Before Stephanie, Joe, and Ranger knew it, Saturday came quickly. Not one of them had forgotten about this bowling competition. She'd heard that the three of them would be on the same team. She knew Ranger would be good and win a few games. Stephanie knew that she probably wouldn't do very well. Of course Joe might be better at this game than herself as well.

The other night or so, Stephanie was told from Joe that he recently joined a team that involved police officers like himself and nobody else, and that included her. No wonder it gave Stephanie the idea that Joe would do this sort of thing without telling her about it first. She didn't care one way or the other.

Stephanie thought that since today was finally Saturday, she would show up at the bowling alley way too early so that way she would have enough practice without either Ranger or Joe watching her. Stephanie thought that it made sense she could keep this lane so that when the guys showed up, they wouldn't have to move over to another lane.

The competition wasn't starting until sometime after one – thirty. Stephanie thought of calling both of them now and if they showed up later, their lane would be ready.

"Hi, Cupcake," Joe greeted her as he always had.

"Hi, Joe. I have something to ask you about."

"What's the question?" he asked.

"If I arrive before you guys do, should I save the lane for you?"

"I like the idea and that makes sense. Have you told him this yet?"

"Not yet, but I'm going to call him next and tell him the same thing."

"Good idea, Cupcake. Wait till you see how well I'm doing since I joined that group. You'll be surprised. I wish you luck as well," he told Stephanie.

"Both to you guys will cream me out for sure. I'll look forward to watch you both."

"I'll look forward to it. Will see you soon."

After Joe ended the conversation, she told herself maybe she could show up before one so that way she would have that chance to warm up before both of them showed up. When bowling season started, that's when Joe joined that team he told her about. Her next call was to Ranger. He indeed was at home.

"Hi, Babe. Are you excited about the competition this afternoon?"

Of course Stephanie was excited. That's her answer to him.

"I just talked with Joe. He and I agreed that if I'm the first one who showed up early, I'd save the lane until you guys show up. What do you think, Batman?"

"I agree with him. I wish you luck today, Babe."

"And I with you. See you then, Batman."

"Good – bye, Cupcake as Joe would say."

"That's true. I think I like Babe better."

This time she ended the conversation before he did. Unlike Ranger and Joe, Stephanie doesn't have her own shoes and ball since she hardly ever goes and play. It made sense that she'd rather rent instead of paying for her own shoes and ball. Renting is easier that way. Ranger was good at sports from what she's been hearing and seeing.

Stephanie hadn't seen either one of these guys bowl before, so it got her excited to see what they could do this afternoon. Stephanie told herself if she showed up early to practice, maybe she could try to get a strike or spare. This is why she wanted a warm – up game or two. Maybe these other teams are thinking about the same thing as her.

Since her telephone calls, she decided that the first thing she would do is get cleaned up so that way she'd be better looking and smell good as well. Stephanie didn't really care much about other people paid attention on how she looked for this competition. When Stephanie looked at the clock on the living room wall, it told her that the competition is only about an hour and a half away.

Before leaving the apartment, Stephanie would take the bus to the bowling alley instead of driving over. Every time she gets a new car, there would always be problems with it. This is exactly why Stephanie decided to take the bus instead. She'd better get ready now instead of goofing off as she sometimes once in a while would.

Stephanie took her time to get ready. She decided to eat lunch before doing anything else. Today she decided to go with leftover mac and cheese from the night before. She was able to find it and then went ahead and put the leftovers in the microwave. While she waited, she checked the weather report, which was a good idea.

The weather report said it would be in the early seventies today, so Stephanie didn't have to prepare for anything. The microwave went off and then she grabbed a plate and poured herself a full glass of water. She'd do it again before leaving the apartment. She took her time and then did everything else. Before she left her apartment, Stephanie told herself, "Let the games begin!" She might not be as good as these two are, so this is why warming up was a good idea.

She was at the bus stop right on time. When it did show up, Stephanie paid the driver first and told her to drive to the bowling alley. The driver looked like she indeed heard about the competition and wished her luck.

"Thank you. I think I really could use some luck today."