Scott and Nick walked in, followed by Pudge. Charlie had been waiting for his friends at his mom’s café for over half an hour. “C-man. What’s shakin’?” Nick said. “Not much. Just waiting for you slugs.” “Sorry for being late,” Pudge said. He cast an accusing eye at Scott. “We got a slow start.” “No worries,” Charlie said. “We don’t have too much time before the tryout, though.” “I’m the guilty party,” Scott said. “But I had important business.” “This’ll be good,” Nick said. “It is good,” he affirmed. “I was on a conference call with the President of the United States and …” He looked around the café. “I’ve said too much already. Let’s just say the world is now a safer place; and don’t bother thanking me. I do it because I care.” “How are the boys doing?” Charlie’s mom said. She peered at them from behind the counter. “We’re doing well, Mrs. Joyce,” Pudge said. She sighed. “Pudge, as refreshing as it is to see a young man with good manners, you make me feel old when you call me Mrs.
