Fred, who was hardly aware of baseball, desperately arched his body into a perfect slide. It got faint cheers from Cobb, Mays, and all the kids who ever played sandlot ball. Beth's feet tangled with Fred's; she stumbled against the door, tripped, and rolled into the corridor.
Fred scrambled inside, locked the door. He was home safe.
He would now bring them all home safe.
He couldn't know that the worst was coming.
Charlesworth gingerly felt his jaw as he walked into the recreation area. "Did you have to clobber me so hard?"
Fred grinned weakly. "What are you complaining about? Did you have to choke me so hard? After three days, I still can't swallow. And I've got a busted toe where I hit that doorway."
"Speaking of which," Beth said, "I've got bruises on my arms and legs."
"I couldn't be feeling better." Jo delivered the line perfectly, broke them up.
"We still have to thank you," Beth said, suddenly serious. "What a nightmare!"