by S. E. Rose
“A psychologist.”
“Oh, right…what you studied.”
“You studied psychology?” I ask Kent, suddenly realizing just how much we haven’t talked about yet.
He nods. “Yeah, that’s what my degree is in.”
“Wow, I had no idea.”
“Well, I should get home and grade some quizzes. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to the pre-game ritual. Good luck tomorrow, Kent.”
“Thanks.”
They hug, and Di hugs me and walks off. “Where does she live?” I ask.
“Oh, uh, Di lives just down the road in an apartment. Kylie lives not far in an apartment and Lanie has a house just off Main Street.”
“You all live here?”
“Yep. Banneker is our home. It’s a great little town.”
“You mean Mayberry.”
Kent rolls his eyes. And as if on cue, a little old lady walks out of the coffee shop and says hi to him.
“Night, Mrs. Miller.”
“You better get home soon, Kent. You have a big day tomorrow,” she says as she walks down a block and turns on a side road.
I giggle. “Yeah, Kent, big day tomorrow.”
He shoots me a look. “OK, Mrs. Miller.”
I place my hand over my mouth as I stifle my laughter.
“Laugh it up, buttercup.”
“Oh, I will.”
“Come on, let’s walk down to the river,” he says as we finish our ice cream.
“But’s it’s dark.”
“Oh, come on, live a little,” he says as he grabs my hand, practically dragging me down Main Street. And true to my prediction, at least five people say hello to us and wish Kent good luck.
By the time we reach the river, I’m laughing so hard that I have to grab the railing of the wooden fence along the walkway.
“I’m sorry, but this town cannot be for real. Like seriously, places like this just don’t exist in real life. I’m beginning to wonder if you put everyone up to it, just to pull my leg.”
Kent shakes his head. “Nope. That’s just Banneker for you. There’s a reason so many people stay here. You keep commenting about it, does it bother you?” he asks as he leans against the railing.
“No, it’s just so foreign to me. I still can’t process a place like this exists a mere thirty minutes from where I grew up.”
“Well, it does. Learn to love it.”
I smile. “I do love it. It’s amazing. Truly. It’s the coolest place. I love how everyone knows everyone. And it’s like they actually care.”
Kent gives me a curious look. “They do care. We’re a community.”
My grin widens, and I shake my head. “You have no idea how good you had it growing up here, do you?”
He shrugs, resting his forearms on the top of the railing as he looks down at the river. There’s a single streetlight overhead that illuminates us along with a small section of water. “I know. I just…forgot sometimes.”
I place my hand on his forearm, and he looks over at me. “Don’t take it for granted, ever.” I swirl around with my hands in the air. “I mean look at all of this. You live in Mayberry or Cheers bar. Everyone here knows you and loves you. You have the most amazing family in the world. Oh, and you get to play a game for a living. Basically, you won the life jackpot.”
“Well, I—”
“Uh, Kent?” I interrupt as I crane my neck, looking down the street, where I see a dog running around.
“What?” His head turns in the direction of my gaze.
“Is that your parents’ dog?”
“Shit…yeah,” he curses as he starts jogging. “Frito! Frito!”
The dog takes off running like it’s a game. I try to get ahead of him, but he bolts past me. We both run after him down Main Street, yelling his name.
“Kent, is that your parents’ dog?” a guy coming out of the bar asks.
“Yeah, Dave. It’s Frito.”
The guy leans back inside the door of the bar. “Hey, the Moores’ dog is out. Come help.”
Five more guys pile out, followed by the kid from the ice cream shop, a barista from the coffee shop, and a young couple out for a walk. Cars stop and wait for us to chase Frito who clearly thinks this is the best game of dog tag ever played. For a big dog, Frito can run. We all seem to have him corralled when a patron at the coffee shop comes out carrying a tray of coffees. Frito takes the opportunity to run full speed into the coffee shop. The woman throws the tray in the air, coffee raining down on her and Dave who’s closest to her.
“Shit!” she yelps.
“Sorry, Robin!” Mr. Moore’s voice calls out from across the street. I look over and the Moores are now heading our way with a leash.
Robin shrugs and the barista yells that she’ll make new ones. By the time we all get into the coffee shop, Frito is lying on a sofa, lapping spilled coffee off a table. An old man pets her.
“Frito just wanted a mocha latte,” he says with a laugh.
“Frito!” Mrs. Moore scolds as she heads over to the dog.
Frito, who was oblivious to the Moores a moment ago, suddenly looks sheepish and guilty. She puts her head down on the sofa and tucks her tail between her legs.
“Really, you’re going to grow a conscience now?” Mr. Moore says with a raised eyebrow.
“Thanks, everyone. Coffees on me if you want one.”
A line forms and Mr. Moore tells the barista to put them on his tab. She nods and starts filling the orders. The Moores chat with a few of the people, before heading over to us.
“Never a dull moment,” Kent says with a laugh as he runs a hand through his hair and looks down at Frito. “Dog, if I don’t know better, I’d swear you were a damn cat.”
