As they jogged off toward the gentle waves washing onto the sand, I said, “Hey! Careful about who you’re accusing of being old!”
Billy took off his leather jacket and neatly folded it up in one corner of the blanket. Then he lay down on the blanket and rolled over on his side to face me. He said, “It looks like things are going great for you and Jordan. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you so happy with someone. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”
I said, “Well, we’ve had a few issues, and it still hasn’t really been that long, but I feel really good about it.”
Billy said, “He’s young, Marshall. He’s gonna be emotional. I think for awhile you might just need to expect a new little crisis every couple of months. When he seems like he might be flipping out a little, think of all those hormones rushing through his body. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind having some of those back yourself.”
I smirked. “Are you implying something about my performance, Billy?”
Grinning, he said, “I’m sure you do quite fine, buddy. I’m sure you do quite fine.”
I asked, “And you and Becca? Is that as good as it looks?”
“Marshall, six months ago I was in the same place I’ve been almost my entire adult life. I thought I never wanted to get married. I seriously thought that marriage was for chumps, and it was an artificial institution meant to restrict people like me from being myself.”
I said, “Yes, I’ve heard the long philosophical arguments. They usually seem to happen after a particularly pleasing one-night stand.”
He raised an eyebrow and said, “We both know that you’ve been no more of an angel than me, Marshall.”
I asked, “So how has that philosophy changed, Billy? What is your new realization.”
He said, “Someday I think I want to get married to Becca. I want to share a house. We have the dog, and I’m starting to even waver a little bit when I think about kids. I’m shocked, Marshall. It’s not the me that I know. I think it’s an adult Billy Alvey that took more than thirty years to arrive.”
23
Jordan
Shane sat next to me on the bleachers rubbing his hands up and down on his jeans. He said, “Mr. Vaughan, I’m so nervous for the team. I wish it didn’t come down to the very last game of the season.”
I put an arm around Shane’s shoulders as we sat on the bleachers and said, “There’s no need to be nervous. They’re going to win. I know they will. They’ve got this one in the bag.” I leaned forward to look toward Joey on the opposite side of Shane. I asked, “What do you think about the game, Joey?”
He said, “If they don’t make any big mistakes, I think the Soft Serves are the better team. They are up against the next best team, so there’s not much room for error.”
I grinned. “Wow, Joey, I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at a game, and I completely agree.” He smiled back at me while Shane continued to rub at his jeans. I said, “I hope the two of you aren’t this nervous when Blake takes you to the conference championship.”
Shane said, “I’ll just be a mess then.”
The Soft Serves were playing as the visiting team, and Ian stepped up to the plate to lead off. Just as he crouched to ready himself for the first pitch, I heard a familiar voice to my side say, “Hey, Jordan, can I join you?”
I turned my head to see Becca standing at the edge of the bleachers. I said, “Absolutely. The Soft Serves need the biggest cheering section they can get.” I stepped down two rows and then held out my hand to help her up onto the bleachers.
Becca sat on the opposite side of me from Shane. I said, “I don’t think I’ve seen you at a game yet.”
She shook her head and said, “This is my first one this season. I work almost every weekend at the shelter, but I took this one off. When Billy said it was the championship game, I decided that I should be here. He didn’t know I was coming though.”
I said, “If at least one batter gets on base, Billy will be up to bat this inning. He bats cleanup in the order.”
She said, “I’m not exactly sure what that means.”
I said, “Well, I’ve learned a whole lot this season.” Then I said, “Oh, you need to meet these guys, Becca.” I introduced both Shane and Joey. I told them, “This is Billy Alvey’s girlfriend.”
Shane said, “Oh, wow, he’s such a good player. The team would go nowhere without him.”
Then I added, “These two guys play baseball at the high school where I teach. Blake will be one of their coaches starting next season.”
Becca said, “Oh, Blake is such a nice man. You will love him.”
I said, “I think they already do.”
