Maybe This Time(57)

“I have like five more centerpieces to grab,” I said quickly. “I’ll see you later.”

He nodded, brought out his phone, and joined the crowd that was beginning to form.

When I got back to the flower van, swallowing down the frustration in my throat, Caroline was there. “You did a good job with these,” she told me, assessing the flowers in the back. “I’m glad we went with your suggestion.”

I smiled, momentarily forgetting Mom and the scholarship. This event marked the first time ever that I’d spoken up. The first time I’d come to a pre-event meeting with a plan. Wildflowers.

I’d come up with the idea after a Saturday I’d spent hiking with my brother in the foothills. Wildflowers made me think of nymphs and moss-carpeted forests and woodland creatures. I’d wanted to create some sort of design with those images. I was relieved Caroline had gone with my idea.

“Well,” Caroline said. She handed me two centerpieces. “Have fun tonight.”

The weight of the envelope in my pocket seemed to mock that suggestion. I gritted my teeth, pulled the envelope out, and threw it onto the front seat of the van. It wasn’t going to ruin my night.

The sound of a guitar being tuned rang out over the speakers. I looked over to see Kyle on the stage in the food court area with his band. What? They were playing tonight? Usually a local country band was chosen for this event. I waited for annoyance to take over my emotions, but I felt next to nothing when looking at him.

“I will have fun,” I said to Caroline. “I will.”





What are the rules?” Andrew asked.

“You’ve never bobbed for apples?” I asked. “Like ever?”

“You act like this is a normal, everyday activity.”

“It’s as American as baseball.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” he said. “I think you’re confusing bobbing for apples with apple pie. Is that being served somewhere?”

“Maybe it’s just a country thing,” I said.

Micah, who had wandered over to the barrels when she saw me and Andrew there, snorted. “It’s not.”

Micah gestured to someone over my shoulder, and I turned to see Lance heading toward us.

“What’s everyone doing?” he asked.

“We’re teaching Andrew how to bob for apples,” Micah said.

“This is a game where there are no winners,” Lance said.

Micah laughed. “That’s not true.”

“Either way you end up wet,” he said.

“Pay no attention to the distractions,” I said. “So the rules.” I pointed to Gunnar, who was on his knees assessing the barrel. “You can’t use your hands.”

“The only thing you can use is your teeth,” Micah amended.

“Right,” I said. “And you’ll be timed. They’ll add your name to that super-cool whiteboard there. And at the end of the night, the fastest person to retrieve an apple with their teeth will be crowned apple-bobbing champion.”

“Such an honor,” Lance said sarcastically.

“You’re just bitter because I always beat you,” Micah said.

“What?” Lance pretended to gasp. “I think your memory is off.”

Micah pushed his shoulder and chuckled.

Andrew raised his eyebrows at me but then nodded to the barrel. “Sounds easy enough.”

“It’s so not,” I said.

“Bobbers ready,” Mr. Pitman called out.

“You going to do it?” I asked Andrew, who was rolling up his sleeves in preparation.

“Next round. I’m going to watch technique first.”

“Good call,” I said.

“Go!” Mr. Pitman said as he pushed a button on his stopwatch.

Gunnar put his whole head in the barrel, water splashing everywhere.

I took a step back.

“See what I mean?” Lance said.

“It’s a perfectly good method,” Micah said.

We all watched Gunnar’s head circle the barrel. Andrew laughed. Finally, Gunnar came up with an apple clutched in his teeth, flinging his head back and spraying water over the watching crowd.

Gunnar took a big bite of his apple and smiled. “That’s how you do it!” he proclaimed.

“Got it,” Andrew said, taking a small step forward.

“Just don’t think about all the slobber that’s in that barrel,” I said. “Nobody else around here seems to.”

“Is that why you don’t participate, Sophie?” Micah asked.

“No, I’m just vain and don’t want to mess up my makeup.”

Micah smiled then raised her hand. “I’ll challenge you, Andrew.”

He pointed at her. “You’re on.”

“Be careful, she cheats,” Lance said.

“I do not!”

Mr. Pitman called out the ready signal. Micah and Andrew knelt down and put their hands behind their backs.

“And go!” Mr. Pitman yelled.

Andrew was hilarious to watch. He had no idea what he was doing. The apples kept bobbing up and down because he didn’t realize he somehow had to find the resistance—the barrel’s side, the barrel’s bottom, something. So, of course, Micah came up first with an apple in her mouth. Then she reached over and dunked Andrew’s head under. He came up laughing, flinging water from his hair all over her.