First Team by Tim Green

Author:Tim Green
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

45

Dinner was served by two older waiters, dressed in black jackets and ties. They served each of the four courses from fancy silver trays. Everyone, even Brock’s dad, acted like that’s how they ate every day, using the big silver serving utensils to fill their plates while the waiters . . . well, waited with gloved hands firmly supporting the massive trays. The food also made Brock nervous, until he tasted it. There was a squash soup that tasted of cinnamon, soft-shell crabs over a bed of lettuce, small handmade raviolis in a cream sauce with mushrooms, and thick slabs of poached salmon dressed in colorful sautéed vegetables.

For dessert, one of the waiters brought out a soufflé crested with blue flames. It tasted like vanilla from heaven.

Brock felt like a king.

The grown-ups had coffee and then Laurel’s mom tapped her water glass with a spoon and cleared her throat. “So, one of the great summer traditions in Calhoun is Three B’s. Laurel’s been counting on the fact that you haven’t heard of it. Have you?”

Brock and his dad looked at each other and shrugged.

“Wonderful. Laurel?”

Laurel put her napkin down on her plate. “Three B’s are the Brass Bank Band, and we go by boat! So for us, it could be the Four B’s, or five I guess: Brass Bank Band by boat.”

Laurel stood up at her place and looked around. “The Bank is the park in town that’s right on the river. Have you seen it?”

“I think so,” Brock said.

“With the gazebo?” she asked.

“Sure.” Brock had a vague image.

“So, every Friday in the summer, the Brass Bank Band plays in the gazebo. It’s like a big party. Everyone goes! It’s so fun. Come on.” She started away from the table and down the steps that led to the lawn.

Everyone followed her to the stone boathouse, a smaller version of the main house. They went down the stone steps and into the boathouse where a rich wooden boat rumbled and filled the air with blue smoke. A man in a white captain’s hat stood at the wheel in the open cockpit. He helped them down into the boat where two long leather-cushioned seats faced each other inside a cabin with an open roof. As they backed out onto the river, Brock could see the stars. In the very back of the boat was a seat facing front. Laurel’s mom motioned to Brock’s dad and that’s where they sat.

“I’d like to drive this thing, but Vincent won’t let anyone touch his baby.” Taylor sat down heavily on the seat across from Brock and nodded toward their captain.

“It’s so much fun just to ride,” Laurel said. “I love to see the town from the river, especially at night. It’s all little lights, like the stars. Don’t you love it, Gracie?”

“I do,” Gracie said.

“You see?” Taylor leaned over, put a hand under Gracie’s chin, and gave her a kiss. “The perfect girl.”

Laurel nudged Brock. She winked at him and rolled her eyes. He ran his fingers along the smooth wood.

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