The parents who walked with their kids were only supposed to be a backdrop to the cute, little peaches, but not Mitch. Out there with his own little peach, Mitch looked like a million bucks and he got plenty of attention.
Two more of Wyatt's friends had arrived for the festival, and Riley and DJ pointed them out in the crowd. Even among all those cheering people, Stan and Yu were noisy, just like Rico remembered. When Mitch passed in the parade, Stan, the stocky, louder one, whistled and pointed at him approvingly.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Stan yelled.
Maybe Rico should have let Mitch change into a bigger shirt.
By the time Mitch got to meet Wyatt's friends, he was wearing his regular clothes. But that didn't stop Stan from ogling him. Good thing the kids were distracted. Clustered around a peach piñata, the kids were waiting in line each with a handful of tickets letting them take a few whacks at it.
Yu was more subtle that his friend. "You two were a treat for the eyes," Yu told Mitch and Rico.
"Oh, yeah," Stan said and he nodded at both of them.
"Me too?" Rico said. "Good to know."
"What about us?" Wyatt asked, hanging all over Sam to show off how hot they were together.
"I crave fresh meat," Stan told him evenly. "You two are old news. And you're practically married."
"Now you know why I call Raquel Wyatt's nice friend," Rico said to Mitch.
The kids had all failed to break the piñata, so they moved on. There were plenty of games and treats, but the second day of the festival had more music acts and other performers. The dancers were the biggest hit with Sammy. At the end of the night, they performed their most elaborate routines in their fanciest costumes.
Their group had secured a good spot for watching them. Mitch had Sammy up on his shoulders, so she had the best view. On stage, the dance performance had just ended, and Gloria was trying to dance with the boys.
Rico felt kind of sad that the festival was winding down. He worried that his time with Mitch and Sammy might end too.
Sam noticed his mood and came over to him. "How are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm OK, but I don't know if Mitch will want to stay here after what happened with Mr. West."
"It turned out OK," Sam said. "At least that's what Wyatt keeps reminding me."
"But now Mitch and Sammy have bad memories of this place," Rico said.
"Sammy seems OK," Sam said. He didn't mention Mitch probably because he knew he couldn't read him.
"She's a trooper. She was so amazing," Rico said and he smiled at her shining face. She was looking up at the stage where Peachy The Clown was performing a peach juggling routine while the dancers went off for their last costume change.
The finale of the festival performances was about to start, capped off by fireworks. There was a drum roll as the dancers rushed the stage, and the announcer spoke.
"Tonight, for the first time ever, our dancers will perform the peach flamenco!"
"Pink flamingo?" Wyatt's friend Stan said.
"Hush. You're drunk," Yu told him.
"Oh, pretty," Stan said as the dancers started twirling and stomping in their flowing, peach colored dresses.
Seeing the dancers, Sammy was beside herself, clapping excitedly and out of tune. Rico knew his grandmother had to be responsible for this. He looked over at her, but he couldn't catch her eye. Looking so happy, his grandmother was taking in the dancers on the stage then Sammy's overjoyed expression. If Mitch and Sammy left town, she was going to be sad too, but Rico would be devastated.
Chapter 39
Mitch had spent all day surrounded by the boisterous group of people he knew best in Peach Tree plus Wyatt's friends. That was nice and a new experience for Mitch, but he would have been fine just to spend the day with Enrico and Sammy. Sammy had a great time with the other kids though, and now they were all getting ready to watch the fireworks display together.
As the fireworks were about to start, Sammy was in his arms and Enrico leaned his head on his shoulder. All the kids were being held up for a better view. Anticipation filled the night air as a crackle signaled the start of the fireworks show followed by a boom and then the sounds of awe from the kids as sparks cascaded down.
Over and over colors burst across the sky above Peach Tree Hill. Riley declared each one the best one until the next flash of colored light dazzled his eyes. As he laughed at the little boy's unbridled enthusiasm, Enrico leaned in to kiss Mitch. Nuzzling close, Enrico told him, "That kid is right. These are the most beautiful fireworks I've ever seen."
