Controlling the Elements

by N. R. Spratlin

  I just can’t bring myself to go through their stuff right now. Their door is still shut and I have no idea when I will be ready to go in there

  I give my head a subtle shake and turn my thoughts back to staying busy, and the positives of today. I feel my shoulders slump in relief, I am so happy that the meeting went well. It’s as if a physical weight has been lifted off my shoulders, even though the strangest series of events happened while I was in there.

  Ah, here I go thinking again.

  My mind is still reeling from the appointment. If people could see inside my head they would probably be worried, because lately everything just keeps flipping though at ultra-speed.

  That meeting though, something felt seriously off kilter about it. Even engrossed in my errands I haven’t been able to keep it from flicking back to it, playing it out on a constant loop. Ever since I stepped out of the office I’ve started to feel strange, not quite myself. I shiver just remembering the odd feelings that rolled through my body when my hand touched Mr. Petrov’s upon leaving.

  Actually…

  I scrunch up my nose. Now thinking about it, I could have sworn that I felt a bit off balance before then. I just put it down to feeling so embarrassed at having my top inside out and the label visibly showing.

  But what could it have been? We touched then as well. I mean sure, Mr. Petrov… I smile. I mean, Tucker is very handsome and nice and all, but it felt… more.

  It’s such a hard feeling to describe, but every time I start to concentrate on it, my heart begins to palpitate, my hands start to get sweaty. There is a nagging voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that my life has somehow been altered in that brief meeting. I shake my head.

  What I do know regardless of what has happened, is that there is a calming peace in my heart that is starting to wiggle its way in.

  More than likely it’s because I’m starting to feel a lot better about the whole situation. It’s almost like for the first time in a while I can breathe easy knowing everything will be fine. I’m slowly, finally starting to believe that I can look after Lyon on my own and that he will never have to be taken away from me; from one more person he loves.

  Ah yes Lyon. Right, I need to focus now.

  ***

  I wipe my clammy hands on my jean cut off shorts and then promptly shut the trunk of my maroon SUV car I’ve been loading in Lyon’s tee ball gear into. I get into the car but leave my driver’s side open.

  I stare up at our quaint family two story beach home. With a converted loft made into a master bedroom, a balcony just outside, five smaller bedrooms and three bathrooms. Outside with its bleached colored wood and plenty of windows for sunlight to shine through, I have forgotten just how beautiful this house is. So many happy memories have been made in that house.

  A flash of golden hair appears by my side of the car. I shake my head, to stop procrastinating.

  “Aunt Dill, let’s go we are going to be late!” Lyon shouts almost directly in my ear as his whirlwind of crazy flies past me and tries to open the trunk of the SUV. He tries the handle a few times before placing his hands on his hips, huffing, and looking in my direction, annoyance written across his face. I try to hide my smirk.

  “I need to pop the switch, silly. Why do you need to go in there?”

  “For my stuff, duh. Now we are going to be super late!” I pop the switch. The trunk clicks indicating it ready to open. Lyon quickly does just that.

  “Oh, and by the way honey, I am right here. There is no need to scream.” I chastise him as I wiggle my ear to get the ringing out. “Also, we are not going to be late, if anything we are going to be early. I packed all your stuff don’t you worry.”

  “Yeah, but I wanted to make double sure because Coach Lex said we won’t be able to play if we don’t have all our gear tonight. Oh, and he also said if you’re not ten minutes early, you’re late.” Ly proudly tells me as he finishes looking in the trunk, clearly satisfied that I have all his stuff. I roll my eyes. He takes his seat in the back, buckling into his booster seat.

  Coach Lex huh? Well I have a few choice words for Coach Lex.

  I sigh, I need a vacation. Better yet, I need a glass of wine. I look down at my watch.

  Only two hours to go, then another hour to feed, bathe, and put Lyon to bed. My taste buds can practically savor the cold, sweet oak and berry red wine. A lovely, hot bubble bath sounds so good as well. Only three hours, I can make it.

