Next time at bat Tashi hits one even farther than the first time. Home run again. For his subsequent at-bat the outfielders have dropped back until they’re standing in the eucalyptus trees, and Tash laughs so hard he can barely stand. “I couldn’t hit it that far no matter what!” “Sure, sure. Go ahead and swing.”

Moving the outfielders so far back does create some monster gaps up the alleys, and Tash proceeds to hit a screaming line drive that stays eight feet off the ground for about two hundred feet, then skips off the grass and rolls forever. Another homer. And the time after that he does it again. Four for four, all homers. Tash just stands there, mouth hanging open. “Four homers, right? Three? Four? Beautiful.”

It’s a different story in the field. Playing center, Tash catches a medium-deep fly and sees Debbie tag from third for home. Really a good chance to nail her at the plate, so Tash rears back and puts everything he’s got into the throw. Unfortunately his release is a little premature. The ball is still rising as it rockets forty feet over the backstop and into the trees. Who knows where it’ll land. Tash stands in center inspecting his right hand. Everyone sits down they’re laughing so hard. Then they can’t find the ball. Sandy declares the game over and they sit down in the hazy sun to eat Whoppers and fries and drink Coke and Buds. “Do you think it achieved orbit?” “Great game.”

Great day. Jim sits on the grass and flirts with Rose and Gabriela, who have singled him out for the afternoon. They only pick on guys they can trust not to take them seriously, it’s a sign they feel comfortable and friendly with you, and so of course Jim enjoys that part of it; also he can’t help fantasizing that they really are serious this time. That would be a night to remember: what the screens would show!

Jim doesn’t really notice Virginia, sitting on the other side of him. And unfortunately she appears to be peeved about something; she knocks his hands away from her when he does turn to her, snaps at him. “What’s the problem?” he says, irritated.

She just snarls. And she won’t confess to any reason for being disgruntled, which annoys Jim no end. He can’t figure it out. He has to suffer the sotto voce lash of her sharp tongue, even while they’re both being very hearty and friendly with everyone else. Great. Jim hates this kind of thing, but Virginia knows that and so she pours it on.

Finally Jim asks her to come along with him for a short walk, and they go off into the eucalyptus trees.

“Listen, what the hell are you so upset about?”

“Who’s upset?”