Beyond the Bases

“You know how it is during the season. You good?”

“Yeah, just hanging out. I’ve been babysitting for the Lawrence’s down the street. They have five-year-old twins. It’s easy money.”

I think about Paisley. She’s just a year younger and spending all day with her, I’m sure would be an adventure. “That’s great. You saving up for a car?” I tease. We all know that Mom and Dad are going to buy her a car, but we all like to tease her that she has to buy it on her own. We were spoiled with Dad being a major league player. Not to the point that we are entitled, but we never wanted for anything either.

“Ha ha, no, just spending money and something to do. Josie went to stay with her grandparents this summer and I’m bored out of my mind.”

Her theatrics make me laugh. “Hang in there, kid.”

I can practically hear her rolling her eyes at me. “Kid? Really, Easton? I’m fifteen. I’ll be sixteen in four months,” she reminds me. She reminds all of us daily.

“Sorry, it slipped,” I lie.

“Sure,” she grumbles. “I better go, I told Mom I would load and unload the dishwasher before she and Dad got home. They’ll be here any minute.”

“What have you done all day?” I ask her.

“Nothing much, just laid around the pool.”

“Go, before you get in trouble. Be good, Pep.”

“Love you,” she sing-songs, and ends the call.

Just as I’m setting my phone on the table, I get a text notification.Larissa: I don’t want to leave P with Mom again at night.

Me: Day date?Luckily tomorrow is a short morning practice. An hour in the weights room and two on the field. I should have plenty of time to still have our day date. If she chooses the morning, I’ll make an excuse to Coach, that’s how badly I need to see her. To spend some time with her. To see if me missing her is really what this is. What else could it be? She’s all I’ve been able to think about.Larissa: I don’t know.

Me: Please (I’m making puppy dog eyes at you).

Larissa: LOL

Me: I’d really love to see you. You name the time.

Larissa: Noon? Be back by five or so? That way we will be able to have our normal nightly routine.

Me: Noon it is.

Larissa: Where should we meet?

Me: I can come and pick you up. This is a date.

Larissa: I would rather meet you.I always feel as though I’m crashing into a wall with her. They say nothing worth having comes easy; this is a true testament of that.Me: How about your work? Can you park there?

Larissa: Yeah, see you then.I hate that I’m not picking her up, but at this stage in the game, I have to pick and choose my battles. In the grand scheme of things, I’ve won because she agreed to go out with me. Doesn’t matter if it’s day or night; I still get to spend time with her.

Now, to plan what we’re going to do. I’ve not really dated much, so this is a whole new ball game for me. No pun intended. I understand she’s a widow and that she’s doing all of this on her own, I do. However, what she doesn’t understand is that I want the chance to get to know her better, to get to know them. Maybe I’m the man who can help her heal? Maybe I’m the man who can be a father figure to Paisley? I’ve been where they are. I know it’s scary as hell. I watched my mom live it. I also watched her give my now father a chance, and our lives are better because of it. Pulling up the search engine on my phone, I type in day date ideas. Desperate times and all that. I don’t know if I’ll have another chance with her. Up to this point, she’s made it difficult. I need to make this date unforgettable.I thought about telling Mom I had to work a few hours, but decided against it. I knew as soon as I asked her to watch Paisley so I could go on a day date with none other than Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, according to Google. I admit I’ve done some research. Her grin would be wide and permanent on her face. She’s always telling me to go out more, to date, and do things for myself. I always give her the same answer: No one has sparked my interest, and that she and Paisley, well, and Chloe are all the social life I need.

I’ve been on a few dates since Steven passed, but they’re usually double dates with Chloe that never lead to more than dinner and a few drinks.

Maybe I’m broken?

“Go, have fun. No need to rush back,” Mom says with Paisley on her hip. “P and I are going to the park, and then I thought we’d bake a cake.”