  Once were on the road, I let out a heavy sigh, turning on the radio needing a distraction. Humming under my breath I look down and check my watch again.

  Oh look, two hours and Fifty-Seven minutes left. Yay making progress! Did I leave wine in the fridge to chill? I groan. Of course, I didn’t. Damn you Coach Lex. I look towards the house as it gets smaller and smaller until finally I’m unable to see it anymore. I sigh once again.

  My sweet precious wine I will be back for you soon.

  “Come onnnnnnnnn Aunt Dill! Drive faster!” I look in the rear-view mirror to see Ly bouncing in his seat and swinging his arms urging me on. I hide my smile, feeling glad about how comfortable he is with being in a car now.

  “I can’t drive any faster, patience you must have my young padawan.” I say in a Yoda voice. Lyon scrunches up his nose in confusion. I shake my head.

  Note to self; sit Ly down and watch all Star War movies. Pronto.

  The car goes silent after that. I start humming along to the radio again but it isn’t helping me. My mind is too overwhelmed, too crammed up, and my thoughts fragmented. My body can’t seem to shake the sensations of what happened earlier in the office. No matter how hard I try, it just doesn’t seem to leave.

  I can still almost relive the awful experience as if a hot lead ball has been placed in my hands then traveled up my arms until it spread and solidified in over my entire body. It feels like a separate entity has taken root in my body.

  No, that’s not right, not just in my body but something on a deeper level.

  What the hell am I even thinking about? I feel crazy!

  I frown, rubbing my forehead, having phantom pain. I grip the steering wheel with my other hand, hard. I blink my eyes slightly blurry. The pressure in my head is so intense I quickly check my eyes in my visor mirror to make sure I haven’t pop a blood vessel.

  As I drive on the pain eases but I’m left exhausted and wrung out.

  I really could have done without meeting Mr. Petrov and his colleague this evening. Having to put on a big smile and pretend my embarrassment was nothing. To pretend the weird stuff never happened, it’s going to be hard.

  As soon as we pull up and park along the fencing of field four Lyon shoots out of his booster seat, opens the door, and runs towards the open gate of the fence.

  “Lyon!” I shout after him, failing to get his attention.

  He’s just like his father.

  As I’m about to turn off the engine, a large static shock strikes my fingers.

  “Ouch, shit!” I move my hand away and automatically stick my finger in my mouth trying to ease the burn.

  What the hell?

  I’m hesitant as I try to turn off the engine again. I yelp, jumping in my seat.

  What on earth?!

  I get a second, bigger static shock, but this time it must have taken steroids and messed with my car pretty bad because my windshield wipers are going crazy, my headlights keep flashing on and off, and my car alarm keeps blaring out at a constant deafening pitch. I look around wide eyed, noticing a few people staring and pointing at the car or possibly me. I grumble and slide lower in my seat. My face is flaming hot.

  I have no idea what’s going on.

  I quickly grab the keys again, and in one mad rush with a lot of fumbling in the process, I try to turn it all off. I do it a few times but with no luck, just keep receiving static shocks every time I try.

  My poor fingers! I shake my hand out blowing on them.

  “Come on.” I mutter. I take in a deep breath and le
t it go then slowly reach forward again, scared to receive yet another shock. I can feel the seconds tick by as if I’m sitting next to a giant clock.

  I’m causing such a scene!

  In one fluid movement, I grab my keys and quickly turn them to shut off the ignition. Once done, I yank them out of the keyhole.

  AHA I did it!

  I sit back up properly in my seat and take a look around, since I’ve finally have my vehicle under control.

  Great! I’ve now attracted three of the uppity, designer baseball moms, all wearing the same dirty looks, and aiming them in my direction. I glare back at them. I have no patience for those snotty, pampered women who drive the expensive vehicles and look perfectly put together at all times.

