Free Bat Summer by Sarah Withrow Page A

to convince them that I truly fear Lucy may have been run over just a block away. Like we wouldn’t have heard the ambulance.
    â€œWell, do you want to call her or what?” Elys asks. I wish Russell would take his turn.
    â€œNo. It wasn’t really a firm plan. It was more just an idea. Maybe tomorrow?”
    â€œYou think you can just order up an outing any time you want? You think I’m a professional chaperon?” She sounds angry.
    â€œNo. That’s not what I think,” I say. Russell stillhasn’t made his move. “What I think is that you have nothing better to do.” I flash her a grin, but it goes down the wrong way. She stares me down with those black marble eyes of hers.
    â€œThat may be true, Terence, but I don’t need to hear it from you.” Elys gets up and leaves the table.
    I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. I didn’t even know I could hurt her feelings. She’s heading toward Loblaws. I hope she gets one of those frozen lasagnas. I know Mom left her enough money. Lasagna is Tom’s favorite. It’s my favorite, too.
    â€œHey, Elys,” I yell after her. She doesn’t turn around. “Relax, it’s the weekend.” She stops in her tracks, lets her head fall forward and marches on. The weekend is, apparently, not good news for Elys. Someone should give her a job.
    I pulled one over on Russell but he still wins the game. He shakes my hand this time.
    â€œGood games, Terence. Come again.” I can see he expects me to push off now, but I’m not ready to go.
    â€œDo you think I could beat Lucy?” I ask.
    â€œNo,” he says. I wait for an explanation but don’t get one. I see Martin coming down the path. He’s wearing shorts this time, and a white hat.
    â€œHey, it’s that kid,” he says, pointing at me. “Where’s our favorite bat?” I shrug. I wish I could play another game. I should find Lucy and we could play bat to bat. “You’d better hang on to that onebefore she hangs on to you.” Martin gnashes his teeth at me and makes little eep, eep noises.
    â€œShe’s not a vampire,” I tell him.
    â€œThat’s what she tells you. But would a real vampire tell you she was a vampire? Think about that one. She seems awfully smart for a kid, don’t you think?” Martin says.
    â€œShe would definitely beat you at chess,” says Russell. He seems to loosen up when Martin’s around. Just like I do when Tom is around, or Lucy, too, now I guess.
    â€œDon’t talk crazy talk,” I say. They both laugh. Where is Lucy, anyway? It’s got to be at least lunchtime. Maybe Daphne made her go to Fatso’s. I hope so. She sure is scrawny. That book said bats have to eat all night just to keep up their weight.
    Listen to me. I’m as bad as Lucy now. Must be a sign.
    I find Elys at the Loblaws across the street. The airconditioning is nice at first, but by aisle five I’m freezing. I pick out some smoothy peanut butter. Elys is always buying crunchy. I think she thinks the whole bits of peanuts are healthier than fully crushed ones.
    I hit aisle six and see a bat scoping out the pasta section. I watch Lucy stuff a bag of linguini down the back of her shorts behind her cape.
    â€œLucy!” I holler. She looks around, sees me and gently finishes tucking the pasta in her waistband. I go up to her and whisper, “What are you doing?”
    â€œWhat does it look like?” She moves down the aisle.
    â€œIt looks like you’re stealing.” I can hear how stupid I sound. Like, duh, you don’t have to say it out loud. “Put it back. My cousin’s here. My mom gave her some money. She’ll get you some spaghetti.”
    â€œDo I look like a charity case?” She turns on her heel and heads down the aisle. I have to stop her.
    â€œYes,” I scream. This old lady holding two cans of peaches gives me a sour look.
    I race