the team around and gave them a last-minute pep talk, but it wasn't needed. The Angels had pepped themselves up over the last few days and were eager to get started.

"We're gonna kill 'em," Gwendolyn said.

"I've been practicing a tricky pitch," Frankie said. "My version of a screwball."

"Just so it's legal," I said. "That umpire is a stickler for rules."

The Thunder unloaded their equipment and took the field for warm-ups. Cash Vangarten barked instructions like a seal, even clapping his hands in front of him. He seemed like such a nice guy, really nice, but he was sneaky, and I will admit that I felt nervous around him. I tried to stop the thoughts, but I just wasn't ready to trust any man.

Not wanting to appear too anxious, I deliberately didn't watch their practice. I wanted to give an air of confidence, even if my knees knocked like a car engine with bad pistons. So I turned my attention to our side of the field. It seemed like everyone in Paradise turned out to watch. I saw Rube and Charlie and Jake on the sidelines already cheering the Angels on. There were lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets set out, children running around and beer can flip tops popping everywhere. I thought the entire population of Paradise had turned out except Suzy and Fergus.

Even Fleur de Lee arrived with Jaster and the new baby. She walked up to me holding her tiny bundle in a blanket the color of a sunflower. "Look here, Miss Charlotte. I brought the littlest Angel." She opened her blanket and showed me. "And see that," Fleur de Lee said. "She's wearing a teeny, tiny Angels' shirt. That nice Hazel Crenshaw had it made special."

Jaster laughed. "She said if they could make one for Ginger, why not the baby?"

I reached my pinky into the blanket and Angel took hold of it. "That's quite a grip. She's gonna be a ballplayer, all right."That was when Mother startled me from behind. "She's beautiful. Just perfect."

Jaster gave Mother a funny look. "She is perfect. Not like Fleur de Lee or me."

"I didn't mean anything by it," Mother said.

"Sure you did," Jaster said. "But that's okay. Some of the normalest people I know are the most retarded."

I nearly busted out laughing and had to turn away, and, much to my surprise and glee, I saw Hazel sitting on our bench. I was so happy to see her I ran to her and kissed her warm cheek.

"You came. I am so glad."

"Course I did," she said. "I wouldn't miss this game."

I waved Mother over. "Why don't you sit with Hazel, Mother?"

"Hazel," Mother said. "I'm happy to see you. How are things at Willow Drive? Wasn't that what you called it?"

"Way," Hazel corrected. "It's Willow Way. And things are fine, but I do want to get back to Para—"

"Sorry," I interrupted. "The umpire has arrived. Time to play ball."

"Have a good game, dear," Mother said.

"Knock the stuffing out of them," Hazel said.

The umpire called the coaches and captains together. Cash and I exchanged smiles. He shook my hand. "Good luck, Charlotte. Hope you don't have any more pregnant women on your side."

"Nah, just the one."

Missy snarled at Frankie.

"Aw, put a sock in it," Frankie said.

"Now listen up," the umpire said. "We already have four innings played. Three to go. We pick up where we left off."He looked at a card. "The Thunder had Mulligan on second base. There are two outs, and Tyson was just coming to bat when . . . when the incident happened."

"It was a baby," I said. "Not an incident."

"Excuse me," the umpire said. "Baby."

The captains walked off. Cash caught my arm. "If you lose, we have dinner together."

My heart skipped a beat. The sudden action startled me, and I pulled away from him. My thumb instinctively found my empty ring finger. "Cash. What is this?"

"Whoa, whoa. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay."

"I didn't know how else to ask. I want to take you to dinner."

"Can we discuss this later?"

"Please," he whispered. "Just say yes."

"I can't. Maybe later."

The Angels took the field to the applause of the Paradise fans.

"I have to get to the dugout." Then I looked into those sexy eyes of his. "Okay, maybe. If we win."

"No way. You'll never win."

"We'll see."

