Tag Forever Mine

by Catherine Charles

  “Oh Pres, I’m so sorry. I know it has to be hard on you. I wish I was there for you.”

  “I know. Thanks Liv.”

  “So, anyway, the reason I called, what are we doing for you birthday?”

  “We aren’t doing anything. I’ll be moving into my dorm on my birthday. What about you? Did you decide where you’re going to school at?”

  “Ehhh. Not yet. Daddy keeps pushing me to choose a school, but I don’t know. Nowhere seems to fit me. I think I might just take a year off.”

  “What happened to coming down here to go to school with Trey.”

  “Ugh. Can you please not say that name right now. The one who shall not be named, has been a jerk-face lately. Agreeing to go to school with him is kinda a big deal Pres, I’m not sure you understand.”

  I roll my eyes, shutting them tight as I shake my head. No shit Sherlock.

  “I just don’t know if I’m ready to make that kind of commitment to him yet. It’s kinda up there next to marriage and kids, Presley.”

  My mind starts to wander to Robert’s and my wedding day. Would we have a big wedding or small? How many kids would we have? What would they look like? My stomach instantly filled with butterflies at the possibility of it all and I was suddenly more than ready for all of that with him.

  “Earth to Presley,” Liv pulls me from my daydream.

  “Sorry Liv, I was distracted.”

  She sounds off a perturbed “mmhmm” and starts rambling on about something else, slowly lulling me to sleep. Robert was gone, and the likelihood of my best friend no longer going to school with me was causing my freshman year to look less and less appealing.

  “Hey Liv, I’ve got to go; Robert’s calling me. Let me know where you decided to go to school at.”

  “Alright. Call you on your birthday. Love you.” And just like that, the friendship I saw lasting a lifetime, suddenly had an expiration date.

  I switch the line over and greet Robert with an all too enthusiastic, “Hey you!” I hadn’t heard his voice in over twelve hours and my heart beat rapidly at the sound of it.

  He chuckles and I can almost see the smile spread across his face, the corners of his mouth raised high and his cheeks full, his blue eyes almost twinkling with delight. “Hey beautiful. How was your day?”

  I take a deep breath and wonder if I should tell him the truth or sugarcoat it. “It was okay. Laura picked me up and we went out for a little bit.”

  “Yea? How was it?”

  “I know you didn’t want me to be lonely today, but Robert we are two very different people. I felt like she was judging me, judging us the whole time.”

  “Really? She seemed so nice when we had dinner with them.”

  “Well…I’m sure she means well in some strange way. It’s just—it’s been a while since she’s been young and had to work her way up. I really hope I didn’t cause any issues for you. I wasn’t exactly the friendliest of people.”

  “I’m sorry babe. Don’t worry about it. As long as you didn’t attract any major attention to yourself today, I should be fine. We all have bad days. I’m sure she understood.”

  “I know you were only trying to help.” I take a quick breath, “I watched the game this afternoon. Sorry about the loss.”

  He blows air out and the line becomes thick with static. “Presley, it was so damn frustrating. Marks just kept giving up run after run and Martinez wouldn’t pull him. I know I can’t play every game but come on. They could have put someone else in. It’s almost like they wanted to see him fail and he was doing a damn fine job at it.”

  “There’s nothing you can do about him. Just focus on yourself and keep being that impressive guy with the arm of a God.”

  “Arm of a god, huh?”

  “Oh yea,” I say seductively, “I don’t know if it’s because you’re gone and I miss you, or if it’s because of your quick move up, but it seems like everyone here is talking about that kid with the magic godlike arm.”

  “So are you home?”

  “Yeah. Just got off the phone with Liv. I’m considering going to bed early, my roommate tends to keep me up later than I’m used to.”

  For some unknown reason I feel my cheeks start to burn.

  “Sounds like a terrible roommate.”

  A widening smile pulls at my cheeks, “Oh he is, but I hope one day he’ll make an excellent husband.”

  “I’m sure he has every intention of it.”

