Free Raiders Night by Robert Lipsyte Page B

staying in the middle of the Back Pack until they passed the cheerleaders.
    â€œMatt?” It was the Nearmont Eye reporter he had blown off at the softball game, still hopping up and down like a frog. “What do you think?”
    â€œAbout what?” What did the frog know? Had he talked to Chris?
    â€œWhat Pastor Jim said about Jesus. You think he’d be a Raider?”
    â€œThat’s Pastor Jim. We just play our game.” It sounded dumb. What was this kid after?
    He was glad when Junie yelled and waved him over to the Rydek van. Mom and Junie were handing out cookies and drinks. Romo was asleep under the truck, and Dad was working the crowd. It took Matt ten minutes to walk off the field. People kept stopping him. People always liked to tell him stuff so they could be seen talking to him, mostly compliments, good wishes for the season, sometimes jokes and gossip. He usually liked it, but tonight he felt tense, ready to break and run. Was he nervous that someone would ask about Chris? Ask what?
    Someone asked him if he’d heard that the cops had found a marijuana stash in a gym locker and burned it. Rumor was the pot belonged to a football player. Matt shrugged and moved on.
    Dad grabbed his arm. “Called you this afternoon, Matt.”
    He shook free. “Long run.”
    â€œFootball season, not track.” He looked angry.
    He felt like walking away. Dad wouldn’t make a fuss here. Pay for it later, but that’s later. Always got to pay the price, hoss. He was making his decision when Junie handed him a bottle of water. “Gotta stay hylated, right, Mattie?”
    â€œHydrated,” snapped Dad. “Long runs stretch the wrong muscles.”
    â€œCoach says we need to build stamina for the fourth quarter.” It sounded like something Coach Mac would say.
    â€œPull a hammie and then what?” Dad raised his voice. “Scout from Penn State is coming to see you play.”
    â€œNittany Lions,” said Junie.
    â€œMr. Rydek? I’m Sarah Ringe.” Matt didn’t see her until she was shaking Dad’s hand and he was trying to look down her white chorus blouse. “You catered my father’s fiftieth birthday party. It was fabulous.”
    â€œLovely affair.” Matt could tell Dad was trying to remember. “Do you know my son Matt?”
    â€œWe’ve met.” So cool the way she turned and smiled at him. “And I certainly know Junie.” She squeezed Junie’s arm. “My parents thought you were the best server at the party.”
    Junie beamed and hugged her hard.
    â€œEasy there,” snapped Dad.
    â€œWe’re friends,” said Junie, hugging harder. Mattcould see Sarah was trying to keep smiling as Junie squeezed the air out of her.
    â€œYou hear me?” shouted Dad.
    â€œHow about a group hug?” said Matt. He circled them both with his arms and pried Junie’s arms loose. Junie grinned, and Sarah took a quick breath and gave him a grateful look.
    Mom came over, checking Sarah out with narrowed eyes. “You have a lovely voice.”
    Romo woke up and slouched over to press against Sarah’s leg.
    Brody marched up and slapped the ball into Matt’s gut. “Let’s roll. Monty’s waiting.”
    Dad said, “Tell him to call me.”
    On the ride to the gym, Brody said, “Those chicks gonna fight it out for you.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œTerri says Sarah’s locking in on you.”
    â€œHow come you’re suddenly talking to Terri so much?”
    â€œYou know, she’s an interesting—”
    â€œTalk about something else or just shut the fuck up.”
    â€œSomebody sucked a sour dick. Okay, how about the big pot bust?”
    â€œI thought they just found some in a locker.”
    â€œA football player’s locker,” said Brody. “You think it’s Tyrell?”
    â€œWhy should I think that?”
    â€œHe goes back and forth