Bishop's Run

by B. D. Gates

  We spent the next forty-five minutes shooting, switching guns with each other on occasion. I was firing with precision by the end of the session and could not believe that an hour had passed so quickly when Penny tapped my shoulder and then tapped her wrist. Time was up and we needed to get to practice. A horn blew and two red lights came on over our heads, signaling the end of our paid time.

  Penny quickly broke down the guns, checking the chambers for spares, then packed it all back into the bag. We headed for the car at a good clip, and Penny had us at the softball field with ten minutes to spare. I grabbed my shoes and pulled a couple of bottles of water from the cooler in the Jeep. I was still smiling when I joined Penny in the dugout and handed her one of the bottles.

  "Like that?" she asked.

  "Most fun I've had since last Friday night," I answered. "Ya know, you are one cool-ass girl."

  "Ya know," she said, "so are you."

  I leaned down close to her ear. "If we were alone, I would so be sexing you right now."

  "Well, good, because I was thinking the same thing."

  "Maybe we can work something out after practice."

  "Maybe we should," she agreed.

  It was the longest practice ever.

  After practice, Penny followed me over to the Pharmacy grill and we picked up a couple of burgers and fries, then headed over to the carriage house. She met Rosie and Sophie, and Smokey, who glared at her from the end of the porch railing. Moving on into the kitchen, I put the bags on the counter and turned to ask Penny what she wanted to drink. Penny was standing directly behind me and, as I turned, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down, our mouths meeting. I pulled her close to me, pressed my leg between hers as I probed her mouth with my tongue. This girl made me instantly hot, just by kissing me, and I apparently did the same to her.

  "What I would really like," she said, breathlessly, "is to take a shower with you."

  I led her through the living room and into the bedroom, both of us peeling off clothes as we went. I turned on the water in the shower stall, letting it run over my hand as I tested the temp, holding Penny tight against me with the other, tonguing her hot mouth.

  We stepped in and took turns under the spray, washing off the activities of the day. Penny grabbed the soap and began to slowly rub it over my body, the suds trailing off under the running water. I stood and let her wash me, lightly running my hands over her wet skin. She pressed the soap between my legs then replaced it with her hand, lightly stroking me while she washed, careful not to chafe the tender skin. I took the soap from her hand and stroked down her back in a circular motion, the foam sliding down over her soft, tanned skin and over her high round bottom. I washed her with my other hand, my fingers sliding between her butt cheeks and stroking her asshole as I pressed her mound against my leg. She gasped and began to lightly grind against me, still lightly stroking me and teasing my clit with every pass.

  We exited the shower and toweled each other off, pressing lips to each other's skin, our mouths occasionally finding each other's to deliver long, passionate kisses. Penny broke away first, led me to my bed, pulling me down into it as she slid between the sheets.

  "Baxter, I want you," she whispered in my ear as I kissed her neck. I growled as my mouth found hers. My hands roamed her body, stroking and rubbing over her soft skin. Kissing her breathless, I trailed my way down and took her breast in my mouth, sucking and tickling her nipple with my tongue. My hands were moving over her, still rubbing, stroking, as I made my way down between her legs, delivering kisses against the soft skin and stroking her lightly with my tongue. I pushed my shoulders up under her legs, raising her up and spreading her open so that my mouth could take all of her in. I kissed and tongued her, caressed her clit with my lips, teasing her with how much or how little I would take into my mouth. She became overwhelmed with it all, her hands in my hair, her fingertips against my scalp, as my tongue tickled and licked, as I sucked her full, my fingers inside her, moving in ways that caused her to gyrate and thrust, her groaning aloud as I took her completely.

  When she came, she gushed and the fluids from her covered my fingers. I softly spread the come around her vagina and over her asshole. I pulled myself up against her and I closed my mouth down over hers as I tongued her hot mouth, sucking lightly, making similar motions with my hand around and inside her, over her clit, two fingers sliding in, then three, pressing my palm against her, moving easily with the lubrication. Her breathing was now shallow, rapid, as I rocked her, sliding my leg between hers, holding my fingers tight against her center as her body seized under my hands.

