by D. M. Webb
Mr. Johansen gave him a sad smile. “No one deserves forgiveness, David. But we love you like a son and still care about you. I wish we could stay longer and at least have dinner, but we have to be back in Canton tomorrow.” His hand slid from David’s shoulder. “Maybe someday.”
“Maybe.” David waited until Mr. Johansen got into his car and backed up before turning toward the park.
What a night. He really needed that drink about now.
As he entered the park, the emcee’s voice floated above the din. He hoped he hadn’t missed the auction on the records yet. He stopped by a food cart and grabbed a large cola and some cotton candy.
He excused his way through the people again and fell into his seat.
“Where’ve you been?” Maggie’s eyes sparkled as he handed her the sugary treat. “Never mind. You came bearing gifts!”
“For you. Sweet cotton candy for my sweet cotton candy girl.” He plucked off a piece of the spun confection and let it melt on his tongue.
She leaned over and whispered. “I ain’t your girl yet.”
So she thought. He waited until she sat up before whispering back. “You’re wrong.”
She smiled and punched his knee. “The records are up! Oh, where’s Sarah?”
: : : : :
Jeremy peered through the chain link of the dugout. His wife sat beside Maggie on the wooden bleachers. Maggie clutched her small stack of records to her chest, chatting nonstop. Jeremy smiled. Sarah worked hard to make sure no one had outbid her on those vinyls.
“Jer! You’re on deck, man.”
Jeremy climbed the short set of steps and squinted against the bright ball field lights.
“Knock it outta the park.” Baers smacked his rear as he passed by.
He picked up the bat and practiced a couple of swings as Dillon Ross batted. He glanced at the scoreboard. In the lead by one. That wouldn’t last long. The Jasper City Polecats fought the JC Demons without either one gaining the advantage.
The metallic crack of the bat echoed as the ball flew high into the air in a foul behind home plate. Jeremy sighed. So much for Dillon at bat. Any pop foul in that area never got past his brother.
David knocked off his mask and scurried toward the fence, easily catching the softball.
“Good try, Dillon.” Jeremy slapped the officer’s shoulder as he shuffled past.
The man shook his head. “Watch those insides. Toby’s killing us tonight.”
Jeremy smiled and popped his gum. “Those are the ones I can hit, man.” He stepped up into the batter‘s box.
Sarah’s voice shouted over the crowd’s roar. “Go, Jer!”
He gave her a one finger salute.
“Batter up!” The umpire bent over behind David’s squatting form. His brother’s green eyes flared behind the catcher’s mask.
Jeremy sighed. Here they went again.
David stood. “Hold up.” He motioned to the umpire. “Need a dusting.”
Jeremy stepped back as the umpire dusted off the plate. Red dust floated into the air and tickled his nose. He snorted and rubbed his face against his sleeve. He would not give David the satisfaction of a sneeze.
The umpire resumed his place. Jeremy rocked into position and brought his bat back.
“Time.”
Jeremy stepped back and glared at David. His brother winked and trotted out to Toby on the mound. Ingrate did that on purpose. Both of the men glanced in his direction. Toby nodded.
David ambled back to the plate and squatted. “Getting tired, old man?”
“No. You?” Jeremy spat in front of his brother’s spot, barely missing David’s left foot. David sneered at him.
He readied himself in position. Without warning, David hopped up and held out his glove to the side. The ball sailed into David’s hand.
They were walking him. Figured. He’d hit a home run during the last inning, and suddenly they were scared. Again, the ball sailed into David’s outstretched glove. Jeremy sighed and held his position through two more throws.
He spun the bat towards his dugout and turned to David as he jogged away. “Pansy!”
David glared. He held up his glove to shield the obscene gesture he made.
Jeremy waited on first base as one of their rookies stepped up to the plate. An inside ball whistled past the man’s bat. Jeremy groaned. David threw the ball back to Toby. This was murder.
The crowd hooted. Sarah sat on the edge of her seat, knee bouncing up and down. Maggie held her hand over her mouth. No doubt rooting for David.
