“My junior class at Lincoln High took on a project to help the Homeless Coalition. Our goal is to fill a school bus with needed items. Most anything is welcome. Look around your house, and I bet you’ll find some things someone could use. You can either bring them out today or to our first home game next Saturday,” I said to plug the event.
“I hear you auditioned for a new Star Wars movie.”
“I did. They invited me to the UK where I was privileged to watch them film part of their next movie, Rogue One. If I win the role, I’ll get to be in that movie as well,” I said.
“That’s exciting. When will you find out if you got it?”
“I wish I knew because I’m really excited about it. They had thousands of actors audition for the film. I made the final twelve. They plan to cut that down to a final three or four shortly. There are some big names involved. I would be blessed if I were to win the role.”
He announced when Eve would play and when our game was.
◊◊◊
I kept busy signing pictures. When I’d gone through the first stack of 100, and my line was three times longer than when I started, I looked over at Kendal.
“It’s starting to get crowded. Do you think they’ll make their goal of a thousand people?”
“I sure hope so. We brought fifteen hundred photos.”
“You must be crazy if you think I’m signing that many. My hand will fall off,” I complained.
“Don’t worry, most of them are pre-signed. If the lines get too bad, Megan and I will hand those out. Megan is going to get drinks and some food. Do you want anything?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
“I’ll have her tell Mrs. Sullivan it’s for you. Mrs. Sullivan seems to like you,” Kendal teased.
Fritz stepped up behind me.
“David, I think we have a problem,” he said.
I stopped signing the picture I was working on and gave him my full attention.
“I’m monitoring the police band. They estimate that five thousand people are already here. There are cars lined up for miles to get in, and they’re starting to get overwhelmed as it is. They think another five thousand will be here soon.”
I looked out over the open field, and people were everywhere. While they had plenty of room, issues like bathrooms and food would soon become a problem. Large crowds could also get out of control, and people could get hurt.
“Go ask them if they think they need help. If they do, I can call Governor Higgins,” I said.
Fritz took off. While he did that, Megan brought me something to eat. Fritz came back with a troubled police officer.
“David, this is Chief Reynolds.”
I shook his hand.
“We could use some additional manpower. This gentleman told me you could talk directly to the governor.”
“Yeah, I have his cell,” I said, and I got mine out and dialed.
“I almost didn’t answer. I’m about to speak at a VFW close to you,” Governor Higgins said.
“Before you say anything to embarrass yourself, I have you on speakerphone. I’m at the Washington High fundraiser, and we have a crowd issue. Chief Reynolds is here with me,” I said.
I handed my phone to the chief and returned to signing pictures. When he was done, he came back, gave me my phone, and thanked me. Next, Brit found me.
“We need another bus,” she said.
“What do you mean, you need another bus?”
“We filled that one. Stuff is starting to pile up,” she said.
“Okay, call Moose and see if they can get here soon. Also, go tell Mrs. Sullivan. She might be able to get a truck here that we can use.”
I handed Brit my phone so she could call Moose. She came back, looking worried.
“He said they’re in traffic trying to get here. Moose said they’re just stopped on the county road on the way into town. He has no idea when they’ll be here.”
“What did Mrs. Sullivan say?” I asked.
“She said she’d called for more food to be delivered. Once the truck’s unloaded, she’ll send it over, and we can use it,” Brit said.
“What does Mr. Orange think?” I asked.
“That man is worthless. I think he’s about to have a meltdown,” she admitted.
“Who’s having a meltdown?” Mom asked.
I hadn’t seen her come up. As I turned to her, over her shoulder I saw Dad talking with Coach Diamond and several of the Washington boosters.
“Can you go help Brit?” I asked.
“I didn’t come here to work,” Mom complained. But she left with Brit.
I worried about what this would cost me. When I looked up, it seemed my line had tripled again. Kendal and Megan were handing out the pre-signed photos. When I say pre-signed, I mean I’d signed one, and they’d made copies. They roped Dad into helping them.
◊◊◊
My phone began ringing. I ignored it because I was signing autographs like crazy. Then it rang again, so I stopped and checked caller ID. It was Angel, Eve’s agent.
“What’s going on? No one’s answering their phones,” she complained.
“We have a much bigger crowd than we expected. Aren’t you supposed to be here by now?” I asked.
“Well, that’s the problem. We’re stuck in traffic.”
I said a bad word. Who would ever think there would be a traffic jam in Washington?
“Where are you?” I asked.
She told me, and I advised her where to turn and how to cut through the back roads to get to the school. I waved down my dad and told him to tell someone.
I heard a helicopter. When it got closer, it became evident it was a state police chopper. It made a big circle around the high school and then landed in the cornfield across the road. I recognized the governor and his team. He wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to get in front of a crowd this size when the primaries were next Tuesday.
I watched them come to the food tent and find the Washington boosters. I got nervous when they all turned and pointed at me, and the governor shook his head. Coach Diamond came and got me.
“I hear this is all your fault,” Governor Higgins said.
“They said they wanted a bigger event,” I said with a shrug.
“Well, we need to have someone make announcements, and you’ve been elected.”
I walked out on stage and explained that we hadn’t expected so many people and that porta-potties were now set up. The school had also opened so its restrooms could be used. While I talked, Eve showed up, and I brought her on stage.
While they set up, I brought the governor up to say a few words.
Word must have gotten out because there were two news copters taking videos of the crowd. Someone estimated we had twenty thousand people here. I was out of photos, so I left to change into my baseball gear. Moose and the team had arrived, so it was time to warm up.
◊◊◊
Eve played her set, and then it was time for the game.
“Be sure to thank David A. Dawson for the event today. Without his help, none of this would have happened,” Eve said before she got off stage.
I would get even someday. Just not today.
Moose brought us into the dugout before the game.
“Looks like we might have a crowd tonight,” Moose observed.
“You think?” Jim asked.
“Are all our games going to be this well attended?” Yuri asked.
Everyone looked at me. I just flipped them off.
Governor Higgins threw out the first pitch, and then Eve sang the national anthem.
It was finally time for baseball, and I was up first. Out of habit, I looked down to third base. I was shocked when I recognized the bunt sign. Washington’s pitcher was a small kid who looked like a freshman. While he warmed up, I’d timed his pitches, and I had big plans. I took a couple of mighty cuts and settled into the box.
I concentrated on what I’d learned and made a show of acting like I planned to park the first pitch. Coach Diamond moved his infield and outfield back in anticipation. The kid pitching was clearly nervous. I almost cried when he threw a fastball right down the pipe. I squared around and pushed my bunt towards first base.