Page 7 of Curveball

When we get to my house, my mother is standing outside talking to a man. I roll my eyes. She’s always talking to men.

As soon as she sees me, her face falls. “Oh crap. I was running late. I’m so sorry, sweetie.”

“It’s okay. My new friends showed me how to use the bus. And they live nearby. I can ride with them every day.” I’dmuchrather do that anyway.

She smiles. “Wonderful.”

I introduce them, and then I grab what I need to go to the park to play baseball. I walk with them to their house. It’s super close. There’s even a path that cuts through a few backyards.

As soon as they open their door, an enormous, golden-colored dog sprints through it and jumps into Quincy’s arms, knocking him over and then licking all over his face.Lucky dog.

I suck in a breath. “Oh my god, that dog is huge. What is it? What’s his name?”

Arizona smiles down at Quincy and the dog’s loving interaction. “Her name is Diamond, as in the ball field.”

“What kind of dog is she?”

“A Great Dane. She looks scary but she’s a big softie, especially for Quincy.” Arizona pets her head and in a playful voice, says, “Aren’t you, girl? Nothing but a big teddy bear.”

She looks up at me. “She sleeps with Quincy. He feeds her and walks her.” She whispers, “He really loves the dog.”

Loves? Once again, I thinklucky dog.

When we step inside, the house is nice. It’s similar to mine, but they have a lot of furniture and things hanging on the walls. “Your house is pretty.”

Quincy shakes his head. “When I’m a famous baseball player, I’m going to buy the biggest and best house in the world, with a gigantic yard so I can have a million dogs like Diamond.”

The house is quiet. “Are your mom and dad here?”

Arizona shakes her head. “No, they’re working. They’re not usually here when we get home from school.”

For the first time since we met, Quincy frowns. “Never. Not once in my life.”

“Is it scary?” I’ve never been home without an adult.

He puffs out his chest. “No. I take care of my sister. I always protect her.”

If I wasn’t already, I think I’m now officially in love with him.

Arizona gathers some equipment while Quincy walks the dog. About twenty minutes later, we’re on our way to the park, which I’m also realizing is only a short walk from our houses. Diamond is with us. She’s not on a leash, but she stays near us the whole walk, never straying too far away.

When we arrive, there are three boys around Quincy’s age waiting for us. They roll their eyes when they see me. One of them whines, “Ugh, another little girl. What the hell, Abbott?”

Quincy narrows his eyes and spits on the boy’s shoe. “My little sister is better than you, Jay, and Wyatt all put together. You know it’s true. She said her friend can hang. If Arizona says so, consider it the law.”

The boy’s shoulders slump. “Fine, she can stay, but she better not suck.”

“She won’t.”

Quincy removes his shirt, and my stomach feels weird. It’s like butterflies are flying around in there.

Arizona notices me staring. “Don’t mind him. He never wears a shirt. He gets into trouble at school all the time for it. He’s a weirdo. A smelly weirdo with flippers for feet.”

No, he’s beautiful and perfect. And not at all smelly. I look down. He does have big feet though. Wow, I’ve never seen a kid with such big feet.

He flexes his muscles. “I’m not weird. I’m buff. If I’m going to play professional baseball one day, I need muscles.”

Hegives an overexaggerated grunt as he flexes again. Arizona simply giggles. I watch him in complete and total awe.

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