“Strike three! Out!”
Jeremy hung his head. Time to change over. David neared him. Payback time. He stuck out his foot. David stumbled but then righted himself.
“Oh, you’ll pay for that.”
Jeremy smirked. “See you back on the plate.”
David glared at him and hurried to his team’s dugout.
Baers threw him his glove as he rolled his batting helmet into the hole. “You trying to pick a fight, Jer?”
He pulled his hat low over his eyes as he followed Baers onto the field. “No. Not really. Make him mad, and he’ll screw up. Two more innings. We got this one.”
Jeremy paused at the mound where Dillon stood, chalking his hands. “When David comes up, right and low, then a change up, then right and high.”
“He’ll miss?”
“Most times. It’s the change up that throws him off.”
Dillon nodded as Jeremy rushed to second base. The umpire called for the first batter.
Toby sauntered to the plate. Within moments, the first hit sounded through the night. A high pop fly to left field where Markston caught it. One down, two more to go.
Jeremy grinned as David stepped up. His brother rotated the cap until the bill pointed backwards and slammed the batting helmet down. He pointed the bat in Jeremy’s direction.
The man actually dared to pull a Babe Ruth. Dillon let go with the first throw. David’s bat soared above it, tipping the ball into the left foul line. Jeremy grimaced. His brother was getting better at those right and lows.
The change up sailed passed without a hitch. David snarled and backed out of the batter’s box. He tapped his cleats with the bat, looked at the spectators, and then returned to the plate.
Jeremy risked a glance. Sure enough, Maggie half stood, hand over mouth.
Dillon’s pitch soared through the air. David’s bat met it with a thwack. Jeremy cursed and ducked as the white ball whistled inches above him. His blasted brother nearly took off his head.
Jeremy stretched out with a foot tagging the base, waiting for Baers to pitch the ball in. David’s thundering feet reached his ears. The ground vibrated.
Baers scooped the ball off the ground and side-armed it to Jeremy. The softball smacked into his gloved palm. He whirled, brushed his brother across the shoulders with the glove, and leapt out of the way as David’s body slid across the base.
Dust flew into the air.
Jeremy landed on his feet. David’s hand on the base halted his slide, and he rose to his feet. Both of them turned to the umpire.
The umpire pumped his arm down. “Out!”
“What?” David stepped up to the umpire as he dusted off his uniform. “You got eyes? I was safe. Touched the base before he touched me.”
Thomas Dearborn hurried down the lane. “David!”
“Just back off.” Jeremy placed a hand on David’s chest. His brother didn’t need to get thrown out of the game.
David knocked Jeremy’s hand off. “You back off.”
The umpire rose to his full five feet eight inches. “My call. I saw his tag. You’re out.” He stood nose to chest to David. “Accept it, or you’re out of the game.”
Heartbeats passed. Thomas slid between the umpire and David. “Let it go, David. It was a good call.”
David’s eyes went from the little man, to Jeremy, to his chief. He pushed past Thomas. “Fine. Lousy ump.”
He rammed his shoulder against Jeremy
’s as he stalked past. Jeremy rolled his eyes and threw the ball to Dillon. The umpire backed up to his spot.
Stupid brother was going to get himself thrown out of the game. Figured. Sam came up to bat, and Jeremy stood through one more out. Maybe they would actually win this game.
He shuffled down the dugout’s steps and collapsed on the bench. His cold bottle of water greeted him. The liquid washed the dry dust down his throat.
“Jeremy.” Sarah’s voice called to him.
He smiled at her and pushed himself up to meet her at the end of the dugout. She threaded her fingers through the fencing.
“Nice play.” Her smile outshone the lights.
He laughed. “I thought so. See the Babe Ruth he pulled?”
“Yeah. And it went exactly where he said it would go.”
“Nearly took my head off.” He downed another swig of his water.
Laughter danced in her eyes. “Oh, I wish we had instant replay. You should have seen yourself. I thought your eyes were going to pop out.”
Jeremy shook his head. “You rooting for him?”
