Nearly lost in the hysteria of back-to-back no-hitters was the fact that Tommy had a date to fulfill the next night.
Ziggy Dale reminded him. “The contest winner’s name is Ellie Wainwright. She’s nineteen years old and a big Peaches fan. She lives here in town, so you won’t have to go far to pick her up.”
“I don’t own a car.”
“You can use mine. I want this promotion to go well,” Ziggy said. “Just make sure you have it back at the ballpark the next morning and drive safely. You’re responsible for that young lady’s welfare. Oh, and by the way, I recently dropped my collision insurance. Here’s a hundred bucks.” He pulled out a roll of five twenty-dollar bills from his pocket. “Show her a good time.”
Tommy looked forward to the female companionship on his day off, and when he arrived at hi
