“Steve, I don’t understand what just happened but the young rookie has been ejected from the game, and Cal Diamond doesn’t look happy.”
“You’re right, Larry. I think this is the first time Diamond has ever had to come out of the dugout this early in the season.”
“And neither does Bailey. Being ejected from a spring training game isn’t going to sit very well with management.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and now they’re onto the next batter. Moving on as if nothing has just happened. I sit back in my chair with my eyes focused on the radio, willing the reporters to give me an update on Cooper.
“What the…”
I shake my head. “I don’t even know, Stella.”
We decided to take a late lunch today so we could listen to the game, and now I’m wishing I didn’t, because I’m not sure how to process this information. Cooper doesn’t seem like the type to get ejected. He loves the game, and all he wants to do is play, so this seems out of character.
I turn the radio off and look at Stella. “Wow,” she says, sitting back.
“Yeah, I don’t know what to think.”
“No, I’m referring to the fact that you turned off the radio when we were listening to the game. I thought you were a fan.”
I roll my eyes at her and stand, taking my portable radio off the base. “I need some fresh air,” I tell her as I leave my office. I tell my secretary that I’ll be wandering around if they need me, flashing my radio so they know I’m reachable.
As soon as I step out, the warmth of the sun fills me, making me long for the scorching summer days that are ahead. I’ve never been a fan of the cold, opting for hot days and warm nights.
The zoo is busy for midweek with lots of day cares bringing their children out for some springtime fun. In a few days, Jambo’s calf will be on display, and we’re expecting a surge of visitors.
The reticulated giraffe exhibit is bustling with activity when I arrive. There are young kids feeding our family of giraffes. To me, they’re the gentlest animals, aside from the elephants, and they love to interact with their visitors. I think about heading into their exhibit but don’t want to distract them from the children, so I move on to the next, all while thinking about Cooper.
He doesn’t strike me as a hotheaded person, and yet being thrown out of a game seems to be a result of his temper. Granted, I don’t know him that well, nor do I know the game, but I can’t imagine something being so bad that you’re asked to leave.
Halfway through my tour, Stella catches up with me.
“They won,” she says, falling in stride with me.
“That’s good at least.”
“Yeah…what are you going to say to him?”
I stop and lean over the railing, looking over the lion sanctuary. The train for visitors rumbles nearby and laughter fills the air. This is my happy place.
“I don’t know. I think I’ll wait until he brings it up.”
“Has he ever been violent with you?” she asks, and I shake my head. When we’re together he’s sweet, caring and gentle. I would’ve never thought that this would happen to him, especially since he’s trying to earn a starting spot on the team.
“If he was, you know I wouldn’t give him the time of day.”
“True,” Stella says, sighing. “Maybe he’s a chameleon.”
“Or maybe he’s human and had a bad day,” I suggest. “We all have them, and until he tells me what happened, there’s no point in speculating. I’m sure he’ll call me later.”
We continue to walk through the park, checking each exhibit and stopping to chat with a few of the people who have yearly memberships. By the time I’m back in my office, the zoo is an hour away from closing, and the entrance is being locked down. I pull my phone out of my desk drawer, hopeful that Cooper has called, but find that only my mother has phoned.
“Hi, Mom,” I say as soon as she answers.
“Are you busy?”
“Never too busy for you. What’s up?”
“I decided to listen to the game today.”