The Wager (youngsters:other, 1733 words)
Author: TJC	Added: Jul 29 2002	Views/Reads: 6447/3415	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A high school pitcher and the girl of his dreams bet on the outcome of his ball game, with a date to the carnival as the prize.

THE WAGER by Thomas J. Comer 

"So are you gonna mow them down today, Randy?" 

Randy Renicky looked over his shoulder and saw Sue Barnes.  She looked
good in her tight fitting jeans and red, Washington high t-shirt.  A 
large WHS emblazoned across her chest.  Her long brown hair blew 
slightly in the breeze. 

"I thought you didn't like jocks."  Randy went back to his warm-up
pitches along the first base line.  He had no time for this, this was a 
big game he was preparing to pitch.  The conference title would be 
decided in this battle with Bergen High. 

"I never said that, I just don't like to date them." Randy knew that
first hand.   All through high school he'd wanted to take her out, but 
had been rebuffed over and over again.  Now the two of them were just a 
month away from graduation. 

"When you date an athlete, Sue continued, "you're always second to his
main love, which is sports." 

"I really don't have time for your nonsense right now." Loud explosions
from Tim Felske's catcher's mitt echoed in through the small Washington 
high school field.   "In a few minutes I will be pitching for the 
championship, so give me a break." 

"Oooooooh, my heart is all a flutter." 

Her sarcastic tone annoyed Randy more than he'd ever admit.  Without
even realizing it he started to throw even harder. 

"Do you have a date for the graduation carnival?" Asked Sue.  She,  like
Randy himself,  had not dated any one person seriously the entire year. 


"Nope," he replied.  "College recruiters and pro scouts have been
bugging me to death, so I haven't had any time for that stuff."  He 
hoped that would impress her, but he was afraid to look over and see if 
it worked. 

"Who are you going with?"  Randy could have kicked himself for even
thinking it, let alone asking. 

"Just some of my friends.  Hang out and have some laughs, before going
into the real world." 

Real world?  Randy knew that Sue Barnes was not headed for the real
world. As one of the smartest girls in school, it was well known she 
was heading off to Yale. That made her all the more attractive. 

An idea flickered through Randy's mind.  "Hey, Tim," he called to his
catcher. "I'm warm.  I'll be in the dugout in a few minutes."  The 
catcher trotted away in the white uniform and red trim of the 
Washington Mustangs.  Randy didn't want any witnesses as he walked over 
to the fence where the cocky Sue Barnes stood. 

"How about a little wager?" Randy asked. 

"What do you mean?" She eyed him cautiously. 

"If I beat Bergen today, you go to the carnival with me." 

"And if you lose?" 

"Name it." 

"If you lose, you have to get a hair cut.  Real short too." 

Randy winced.  This was a tough one.  His father of course would love it
if he cut his hair.  His shoulder length dark hair was his trademark, 
he felt it made him look wicked on the mound. 

"And another thing," added Sue.  "Winning is easy for you, Mr. Pro
Scouts Are Bothering Me.  You have to hold them scoreless.  Take it or 


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