Close Out by Todd Strasser Read Free Book Online Page B

face while she watched Spazzy protectively.
    â€œHave a slice?” Bean pulled the pizza box toward them.
    â€œOkay.” Julian reached in. She folded a slice carefully in half, and then raised it to her mouth and took a dainty bite.
    A slight breeze brought a wind chime to life, and one by one Kai and the others turned hopefully to gaze at the dark dunes and the ocean beyond them. After the long stretch of flat days in early August, there’d been a week of knee-highs and ankle-slappers, and now once again, it was almost flat. Perhaps this breeze was the first sign of a change in the weather. Or maybe it was just a flirtatious tease.
    â€œForget the Northeast Championship,” Everett said. “If we don’t get some waves soon, we’re gonna forget how to surf.”
    â€œI guess the only good news is that it’s the same up and down the east coast,” Booger said, sliding off the raft and climbing up the ladder from the pool.
    â€œIt kills me,” Bean groaned. “The whole season’s five months long at best, and right in the middle of it we always get these doldrums.”
    â€œDoldrums?” Booger repeated uncertainly as he toweled off.
    â€œA state of inactivity or stagnation,” Jillian said. “Although originally it was used to describe the area of calm between the trade winds.”
    For a moment everyone stared at her.
    â€œIt was an SAT word,” Julian said defensively.
    â€œHey, it’s totally cool” Bean said. “Personally, I think smart is sexy.” He started to rise from his chair. “Anyone feel like Ping-Pong?”
    â€œI do,” Julian said.
    They headed toward the game room.
    â€œAnyone for air hockey?” Booger asked.
    â€œYeah,” said Everett.
    Booger turned to Shauna, Kai, and Spazzy. “How about you guys?”
    â€œI’m cool here,” Spazzy said.
    â€œI haven’t had a slice yet, so I’m going to eat first,” said Shauna. “Then I’ll come down.”
    â€œI’m gonna hang here too,” said Kai.
    â€œOkay.” Booger and Everett followed Bean and Jillian through the sliding glass doors toward the game room, leaving Shauna, Kai, and Spazzy alone around the outdoor table.Spazzy got up. “I gotta take a leak. Be right back.”
    He went into the house, leaving Shauna and Kai at the table. The light wind made Shauna’s hair flutter. It may have been Kai’s imagination, but it seemed as though the breeze was growing stronger, which might be a good thing if it brought swells with it.
    â€œJillian wants to have a party for Spazzy,” Shauna said. “Before they go back to California.”
    â€œThat what you guys were talking about?” Kai asked.
    She nodded.
    â€œSounds like a great idea,” said Kai.
    â€œI told her I thought she might want to invite Lucas and his friends,” Shauna said.
    Kai gazed at her, surprised. “Why?”
    â€œWell, Jillian and Spazzy are going to come back next summer, and I thought it would be nice if Lucas and his friends understood Spazzy better,” Shauna explained. “So that if he wants to surf Screamers and you’re not …” Her words trailed off.
    â€œHere?” Kai filled in the blank for her.
    Shauna nodded.
    A napkin blew off the table and onto theground. Kai reached down and picked it up. The slightest trace of fall was in the air. It was impossible to imagine where he’d be next summer. To be honest, it wasn’t easy to imagine where he’d be next month.
    â€œIt’s a nice idea,” Kai said. “I just don’t see Lucas going for it.”
    â€œYou never know,” Shauna said.
    They sat quietly after that. Kai gazed up at the night sky dotted with stars. A few thin gray clouds drifted overhead, but the sky was mostly clear. Without warning, a thin bright beam of light streaked parallel to the horizon and vanished.
    Kai looked at Shauna.