The next afternoon, Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern walked to Randi's. They were going to play baseball, and after seeing Randi wrestle Teddy's sorry ass, they decided she'd be an asset to their team. The boys stood on her porch and Gordie rang the bell.

A tall dark-haired boy in pajamas answered the door.

"Who are you guys?" he asked sleepily.

"Is that Gordie and company?" came a voice from further in the house.

"Are you Gordie and company?" the boy asked.

"I guess so," Gordie laughed.

"They guess so," the boy called over his shoulder. Randi came to the door, along side her brother.

"Sorry guys, ignore Rudy," Randi rolled her eyes. "He comes home from college for the summer, and sleeps all day! Where's the fun in that?" she poked her brother. "Anyway, what's up?"

"We wanted to know if you wanted to play baseball with us and some other guys," Chris said.

Randi's eyes lit up. "Sure!" she said gleefully. "Rudy, can I steal your glove?" she asked the sleepy boy, still standing in the doorway looking confused.

"Yeah, sure," he said. "You should take my Orioles hat too."

"Boss! I love you Rudy!" she cried. "Be right back guys," she said, as she ran upstairs. Gordie felt a twinge of jealousy seeing Randi with her brother. He still missed Denny so much. HE felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see that it was Chris'. He smiled at Gordie. Gordie gave a weak smile back. He and Chris where so close, they almost always knew what the other was thinking, and Chris knew exactly how Gordie felt right now. Chris and Gordie looked at each other, and in one look, Chris made Gordie feel better. Randi ran down the steps, taking two at a time, clutching her brother's glove and hat. She put the hat on backwards, and smiled.

"Sorry, Rudy's room's a freaking pigsty."

"Mmmm," Rudy mumbled, "Do we have any bacon?"

"Bye Rudy," Randi rolled her eyes.

"Come on, let's go!" Vern called.

"You're brother's weird," Teddy commented as they walked to the field.

"Good afternoon to you too," Randi mumbled.

"It's kinda cool," Teddy admitted.

"Well I'm glad you think so," Randi said sarcastically. Teddy nodded, not picking up on it. Randi laughed to herself.

The group walked to the field where they played, to find the other guys had already gotten there, and were waiting for them.

"Sorry guys," Chris apologized. "We've got another team member, and we had to go get her."

"Man, a girl?" one boy said in disgust.

"Is she any good?" asked Rich, the other team's captain.

"Hell yeah, and I can vouch," Gordie said. "We used to play at camp all the time and she really can hit."

"Okay, get in your teams," Rich said. "You guys bat first."

"Right," Chris nodded.

"Randi," Gordie whispered, pulling her over, "Our team's me, you, Chris, Teddy, Vern, Bobby, Jack and Roger," Gordie pointed to the three boys that Randi didn't know.

"Okay guys," Chris said rounding up his team, "Gordie, why don't you bat first..." Chris gave off the batting order, ending with Teddy, then Randi. "Let's see how well you can hit," Chris nodded at Randi.

Gordie went up to bat and struck out quickly. He wasn't really that good at baseball, but he still loved playing it. Denny was helping him get better, but they hadn't worked on hitting before he died. So Gordie could catch and field well, but couldn't' hit for beans. Gordie walked off the plate and stood next to Chris, who was anxiously watching his team. Gordie wasn't watching the field though.

"What's with those two?" he asked Chris, glancing down at Teddy and Randi, who were laughing about something.

"They obviously like each other," Chris said, not really taking his eyes off the field.

"That's weird, Randi's only been here a day," Gordie commented sharply.

Chris turned and looked at Gordie. "Does that bother you?"

"What? No!" Gordie said, "Randi and I have been friends a long time, but we're just friends. I like it that way."

"Okay," Chris said. He wasn't quite sure he believed Gordie, but that was something he could worry about later. They watched as Vern went up to bat and struck out. "We're sucking," Chris sighed.

"Sorry," said Gordie. He always felt like it was his fault when his team wasn't doing well. "Well, at least Teddy's up next." Teddy wasn't necessarily that good, because he always took crazy swings, and hit at balls that were too high, but when he did connect with the ball at the right angle, he could hit it really hard.

His first pitch was thrown, and he swung at it, missed the ball, and spun around in a full circle.

"Hey Duchamp!" a boy from the other team taunted, "Stop spinning around like a nut job, and try and hit the damn ball!" The boy standing next to him laughed.

"Maybe crazy runs in the family," the other boy called, "You know his dad's up in Togus."

"Leave him alone!" Randi yelled, just as Teddy threw down his bat.

"What are you gonna do about it?" the boy scoffed.

Randi hauled off and decked him.

"Holy shit!" Gordie cried. She hit him square in the jaw.

"You psycho bitch!" the other boy yelled, helping his friend up. They walked off the field. Rich threw his hands up in disgust.

"Are you okay," Gordie asked, putting his arm around Randi.

"I'm fine, assholes like that shouldn't get away with pissing people off," Randi spit angrily.

"Charming," Gordie giggled.

"Come on guys," Chris said, "You ok Teddy?"

Teddy nodded and picked up his bat. HE hit the ball this time, and made it to second base. The team cheered him on. Next, it was Randi's turn to bat.

"Come on Randi!" Gordie yelled as she stepped up to the plate.

'If I hit a home run, we can lead two-zip,' she thought, 'Come on girl,' she bit her lip and focused. Rich pitched the ball, and Randi swung. You could hear the crack as her bat hit the all, and flew over the head of the guy in left field. Teddy ran home, and Randi followed behind him. They were both greeted with high-fives from their teammates.

They plated until it grew dark. Chris' team won, and they trotted happily off the field.