“No, baby. The Polecats always have my loyalty. But Maggie is going crazy. She’s Demons all the way.” She pressed her face to the fence. “Kiss?”
So much like high school. He leaned down. His lips grazed hers through the diamond opening of the chain link.
“Jeremy! Man, save it for later.” Baers hitched a thumb towards Captain Conners. “There’s a change in the line up. Felts hurt his ankle, and Smith had a toilet emergency. Conners needs you on deck.”
Jeremy smiled at Sarah. He claimed one more quick peck. “See ya, honeybee.”
“Jock.” Her giggle followed him as he hurried away.
Baers handed him his batting helmet and bat. Jeremy stepped out on deck as Markston swung and missed.
“Strike two!”
Jeremy hooked the bat over his shoulder and watched the stands. Sarah returned to her seat by Maggie. She looked up and gave a small wave. He smiled. Man, this felt too much like high school.
The metal ring of the bat as it met the ball shattered the night air. The ball soared into the air over deep center. Markston half ran, half skipped towards first as the ball arced and then plummeted to the ground. It landed near the fence. As two of the firemen raced towards it, Markston flew around the bases. He rounded second as the ball shot to third. A dust cloud flew into the air as Markston slid into third base.
Jeremy held his breath. Oh, man, he had to be safe. The dust settled. The umpire spread out his arms.
“Safe!”
Jeremy whooped. “Yes!”
If he could get Markston home, then the game would be theirs. He hurried to the batting box and tapped home plate.
David huffed behind his mask. “Not going to make it.”
“Just squat there. I don’t plan on you catching Toby’s pitches.”
“Hold!” David held out his hand.
Jeremy blew out an irritated breath. He backed up as the umpire dusted off the plate. Again. Once through, Jeremy settled back into his stance.
Before Toby wound up for his pitch, David stood. “Time.” He backed up and showed his glove to the umpire.
Jeremy narrowed his eyes as David worked at the glove, tightening the laces with his teeth. He smirked at Jeremy and then squatted.
“You’re such a jerk.”
“Takes one to know one.” David smacked his leg with his glove. “That was a bad call earlier.”
Jeremy stepped back out of the box. Two could play that game. He thumped his shoes, ignoring his brother’s scathing glares. The umpire pointed to the plate.
“Batter up.”
Jeremy stepped forward and brought his bat into position. Toby pitched. The ball hurled towards him. He swung. Too late. The bat vibrated as it connected with the ball and sent it over the right side fence.
“Foul! Strike one!”
Jeremy brought the bat to his shoulder. “Told you. Not going to get the chance to catch them.”
Another slap against his shin. He lowered his bat and tapped David’s chest guard. “Stop being a jerk.”
David jumped to his feet, knocking his mask off his head. “I ain’t being the jerk. You want a go, old man?”
Jeremy met his brother, stepping closer until they were practically nose to nose. “Play ball, David.”
The umpire pushed at them. “Break it off or you’re out. Both of you.” He bent and brushed at the plate as David retrieved his mask.
David glared one more time at Jeremy and settled the mask back onto his face. Jeremy shook his head.
“Play ball!”
Once again, Jeremy settled into position. Toby grunted as the pitch spliced through the air. Jeremy swung and grimaced as the ball soared into a high fly, landing midway between first base and home plate. Well outside the line.
“Foul! Strike two.”
David drove a fist into his glove. “That’s two strikes.”
“And none for you.” Jeremy snarled as David whacked his leg with the glove. He whirled around and smacked David’s mask with the bat. “Cut that out.”
David jumped to his feet and ripped the bat from Jeremy’s hands. Jeremy made a grab at it, but David chucked it to the side. The umpire backed up a few feet and stood with his hands propped on his hips, shaking his head.
“You are such a jerk, David.” Jeremy pushed past his brother to retrieve the bat, but David’s hand latched onto the back of his shirt and yanked. The jarring thud of landing on the ground drove the breath from his lungs.