  She broke away from my mouth on hers. "Oh, god, Baxter, god," she moaned over and over in a hoarse whisper as her grinding peaked. She contorted in a spasm as she came, her whispering now a gasping whimpering. I withdrew from her in stages, aware that any movement of my hand caused her brief shocks of sensation, and I gently kissed her face and neck.

  I held her while she gathered herself, still delivering the soft kisses around her eyes and over her flushed cheeks.

  "You okay?" I whispered.

  Penny nodded, her head turned away from me, her eyes closed.

  The soft light of the bedside table detailed the small line of tears falling.

  "Penny, tell me," I said.

  "Oh Baxter, I just, it's, it's nothing, really. I'm fine, you...it just...caught me off-guard, that's all."

  "Caught you off-guard? What are you on-guard for?" I asked.

  Penny shook her head. "Not tonight, Bax, I can't do this tonight." She still hadn't opened her eyes. She shivered as if she was cold and I pulled her closer. She kept her face turned away from me, her eyes closed, her only way to escape any more questions.

  I stayed with her, held her, feeling her body growing limp as sleep took hold. The shivering had subsided and her breathing was soft and regular as I slid out the opposite side of the bed, tucking the covers in close to keep her warm. I pulled on a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt then padded barefoot into the kitchen, the girls meeting me in the living room and joining me for what they hoped were hamburgers and french fries.

  While I heated the fries in the small toaster oven Jared had preferred over a standard toaster, I gathered up our discarded clothes and added them to a load waiting in the washer in the mudroom, turning the dial to start the machine. Just before the water hit them, I heard a chiming from the basket. I quickly reached in and grabbed my phone from my shorts pocket.

  I flipped the phone open. "Hello," I answered.

  "Hey."

  Tess.

  "Hey," I said, smiling in return, moving into the kitchen to check on the fries.

  "So, I was going to stop by this evening but I saw you had company."

  "Yeah," I confirmed, drawing out the word. I did not know quite what to make of this phone call, so I played my cards close to my chest.

  "Well, so, you're okay? I mean, cell phone's charged, doors and windows secured?"

  "Yes ma'am, I'm fine. Gonna plug the cell in before I go to bed."

  "Okay." A pause. "Well, then, I'll let you go. Goodnight, Bishop."

  "Goodnight, Tess," I said.

  I closed the clam shell phone and put it on the counter top, not really seeing it as I played that phone call over in my head. What the hell was that all about?

  And why was I feeling guilty?

  14

  Penny woke up about six the next morning. I had stayed up another hour or so after Tess's phone call and dried and folded Penny's clothes, so that she would have something to wear when she got up. Her demeanor was somewhat subdued, making very little eye contact as she dressed. I saw her out, leaning down to give her a kiss, which landed on her cheek, since she had turned her mouth from me, leaving me to question what I had done to make her feel like that.

  That afternoon, I had a couple of hours before practice and I decided I'd ride out to the Powder Keg and check out their selection of guns. I was hoping to buy a Glock of my own. The drive o
ut took longer than when I was with Penny, but I still had the Jeep top down, and I was in no hurry. I pulled into the parking lot, noting several cars parked at various spots around the lot.

  I walked in and saw Joe behind the counter, taking money from a customer. I walked to the end of the display case and started looking at the selection of pistols there. When he was through, he made his way down the case to where I was standing. I told him what I was looking for and he nodded.

  "Let me get you the paperwork to get you started," he said, reminding me that there was a three-day waiting period for a criminal background check to be performed.

  He walked over to a short filing cabinet and pulled the forms, attached them to a clipboard and grabbed a pen from a cup on the counter. I met him halfway down the counter and took the paperwork, passing him the Virginia driver's license supplied by the Witness Protection Program, the photo having been taken from my Maryland drivers license. He snapped a copy with a cellphone and then connected it to a printer, the copy spitting out about a minute later. I began working on the papers, writing in the information relative to my new identity. About ten minutes later, I was through with the paperwork, telling Joe I'd be back to pick it up. He nodded, and I was out the door, heading for practice.

