The Home Run

Night Game.

Izzy's POV

I got out of bed around 9:00. Benny said we weren't playing in the morning which was weird. We were literally always playing. I rubbed my eyes thinking about what Danny had written in one of his letters before he died. He told me to just go for it and ask Benny out. I held his dog tags in my hand as I got out of bed, then I put them on. I contemplated just asking Benny out as I walked out of my room.
While I was thinking and brushing my teeth the smell of grilling burgers and hot dogs hit my nose. My mouth started watering immediately.
"What smells so good?" I asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Your dad is grilling." my mom said, mixing something
"Shut up," I said, stunned.
"Who do you think taught your brother how to grill?" she asked.
"Very true," I replied.
"Go get ready. I need you to help me make a potato salad for the cookout tonight." my mom said.
I obeyed and ran to my room. I put on high waisted dark blue jeans, tucked in a white t-shirt, and put on my Dodgers jersey, unbuttoned. I put on socks and my shoes, then put on mascara and put my hair into a loose braid.
I helped my mom around the kitchen. We laughed and made a pie and potato salad. Then, there was a knock on the front door and I went to get it. It was the Rodriguez family.
"Hey, guys," I said, opening the door.
"Hi, sweetie." Benny's mom said, "Where are your parents?"
"Um... my mom's in the kitchen and my dad's outside grilling," I said as they walked in.
Benny's mom handed me a bag I peeked in and saw Bottle Rockets, Sparklers, Poppers, Black Cats, Jitterbugs, and Smoke Bombs. She nodded towards the front door and I saw Benny holding another bag.
       I mouthed a 'thank you', grabbed an empty soda bottle from the trash bin, and ran outside.
"Happy Fourth of July," I told Benny as I walked outside.
"Happy Fourth of July," he replied as I put the bottle down.
I put the bag down on the grass and pulled out a box of Popper's. He reached into the bag and pulled out a Bottle Rocket. I smirked to myself as I opened up my Poppers.

       I took off my jersey and put it on the lawn. Benny was frowning at the Bottle Rocket while looking for the fuse. I took a Popper out of my box and threw it at Benny's bare arm.
"Ow," he said as it popped on him. He looked at me confused. I smiled and threw another one at his arm and it popped again. "Hey!"
"All's fair in Poppers and war." I smiled, throwing one at his feet.
"Oh, it is on." he chuckled, grabbing a box from the bag and opening it. He pulled out a Popper and threw it at me, but it didn't pop.
"Hah! It was a dud." I laughed and threw one at his chest. It popped leaving a little black spot on his white shirt.
"Not fair you've already hit me four times," Benny said, laughing.
"As I said earlier all's fair in Poppers and war," I said. Benny threw four Poppers at me. They all popped on impact with my arms and chest, "Ow." I laughed.
"All's fair in Poppers and war." he imitated me.
"Haha very funny," I said, smiling and throwing another one at his chest.
       After throwing our remaining Poppers at each other, we started lighting Bottle Rockets. Then I got an idea.
       "Benny, what do you call a duck who likes watching fireworks?" I asked as he set up a Bottle Rocket.
       "I don't know what?" he asked, looking at me.
       "A fireQUACKER," I said, giving him a cheesy smile.
       "Oh, my god," he said, laughing.
       "Benny, what do you get when you cross a dinosaur and fireworks?" I asked again.
       "What?" he seemed genuinely amused.
       "DINOmite," I said, laughing a bit.
       "Punny," he said, smiling at me.
       "Last one, last one," I said, trying to get serious.
       "Okay," he said, crossing his arms and looking at me as he stood up.
       "Did you know I'm good with fireworks displays?" I asked.
       "I didn't," he said, waiting for my punchline.
       "Yeah, I've got a real FLARE for it," I said, trying to stay serious, but Benny and I just ended up laughing.
       Just as we were about to light the Bottle Rocket some boys rode up to us on their bikes. It was Philips and a couple of his friends. They looked me up and down like I was a piece of meat. I immediately felt uncomfortable and Benny sensed it, so he stepped in front of me.
       "Nice score, Rodriguez," Philips said, getting off his bike and walking up to me.
       "What do you want, Philips?" Benny asked, getting angry.
       "If you don't want her, I'll take her off your hands." Phillips winked at me.
       "In your dreams," I said.
       "She's got a temper. I like that. Well, sweetheart, if you change your mind and want to see a real team play baseball, you'll know where to find me," Phillips said and grabbed my butt. Without thinking I punched him in the face. He fell backward and his friends, as well as Benny, looked at me wide-eyed.
       "Try me," I said.
       "You'll regret doing that," Philips said, getting up. He picked up his bike and got on.
       "Actually, I don't think I will." I hissed. He smirked at me and rode off with his friends.
       "You okay?" Benny asked.
       "I will be," I said, shaking my head.

*~*

(If possible, play:
Song: America the Beautiful
By Ray Charles)

Benny and I ran out into the cul de sac. Now it made sense why we weren't playing this morning. They were having the annual cookout in the street and we were missing it tonight. Benny ran up to Smalls' door and knocked. Smalls came to the door very confused.
"Get your glove and come on," Benny said.
"What's the big deal?" Smalls asked, confused.
"Night game!" I said, excitedly.
"Come on. Come on." Benny urged.
"Mom, I'm going out!" Smalls yelled, grabbing his glove and baseball cap.
We all ran out into the cul de sac and got the rest of the boys. Ham was yelling behind us, but we couldn't hear him over the fireworks. It was going to be a good night, I could tell. After a bit, we made it to the Sandlot. We all ran to our places.
"Okay, hit it!" Smalls yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, come on, Benny." Yeah- Yeah yelled.
Ham squatted behind home plate and pulled down the mask. Everything seemed to move slowly. Kenny pitched, Benny hit. Ham stood up and took off the mask. We all watched the ball fly as Benny ran the bases, but became distracted by the fireworks. Benny rounded third and made it back to home. I had to do it. It was now or never.
"Screw it," I said and ran to home plate.
"What are you doing?" Benny asked, confused.
"Shut up," I said. I grabbed the back of Benny's neck and kissed him. I felt his arms wrap around my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck. We broke apart after a minute.
"Sorry. That was really forward. I really like you, ya know?" I said, rambling, "I've just needed to do that for a while cause I didn't think you liked me. Who would? Anyways Danny said that I-"
"I've been meaning to do it. Don't worry about it." Benny said, cutting me off. We smiled at each other then Benny connected our lips again.
"It's about time, Benny!" Squints yelled, getting us to break apart.
"Yeah, yeah, it's only taken two months!" Yeah- Yeah yelled.
"Benny and Izzy sittin' in a tree!" Ham yelled.
"Base up, blockheads!" Benny yelled, letting me go. I bit my lip happy with myself, "Hey, Izzy." Benny grabbed my wrist.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I was wondering, especially after what just happened, would you be my girlfriend?" Benny asked, rubbing the back of his neck
"I would love to," I said. We both gave each other the biggest smiles.