Swing

Chapter Twenty One

The pizza parlor erupted in celebration and the owner said that there was a free slice of pizza for everyone. Fiona and I seemed to gaze into each other’s eyes, not noticing the mad rush of people trying to get there free pizza. I grabbed Fiona’s hand and pulled her out of the parlor, leaving a few dollars for whatever we had gotten.

“Where are we going?” Fiona asked quickly.

I could tell she was confused which made it all the better when I told her it was a surprise.

“Robert, you know I don’t like surprises that much,” she said.

“It isn’t a bad surprise. It’s something you’re going to like, I’m sure of it,” I said

After a few minutes of arguing and getting nowhere Fiona finally gave up and I was able to lead her on and adventure that would make any normal person smile.

We got close to our destination which was the theater where they were holding Jeff Dunham’s ventriloquist act. If we hurried we would still be able to make the entire show.

Once we got close enough for her to figure out what was going on I stopped, and put a blindfold on her.

“What is this for?” she asked rather annoyed.

“If we get close enough, the surprise won’t be a surprise,” I said.

“But Robert,” she started.

“No buts,” I said.

She reluctantly gave up and blindfolded herself. I lead the rest of the way and within a few minutes were sitting no more the two hundred feet away from Jeff Dunham. Right before the show was about to start I took the blindfold off and told her to stay here, I was going to go get us some drinks.

I ran to the concession line and bought a mountain dew for me, and a Pepsi for the little lady. I made it back and sat down just moments before the welcomed Jeff Dunham to the stage.

Once Jeff Dunham’s name was mentioned Fiona flipped. She was screaming her head off along with every other Achmed crazed fan. I laughed along and clapped like everyone else.

Everyone quieted down after a few minutes and Jeff welcomed us to his show where he warned about adult humor and that nothing said here was intended to offend anyone. He stated that it was all in good fun. With that he started talking like any of his other specials, about family and life itself. After a few minutes he said he was going to bring out what we all came to see, the guys in the suitcases. First out was Walter. He started off like any other Jeff Dunham show. Angry and frowning, which made it all the funnier. Everything was fne and we were both having the time of our lives. I was just waiting for one thing.

“And next ladies and gentlemen, I bring you, someone from beyond the grave. Please help me welcome, Achmed, the dead terrorist,” Jeff said.

Fiona turned at me and I saw in her eyes that this was the most fun she had ever had on a date. I smiled at her and then we both turned our direction back to Jeff Dunham.

After the show we went back to my apartment where I went to get ready for baseball practice. I finally got cleared by the doctors and I was ready to go. It was mostly small talk about the show and so on about how awesome it was. We walked in silence for a few minutes before Fiona turned to me and had me stop.

“How can you afford that?” she asked.

What do you mean?” I asked back trying to avoid the question.

“Those seats were incredible, not to mention that almost every show he does is sold out, and seats cost about twelve hundred dollars apiece. There is no way you had that much allowance saved up now spill it,” she said.

“Well, the last few years my parents have each been giving me about twenty dollars a week for lunch. When I’m not hungry, which is like all of the time, I keep it for myself and over time I saved a lot of money. Plus allowance,” I said, still beating around the bush.

“Okay, even if that is true, that still isn’t enough to cover for all of it,” she said skeptically.

I let out a sigh of frustration before finally telling her that a buddy of my dad’s worked over there.

“He told me if I ever wanted anything to let him know, he could get it to me a lot cheaper than most people would be able to,” I told her, finally telling her everything.

“That is so cool, why didn’t you just tell me that first?” she asked.

“I’m really not suppose to tell anyone. My parents don’t even know because he doesn’t want the word getting out. The only reason I was able to know is because I found a secret on him a few years ago and he knows I haven’t told anyone and that I can normally keep my mouth shut,” I told her.

“Oh, sorry,” she said.

“Its fine, I trust you,” I said.

We finally arrived at my apartment and I looked her ways and told her that I should probably get inside and get ready. She told me she would meet me later after practice had ended and we could talk then. She gave me a quick kiss then scurried off in her own direction.

I walked inside casually like I normally do, to find that my dad was waiting for me on the inside.

“Who was that?” he asked smirking.

“Just a friend,” I said.

“Didn’t look like just a friend to me,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”I asked annoyed.

“All I’m saying is that just friends, don’t kiss,” he smiled and laughed to himself.

Irritated as I was I let it go and went to my room where I changed into my uniform and got ready for tonight’s practice.

Around six, I was ready and was out the door.