Robby pushes past Coach Barrett and heads for the yellow school bus in which the team travels to away games. The driver’s inside CVS with everyone else, grabbing a soda or snacks. This is their final pit stop before reaching the other school’s baseball diamond, and the last chance to pay a decent price for something to eat. The cost of concessions, even for ball players, is through the roof.
The driver left the bus’s folding door open. Robby launches himself at the steps and takes them two at a time, the bus shuddering under his heavy footfalls as he clamors aboard. Rows of green pleather seats stare back at him, empty. Punching his right fist against each seat in turn, Robby makes his way to the back of the bus, where he can sulk in privacy for the rest of the ride.
When he reaches the