Studebaker had the score already in place. The scoreboard had looked a tiny bit wobbly since the storm; they'd shored it up best as they could with two-by-fours and chewing gum. We lost a number nine in the wind. The score stood at Thunder ten, Angels zero.

I took my spot near the bench. Lord have mercy.

Tyson walked to the batter's box. She grunted and smacked the plate twice.

Frankie wound up. She pitched. The ball took a nice, loping arch but dropped before home plate.

"Ball," called the ump.

Rose threw the ball back to Frankie. She took a deep breath.

"It's okay, Frankie," Ginger hollered. "You got it this time."

"No batter, no batter," hollered Clara Kaninsky.

Tyson smacked home plate and rested the bat on her shoulders. Then she got into her stance, bent at the knees, looking like she could send the ball to the moon.

Frankie wound up and pitched. Tyson swung an instant too early, and the bottom fell out of Frankie's pitch just at the right time. That must have been her screwball.

"Strike one," called the umpire.

Four pitches later the inning was over.

I had never seen a happier group of purple and white Angels run off the field.

"Good job, good job," I said.

"Ginger, you're up. Clara, you're next."

Ginger grabbed her bat and swung it a few times. We heard the laughter from the Thunder drifting over the infield. "Okay," I said. "Remember, whatever it takes."

Ginger took the plate. She held her tiny bat on her shoulder. Their pitcher pitched. Way high. Ball one. Ginger got into her stance. Ball two. I smiled. That woman couldn't pitch to her.

Ginger swung at the third pitch. She made contact. The ball dribbled down the third base line. Ginger took off running, her little legs moving as fast as they could. I saw horror in the eyes of the Thunder's first baseman. Ginger was headed right for her like a rogue torpedo. The third baseman threw the ball. It soared over the confused first baseman's head. Ginger rounded toward second. The throw was high again and soared into the outfield. Asa waved Ginger on to third. She was booking now. Asa put his hand up to stop her at third but she blew past him and was on a direct course for home and the Thunder's catcher. Ginger plowed right into the catcher, knocking her onto her back, where she lay like an upside-down turtle waving her arms and legs. Ginger had scored our first home run.

The Angels and the fans went nuts. Screaming and hollering. Ginger dusted herself off while the catcher complained to the ump. "She was like a bullet. She aimed right at me. That ain't fair."

The umpire waved her away. "No contest," he called. "Home run."

Cash Vangarten ripped off his cap and threw it on the ground. "Unsportsmanlike. Unsportsmanlike conduct," he hollered. But then he stopped, picked up his cap, and went back to his bench. He was close to being ejected, and he knew it.

The umpire shook his head, dusted off home plate, and hollered, "Play ball!"

I liked to think the umpire was on our side that day. Well, that umpire and the big umpire in the sky.

The game took on a decidedly vengeful air as both teams duked it out in one way or another.

But it was the top of the seventh now. The Thunder were up. They had a player in scoring position on third, and their big gun, Missy, was at the plate. All she needed was one good hit in Edwina's direction and it would be over.

I chewed my nails and called a meeting with Rose and Frankie, Gwendolyn and Marlabeth.

"Now, look," I said. "All she needs is a line drive into the outfield. Edwina can't field very well, and their batter will score for sure. We can't let that happen. Frankie, you pitch low and inside. Give her a hard time. And Rose, whatever you do, do not drop the ball."

I went back to the bench and stood next to Asa. "They'll do it," he said.

I sucked air. "I can't watch."

Asa pulled my hands from my eyes. "But you have to."

Frankie pitched. Their slugger swung at an inside pitch. She hit a slow roller right at Ginger. Ginger fielded the ball as their player on third took off toward home.

"Throw to home," I screamed. "Throw to home."

Ginger threw with all her might. She pulled the ball back with her little arm and heaved it toward Rose, and in all my days I had never seen anything like it. I could almost see flames on the ball. It was like a meteor hurtling toward Rose. It was like the hand of God carried it through the air.