the umpire called. “C’mon, son, time’s ticking.” Reluctantly Nicky stepped into the box. Here goes nothing, he thought dismally. But when the pitcher reared back and threw, Nicky’s instincts took over. He swung. Hard. Crack! A high-flying ball straight into the hole behind the shortstop! Nicky’s cleats tore up the dirt as he hightailed it to first. Safe! A loud cheer rose from the Mudders’ fans. It got even louder when Barry McGee beat the throw to home. The score now read Bulls 2, Mudders 1. And Nicky knew that the scorekeeper was placing a small, neat check mark in the RBI column next to his name. One down, three to go, he thought, dazed. Maybe I’m not jinxed after all! Or maybe Mom’s right, he added. Maybe superstitious rituals have less to do with my hitting than I think!
What do You think about Shadow Over Second (2009)?