  I pulled up into the ballpark lot and saw Penny's MGB parked at the far end, Penny sitting in the driver's seat, so I drove down the row and parked next to her. She looked over at the Jeep and nodded. I smiled and said, "hey," and it was then that I saw the cute little butch sitting in the MGB's passenger seat.

  Awkward.

  Now, I understood Penny's intent when she talked about how we were just for 'fun,' and there were certainly no strings attached. I had agreed, we were on the same page, I didn't want a relationship either, but it still took me by surprise. I grabbed my gear from the passenger seat and got out, went and sat on the back bumper and changed my shoes. I walked on up to the gate and made my way to the dugout.

  Several of the other girls were there. I watched them carry on with each other, smiling on occasion when one or another would get off a particularly good zinger, a couple looking my way, nodding, as I smiled or laughed outright at their joking. Across the field, Penny and her friend were making their way over to the bleachers down the first base line near the entrance to the field gate. They sat on one of the lower benches, Penny snugged up against her friend while they talked, their heads close together, smiling at each other. I looked away.

  Stacey, one of my squad mates and an after-practice practice player, walked over carrying a softball and stood in front of me. Stacey was tall, like 'giant' tall, at least to me, and broad, and played softball like her life depended on it, as a pitcher and, on occasion, playing third base. I craned my head up to look her in the eye.

  "Want to have a catch?" she asked.

  "Sure," I said. I needed to do something to stop watching Penny. We exited the dugout and I took a position with my back to Penny and her new friend. Stacey started and we quickly got into a rhythm. She was being kind, this was just a friendly game of catch, because she pitched hard and fast, and would have terrified me if she was looking to warm up.

  "You work for Dr. Biggs," said Stacey as she lobbed the ball to me.

  "Yeah," I said, throwing it back. "What do you do?"

  "I'm a cable TV installer," Stacey replied. "But I'm going to electricians school. I'm learning to wire houses and buildings."

  "That's cool," I replied.

  "Yeah, when I finish in a couple of months, I'm going to work for Gates Electricians. My husband's cousin is going to recommend me."

  "Well, that's good," I said. I would have never thought she was straight, much less married. Proof there's 'someone for everyone.'

  "So, I was wondering if you were seeing anyone?" Stacey cut right to the chase.

  Wait. What?

  "Me, uh, no," I answered, thinking that, as of about twenty minutes ago, I might have answered that differently. Maybe. "Why?"

  "Well, Charlie, that's my husband Darrell's brother, thinks you're cute. He came out with Darrell and the kids one night for practice. So, I was just thinking that you might want to meet him, if you weren't seeing anyone."

  Oh. Damn.

  Note to Self: if anyone asks if you're seeing someone, you say 'yes.' Now, how do I get out of this without hurting this very big, very tall woman's feelings? I spun my answer as best I could.

  "Well, Stacey, to be honest, I'm just, getting over a really bad breakup right now, so, uh,..."

  "I understand. Charlie just got divorced from his wife, and I hate to see him alone, but you'll get to meet him at the cookout."

  "Cookout?"

  "Yeah, Coach throws a cookout for the team and their families the weekend before the first game," Stacey informed me.

  "Wow," I said, as I threw the ball back. "That's really nice."

  "Yeah, it kinda helps smooth over the evenings we won't be home, she makes everyone feel like they've all got to help us win the tournament."

  Dr. Biggs had obviously minored in Psychology in college. Fucking brilliant.

  We were still playing catch when the Coach and her assistants arrived. Biggs stood on the dugout roof and blew her whistle. Everyone hustled up and stood in front of the dugout, waiting.

  "Okay, team, we start regulation play Monday night. That gives us four practices to iron out the wrinkles. Tonight, and for the next three practices, we will play a three-inning game. The starting roster will be posted at the cookout on Saturday night. Sunday will be an 'off' day, and then we will meet the Whitmore Wheelers here, on our home field, on Monday night at seven o'clock for the first game of the season."

  Cheers went up from the players. Coach Biggs grinned. When the shouting died down, she continued.

