Story #10: "The Knuckleball Artist" (Chapter 20)

The pharmacist, an umpire in a dust cloud, the Final Sunset Nursing Home, Superior Iowa Wines, and a lit firecracker in the palm of your hand.

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CHAPTER 20

THE DAFFODILS

In May, the clouds cleared, and right on schedule, out popped Angry Myrtle’s Daffodil Warning. She erupted in her pew mid-sermon, raised her index finger, and threatened the congregation with the end of spring. “Mark my words! The last of the daffodils! Gone! Gone!” she cried. Then down she went, same as every year. The stress of prophecy kept her in bed for a week.

The only thing more predictable than Myrtle’s Daffodil Warning was the last pitch of the last out of the Little League season, every year a nail-biter. The suspense was the talk of the hardware store. Even Homer, the pharmacist, by and large, a practical fellow, said he felt a big moment coming three games out.

“I’m closing early for the Big Game, Myrtle. Good to see you up and about.”

“Homer.” When she felt disagreeable, Myrtle used people’s first names, then stopped cold.

That didn’t stop Homer.

“You know, I have a hunch.” Like everyone in What Cheer, he…