Super-sized Slugger by Cal Ripken Jr.

crocodile.”
    Quickly, he filled her in on the events of the previous day, including the older boy’s sarcastic comment about Cody’s mock interview with Willie and the semi-threat he had made after the Orioles win.
    â€œI’m not afraid of him,” Cody said, plopping down on the Hoffman’s lawn. He glanced sheepishly at Jessica. “Okay, I’m a little afraid. Guess I have to stand up to him, though. Unless I hire you to be my security detail.”
    â€œYou can’t afford my rates,” Jessica said, spinning and delivering a kick to an imaginary foe. Then she grinned. “I start at five hundred bucks an hour. But since we’re friends, I’d cut you a break. Only four ninety-nine.”
    â€œGee, thanks,” Cody said. But even that little joke couldn’t cheer him up. “Why does he hate me so much, anyway?”
    â€œNot sure,” Jessica said, sitting down next to him. “But he’s an angry kid. I hear he lives with his mom, who works all hours. His brothers are always pushing him around. All they do is skip school and hang out in the park bothering people. I’m surprised Dante still plays baseball—maybe it’s to get away from them.”
    She pulled up a tuft of grass and idly tossed it in the air.
    â€œMy advice, Wisconsin Boy,” she continued, “is to just stay away from him. You don’t want to get into a fight with him. He’s bigger than you, he’s older than you…”
    Her voice trailed off, then she shook her head emphatically. “I don’t think that would go too well for the Orioles’ newest relief pitcher,” she added. “Maybe Dante’ll get bored with you and start picking on someone else.”
    It reminded Cody of the conversation he’d had at lunch earlier that day with Willie, Jordy, and Connor. Weeks ago, Cody had confided in them about the trouble he’d been having with Dante. But when he’d sat down with them today and told them he was tired of being bullied and was thinking of confronting Dante to make it stop, they had all looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.
    â€œDude, he’ll pound you like a bad piece of meat,” Jordy had said.
    â€œBreak you into little pieces,” Connor had added.
    â€œYeah,” Willie had said, “then break those little pieces into little pieces.”
    â€œThanks for the vote of confidence,” Cody had said glumly, taking a bite of his sandwich.
    â€œPlus, don’t forget the Rottweiler Twins,” Jordy had added. “Even if, by some miracle, you manage to get Dante to back down, he’ll sic his crazy brothers on you.”
    But sitting here now with Jessica, as twilight descended and the first chirping of crickets could be heard, Cody had already made up his mind. It was time to stand up to the big guy.
    â€œI have a plan.…” Cody said now. Jessica was sitting with her knees curled under her chin, rocking back and forth, and now she looked up.
    â€œActually, it’s something my dad thought up,” Cody continued. “And by the way? It’s designed to help me not get my butt whipped.”
    He explained the plan to Jessica exactly as it had been explained to him, beginning with the three sentences his dad had scribbled on the napkin in the restaurant near Camden Yards.
    When he was through, Jessica was silent. She sat there with her brow furrowed, looking off into the distance, as if considering all the ramifications of what Cody had just proposed.
    Well, he thought, at least she’s not doubled over with laughter. At least she didn’t blurt out, “Wow, that might be the stupidest thing I ever heard!” That was encouraging—sort of.
    Finally, Jessica nodded almost imperceptibly. “You know,” she said, “it just might work. In fact, seeing how Dante reacted when I kicked him with all the kids watching, I’d say it will