Lupe Throws Like A Girl

 “I can’t believe how clueless you are.” Lupe was bursting to pick a fight with Penny. She threw her uniform in the locker and jammed in her shoes afterward.

“Hey, don’t blame me just because this turned out to be a crummy last day of high school.” Penny was already suiting up for the game, two hours early. All Lupe could think about was what Mr. Ramirez left for Penny in that plastic bag at the Villa. What was it? Why hadn’t he told her about it?

“Right. We’ll probably lose this game, and that geeky recruiter will yank our scholarship.” Lupe spit out her words.

“Well, at least we have graduation tomorrow.” Penny lowered her chin and looked straight at Lupe. “Come on. My grandparents flew in to see the game and the graduation ceremony. They want pictures of us in our uniforms this afternoon.”

“Well, that’s just great. Come on, Penny. You might as well tell me what you are hiding from me and why you are going behind my back with Mr. Ramirez!”

“That’s supposed to be a surprise.” Penny stood up straight and grabbed her backpack. “How did you find out about it?”

“What was in the bag, Penny?” Lupe reached for Penny’s backpack, and the two girls tugged back and forth. “Is it in here? Let me see.”

“I don’t have them anymore.” Penny let the pack fall to the ground. “Check it if you don’t believe me. I sold them at the hobby shop. My dad buys all kinds of sports stuff there. They went fast.”

Lupe squinted at her friend, trying to figure out what she was saying.

“He said you were the one who gave him the idea. Now your brother can come to graduation, right?”

The locker room door swung open. Coach Collins chattered to someone following her.

“Is everyone decent? We have some grandparents with a camera looking for a certain catcher. Penny? Lupe? Is everything okay?”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Lupe grumbled and headed toward the door. “I’m going to the East Side Field right now. I’ll be back in time for the game.” She pushed past Penny’s grandparents and the coach, saving the rest of her anger for Roberto Clemente when she found him at the field. If he really was a saint, why wasn’t he doing anything to help?