“But you’re leaving soon.”
I sigh and nod. “I am, gotta job to do, ya know. The Renegades want to win the pennant but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. You can call me when I’m in Boston and even come visit if your mom allows it. Maybe you could come with Nolan when he comes to see me over the summer.”
That puts a smile on his face. “That would be so cool! Could we go on the field?”
“Of course. You can even run the bases, take batting practice, do whatever you want.”
“Hey,” Bellamy’s voice cuts us off.
“Hey,” I say back. She’s standing a few feet away from us. I didn’t even hear her approach and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. “We were just having a man to man talk.”
“Oh,” she sounds surprised. “Well, dinner is ready and it’s getting cold.”
“What do you say we go in and have dinner with your mom?” I ask Chase as I set my hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah, I think she’d like that.”
Me too.
After dinner, which was filled with so much laughter the three of us snorted more than once, and after Chase has showered and gone to bed, Bellamy and I find ourselves sitting on the couch. She’s drinking wine and I’m . . . well, I’m holding the glass wondering how the hell I’m going to drink this politely without it being obvious how much of a non-wine drinker I am?
“You know,” she says. “You told me to make sure I had wine here.”
“Look, I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t date much, and figured wine was the right thing to say . . . but I’ve never really drank wine. I’m more of a beer or liquor type guy.”
“I have some beer; do you want one?”
“Yes, please.” I don’t mean to sound eager, but I hand her my wine glass so fast the liquid sloshes dangerously around the sides, threatening to spill. She laughs as she takes the glass and is back in a flash with a bottle of beer for me.
“It’s a local IPA.”
“Perfect, thank you.”
She sits back down and curls her legs under her. “I want to thank you for what you said to Chase earlier. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation. I couldn’t find either of you and when I heard you out there talking, I stopped and listened.”
“I like your son a lot. He’s a good boy.”
&
nbsp; “Thank you.”
I like his mom, too.
“The day before we met, I was at the fields. They were empty because all the kids were in school, but I stood there and imagined the sound of the ball hitting the bat, the parents cheering, and a line of siblings at the concession stand. I couldn’t wait to show up at a practice or game. But then, I went and saw David Farmer, my vision changed, and was later crushed when I took my nephew back to the ballpark. David wants me to coach and believe me, as much as I love the game of baseball, coaching little kids is not something I ever thought I’d do. After meeting Chase and the other boys and finding out that Nolan wasn’t even allowed to try-out because of me, I can’t stand by and let this happen — not on the fields that I built for kids like your son.”
“What are you saying, Hawk?”
“I’m going to coach, or at least get them started. I’ll need to find an assistant, but I’m not going to let those boys stand at the fence and watch anymore.”
“My boss will do it. I’ll make him.”
Our eyes meet and I have every intention of telling her thank you, but she launches herself into my arms. I grimace with pain when she crashes into my arm. There’s a look of pure horror on her face when she realizes what she’s done.
“Oh, God. I’m so sorry.” She rights herself and I immediately wish she were still pressed against me, despite the burning sensation in my shoulder. “Are you hurt? Do you need anything? I can’t believe I did that. I was just so excited that my emotions took over because I’ve tried, I’ve tried so hard to be a good mom to Chase and do what’s right. The camps, clinics and extra practices with Brett, they’ve all been for nothing and you have no idea how happy you’re going to make Chase.”
“What about you? Are you happy? Are you ready to be a baseball mom?”
She nods frantically. “I want that more than anything. To see my son out there having fun. I want to cheer until my throat is raw and clap until my hands hurt. I don’t care if you guys win a game, being part of a team is all he wants, and you’re going to give that to him. I could just kiss . . .” she stops talking and darts her eyes toward the floor. She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off.