Page 32 of Mr. B

“Yes, sir. They invited us.”

“You better get over there before they change their minds. A couple of basketball players just walked in.”

“Oh, damn.” He nudged his friend. “Can we see you throw the dough up in the air?”

Wes smiled. “Here we go.” He tossed the dough, and they cheered.

“Do it again.”

Wes tossed the dough again. “Go on now and order your pizza before we run out.”

“Are you going to run out?”

“It’s highly possible.”

They rushed off to sit at the table with six cheerleaders. The girls all doubled up on three chairs to make room for them.

Cassandra came over to Wes again. “That looks like trouble.”

“They claim they were invited.”

She watched the girls laughing. “They seem pretty happy with the situation.”

Gentry came up to them. “Where the hell is Abe?”

“He’s in the walk-in.”

“Will you go check the oven while I go drag his ass out of there?”

“Sure.” He looked at Cassandra. “Oven duty.”

“Don’t melt.”

“It’s a real possibility.”

The fundraiser was set to run from 4:00 to 8:00, and by 7:30, Wes, Abe, and Gentry were ready for it to be over. It seemed Maggie, Theresa, and Cassandra felt the same way. They were taking orders with a smile, but Wes could tell they were ready for the night to end as well.

Abe had taken over with the dough, and Wes was manning the oven. After rearranging the pizzas, he went to Abe.

“Holy shit.”

“Right? Crazy, man.”

“I think any kid that wants to go to senior camp is going to be able to go.”

“I think you’re right. We probably did alright, too. Even though we were prepared to just break even.”

“Thanks for doing this.”

“Anytime, brother. Or, you know, once a year.”

“Got it.”

Gentry came up to them. “I think we all earned a beer or two after we get this place shut down.”

Abe smiled. “Or three or four.” When Wes raised an eyebrow, Abe laughed. “Just kidding. I don’t do that anymore.”

The final customers left by 8:30, and Maggie locked the door, then leaned against it, and they all took a moment to appreciate the quiet. “We made it.”