The Only One for Me

by Bridget Anderson

  “No, but they’re so buddy buddy, he might not tell me.”

  “Blood’s thicker than water. Ask him about it.”

  Kyla joined them, ready to start class. “Ladies. I want to thank you for helping me. This is the first trial run of my summer teaching program.”

  After Kyla’s class Corra ran across Rollin on her way to open the gift shop. “Rollin, I need to ask you something.”

  He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Sure, what’s up?”

  “Why does Chris dislike Eric so much?”

  “Why don’t you ask Chris?”

  “I did. He won’t tell me.”

  Rollin pursed his lips together and shook his head. “Corra, I’m sorry, but you’re gonna have to ask him. I can give you two reasons why I don’t like him.”

  She rolled her eyes at Rollin. “How come I knew you’d say that? You guys stick together.”

  “It’s not like that. You’re my sister, so I wouldn’t keep anything from you that I thought would hurt you. If something happened between them, I’m not aware of it.”

  “Yeah, well I’m afraid they’re going to get into a fight one day. You should have seen the way they stared each other down the other day.”

  “Chris is a grown-ass businessman, he’s not going to get into a fistfight with Eric.”

  Corra nodded, thinking about the look on Chris’s face. “I certainly hope not.”

  * * *

  Sunday after church, Chris picked Jamie up and took him to his baseball game. He was excited about having some alone time with Jamie. So excited, he wore a matching baseball shirt and hat. Jamie had to be the coolest ten-year-old Chris had ever met. Katie stole his heart every time they were together, but today she chose to stay with her mother.

  “Are you excited about today’s game?” Chris asked Jamie.

  If Chris hadn’t glanced at him he never would have noticed Jamie nodding his head. He sat quietly in his white-and-blue uniform. His glove was nestled perfectly in his lap.

  “How many more games do you have before the season’s over?”

  “Three more. And, we might make it to the championship. If we win today, and next time.”

  “What do you think your odds are?”

  Jamie beamed. “Nobody can beat us. We only lost one game this season.”

  “Impressive. Are you any good?”

  “I’m the second best on the team. My friend Ronnie, he’s the best kid on our team. On any team.”

  “Oh, man. Do you want to play baseball when you grow up?”

  Jamie smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Haven’t given it much thought, huh?” Jamie started to fidget around in his seat like he’d put him on the spot.

  “I’m gonna be a dog doctor,” he finally said.

  “So you like dogs?”

  “Yes, but my mom won’t let me have one right now. She said when I get older we can get a dog.”

  He was ten. Chris wondered what Corra was waiting on. “A dog’s a lot of responsibility. Are you ready for that?”

  “Yes. And my daddy said he’s gonna get me a dog.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes. He said I can keep it at his house. When I go over there I can play with it.”

  “Have you been over to your daddy’s house?”

  Jamie shook his head. “He don’t have a house yet.” The tone of his voice rose as he found a subject he wanted to talk about. “He comes over all the time and teaches me how to play baseball. He likes baseball just like you do.”

  Chris glanced out the window as they pulled up to the ballpark. “Yeah, I’m sure he does.”

  “Do you know my daddy?” Jamie asked.

  “I do. We used to play baseball together a long time ago.” He put the car in Park and killed the engine. He smiled at Jamie. How could this bright kid be a product of Eric Hayden’s?

  Chris sat in the stands and cheered like some proud papa. Jamie was good. He reminded Chris of himself when he was young and finding his footing in sports. By the sixth inning Chris noticed Jamie bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He was on second base looking to steal third, when something went wrong.

  Slowly, Jamie leaned forward and collapsed over the plate. Chris jumped to his feet. The coaching staff rushed out to second base. Chris’s heartbeat raced as he took the bleachers two at a time until he reached the fence. Jamie sat up trying to catch his breath, with the help of his coach. Chris’s throat swelled with fear. An image of Corra who’d trusted the care of her baby to him flashed though his mind.

  Chris ran around the fence onto the diamond, running out to Jamie’s aid. Somebody yelled, “Call an ambulance.”

  Chris quickly let the coach know Jamie was in his care. He kneeled down beside him and noticed the perspiration on his face and the strained way in which his chest rose as he fought for his breath. That scared Chris to death.

  “Does he have asthma?” the coach asked.

  Chris shook his head. “No, not that I know of. I mean his mother never mentioned it.”

  “I’ve never known him to have it either,” the coach said before someone handed him a piece of paper to fan Jamie with. “Everybody get back and give him room to breathe.” Everyone took a step or two back, except Chris.

  “Jamie, do you have an inhaler?” Chris asked.

  Jamie shook his head. The look of fear in his eyes tore Chris apart. He had to do something other than wait for an ambulance. He stood up and rushed over to the crowd of parents. “Does anybody have an inhaler? An asthma inhaler?”

  Everyone shook their head. “Is he having an asthma attack?” someone asked.

  “I don’t know, but I think so.” Chris continued around the baseball diamond before he returned empty-handed.

  Jamie sat up next to the coach, breathing a little better, but still having difficulty. The coach looked up at Chris. “Let’s get him over to the dugout.” He kept his hand in the middle of Jamie’s back rubbing and comforting him.