  "The cookout will be here at the field on Saturday night following the game, so bring your families out to kick off the season. Now, Tigers and Owls at home versus Cubs and Badgers. Let's go!" Coach Biggs blew her whistle and the players scattered left and right depending on which team they were playing for. The associate coaches split and followed their squads, acting as coaches for the teams.

  Just my luck, to be in the same dugout with Penny. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

  The game went quickly. I was deep in the batting order, hitting sixth, but I managed to bounce one through the gap between short and third and got on base for a hit. Chessie, working as the first base coach smacked me lightly on the shoulder as I stood on base, saying "good one, Baxter." Unfortunately, the rest of the order was unproductive, and I was stranded on first at the end of the second inning.

  Going into the third inning, the Cubs & Badgers managed a home run. In the bottom half of that last inning, Penny, who had generally ignored me the entire practice, standing at the railing at one end of the dugout while I stood on the other, was up to bat. We had a base runner at first, Alice was pitching, something she'd been doing since sixth grade, and she was good at it. Penny made her work for every pitch though, until the count was three balls and two strikes. I joined the rest of the team in cheering her on. She then fouled off three more pitches before connecting squarely with an off-speed pitch straight down the alley, sending it far into the outfield.

  The left and center outfielders began running for the fence, hoping to catch the ball before it sailed over the railing, but the ball cleared that railing by a good ten feet. Penny, making her way around the bases, watched that ball fly out as we all hollered and gathered at home plate to congratulate her and tap her helmet for good luck.

  Now I knew why Biggs had pursued her for the team. She was one helluva hitter.

  Coach Biggs, atop the home dugout, blew her whistle and, once again that night, we all gathered around.

  "Thank you, ladies, tomorrow night at six sharp, Cubs and Tigers versus Owls and Badgers."

  At least I wouldn't be in the same dugout with Penny tomorrow night, and I got a hit. Not a bad night.

  I walked out the gate and was met
by none other than Tess, leaning against the bleachers, wearing shorts, a soft white T-shirt, and running shoes. She must have done her laps before coming across to the ballpark.

  "Hey, good hit tonight," she said.

  "You saw that?"

  "Yeah, I watch all the end of practice games. The season starts Monday, right? You're playing the Whitmore Wheelers."

  "That's right." I joined her against the bleachers and we watched players leave the field while we talked.

  "Yeah, well, I like softball. And I like Dr. Biggs, so I follow her team every year."

  "Have you been watching practices?"

  "Just since last week." Tess smiled at me.

  About that time, Penny and her girl walked past us. I watched them walk on into the parking lot. Tess was looking at me when I turned my attention back to her. She wore a slightly quizzical expression, but it quickly disappeared.

  "Saw you make that play to first last week."

  I laughed. "Biggs told me I have a fan."

  "Well, you do," Tess said.

  "Well, then," I paused. "Would my fan like to have dinner with me?"

  "You know, I think your fan would like that."

  "Great! Any recommendations?"

  Tess thought for a second. "Do you like Italian?"

  "Yes ma'am, I do," I answered.

  "Then I have just the place," said Tess. "Follow me."

  "I'm parked down that way," I said, pointing towards the end of the lot.

  "Me, too."

  We began walking together towards our respective vehicles.

  "So, how was your day, dear?" I smiled as I queried Tess.

  "Oh, you know, the usual. All my busts were righteous and all my perps went down."

  I burst out laughing. Tess joined in.

  "Thank you, Tess," I said, still chuckling.

  "You're welcome, Bishop," she whispered, as she took my arm and pulled me close so she wouldn't be overheard. "But for what?"

  "Just, for being here," I said, smiling.

  15

  It was Thursday. Tracey, the groomer, took in a few dogs, so I was busy in the morning, but things had slacked off by two o'clock. I was sitting on a milk crate in the kennels, reading the local newspaper. There was an article on the upcoming softball season, a recap of the past year, and a short review of each team playing in the league. It was enlightening, to say the least. Of course, last year's tournament champs, Dr. Snellings' team, got a lot of press space, including a team photo. I perused it and found Penny on the first row towards the center.