Paradise by the dashboard light*

"A little late, aren't you, Bobby?" Billy says, pausing his video game.

"I have an AP physics exam tomorrow, Dad. I was studying with Christy."

"Christy Hatfield? You two still hang out?"

"You've only been away at college for four months, Billy. Not much has changed."

"I don't know about that. You grew at least four inches since I left."

Bobby smiles. "Five."

"And Christy doesn't look like a little boy any more..."

"She never looked like a boy, dickhead."

"Whatever. Have you gotten to first base with her yet?"

"What? We were studying, not playing baseball. She plays soccer anyway. You know that."

Billy cracks up laughing. "C'mon, you're not serious are you? You don't know what getting to first base means?"

"You hit the ball, run and tag first base before the ball gets there. I don't play, but I do understand the logistics."

"How old are you again?"

Bobby just stares at him.

"Getting to first base means kissing. With tongue. The French way," Billy sticks his tongue in and out while fluttering his eye lids.

"Good night, Billy."

"Well, have you?"

"Have I what?"

"Have you gotten to first base?"

Bobby rolls his eyes but then smirks. "Given your analogy, I'd say probably second."

"That's my boy!"

Bobby shakes his head and heads to the stairs.

"I can help you hit the elusive home run if you like."

"Don't be disgusting. I don't need help. Conversation over. When do you go back to campus?"

"I'm just saying...I could lend you Red."

Bobby stops with one foot on the bottom step. "You'd lend me Red? You don't let anyone touch your Mustang. Not even Dad."

"It's for a good cause. But only this once. Take her to the drive-in over in Little Falls. Magic happens at the movies..."

"Maybe...okay...thanks. Seriously, thanks."

Sunday morning

"What the hell? Bobby!!!!"

Bobby runs outside to the driveway. "I am so sorry, Billy, but it really wasn't my fault."

"What did you do to my baby?" Billy says, caressing a massive dent in the front driver side.

"Nothing, I swear. I had parked the car at A la Mode. Christy and I went to get ice cream after the movie. We heard a crash and ran outside. Johnny Miller misjudged the size of his monster truck or something and hit the front end. Thank goodness he was only parking and not speeding down Main like he usually does. Sheriff Davis came and everything. It was nuts. Anyway, Johnny's dad's insurance will cover the repair. I really am sorry, Billy. Seriously, bro, I feel terrible."

Billy closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and says, "Well, at least tell me it was worth it."

Bobby smirks and says, "The movie was great." He pauses. "I think."

"Yes!" Billy yells, thrusting a first in the air. "Sounds like someone ran the bases last night."

"Enough! Stop with the baseball metaphor, please. And no more questions. Sorry about the car. Later dude." Bobby walks away from the house to the road.

"Where're you going?"

"To study. With Christy. We have a Calculus test tomorrow."

"No books?"

"Nope," Bobby says as he continues walking down the road.

Billy whoops and hollers, "Make sure you bring a glove!"

"Dude! STFU already!"

"My little bro is a man now."

Bobby groans and keeps walking.

Mrs. Johnson, Billy and Bobby's mom, comes to the door. "What does Bobby need a glove for? It's too cold for baseball." She pauses. "And since when does Bobby play baseball?"

Bobby picks up pace and starts to jog down the block but hears his brother say, "Just messing with him, Mom. No one's playing baseball outside today." He hears the echo of his brother's laughter as he turns the corner.