  There’s a moment of silence between us as I hang on to his last words.

  “Listen P, I’ve got to go, we have a team dinner, but I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Our parents arrive in Surprise and I’m beyond ecstatic to see them and spend some time snuggling Kringle; he may not have Robert’s masculine arms, but he’s a close second. I greet them all as they make their way through our front door, a kiss and a hug are all I have to offer from the two of us.

  Kringle leaps over the edge of Diane’s gray Silverado and barrels towards me, knocking me down as he attacks me with his ferocious tongue, bathing me in dog kisses. His puppy breath has dissipated and is now replaced with plain dog breath.

  I jostle his fur, scratching behind his ears and mussing the fur on his head, “Who’s my big boy? Your daddy wishes he could be here. I know he misses you. Should we send him a picture?” I say in a fit of laughter.

  Kringle lets out a series of resounding woofs as I crouch down low to him, pulling him against my chest in an attempt to fit us into the camera screen, his massive head almost completely fills the picture. I’ve put the self-timer on and pray for the best. The seconds count down, five, four, three, and at the last second Kringle decides to turn and places a big slobbery kiss on me just as the camera goes off. I contemplate taking another picture and sending a better one, but I have a feeling this picture will make Robert laugh. It’s so us. I keep our messy picture and envision him seeing it after today’s game.

  My mom and Diane stare vacantly around Robert’s and my apartment while Dad makes himself comfy on the couch.

  “Honey I had no idea it was so—well—bare. All you had to do was call me and let me know you needed a few things and I would have transferred the money to you.”

  I roll my eyes. Mom sounds like Laura at the moment. “It’s not that bad.”

  “No. Presley your mother’s right. The bedroom and the patio are wonderful, but this—the heart of your home, is well—well, there’s little to be desired.”

  I look around the apartment and take stock of everything. Robert and I usually spend our time in the bedroom, and during the day we’re at the stadium. Maybe I was wrong for feeling slightly irritated towards Laura.

  “Michael, watch Kringle and give me the credit card. We’re setting up our daughter and future son’s apartment. I don’t care how long they will be here. We’re going to make sure Robert has something beautiful to come home too. Diane are you ready?”

  I watch as Daddy hands his credit card over to Momma and Diane gathers her purse, waiting by the door to leave. I throw on my converse, kiss Daddy goodbye, and let him know what time the game is, and what channel he can find it on. “There’s a couple of snacks in the cabinet and a few drinks in the fridge.”

  “Thanks pumpkin. I’m sure Kringle and I will manage. You girls have fun.”

  * * *

  Mom and Diane leave a path of destruction behind them, moving furniture, placing nick-knacks here and there, thinking out loud and brainstorming different layouts. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. Their design styles are completely different than mine and I’ve had to fight tooth and nail against what they think we need and what we actually want. After five hours of nonstop shopping, every possible home decor store in Surprise has been ambushed by us and I’m eager to get home and put everything together.

  When we get home Daddy greats us with a warm welcome and then turns serious, “Pumpkin, make sure you tell that boy of yours to
get to the doctor.”

  My head snaps in his direction as I set a mixture of Target and Home Goods bags down in the corner. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “I think he might be getting a cold. He kept wiping his nose throughout the game.”

  A sense of relief washes over me as mom and Diane laugh. Diane hits Daddy’s chest playfully, “Oh Mike! He ain’t sick. He does that for Presley. It’s his sign just for her.”

  “Oh, well, tell him not to do it so often. It was getting on my nerves.”

  I chuckle. I’ve missed this stubborn old man so much. After eleven months away from him, I’d only gotten a week with him before I decided at the last minute to climb into Robert’s truck and start my life with him. “I love you Daddy. How’d they do?”

  “They won, ten to three, and those three runs were on the other pitcher. If you ask me, you two won't be in Arizona for much longer.”

  “Fingers crossed Daddy. He knows I’ll follow him anywhere.”

