Chapter 8: Dealing with the Results

Ron was very careful to not allow himself to use his visit to Kim's house to cut short his morning exercises. He put in his full two hours then slipped back into bed. Upon 'being woken up' by his mother, he walked to the Possible House and rang the bell. He had long ago been given permission to just come in but he thought that his recent hiatus would require a re-issuing of the permission.

The tweebs let him in and seemed to be overjoyed to see him. He had a pleasant chatter with them while he walked into the kitchen. Mr. Dr. P was reading his paper at the table and Mrs. Dr. P was at the stove. She glanced up and started to greet him as she returned her attention to the skillet. Then she suddenly spun back towards him.

"Ronald," she gasped, "what has happened to you?"

Mr. Dr. P put his paper down and looked at Ron. He also seemed very interested in his daughter's friend.

Ron checked himself over quickly. Yes I remembered to wear pants so it isn't a repeat of that incident. Shoes match and are on the correct feet. Shirt is right-side out and not on backwards.

"Mrs. Dr. P?" He didn't know what was wrong with him.

"Your nose is crooked, your neck is a good inch wider and your shoulders have broadened out since the last time I saw you."

He was flustered. "I'm…er…uh," he stammered.

"Ron joined the wrestling team last month," said Kim as she came into the kitchen. She flashed Ron a huge grin before sitting down to eat. Ron smiled back; it was the first time that Kim had said the 'w' word without getting angry with him.

"That explains it," said Mr. Dr. P, "I was friends with a couple of wrestlers back in high school and they all had much thicker necks than they should have had. Their faces seemed to be constantly changing during the season. Have you had the first, what to they call it, 'challenge session' yet?"

"Yesterday Dr. P."

"How'd you do?"

"I'm the second stringer at 126."

"How many in the weight class?"

"Four total."

"Good job!"

"Thanks, Dr. P."

"Have you eaten yet?" Asked Mrs. Dr. P.

"Did so, thank you for asking."

While Kim ate, her parents had a pleasant chat with Ron, catching up with what he was up to these days. Kim actually learned more about her friend from their discrete grilling. Finally, Kim was ready to go and the two teens were off to school.

"Ron," Kim asked once they were out of the house, "are you really the second out of four guys in your weight class?"

"Yes."

"Second string means that if the starter gets hurt or sick you're varsity?"

Ron was stunned. He hadn't realized how close he had come to representing his school. "Yes."

"Second string means that if the starter gets hurt or sick you're working out with the wrestling team every day?" Kim was looking upset again.

Ron sighed. Why can't it be 'one more win and you're on the varsity?' "Yes, Kim and I was planning on talking to you about it either during this walk to school or tonight during practice."

"Why not last night?"

"You were obviously upset last night and besides what would you have done overnight?"

Kim glared at him for several steps before regaining her temper. "You're right, I wouldn't have handled it well last night."

"Feel like talking about it now? For whatever it's worth you look a whole lot better this morning."

Kim flashed a sad smile, "No, not ready at this time. What all were you planning on telling me?"

"Well Kim, the coach talked to me after the matches last night and he said that I had a good chance of making the varsity sometime this year. He said that perhaps I should talk to you about finding a backup for me as the mascot." Ron had selectively edited the conversation.

Kim rolled her eyes. "Are you sure? You're not exaggerating again are you?"

Ron's temper flared. "Is it so hard for you to believe that I can be even a little bit successful? Can't you believe that I can be good at something without you babysitting me?" Ron clamped his jaw back down. What had he just done?

Kim's eyes flew wide and her mouth hung open. "Ron, I…"

"Kim, I'm sorry that I blew up like that. I'm not bragging. I'm just repeating what the coach told me."

"This isn't just an excuse to avoid m…the squad?"

"Not at all. Look KP, you have alternate cheerleaders in case one of you gets injured. Why not an alternate mascot? "

"Why do you start spewing logic every time I start to get mad?"

"It's less painful than any alternative. Look Kim, I can help train any alternates if you'd like."

"I'd like that; see you at practice?"

"You know it!"

By then they had reached school and it was time for Ron to leave her with her boyfriend. And to perhaps do a bit of pre-class flirting.