“There are some pink too. I wasn’t sure how many boys and girls until this morning. I went ahead and signed them.”
“They’re perfect. Thank you.” She reaches for the jersey that’s in its own bag. “What’s this?”
“Oh, that? Open it.” I’m not sure how she’s going to take this, but here goes nothing. I probably should have it at her place instead of bringing it here, but there is no going back now.
I watch as she pulls the jersey out and holds it up. “Turn it around,” I tell her.” She does, and I hear a small gasp. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, but I wanted you to have it.”
“Reeves’s Girl,” she reads from the back of the jersey.
“Has a nice ring to it, right?” I ask her.
“Cooper.” She lowers the jersey and gives me a look that I can’t quite explain.
“It’s you! It’s really you!” a young boy says, racing into the room.
I lean into Reese and whisper in her ear, “I love you.” That’s the best I’ve got for her. She needs to see it, and she needs to hear it.
“It’s really me,” I say, pulling back from her. “What’s your name?”
One by one, the boys take turns, shaking my hand and telling me their names. Reese stands next to me and passes out all the goodies to each of them. The smiles on their faces, and hers, is a smile I will never forget.
I’ve never really thought of myself as much of a celebrity before, but today, seeing the looks on their faces, and their eyes light up, I vow to use this new-found fame for good. Sure, I was popular in college, but this… it’s an all-new level. I could actually make a difference, and with Reese at my side, together, we could make a huge impact. It’s something I need to think about, but definitely an avenue I want to pursue.Five hours later, the mini carnival has been cleaned up, and the boys are still bouncing with energy. “Do they ever slow down?” I ask Carla.
“Nope. Many of them have never experienced anything like today, so their high is going to last for a while. And you—” Carla pauses to glance over at me. “You made their year by being here and being so good to them. Thank you for that.”
“Thank Reese. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
She nods. “She’s a huge asset to us.”
“I’m glad that’s not going unnoticed.”
“Cooper!” one of the boys calls out. “Come toss with us.”
“Duty calls,” I say, standing to stretch my legs and join the boys where they’re gathered just a few feet away. “All right, how about some drills. I’m going to toss each of you the ball, and you toss it back then go to the back of the line. That will get us all warmed up,” I say, holding up my hands for the ball. Joey, one of the smaller boys, rears his arm back with all his might and tosses it to me. It doesn’t even make it halfway. I hold in my laugh and move forward to retrieve the ball.
I spend the next twenty minutes or so letting them toss me the ball. “All right. We’re going to mix it up a little. I’m going to yell go, and you take off running, but keep your eyes on me. I’m going to toss you the ball, and you’re going to try and catch it. This works on your speed as well as your hand-eye coordination,” I explain.
Pass after pass, the boys try their hardest to catch the ball. A few of them made it happen, and the others, the smaller of the group, came pretty close. There have been a lot of laughs, and today has reminded me why I love this game. I don’t know how many nights after dinner my dad and I would do this very same thing. Then when we moved next to Reese, she and her dad would join us while our moms watched from the lawn chairs.
It feels as though every part of my life is entwined with hers, and I love it. I love her for it. She has been there when I was just a kid with big dreams, and now, today, she’s here living that dream with me. At least I hope she will be.
“Boys!” Carla calls out. “It’s time to come in and get cleaned up for dinner.”
“Aw, do we have to?” one of them complains.
“Hey, now,” I chime in. “You need to listen to Carla and the other adults. They’re just looking out for what’s best for you.” There is some collective grumbling, but they nod as each one of them lines up to give me a high-five.
“You’re good with them,” Reese says, walking toward me.
“They’re all good kids. I hate that they’re here.” I point to the large building.