  “You’re a good girl Presley. Just like your momma. Things were so much easier on me when I knew I had her support and she was willing to put me first. You’re a lot like her.”

  I smile and give him a kiss on his perfectly bald head. “Well, I’m hungry. Let’s finish getting the truck unloaded and find something to eat.”

  I take them to a little Italian restaurant Robert and I go to once a week. The food was delicious as usual, and they offered to drive me back home, but I opt to walk instead. Kringle eagerly greets me when I get home, his tail thumping loudly against the wall as I push myself through the door. His deep brown eyes staring up at me. “You wanna go for a walk boy?”

  “Woof.”

  I laugh at how human he seems sometimes. We take our time walking to the stadium and I show him the parts I know. Talking to him as if he could actually understand me, more than likely, coming across as a crazy person to anyone passing by me. We meander past the duck pond and a children’s park where a few older kids are swinging and climbing on the jungle gym. I sit on a bench and just watch them. “What do you think boy? Do you want some of those things running around you some day?” He whines and rests his head on my feet. I watch as a young mother pushes her son in the swing and her daughter climbs the stairs to the curly slide over and over.

  Each time she’s shouting over to her mother, “Watch me, Mommy.”

  I look down at Kringle who seems to have fallen asleep, gently tugging on his leash to wake him, “Come on boy. Let’s go home.”

  It’s almost eight thirty by the time we get back to the apartment. I consider calling Robert, but I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy. I look over at Kringle who is sprawled out on the cold tile floor in the kitchen and he raises his head to me. “We’ll give him till ten and then we’ll call him.” He rests his head back down as I stare at the blank walls and then look around the room, shopping bags and furniture boxes clutter what once was an empty living and dining room. Turning on my country music playlist, I set to work turning our empty apartment into a welcoming home.

  By the time I stop it’s almost four in the morning. Robert never called but I was lost in my own world to even notice. I take Kringle outside and then crawl into bed. My body sore but feeling accomplished. Kringle jumps up on the bed and curls up down at the bottom. I text Mom and Diane, letting them know I’ll meet them at noon at the sports bar down the street to watch Robert’s game. It isn’t long before I’m whisked away to the land of dreams and rest.

  * * *

  After what feels like only seconds, I’m pulled from sleep by a loud incessant knocking coming from the front door. I attempt to peel my eyelids apart and am blinded by the already scorching sun. Looking at the clock I notice it’s ten in the morning and grunt while making my way to the front door. I probably look more like the creature from the black lagoon, but there’s no one to impress and I’m hoping to scare off whoever is on the other side of the door.

  I look out the peep hole and see a very well put together Laura standing on the other side. Closing my eyes, I rest my head on the door, too exhausted to deal with her in this moment, but I breathe in deeply, muster a smile I know is buried deeply within and pull open the door. “Laura. I wasn’t expecting you this morning.”

  Kringle comes to stand next to me in the doorway, his large frame is an intimidating feature for those who aren’t used to him. She takes a few steps back, looking between me and Kringle.

  “Oh! You have a dog. A, um, a big dog.”

  I muss with the fur on top of his head, glad in a way Laura seems to be afraid of him. Maybe she’ll keep this visit short. “Laura, meet Kringle. He was my Christmas present from Robert this past year.”

  “He’s so, big, and furry.”

  “He’s our baby.” Just as I say baby Kringle stands on his hind legs, wrapping his front paws around my waist and licks me.

  “Can I come in?” she asks hesitantly.

  “Sure.” I step away from the door allowing her to show herself in. She gasps just as I hear her close the door while I find my way into the kitchen to make myself a coffee. Lord knows I’m going to need it if I’m going to deal with her.

  “Wait,” she says shocked, “is this the same place I saw a few days ago?”

  The white couch was still centered on the back wall and the television still sat opposite from it, but now a diamond patterned cream and grey rug was placed under a distressed whitewashed coffee table with a driftwood top. A small round farmhouse table was set up in the dining room with four chairs surrounding it, and potted succulents were placed throughout. Curtains had been hung, pillows accented the couch, and a few photos of Robert and me had been strategically placed. Gray and tan wicker baskets held a few blankets next to the new gray washed entertainment center and a candle from last night was still burning on the dining table. “Yep.”