Ian hit the third pitch in the hole between first and second base. He made it safely to the base with an easy single. “Does that mean Billy will get to bat?” asked Becca.
I said, “Yes, and I was going to explain the theory of the cleanup hitter. Billy is fourth in the order. The theory behind that is that if any of the first three guys get on base, then Billy is the most likely to hit a home run or an extra base hit to score a lot of runs. In reality, it doesn’t always work that way, but he comes to bat right after Blake, and together they make a powerful one-two punch.”
We all cheered for each batter, and when Billy stepped on deck he looked over in our direction. I watched his mouth drop open when he saw Becca sitting by me. I whispered to her, “He knows you’re here.”
Becca blew a kiss to him, and Billy tossed his hair back with a big smile on his face. When it was Billy’s turn to step up to the plate, Ian was on third base and Blake stood on second. There was only one out. I smiled when Becca raised her voice and cheered loudly for Billy. Shane added his favorite, “Murder the ball!” cheer.
Billy let the first two balls go by, and the umpire called them both balls. I thought that It was possible the opposing team had some fear of his reputation. I was worried they might walk him to take the chances of facing the next man in the batting order, but we all wanted to see Billy swing the bat.
I watched the third pitch make its big loping arc on the way to home plate. It looked a little bit outside, but Billy compensated by stepping slightly forward with his foot, and the tell-tale plink of the aluminum bat sounded when the bat hit the ball. Billy lofted the ball into left field. It didn’t clear the fence, but it fell to the ground behind the left fielder. Ian and Blake scored easily, and Billy slid into third base just ahead of the throw. We all stood and cheered wildly as the Soft Serves took the lead 2-0.
The lead stayed at two runs throughout the game. Every time the Soft Serves scored more runs, the opposing team came back to within two. When Ian strode to the pitcher’s mound for the bottom of the seventh inning, he was holding onto an 8-6 lead.
I don’t think I saw the players as focused in the field yet as they were in the final game of the season with a repeat as league champions hanging in the balance. I cast my eyes toward Marshall in left field, and he was crouched down with his glove on his thigh staring intently at home plate. Antonio bounced side to side near second base, and Blake was the picture of concentration at third base slowly pounding his fist into his glove.
The first out came quickly and easily. The batter swung at Ian’s first pitch, and he popped the ball up high in the air. Ian looked straight up and then held his arms out to the side calling everyone else off. He shouted, “It’s mine!” and we applauded when the ball fell neatly into the webbing of his glove.
I saw Ian clench his jaw when he threw the third pitch to the next batter. Something went wrong with his delivery, and the Soft Serves paid for it. The hit was a line drive into right field, and the batter found himself on base with a stand-up double.
The next batter hit a slow rolling ball toward second base just out of Ian’s reach as it cleared the pitcher’s mound. Antonio threw his hands in the air and tried to charge for the ball, but his throw to first was too late. Runners stood at first and third with one out and the third and fourth players in
the opposing team’s batting order were due to come to the plate.
Ian called the infielders to the mound. Shane said, “I always wish there was some kind of microphone out there when they do that. Are they really talking about the game? Or is Billy asking who’s buying drinks when they win?”
Becca laughed and said, “I don’t know. Sometimes he can be a little cheap.”
The little conference broke up, and it looked like it was successful when the next batter swung at the first pitch and hit a line drive right to Billy. He caught it easily for the second out. We stood up and cheered and then slowly sat down to wait for the next batter.
I reached my right hand over to Shane’s leg and my left hand to Becca’s I turned to ask her, “You don’t mind if I touch you, do you? I’m a nervous wreck inside.”
She grinned and rubbed my shoulder saying, “It’s no problem at all. I’m probably as nervous as you.”
Reggie jogged to the pitcher’s mound in his full catcher’s gear to speak briefly with Ian. I watched them both nod like they were in full agreement before Reggie made his way back to home plate.
