176 The Foothill Classic 1 (1/2)

We finished out the week with high leveled intensity at practice, cramming every possible second with a drill, stretch, or conversation about the upcoming weekend. Thursday night, the Atkins and I packed up the bags for the weekend stay, making sure we would be ready to go after coming home Friday evening.

After Friday's practice, coach gave us a meeting time and place for the tournament, and then Zeke hustled us home. Once at home, we took turns showering and finalizing what needs to be on the car for the mini road trip. We had so many bags that Noah and I had to put some under our feet when the trunk filled up. Then off we went.

Mr. Atkins drove through the town of Watsonville and then onto the main highway, officially starting the three hour drive.

Mrs. Atkins, in the passenger seat, started to pass out tupperware to each of us. ”I prepared dinner while you boys were at practice. I didn't want to stop somewhere for fast food or sit down for a nice meal and take a lot of time away from our drive.”

”I don't mind!” Noah said excitedly, opening his container and revealing his dinner: alfredo pasta, green beans, corn, a slice of garlic toast. And two homemade cookies on the side. ”Perfect mom! Thanks!” Noah started with the cookies skipping over his whole dinner.

”Thanks mom!” The other boys echoed as they opened their containers, revealing the same dinner. Mrs. Atkins included plastic forks and they started to dig in.

I held my dinner, not ready to eat yet. ”What about you guys? What will you eat?

Mrs. Atkins turned to face me. She had to look between the older boys who got to sit in the middle row. She gave me a happy smile. ”We ate before you boys got home. We want to make sure we get to the hotel before ten so you boys can have enough sleep. The first game is at nine in the morning, so I'm sure you'll have to be there at eight.”

”Seven.” Zeke corrected. ”Check-in and registration is at seven for all teams. Then we'll head to the field for warmups at eight.”

”Oh, okay.” She nodded. ”Sixteen teams like normal?”

”Single game elimination format.” Dave said between bites. ”There'll be only four teams left on Sunday morning.”

”It's a long shot for us to be one of those four.” Kyle muttered.

Dave reached over Zeke in the middle, just to flick Kyle's leg. ”Don't be such a Debbie Downer. I hope coach doesn't let you pitch game two with that attitude.”

Kyle was quick to slap his hand away. ”How many times do I have to say that I'm being realistic? We were destroyed in game one last year. In five innings.”

”Boys.” Mr. Atkins warned. ”Hands to yourselves. It's okay to disagree, but it's not okay to fight over it. Besides, it's a game. You're supposed to have fun. Not stress over being a winner or loser.”

The car got quiet.

”Okay, so that was an unpopular opinion.” Mr. Atkins recognized. ”I'm just saying that it won't be the end of the world. Just go out and have fun. Zeke, it's your last year of high school ball. Do you want to look back at how much fun you had? Or look back and see how pointless your stress was?”

”Winning is fun.” Zeke said in an inexpressive way.

Noah was the first to laugh. The twins followed up. Even their parents were smiling.

I poked Noah, more than slightly confused.

Noah took a breath from laughing so hard. ”It's just funny because it's Zeke. The robot gave such a robotic answer.”