𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 - 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙯

𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲

July 4th, 1962

I was sitting on the sidewalk watching the fireworks go off everywhere. I loved watching them fly into the air and explode. The neighborhood dogs weren't a big fan of it, but too bad.

"Donna!" I heard Benny say scaring me to death since I couldn't really see him.

"What?" I asked getting up.

"We're gonna have a night game, get up." He said rushing to the door. I followed him up to the door and he confused the world outta Scotty.

"Grab my glove too please." I said as Scotty grabbed his. We jogged through the block party with the crackling sounds surrounding us. I grabbed a cookie as we ran down to the Sandlot.

The night was as magical as you'd imagine. We went to play ball like any other day, but with the fireworks. We ran up as Benny prepared to swing.

The crack could be distinguished from the fireworks as it soared. Our eyes followed it as we all stopped to watch the imploding lights.

I turned after a moment to see Benny running through the bases. That's when I realized just how much Benny loved baseball. It wasn't a game to pass the summer and enjoy with friends, for him. Benny loved it like it was his only companion in life.

Everybody took their swings til it was getting too late. We had to go home splitting our way grabbing food as we went on.

At our houses we waved to each other before going in. This summer had been the most memorable to me so far. I've never spent this much time with friends. I told our parents about everything.

I was getting ready for bed when I remembered the mail.

"Hey dad, did you check the mail?" I asked going into the living room.

"Yeah. There's some for you on the desk." He said.

"Who's it from?" I asked confused.

"Your brother." He said.

"What? You didn't think to tell me?!" I said rushing to the table. I grabbed the envelope opening it, well, more like ripping it. I read the message.

"Dad!" I said running back into the living room. "Bobby wants to come see us. Please, please, please, can he?"

He looked at me for a moment debating. He didn't have anything against Bobby, but he didn't feel drawn to Bobby or anything either.

"Let me talk to Karen about it." He said.

"Ah!" I yelled excitedly. "Thank you! You're the best dad."

"Tell me something I don't know." He said smartly.

"Your shoes untied." I said walking away as he bent over.

"I don't even have shoes on you turd." He said as I walked out of view. I got to my room and played with my guitar a little. I needed to find someone who knew how to play. Benny? I wonder if he knows. That'd be too good to be true, but oh well.

I woke up to a weird noise. I looked around paranoid to the moon and back. I grabbed my bat and crept to my window. It hit the window again. I threw my curtain open ready to swing if something was outside.

I looked to see Benny looking like a deer in the headlights. He's gotta stop doing this crap. I groaned and quietly slid open the window.

"What Benjamin?" I asked. It was 11:30 at least.

"Can you come with me, please? I know this place that'll be awesome to watch the fireworks at 12." He said. I looked at him and at my room.

"Yeah, sure." I said hesitantly. "But if I get caught I'm saying you forced me to." I said.