"I better get going, sincerely," Vern said, "My mom'll be so mad if I'm late for dinner again."

"See ya Vern," Teddy clapped Vern on the back.

Chris and Gordie said goodbye and went home.

"Hey Randi," Teddy called, trotting over to her. "I'll walk you home," he offered.

"Thanks," Randi smiled. They both walked past the field and down the street.

"You really kicked ass today," Teddy said.

"Well thank you, you weren't too bad yourself," Randi laughed. They were silent for a moment.

"Uh, I want to thank you for sticking up for my dad," Teddy mumbled.

"No problem, I had no idea what they meant, but I figured it wasn't flattering. What's a Togus anyways?" Randi asked.

Teddy squirmed. "It's a mental institution."

"Oh," Randi said softly.

"You don't have to feel sorry for me," Teddy said gruffly, "I don't need your pity."

"I never said you did," Randi countered. They walked a bit further, until they reached Randi's house.

"Thanks for walking me home," Randi said.

"It was nothing," Teddy muttered. He stood and watched as she walked to her porch. "Uh, Randi?" he called out, stopping her. She looked at him quizzically. "I was uh, just thinking, if you uh, maybe wanted to go to the movies or something...with me?" Randi folded her arms, and walked down to him.

"Are you asking me on a date Teddy Duchamp?" she smirked, poking him in the chest.

"Well, if you don't-"

"I'd love to," she cut him off. Teddy smiled.

"A Hard Day's Night is playing at the drive-in tomorrow night," Teddy said.

"Boss! The Beatles are so cool. Wait...you have a car?" Randi asked skeptically.

"No," Teddy admitted, "But I know this really great spot where you can see the movie from."

"I can't tell if you're being romantic or cheap," Randi commented.

"A little of both actually," Teddy grinned.

"Great," Randi rolled her eyes, but smiled.

"Well, I'll see you then, okay?"

"Yeah. Bye," Randi called, going inside.

She had kept her cool, but as soon as she was inside, she squealed like a girl and did a peculiar happy-spinning-dance.

"Practicing for the Ice Capades?" Rudy asked, startling Randi, causing her to fall.

"No, Ice Capades are for sissies!" she huffed, hands on her hips.

"Speaking of sissies, I thought I heard a girl squeal in here, but no...only Randi in here," Rudy teased.

"Piss up a rope!" Randi shot back, taking a leaf from Gordie's book.

"So anyway, why were you dancing around like a fruit?"

Randi scowled. "None of your freaking business."

"Does it have anything to do with that guy that walked you home?"

Randi blushed, "Screw you!" she yelled hotly.

"Then why were you giving him the lovesick, moon-in-June-eyes?" Rudy teased, batting his eyelashes.

"I was NOT giving him the look!" Randi hissed.

"Uh, huh," Rudy said, obviously not believing her.

"I swear, I'll castrate you," Randi growled, "With a very blunt knife," she added for emphasis.

"Whatever kiddo," Rudy said, ruffling Randi's hair.

"I hate you," she grumbled.

"I love you!" Rudy said, kissing the top of her head.

"Get off!" she swatted at him. He laughed and went in the kitchen.

Randi sat and fumed with her thoughts. "Wait, I have a date! I've got no reason to be angry!" she cried, sitting up happily.

"I knew it!" Rudy yelled from the kitchen.

"And I'm talk to myself," Randi mumbled, shaking her head. "Gotta call Gordie!" she thought suddenly, and raced to the kitchen, where the phone was. Unfortunately, Rudy was there too.

"Sca-daddle, I need the phone," Randi instructed. Rudy didn't answer. "Dad, make Rudy leave me alone!" she called.

"He and Tina went out," Rudy said. Randi scowled. She wasn't too fond of her father's live-in girlfriend. Randi's mother left Randi's father when she was too young to remember. She's never seen her mother. Tina had been living with her and her family for about 3 years now. Randi sighed.

"Can you please just get out for a little?" Randi pleaded.

"Sure thing kiddo," Rudy said, walking out of the kitchen.

"And stop calling me kiddo!" Randi called after him.

She called Gordie.

"Hello?"

"GORRRRDIIIEEEEEE!" Randi squealed, thankful that he, and not his parents, picked up the phone.

"Jesus, is that Randi?" Gordie asked, "I think I lost all the hearing in this ear."

"Guesswhatguesswhatguesswhat!" Randi babbled excitedly.

"Mutant giraffes have taken over your bathroom?" Gordie guessed.

"Almost as rare and unbelievable!"

"What?"

"Teddy asked me out!" Randi yelled happily. "I hate a date! My first date! Me, Randi, tomboy, voted 'Most Likely To Go Lesbian'," Randi joked.

"I don't remember voting for that."

"He's gonna take me to the drive-in. This is so cool!" Randi went on, "OH God! I've never been on a date before, what the hell am I gonna do? I don't know how to act or what to wear or stuff like that!"

"Relax Randi, deep breaths," Gordie instructed. She sighed. "It's just Teddy," Gordie paused uncomfortably, "He must really like you to ask you out so quickly. Just...be yourself."

"Myself sucks."

"Aw Randi, quit shitting yourself, you're a great girl. Don't worry about it," Gordie laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Heh heh, ME telling YOU not to worry, quite a change from the usual, eh?"

"You're right. I'll be fine...right?"

"Right," Gordie affirmed.

"You'll come over tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"You'll help me?"

"Yes."

"Okay...okay...I'm gonna go now," Randi said.

"All right. See ya tomorrow."

"Bye Gordie."

"Bye," Gordie hung up the phone. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach, and he didn't know why. He attributed it to having not eaten yet. He sighed, and went to go eat dinner.