The first pitch from Ian was even slower than normal, and the batter couldn’t wait. He swung at it and missed it entirely. I breathed a sigh of relief, but I was thinking what Joey vocalized. He said, “If he hits it, that swing will send the ball over the fence.”
Shane slapped Joey’s leg and said, “Ssshhh.”
The second pitch was far outside, and Reggie barely stopped it. The umpire called it a ball. As Ian wound up for the third pitch, I held on tight to both Shane and Becca. I watched the batter swing and his bat connected solidly with the ball. It took flight toward left field, but the ball flew high enough to give the fielders some time to position themselves.
Marshall ran forward while Blake started backing up. Both were staring up into the sky, and I wasn’t sure that they were aware of each other. Becca pulled her hands up to her face and said, “They’re going to run into each other.”
I thought Marshall was better positioned for the catch, but Blake was the more talented fielder. Just as it looked like they would collide, Blake ducked and rolled on the field to the side. He just cleared Marshall’s legs as the ball settled into Marshall’s glove.
I asked, “He’s got it?”
Joey shouted, “He’s got it!”
Marshall thrust his glove into the air with the neon-green softball caught in the webbing. That was just seconds before his teammates mobbed him and tackled him to the ground.
Becca screamed with joy and reached out to hug me. Shane and Joey hugged each other, and minor pandemonium reigned on the city softball field.
24
Marshall
By the time we arrived at the Toolbox, the crowd was already spilling out onto the street. The crowd helping us celebrate at the bar was always twice as big as the crowd watching our championship games in person. Sally planned in advance and had an “all hands on deck” approach for her staff excepting Blake who was celebrating with the team. The crowd was a festive one, but the bar’s staff also watched closely to take into account everyone’s safety and make sure that they could pick up on any signs of trouble well before anything could get out of hand.
Jordan asked, “Was it like this last year, too? It’s like you just won the World Series or something.”
I said, “For all of us, it is the World Series, and yes, this is just like last year. I think the crowd might even be a little bit bigger.”
The music was all retro disco from the 70s and the 80s. It was playing significantly louder than normal. The Toolbox was transformed beyond its normal neighborhood bar appearance and looked more like a small dance club. Sally even rented lights and a disco ball for indoors when the sun went down.
After mingling with teammates and friends outside on the sidewalk, I said, “We’re going in.” Jordan and I flattened ourselves against the side of the doorway and pushed our way inside. Replicas of jerseys of all of the team members were tacked up along the walls and three different banners reading, “The Soft Serves - League Champions!” hung from the ceiling.
I ordered beers from Claw at the bar, and he beamed at me saying, “It’s on the house, Marshall! Congratulations!”
Near the rear of the bar, Billy and Becca were pressed up close to Lowell and Sven. Lowell saw me first and shouted, “Hey, Marshall! Jordan!”
I said, “Can you guys believe this? I couldn’t believe we won last year, and then the repeat? It’s just amazing. I still remember those first seasons when we only won one game.”
Sven said, “I’m just sorry I wasn’t part of it.”
I reached out and grabbed Sven’s shoulder saying, “You were here in spirit with us all season, buddy! Are your parents, okay?”
Sven shook his head and said, “Today is a bittersweet day. Thanks for asking, Marshall.”
I said, “Oh no!”
Sven nodded and said, “Dad left us four days back. The visitation was last night, and the funeral is tomorrow.”
I stared at Lowell and said, “You didn’t tell us.”
He replied, “On Sven’s orders. It was hard to keep it a secret.”
“I didn’t want it to impact the team,” said Sven. “You were so close to the championship. I wanted to make sure you had everything on your side for the win. You are welcome in Minnesota tomorrow if you want to come.”
I said, “We’ll be there. I’m always there to support a friend.”
Billy chimed in, “He means that!”
Before I could say any more, Jordan grabbed me and planted a kiss on my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Becca clap in response.