  “Presley, I don’t know what to say. This is beautiful.”

  I smile behind my coffee cup. “Thank you.”

  “Did you do this?”

  I nod. “Finished about four this morning.”

  “Oh honey, I’m so sorry I woke you. You have a true gift for design, Presley.”

  My heart beats a little faster as I take pride in her compliment. Since meeting her I have felt inadequate, but now this, Robert’s and my small seven-hundred-and-fifty-foot apartment exceeded her wildest dreams. “Did you need something Laura?”

  “Right. I’m sorry. I’m sure you want to get back to bed. I wanted to come over and apologize for the other day. I guess it’s just been a while since I was in your position, and well, honestly, by the time I met Rick, he was already well off, so I don’t understand what it’s like to be in your and Robert’s position.

  “It’s fine, Laura. Things were different for your generation. Women had different priorities.” She grimaces a little and I’m glad my words bit her. “We were raised with different expectations.”

  She bows her head slightly, “You’re right about that. Anyway, I just wanted to say I was sorry for what I said, and I wanted to wish you all the best in school. You’re gonna be great no matter what you decide to do.” She looks around the room once again, “You’re really talented Presley. Maybe one day you could help me.”

  I smile as she turns to leave, her hand resting on the doorknob and as if my mouth had a mind all its own, I stop her. “Hey Laura. Tonight we’re going out to dinner for my birthday. Would you want to come with us?”

  She seems as shocked as I am at my invitation. “I didn’t realize today was your birthday.”

  “It’s not. It’s actually tomorrow but we’re all going to dinner tonight since mom and I are headed to Tucson tomorrow and Robert’s mom heads home with my dad and Kringle. I’d like it if you came with. That is, if you want too.”

  She smiles slightly and gives me a short nod, “I’d love too. See you tonight.”

  “Great. I’ll text you the address.”

  She moves to leave, but then stops shy of the door. “Hey Presley, how do you
do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Stay so supportive? I mean Rick doesn’t play anymore, but I know almost all the significant others and none of them show up to every game. We all talk about how our players are the most important thing, but they might show up to a game once a week, once a month definitely, but practice…absolutely not.”

  “It’s because I have the time to give, Laura. I would never criticize another person or make them feel less than they are because they weren’t on my same level. I literally had nothing going on for the last two months. Seeing Robert get established here was my only concern. I don’t have kids to look after and other social obligations, he was my only focus.

  “So you may not agree with me leaving, but when I’m here I am two hundred percent focused on him. And when I’m not with him, you can bet I think about him and I watch every game whether he plays or not.”

  She smiles and opens the door. “I think I could really learn a lot from you, Donovan.” Again I smile at the compliment she seems to have handed out so easily.

  “And I from you, Martinez.”

  We laugh in unison. “Oh God, now I feel like my husband. Please don’t ever call me that again. I’ll see you tonight Presley.”

  * * *

  Sitting in my car outside of apartment C17 I am overwhelmed by Presley’s statement. Sure I talked the same talk as did all the other wives about how our players were the most important thing to us, but when was the last time I went to a game? It shouldn’t matter Rick was a coach now, the team’s success was his success. Presley didn’t care about fitting in and making friends, she knew her place better than the rest of us. She wasn’t just a picture-perfect girlfriend, but the real deal. Her actions spoke louder than any words she could utter, and my heart broke at how she must have felt after dinner and then the afternoon we spent together.

  Her small apartment felt more like a home than Rick’s and my house. Her taste wasn’t elaborate, the furniture was modest, but it was a place even I wanted to be. She was leaving in just a few days and when she could have been out doing whatever it was teenage girls did, she was making sure Robert felt taken care of when he got home. She filled their place full of pictures of the two of them, her presence could be felt in everything she did.