Anger flooded his mind. Jeremy kicked and swiped at David’s feet, knocking them aside. His brother hit hard, sending up a small plume of dust. Jeremy rolled to his feet just as a fist pummeled into his side. He grimaced. An oath spilled from his lips.
The town had waited for the yearly game fight. Might as well give it to them. Jeremy lashed out with another kick. His foot met the back of David’s knee, sending him once again into the dirt. He pounced onto his brother’s back and forced David’s face into the coarse, red soil.
“You’re a–” The curse cut short as Jeremy pressed David’s mouth further into the dirt. David mumbled curses through the soil that coated his face.
Might as well make that mouth just as filthy as the words that came out.
An elbow rammed his stomach. Jeremy rolled off his brother. Before David gained his footing, hands latched onto Jeremy’s arms and pulled him away. Firemen pulled at David, who bucked against them. Toby wrapped his arm into a choke hold around David.
Jeremy grinned, tasting blood in his mouth. Another split lip.
The umpire glared at them both. “You’re out of here!”
The crowd cheered. Jeremy shook his head. Whatever they thought, he and David didn’t do this for their benefit. Pure anger poured from his brother’s eyes as his team dragged him towards the dugout. Jeremy allowed his own teammates to herd him away.
Conners met him at the steps. “Thanks a lot, Boyette. Better be glad we were already up by one.” He gave Jeremy one last, hard look and jerked his thumb to the deck. “Baers, you’re up. Boyette’s out, so you gotta take his place.”
Jeremy hobbled to the corner of the bench and collapsed, ignoring the harsh stares of his teammates. He didn’t mean to get so riled at his brother, but the man could try the patience of Job.
: : : : :
Maggie watched David as he sat with his back against the dugout’s fence, packing his bat bag. She admired his muscles as they rippled along his forearms. The overhead lights silhouetted his strong jaw line and angular nose when he turned his head.
Maggie sneaked up behind him, reached through the chain link, and thumped an ear.
He whirled. The anger that flashed died a quick death. A smile lit his dirty face. Sweat ran in little, red rivers along the side of his temples.
“Maggie!”
“Hey, handsome.” She gripped the chain link and smiled at him as his fingers folded over hers. “So, I didn’t
think it would be you and Jeremy doing the yearly game fight. What gives?”
He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Look, I was about to leave and head home to clean up. Meet me at the gates?”
She searched his eyes. Something dangerous swam beneath them. Something cold and hungry. “Okay.”
He turned and zipped his bag. “Let me tell the guys, and I’ll be right over.”
Maggie pushed away from the dugout as he walked over to his teammates. She hurried to the gates. Most of the people still watched the game, but she didn’t need to see the last inning. Jasper City Polecats were going to win this year.
She nodded a greeting to a couple walking past and carrying heavily laden bags. Most of the vendors left earlier in the evening. Now only couples strolled the well-traveled path, enjoying the night air. She bumped into Officer Darryl.
He smiled as he steadied her. “Hi, Miss Maggie. Enjoying the game?”
“Oh, yeah.” She motioned at the ball field across the park. “Looks like the Polecats have it this year. Jeremy was thrown out, by the way.”
The older man laughed, his paunch shaking above his belt. “Figured as much. Guess that means he’ll be on duty earlier than expected.”
“He’s working tonight?” She fell in step beside him.
“He switched with Benson Myers. You heard about Benson’s wife?” He waved towards a crowd of teenagers huddled at one of the food carts.
“No. Don’t tell me, she went into labor?”
“Twins.”
Maggie clapped her hands together. “That’s great. I need to make sure I send a card. Benita always came to the shop every week.” She spotted David heading her way. “Take care, Officer Darryl. And go catch the rest of the game.”
He dipped his head her way. “Good night, Miss Maggie.”
As he veered away from her, an arm snaked around her waist. A deep, velvet voice tickled her ear. “Leave you alone for a few minutes, and other men are accosting you.”
She plowed a fist into David’s shoulder. “Silly. Officer Darryl was just telling me about Benson’s wife. She had twins. Isn’t that great?”
“Heaven help them.” He guided her through the gates, his hand resting on the small of her back.