  I mean, who wants to get up at the crack of dawn just to put makeup on anyway? And go to the salon every week to have fancy hair and fake claws, sorry I mean nails done? Who has the time for that? Those types of women don’t even work, yet think they are above everyone else.

  I shake off my annoyance and get out the car and make my way to the field walking past the fake trio. Their expensive perfume is lingering up my nose well after I’ve passed them, and I start to sneeze.

  How heavy do they like to put it on? Geez.

  I eventually get situated in my chair outside the chain link since it’s the closest to the dugout and home plate. I shade my eyes from the setting sun with my hand and observe Lyon out on the field. He looks so cute in his outfit with his matching hat. He’s catching as many balls as he can and doing an outstanding job throwing them where they need to go. He has a real talent; I wish his parents could see just how much he has grown in the sport since the beginning of this season.

  I shift slightly in my chair and look over my shoulder, spotting Tucker and a slightly taller man next to him.

  Well, that must be the rookie he told me about who will be accompanying him.

  I take the time to analyze the two of them together since they haven’t spotted me yet. Tucker and the person he’s training looks so relaxed around each other, one could almost assume they were friends with how easy they are to give their smiles to one another.

  Wow! The rookies smile makes me catch my breath. He has to at least be around 6’4’’ and carries the stature of being built just not bulky. With wide shoulders but a tucked in waist, his ocean blue polo shirt and dark jeans fit him just right. His dirty blonde hair at chin length keeps catching in the wind revealing the solid structure of his cheek bones, long straight nose, and prominent chin that has scruff on it. Beautiful blue eyes stand out from even where I’m sitting. He’s attractive to say the least.

  I then turn my attention back to Tucker noticing once again how easy on the eyes he is. He’s about three inches smaller than his companion and his shade of blonde hair is shorter and slightly lighter with honey tones running through. It looks to be styled in a straight messy way. He has changed since this morning, having chosen jeans matched with a casual long sleeve button up shirt.

  With it nearing mid-October the temperature has just started to fall I pull the sleeves of my light blue cardigan over my hands and scrunch up the material in a fist. I look down at myself, wearing my best light blue cut off shorts, favorite black diamond flip flops, and form fitting t-shirt under my cardigan. I hate to admit it, but I have dressed up a little more than I normally do this evening and not just because I want to seem more put together than earlier. I want to look good. I scrunch my nose up. I look back at the guys.

  Yeah, they are hot. I made a good choice in dressing better this evening.

  I cough and then quickly look away. I can’t just keep staring at them.

  I try to look around to everyone else. That’s when I notice the guys have also caught the attention of all the other tee ball moms.

  Go figure. I roll my eyes, chuckling to myself.

  As if they could sense that I’ve been thinking about them, two pairs of very different colored eyes dart in my direction. I quickly drop my gaze, even though I know I have been busted, and turn back to face the field as my cheeks grow warm.

  “Miss Dillon!” Tucker calls out as soon as he approaches, a warm smile set gently into his handsome face. How strange to have met someone with the same color eyes as me. I’ve practically gone my whole life with just knowing, Deacon, Lyon and I have it. But now Tucker has exactly the same as well.

  And Whoa!

  His rookie eyes are so blue, but up close he has a portion that is burnt orange. I’ve never even seen someone beside us who has part of their eyes different colors before.

  This is all so weird!

  “Mr. Petrov, I am glad you could make it tonight.” I give him what I hope is a pleasant smile in return, and start fiddling with the material in my hands to give them something to do, because right now, I have a crazy urge to reach out and touch both him and his trainee.

  “Please, call me Tucker and me too. Thank you for letting me bring along my rookie as well. This is Connor. Connor this is Miss Dillon.” Tucker gestures between the both of us as he does his informal introductions.

  “Nice to meet you,” I say a little tense yet hoping they don’t notice, because the urge to touch them now is growing with such intensity, my hands are starting to tingle and shake.