  Chris tried to remain calm as he took Jamie’s other arm and walked with them.

  “He just needs to stay calm until the ambulance gets here.”

  “Forget the ambulance,” Chris said. “Let’s get him over to my car and I’ll take him to the emergency room myself.” Chris’s legs and hands were shaking as they passed the dugout.

  Chris glanced up briefly to see a group of men coming across the field toward them.

  “What’s wrong with him?” A loud baritone voice came at them.

  Eric Hayden and a few of his thuggish friends caught up with them. Chris glanced at the coach who diverted his eyes down to Jamie.

  “I think he’s having an asthma attack,” the coach offered.

  Eric stopped in front of them and kneeled down to Jamie. “You okay, son?”

  Jamie took more panting breaths and shook his head.

  Eric stood up and turned his anger toward Chris. “What did you do to him?”

  Chris opened his mouth to tell Eric to get out the way so he could get Jamie to the hospital, but the coach beat him to it.

  “Jamie collapsed on second base. The ambulance hasn’t shown up yet so Chris is taking him to the emergency room. Do you know if he has asthma?”

  Eric looked dumbfounded. “Not that I know of.” Then he gave Chris another dirty look. “Where’s Corra? Or Rollin?”

  “Wedding rehearsal. Look, Eric, we can discuss all this later. I need to get Jamie to the hospital right now.”

  “You need to get him to the hospital? Get your hands off my son. You’re not taking him anywhere.” Eric reached out for Jamie’s arm.

  Chris put his hand out to stop Eric. “Look, Corra left him with me. I’m taking him to the hospital. You can follow us, bu
t get out of my way.”

  Eric’s eyes widened. He glanced over his shoulders at his buddies who looked like they were ready for a fight. “Did you hear that? I can follow him.” Then he turned back to Chris, who along with the coach had moved aside and attempted to keep walking with Jamie.

  Eric held out his arm to stop them. “That’s my son! If anybody’s taking him to the hospital, it’s me.” He took Jamie from the coach and another guy reached out to take his other arm from Chris.

  “Somebody just get him to the hospital,” the coach yelled. Chris reluctantly let go. As much as he hated to admit it, Eric was Jamie’s father. “I’ll be right behind you,” Chris informed Jamie.

  “Have you contacted his mother?” the coach asked Chris.

  Chris released a stream of curse words as he watched Eric and his friend place Jamie into the back of a car and speed off. He paced around as he pulled out his cell phone. “Not yet. I’m calling her now.” His stomach hardened into a knot as he waited for Corra to answer.

  This was the hardest call he’d ever had to make. As the phone rang he gripped the back of his neck and continued to pace around in short spans. He really screwed up. He could feel it. He hadn’t handled the situation right.

  “Hello?” Corra’s hurried voice came from the other end.

  Chris could tell from her tone she already knew something was wrong. He knew of no tactful way to tell her so he blurted it out. “Corra, Jamie had an asthma attack or something and he’s on his way to the hospital.”

  “What! Where is he?”

  Chris could tell from her breathing that she was about to start panicking. He froze.

  “Chris, where is my baby?” she screamed.

  After a deep breath Chris found his voice. “Eric is taking him to the emergency room. He was having difficulty—”

  “Eric! What is Eric doing with him?”

  “Corra, calm down. He showed up as I was—”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down. Where are they? I don’t want him alone with my baby. He doesn’t have custody or any right to take my son.”

  Chris’s chest tightened. He bit his lower lip and cursed himself for not knowing how to handle this situation.

  “Chris, find my baby. I’m leaving here right now.”

  He tried to say something else, but she hung up on him. He ran to his car, jumped in and took off for the emergency room at Ephraim McDowell. He prayed Jamie would be okay.

  Twenty minutes later, Chris paced around the waiting room, furious to have learned that Eric dropped Jamie off and left. Seconds later, Corra and Rollin burst into the room.

  Corra rushed up to Chris. “Where’s my son?” she asked.

  “They’ve taken him back for observation, and the nurse needs to see you.” He pointed Corra toward the nurse station. Chris didn’t want to waste another minute apologizing again, she needed to see Jamie.

  Rollin hung back. “What happened?” he asked.

  Chris took a deep breath. “Jamie passed out on second base. The coaching staff ran to his aid. He was having trouble breathing. Does he have asthma?”

  Rollin shook his head. “No. At least he hasn’t shown any signs of it before.”

  “Well, he looked to be in the middle of an asthma attack.” Chris explained everything that happened at the ballpark. After he told Rollin about Eric taking off with Jamie he realized himself he never should have permitted that.

  “Man, I know Eric’s his father, but Corra doesn’t trust him.” Rollin looked around. “Where is he? Back there with Jamie?”

  Chris shook his head. “The bastard took off.”

  Rollin’s head snapped around. “What?”

  “When I walked in the nurse informed me Jamie was here, but that the man who brought him in left. Said he’d be right back, but he hasn’t shown up.” Chris looked down at his watch. “And I’ve been here for almost thirty minutes now.”

  Rollin patted Chris on the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

  Chris walked over and took a seat. “For what? Corra’s mad as hell that I let Eric take Jamie. I should have known better.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. Let me go check on my nephew. I’ll be back.”

