Chapter 24

"Why are you staring at baseball?" Chief Charlie sounded concerned. I think.

I sat in the gigantic stuffed chair, staring at the screen. I had no idea what in the hell was going on with this game. "Why not?"

Baseball Boy played this stupid game. He ran and slid into those bases with tight pants. He had lips that tasted like Bubble Gum Lip Smackers. He gunned that car away from my house at an incredibly slow speed. I should have jogged slowly to catch up with him and kick out his taillight.

"You're grounded."

"Cool." I continued to stare at the screen. "Bring in some Cheetos."

"I'll take away the TV."

"You are a tyrant, Chief Charlie." I loved television. Not enough to get all riled up, though. "Cheetos?"

"Offspring, how is it you stay monotone during a fight? We're discussing you favorite thing!" Charlie started pacing back and forth in front of the television.

"I learned it from watching you," I stated, as my head darted back and forth trying to still see the screen. "I can't see the baseball pants."

The kid wore baseball pants. Stupid kid.

He stopped in front of the TV. "Is this about that boyfriend? Oh God, my child is freaking out about a boy."

He looked sick.

Oh yes, the kid who I was becoming tolerant of. I thought of him like I did the Sea Monkeys. I would miss them when the stopped swimming. Perhaps I was missing him now. Never, I say never.

"He's not my boyfriend, Chief Charlie. He's a kid who plays sports. A kid who wanted to hang out for a couple weeks, but I scared him."

I wasn't planning to scar Chief Charlie by pointing out that I scared the kid so much he blew his load. I do have some tact.

"Kiddo, if that boy hurt your feelings I'll lock him up with drunk John for the night."

"It's fine. As long as you let me watch bad movies and eat pizza."

"You don't always have to be tough, Bells." He made a funny face. "Pause the game for a minute. Is that music?"

I muted the television, as eighties music filled the room. Chief Charlie rushed to the window and started guffawing. "Bella, you need to see this!"

I looked out the window. Oh shit.