Coach gathered us in close. “How about one last cheer for the Giants, the new Little League champs!” We all stuck our hands in the circle. “Okay, âwe're number one'âon three.” Coach counted and we screamed at the top of our lungs,
“We're number one!”
Then we all threw our hats into the air.
“And before you leave,” Coach announced, “let's thank Zach's parents, who have volunteered to host a Giants' pool party at their house next Saturday.” We all cheered again.
Coach Cunningham approached our team as we were still huddled up.
“Congratulations, Giants,” he said. He put one hand on my shoulder as he leaned in to shake Coach Parker's hand. “I hope to see some of you in Marlins uniforms next season.” Graham and I looked at each other, hoping he meant us.
Just then Diane, Heidi, and Kelly walked up to me and Graham. “Great game, you guys,” Kelly said. “I've got to go. I'll see you on Monday, Graham.” Then she walked away. Graham followed her with his eyes like he was in a trance.
“Hey, I finally came to a game that you won,” Diane joked. She slapped Graham on the back and jolted him out of his zombie state.
“Uh, thanks,” Graham said.
“It doesn't get much better than this,” I said. Just then Gramps interrupted us.
“Hey, slugger, why don't I treat you and your friends to some championship ice cream?”
“Sure!” I said. Graham, Heidi, and Diane all nodded their heads.
“Who wants to race the champs to the car?” Graham announced. Before he could start running, Diane grabbed him and pulled him to the ground, then ran.
“Who's the champ now?” she called back to the rest of us.
“No fair,” Graham cried from the ground. But she was long gone.
Just as I was about to run, Heidi grabbed my shoulder. “Wait, Raymond,” she said. “I almost forgot to give this to you.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wallet-size picture of her and handed it to me.
Graham got up and came over to see what was going on. When I turned the picture over, I saw she had written her name on it. Not only that, but she drew a little heart right next to it!
I looked up to say thanks, but she was already running to the car.
Graham and I looked at each other and smiled. We gave one more glance at the empty baseball field and slowly walked to the car. Somehow, even though we were just beaten by two girls, we still felt like champions.