  “Nice to meet you as well, thank you again for letting me tag along. Tucker assures me this will be the easiest case to drop in on and get my feet wet.” I blink, dumbfounded at him. My heart stuttering. His smile turns into the most gorgeous megawatt smile I’ve ever seen. It kicks the tingles up by times a million, but this time all over my body.

  Wow, how can I get him to smile at me all the time?

  “Not a problem.” I smile back at him then frown looking around.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I just remembered I didn’t bring any extra chairs for you guys.” I admit feeling a little embarrassed.

  “Oh, don’t worry Miss Dillon, we intend to just sit in the bleachers and observe.” Tucker reassures me.

  “Okay, well good luck. People around here can get a little intense during these things.” I warn them, and meaning every word of it.

  “As long as it doesn’t reach pageant mom crazy, I think we will be okay. But, consider us warned.” Connor teases lightly.

  Ah, he has a sense of humor.

  I feel myself swoon a little bit more. They say their goodbyes while telling me they will be cheering for Lyon, and go to take a seat at the very top of the bleachers. As I figured, all the tee ball moms dart in their direction, trying to get a seat closest to them. I huff out an annoyed breath knowing Tucker and Connor could get any woman they wanted here. I turn around to face the front feeling silly at how my body reacted towards two attractive men. I sigh.

  If only. Where were they hiding when I used to live here?

  ***

  The game gets going, by the time were at the bottom of the second inning we are up by six, and to say things are getting tense is an understatement. It seems like every one of the adults are complaining about their kids not getting enough play time, or the coaching style of Coach Lex and his crew.

  The sense of unease settles in my stomach. I feel as if this is leading up to something, what, I have no clue. Lyon keeps looking around at the crowd. My gut wrenches, knowing he’s looking for his parents; this is the first proper season since the accident. They used to come to his games all the time. I force myself to cheer even louder for him.

  Somewhere in the bottom of the fifth inning, the noise from the adults is starting to become louder and more boisterous; I can’t hear over the noise of them. There is a group to the far side of me, getting very animated and arguing whose child should be on next. I pinch my nose, agitated.

  Its Lyon’s turn to bat and if they think he will miss his chance just because they feel their ‘precious darlings’ will do better, then they are sorely mistaken. I mean there is a reason for the batting line up. Lyon walks to the home plate, there are boos from the parents when they notice their kids aren’t on.
r />   What the hell.

  I close my eyes trying to rein in my raising temper. The last thing Lyon needs right now is me acting just like them. The tingles start up again. I open my eyes once I’ve calmed down slightly.

  Lyon is more advanced than most of the players so the coach comes out and softly throws him the ball, besides having him bat off of a tee. He misses. There is actual laughter from the parents. Lyon looks at them with tears in his eyes.

  Oh, hell no!

  I stand up on my chair, wobbling precariously until I find my balance. I start cheering him on at the top of my lungs, stamping my left foot.

  “LYON, LYON, LYON!!” I scream. But it’s not enough. He can’t hear and hasn’t seen me. I look across to the bleachers and catch Connor’s eyes. He nudges Tucker who stares at me for a moment then dips his head in understanding. They start to stand and cheer. I swallow down my tears of gratitude, mouthing ‘thank you’ to them. Tucker gives me a kind smile while Connor gives me a thumb up.

  As we cheer, the crowd slowly starts to grow quiet. Lyon takes another strike.

  “Come on baby.” I mutter. As if he heard, he looks directly at me still standing on my chair, arms high above my head. He gives me the most beautiful, sweet, dimpled smile, which makes my heart melt. I haven’t seen him smile freely like that in such a long time, one that hasn’t been induced by the Tickle Monster anyway. Tears come to my eyes, but I blink them away.

  My beautiful Ly. I need to see more smiles like that from now on.

  Coach turns to see what Lyon is looking at and spots me, nodding then looks over to the guys and nods again. He turns back says some to Ly who gets back into position. I block out all sounds as I concentrate on him, the coach throws the ball I watch with a baited breath as the ball nears Lyon’s bat.