The next week at practice I told Anna about what had happened, about me not getting picked up the week before and having to walk home. How I felt like a pain for having to get driven around everywhere.

"I feel bad, too," she said. "I know exactly what you mean. Someone has to leave the restaurant every night to come get me. I know it's a pain for them."

"Hey, maybe we could split it," I said.

"What?" she asked.

"You know, like take turns. We only live a few blocks away. Our families could alternate days, or weeks picking us up. Than we'd only be a pain in the butt to our families half as much."

"Curtis, that's inspired!" she said.

We agreed to run it past the superpowers (that's what we called Darry and her Dad) that night.

After dinner I had dishes duty so I was washing dishes while Darry was dealing with the bills at the kitchen table.

"So, Darry, my friend Anna and I had an idea at practice today."

"I thought you didn't get along with anyone else on the team," he didn't even look up.

"Just not the high school kids," I said. "Anna's in eighth grade too. Her Dad owns Angelo's, you know, over by the post office?"

"Yeah, I know it. So you're telling me you are actually friends with a girl?" Darry feigned shock. It actually was a little bit shocking, even to me. I had always had only boys for friends.

"you're a real laugh-riot, Darry," I said. "Really, we had an idea."

Darry looked up from the bills. "It better be good," he said. "I'm pretty busy here."

"Well, we think so." I told him about our plan for our families taking turns with picking us up. He was skeptical but I think I sold him on it when I said that the added bonus was that if either family forgot us, at least we wouldn't be alone.

"So we can set it up?" I asked him.

"Yeah. I think it's a good idea," he said. " Especially if it makes it easier for all of us."

I was so excited I went to call Anna right away.

"Angelos!"

"Anna?"

"No, this is Alison." Her sister sounded just like her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is Anna there? This is Scout Curtis."

"Sure, hold on a minute."

I heard a general ruckus in the background and then: "Hello?"

"Anna?"

"Hey Scout! How'd it go on your end?"

"He agreed. You?"

"Me too! Cool!"

"Ok, so Darry said he would take care of this week. Is that good?"

"That's great, because my Dad just found out that the health inspector is coming to the restaurant on Thursday. He's completely stressed out."

"Great," I said. "So tell your Dad not to worry about this week."

"I will. See you tomorrow, Scout."

"'Night Anna."