BUSTER

CHAPTER 4: Meeting Mr. Dennis As Shorty continues to stock the canned good shelves, Buster went over to the bottled drink section of the store. As the store clerk was putting up various drinks, Buster stopped in front of the energy drinks. “Hi, can I help you? I’m Dennis Williamson, but you can call me Mr. Dennis. I work here part-time.” “Oh hi,” responded Buster. “No, my Daddy’s over there getting cold drinks in a cup with ice,” as he pointed to the soda pop fountain. “I heard you talking to Shorty a couple of minutes ago. You like baseball, do you?” “Oh yeah, I LOVE baseball. It’s the greatest game ever! But I’m not really very good at it, no matter how hard I try,” Buster replied. “I know what you mean – a lot of kids your age love the game of baseball, but they don’t know what to do. Those that do, they don’t want to share what they do know and help their teammates get better. It’s like, they’re scared that if their friends get better, they won’t get to play in the game as much. They'll have to sit on the bench because the very friends they helped get better, get to play. No one wants to sit on the bench. Do you think you’re any different?” Buster broke out laughing! “Ha! Ha! Ha!” “What are you talking about, no one LOVES the game of baseball any better than I do. Even the best players in our league, including Jeff Warren, don’t love it like I do. A lot of the kids just laugh at me. There’s one kid, Bobby, he’s so big, bigger than anyone in the league – he’s always telling me that I’ll never be a decent baseball player; he says, ‘Why don’t you just give it up and quit!” Jeff, Shorty’s son, doesn’t treat me mean like that, though. He’s kind and he’s a really good ball player. But still, he doesn’t love it like I do.” “You seem to be a pretty good guy. Are you?” asked Mr. Dennis. “Well, I like to think I am. I mean, I don’t make fun of people. I try to help them, whether it’s baseball or learning their school assignments. I don’t worry about anyone getting better than me ‘cause I’m not that good, anyway. And I’m not the smartest kid in school, but I do try to help other students. ' "I even helped my older brother, Mike; he’s over there with my parents and sister, now. He wanted to go swimming with his buddies at the swimming pool a couple of days ago. But Daddy wouldn’t let him until he cut our yard’s grass and trimmed the yard with the trimmer. So, without him even asking, I offered to help him cut the grass and he could trim. I’m not old enough according to my Dad to use the trimmer, yet.” "That was mighty nice of you, Buster. Did he say, ‘thank you’ when he went to the pool with his friends? Did he invite you to go with him?” “Yeah, he kind-a, sort-of said, ‘thanks’ as he was running out of the house - but no, he didn’t invite me to go with him. You know, he’s my big brother and he has his friends.” “I’m sorry that he didn’t invite you to go, Buster” Mr. Dennis said. “Tell you what, talking about baseball, I have a special treat that a person who loves baseball and is as kind as you are, may appreciate. I heard you’re a diabetic, but it won’t affect your blood sugar controls” “What is it?” asked Buster. “It’s a special kind of drink that may raise your batting average, catch balls, and better your ability to throw!” said Mr. Dennis guardedly. “But you must promise me you won't share it with anyone else. It's magical so you must be careful how you use it. If you need more, come see me here at Andrew’s store. I usually work when Mr. Haywood schedules me. That could be any time. You can still catch up with me if you just come by every so often. Maybe let Shorty know you’re looking for me? Can you do that?” “I guess so,” responded Buster, “but ummm, what kind of drink is it?” “It’s called ‘RAZZMATAZZ',” replied Mr. Dennis. “It’s a refreshment drink like soda pop or an energy drink. It may help make you a better ball player – as long as you are humble, kind, and don’t brag about how good you are. Don’t put another player down because they aren’t as good. You only need to take a swallow when you feel like you need a little something extra. Do you understand? “Thank you, Mr. Dennis” Buster said. Only Buster wasn’t too sure what he was thanking Mr. Dennis for. Was this some miracle drink or just something to make him feel refreshed like a diet cola? “I’ll see you around, Buster. Let me know how well you are able to play and if you think “RAZZMATAZZ” makes any difference” Mr. Dennis happily said as he handed a bottle of RAZZMATAZZ to Buster. “I’m sure you’ll amaze your coach, friends, parents, and even yourself. Good luck and have a good week”. Mr. Dennis is a nice guy, Buster thought to himself, but this RAZZMATAZZ – he’s just got to be joking me! Whoever heard of a magical drink like RAZZMATAZZ that will make me, of all people, a better baseball player? Hmmm, I wonder IF it really does work like Mr. Dennis says it does?