The music segued into Kool and the Gang’s hit “Celebration” and the entire room began dancing. Our little corner joined in, and I leaned toward Billy and asked, “How long before the shirts start coming off?”
Billy said, “Mine is staying on. Becca is the only one who gets to see the goods and that’s in private.”
I complained, “Aww, it’s a celebration, Billy! Show us at least a little bit of skin.”
He said, “I am celebrating!” Then he added, “Hear you go, Marshall,” and he pulled up the front of his Soft Serves jersey just far enough to reveal a ring in his belly button.
I said, “Damn, that’s sexy. Someday I’ll get to see the rest.”
Just like I suspected, guys started losing the shirts. The first I saw was Reggie’s boyfriend Connor peeling off his shirt. He had a strong muscular body that was well worth showing off. His action created a ripple effect and soon about a third of the guys present were bare-chested and sweaty. I saw Ian and Blake smile at each other while they peeled off their jerseys simultaneously.
I reached out to Jordan and began to tug on his T-Shirt. It came off easily, and I reached out to give a nipple a light pinch. He helped me out of my jersey. I tucked it into the waistband of my jeans and stepped in close so our chests rubbed together. I briefly ground my thigh into Jordan’s package.
He moaned, “Careful, Marshall.”
I pointed to the rear of the bar and said, “See you after awhile, Billy.” He held his beer aloft as Jordan and I both gradually made our way through the teeming crowd until we were against the back wall in the shadows beyond the pool tables.
I wrapped my arms tight around him and kissed hard. Then I whispered in his ear, “I don’t care about the crowd. I wish I could take you right here on top of the pool table.”
Jordan beamed and said, “Damn, that would be so hot, Marshall.” Then he surprised me as he pushed up tight against my body and slipped a hand between my legs.
I furtively glanced around at the crowd. It was impossible for anyone to see Jordan’s fingers gently massaging and squeezing my balls. I moaned, “Fuck, Jordan, do I need to take you home now?”
He smiled and shook his head no. “We’re celebrating, Marshall! Just go with the flow.”
I couldn’t stand it any longer and kissed him hard. Jordan’s hand shifted from
my balls to gripping the outline of my cock tight. His thumb rubbed against the head.
I came up for air from the kiss, and asked, “Are you an exhibitionist, Jordan?”
He smiled and said, “Maybe just a little bit.”
A big, deep breath came out of my mouth with a long slow hiss. Jordan playing with my cock was slowly moving my entire body toward the edge. Part of me wanted him to stop, and part of me thought it was incredibly sexy and wanted him to take me wherever he wanted to go.
Then I was saved by the circumstances. We heard the squeal of feedback from a public address system first, and then both Jordan and I turned our attention to the rest of the room. Blake was standing perched on something behind the bar that placed him high above the heads of the rest of the crowd. He had a microphone in his hand.
Blake’s voice rang out saying, “I don’t want to interrupt the celebration for very long, but I wanted to thank all of you so much for your support of me and the Toolbox for these last few years.”
A cheer rose up from the crowd.
Blake continued saying, “I have a special announcement to make. Everyone knows by now about the victory of the Soft Serves today on the softball field.”
Another cheer rose up. I could hear Reggie’s voice shout above the rest, “Repeat champions!”
Blake said, “For this special announcement, I want Ian at my side.” Whatever Blake was standing on, Ian edged up close to him. He waved to the crowd. “Only a few of you know what I’m going to announce, but there isn’t any other small group of friends in the world I would rather share this news with.”
Jordan whispered in my ear, “Do you think they are…?”
I nodded and said, “Yes, I do.”
Blake said, “It is with an overflowing heart that I want to announce that Ian and I are engaged to be married!”
The crowd roared in response. I hugged Jordan and shouted along with the rest of the crowd. Blake was nearly drowned out by the shouts, but he added there would be cakes on the bar and drinks were free for the next hour.
Uneasy Pieces: The League, Book 4 Page 13