  Chris couldn’t help thinking he’d just screwed his relationship with Corra. After today, she probably never wanted to see him again.

  Thirty minutes later, Rollin emerged from the emergency room and rejoined Chris in the waiting area. Chris was determined to wait until Jamie was safe before he left the hospital.

  “He’s going to be okay,” Rollin assured Chris. “The doctor says he’s developed a case of asthma. He’s going to contact Jamie’s physician and suggest some treatment. He’s breathing normal now.”

  Chris exhaled a sigh of relief. “Man, you don’t know how good it feels to hear that. I was praying for the little guy.” After a beat he asked, “How’s Corra?”

  “Nervous, scared, you name it. She’d noticed him having a little breathing problem before, but never anything that amounted to an asthma attack. She had no idea he had a touch of asthma. Right now, she’s hovering and afraid to let him go.”

  “Man, I could kick Eric’s ass. Why didn’t he just let me bring Jamie over here? How the hell does a man take his son to the emergency room and just disappear? And why didn’t I insist on taking him myself? After the shit he’s done to me I never should have allowed him.”

  “What shit?” Rollin asked.

  Chris shook his head, not really wanting to discuss it, but he knew Rollin would understand. He took a deep breath. “A couple of weeks ago Eric and I had some words. I’m sure seeing me with Corra pissed him off. Then a few days later somebody broke into the house I’m refurbishing and trashed the place. I can’t prove he did it, but I’m pretty sure he did.”

  “You think he’d do something like that?” Rollin asked.

  Chris tilted his head toward Rollin and gave him a skeptical look.

  “Man, he’s too old for that kind of stuff. I’m assuming you called the police?”

  “My dad did. Greg was there when I got to the house. He’s looking into it, but with no evidence or proof of any sort, it just looks like some kids did it.”

  “Which is possible,” Rollin added.

  “Yeah, but Corra and I ran into him in Lexington a few days later and he stared me down like he was daring me to say something. He did it, all right. I’m just not sure how I can prove it. And even if I could, should I press charges?”

  “Did you tell Corra about the house?”

  “No, I can’t prove anything, so I just left it alone. No major structural damage was done. Besides, I’ve patched it all up and installed some security cameras.”

  “You know, I love my sister to death, but Eric has always rubbed me the wrong way. The other day she asked me about the bad blood between you two.”

  Chris ran his hands down the front of his pants and shook his head.

  “Hey, I’m not trying to get into your business. You know how I feel about that. But, he’s a part of the kids’ life, and if you’re going to be a part as well, I think you and Corra need to have a talk.”

  Chris knew Rollin was right. He only hoped Corra would speak to him again. Over the next couple of hours Tayler showed up with Katie, Jamie’s coach came by, and a few of his teammates. Everybody came and went, but Chris wasn’t going to leave until he spoke to Corra. She hadn’t come out yet, although he’d called her cell phone and sent her a text message.

  Rollin tried to get Chris to leave. “Look, man, you might as well go on home. I’ll come back and pick Corra up once the doctor releases Jamie.”

  Chris shook his head. “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you let me take them home once the doctor releases them? You don’t have to let Corra know I’m out here.”

  Rollin turned t
o Tayler who nodded her head. “Let him. They need to talk.”

  “Okay, but look, if she gets mad and refuses, give me a call. I’ll come and get them.”

  Chris patted Rollin on the back. “Thanks, man. I’ll take care of them, you know that.”

  “I know you will. And if that no good-for-nothing ex of hers shows up—”

  “Don’t worry.” Chris cut him off. “I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

  Chris and Rollin gave each other a hug before he left.

  Chapter 23

  Corra called and texted Rollin twice, letting him know Jamie was being released from the hospital, but he hadn’t contacted her back. As the nurse wheeled Jamie out into the lobby, Corra tried once more. Where was he? She was beginning to get concerned. The minute she stepped into the lobby, Chris walked toward them. Her body stiffened as she took a step back. Unfortunately, right into Jamie and the wheelchair.

  “Mom!” Jamie yelped, as Corra almost sat in his lap.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” She caught herself while still holding the phone waiting for Rollin to answer. She asked the nurse to excuse her for a second, and turned away to leave Rollin another voice message.

  While Rollin’s voice mail message played she heard Chris talking to Jamie. “How’s my little buddy feeling?”

  Rollin’s greeting ended. “Rollin, where the hell are you?” she whispered into the phone. “They just released Jamie and we need a ride home. You said you would be here.” She sensed the presence of someone standing behind her.

  She disconnected the call and closed her eyes for a moment knowing that Chris was behind her. She was so mad at him she didn’t trust herself not to curse him out.

  “Corra. Come on, let me take you and Jamie home.”

  She whirled around and glared at him. “No thanks. We’ll wait for Rollin.” She took a firm stance and crossed her arms.

  Chris had taken Jamie’s wheelchair from the nurse. The two of them looked cute in their baseball outfits. Corra had never seen them dressed alike. She bit down on her bottom lip. No matter how cute they looked she couldn’t forget the danger he’d potentially put her son in.