Splat!

Splat! by Eric Walters Read Free Book Online

Book: Splat! by Eric Walters Read Free Book Online
Authors: Eric Walters
Tags: JUV000000
accordion players?”
    â€œThat would be even cooler. We don’t have to worry about anything until after the parade.”
    I looked at my watch. It was just after nine. The parade was scheduled to start at ten and would be over before eleven. We had two hours of peace. There was a loud whoop as another firefight of tomatoes began—at least relative peace.
    â€œI’m not worried about our fathers,” Keegan said. “By the time they even notice what we’re doing they’ll see we’ve made a wad of money.”
    â€œAnd Owen?”
    â€œWhat’s he going to do, fight me here in front of everybody?”
    â€œHe could.”
    â€œLet him show up. I’m armed and dangerous,” Keegan said as he held up a tomato.
    I was pretty sure that Keegan was just joking around...pretty sure.

chapter eight
    I sat on my skateboard. My clothes, board and body were completely covered with tomato stains. Dave and Sam weren’t much better. Keegan had been hit as well, but he wasn’t nearly as coated.
    The initial rush of customers had ended and there were only a few people waiting in line. I thought it was going to be just kids, but lots of adults had come to toss tomatoes as well. Right now the people waiting in line were alladults—well they were like twenty or so.
    We were taking a short break. We needed a break—it hurt when a tomato caught you in the face, no matter how squishy it was. And twice I was knocked clear off my board and skidded into the pavement. A helmet and knee pads provided only so much protection.
    â€œParade is getting ready to start,” I said.
    â€œAlways a highlight for me,” Keegan replied.
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah, right,” he said.
    I walked over to the fence and rested my arms on the top of it. The street was now blocked off, and there was no traffic. Along the sidewalk, on both sides, people were lining the route. There were whole families sitting together on the curb, older people with lawn chairs and coolers. There were clusters of older kids all standing around, trying to look like they weren’t too interested—but they were here.
    People were licking ice cream cones or eating hot dogs or drinking pop. A lot of people also had cameras and video recorders. That was stranger than just watching the parade—thinking that it was going to be so memorable that you’d want to capture it for later viewing. Unless those people had really low expectations, they were going to be deeply disappointed.
    The local cable company was taping the whole thing as well. There were camera people situated along the parade route. That didn’t say as much about the parade as about the fact that there was nothing else happening in town.
    â€œI just can’t believe that this parade draws such a big crowd,” Keegan said.
    â€œYear after year after year,” I said.
    â€œPretty well everybody in town is here.”
    â€œNot just our town. My father told me that people come here just for the festival, book a hotel and stay for the weekend.”
    â€œSome people need to get a life,” Keegan said. “Do you know what would really get an audience?”
    I was almost afraid to ask.
    â€œA contest where you push over port-apotties,” Keegan said.
    â€œI’d pay to see that,” David said with a laugh as he and Sam joined us at the fence.
    â€œI guess the secret is convincing Owen to ever go inside one again,” I added.
    â€œNo, that would be easy,” David said. “Just have Keegan go inside, and Owen would follow. I get the feeling he’s going to follow you everywhere until he finally catches you.”
    â€œWhy does everybody think it was me?” Keegan asked.
    Both David and Sam burst into laughter. “Like who else would be that stupid?” David asked.
    â€œI prefer the term brave.”
    â€œNo, he’s right, stupid pretty well sums it up,” I

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