JULY 13, 11:23 A.M.

I’m guarding Tico and we’re heading downcourt when Gus tries to get the ball from Stretch using my famous Stanford Shake ’n’ Bake move. Only Gus adds a pirouette like some sort of doofus ballerina and then trips over his own feet. We’re pushing each other around and laughing hysterically when Digger shows up.

“What’s so funny?” he asks as he sets a bag down on the ground.

“I’m Gus the ballerina basketball player,” Tico says, running in circles on tiptoes.

Soon Stretch, Digger, and I are leaping and twirling all over the court. At first Gus tries to pretend we don’t exist, but soon he’s laughing and joins us. Some kids from school are watching, but we don’t care.

When we finally get tired of prancing around, Digger retrieves his bag. “Guess what I got?”

“Triple-decker tuna salad sandwiches on wheat?” asks Tico.

“Does this look like a sandwich?” Digger pulls out a Roadrunners baseball cap and puts it on. His red hair sticks out from the sides.

“Totally cool!” Gus says.

“It’s yours,” Digger says, tossing him a cap.

“Me too,” shouts Tico.

“I’m in!” I add.

Stretch nods and Digger gives one to each of us.

“These are great,” says Tico.

“They’re from my dad.” Digger doesn’t sound too happy, but no one else seems to notice.

As we try the caps on, we grin at each other. We look good and we know it. No one would mistake us for ballerinas now. We’re the Roadrunners.