Chapter 34

The next morning I woke up from two hours of sleep and found that one of the third graders had had an accident in his sleeping bag. While one of the dads took him to the bathroom to change, I hung the sleeping bag on the chain-link fence outside to dry.

Parents who had volunteered for breakfast arrived with donuts, pancake mix, orange juice, and other stuff. I saw Duncan Swift’s dad and waved.

“Ready for the big game today?” Mr. Swift said. He seemed kind of young to be a father. His hair was spiked like Duncan’s, and he wore blazing white tennis shoes and tight jeans. He always yelled the loudest at games and came onto the floor at halftime to tell Duncan what he was doing wrong.

“I almost forgot,” I said.

He squinted and stopped. “Forgot Coronado, probably the biggest game of the year? Remember what those guys did to you last game?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am ready for some payback.”

“Payback is right. Tell your dad we’ll save a seat for him. Can’t wait to see you guys blow them out of that gym.”

Jeff Alexander struggled out of his car as his mom waved at me and carried some food into the school. Jeff had told me he wanted to spend the night with the kids like I was, but I guess he didn’t have the energy.

“How’d it go last night?” he said, making it to the sidewalk and leaning on the railing.

I told him what happened, and his jaw dropped. “Wish I could have been there for that.” He pushed his hat back, and I saw a little tuft of hair growing at the front of his scalp.

“Looks like your mane’s growing back in.”

He grinned. “I told Mom I was going to get a Mohawk once it all grew back. I think she’ll actually let me do it.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” I said.

“How about coming to my house tonight?” Jeff said. “Got some stuff I need to talk over. Maybe spend the night?”