“A cat?” I ask.
“Yeah, this is definitely more than the ninth time she’s gotten out.”
I laugh. “I see.”
“And she always comes here or the ice cream shop,” Mrs. Moore points out. “My girl loves herself some sweets. Don’t you, baby.” Frito licks her hand. “Now, how can I be mad at a face like that?”
“Oh, you can be mad alright,” Mr. Moore states as he tries to give Frito an angry look but epically fails when she licks his hand.
“That dog is more spoiled than any of us kids ever were.”
Mrs. Moore pats Kent’s cheek. “I spoiled you, sweet cheeks. You just don’t want to admit it. Now, you better get home and get a good night’s sleep.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Thanks for helping, Tabby. We’ll see you tomorrow,” she says as she leans in to hug me.
“See you tomorrow,” I reply with a small wave as Kent takes my hand and leads me out of the coffee shop.
We walk in silence for a few blocks until I can no longer contain my giggles.
“What’s so funny?”
“Episode forty-three, Mayberry to the Rescue,” is all I manage before my giggles turn into full-blown laughter.
Kent shakes his head but can’t stop his lips from curling into a grin. “You’re too much, you know that?”
I shrug. “I’m just me.”
He squeezes my hand. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Kent
It’s game day. I kiss Tabby goodbye as she sleeps in my bed. She looks perfect in it. Her butterfly tattoo peeks out from the sheets wrapped around her, and I kiss that too.
“You better get going,” she groans as she opens one eye.
“I know. Just enjoying the view for a moment.”
I slap her ass playfully and head downstairs. I’ve already stretched and warmed up in my gym, showered, and had my coffee. It’s time to get to the stadium.
I listen to my favorite playlist as I drive. It’s every song that has ever pumped me up in my entire life. By the time I roll into the parking garage, I’m feeling good, Zen-like, calm.
I look down and see the family chat blowing up with well-wishes.
Mother Hen: Kick some butt
> Di: Crush ’em
Kyles: Go gangsta on their asses
C-Dog: Remember that “no one puts baby in the corner”
I shake my head.
Mothership: Good luck, sweetie
Dad: You got this
There’s a slew of texts from other family members and friends. After I quickly scan them, I head to the locker room.
Ward’s already there. He has his headphones on, and his eyes are closed as he lies on the massage table. Our physical therapist, Earl, massages his legs.
“You ready, KJ?” he asks me.
I nod. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Tabitha
I have never been so nervous in my entire life. I’m pretty certain that I have zero nails left because I’ve chewed them all down to nubs. I’m also tapping both legs. Di finally reaches out and places her hand on my knee.
“You need to calm the fuck down, for real.”
“I can’t…this is…too intense,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Well, you having a coronary isn’t gonna help things.”
“Shut it, Di. Let me remain in my ball of anxiety.”
It’s the top of the ninth, and it’s tied. They need to score here. Ward is up to bat with the bases loaded. I find myself praying to the baseball gods, OK, any god, Masters of the Universe, Pikachu, Yoda, whatever I can think of.
“What are you mumbling?” Di asks me, her hand now gripping mine. She and I are in the family seats and the rest of the family is up in a box.
“I’m just praying.”
“Praying…to Yoda?”
I shrug. “You missed all the other things I prayed to.”
She shakes her head but stops as Ward brings the bat back. “Please, baby Yoda and all other cute creatures of the universe, please let Ward hit a run!”
The pitcher lets a curveball fly and Ward clips it, sending it hard right into the stands. He swings a few times before stepping up to home plate again. This time, the pitcher throws a fastball. Ward swings and misses.
My knee is now bouncing uncontrollably. I feel like every fan is silent as he steps up to bat again. His face is on the big screen, and I swear he winks at the camera before the pitcher lets another fastball fly, and Ward nails it. The ball goes flying out into left field. Ward takes off and the players on third and second come sprinting around the bases to home. And just like that, they win game one.
I jump up and start screaming and so does Di. We hug and jump and cry and scream some more. My voice is non-existent after five minutes of doing this.
The crowds are crazy excited as everyone starts to file out of the stadium. Di and I stay put, waiting for things to calm down.
“Hey, honey pie!” I hear a voice say. We turn to find Kent’s grandparents, all three of them, plus Lyla’s grandmother.
We all exchange hugs while talking excitedly about the win.
“The game was great, but those boys in their uniforms,” Gran Millie says while fanning her face.
Tilly hits her in the arm. “That’s my grandson you’re ogling, Mills.”
Millie laughs. “Hon, Kent’s a sight for sore eyes, but that Ward. Every time I’m over at his house, I just break out the champagne and watch him swim laps in those little banana hammocks of his. It’s the most action I’ve seen since Roger got his prostate surgery.”
Grandma Tilly laughs. “You’re awful.”
PopPop Bob looks up at the sky and shakes his head. “I swear, all you ladies are gonna be the death of me.” As if on cue, another older gentleman walks over to our group.
“Roger, this is Kent’s lady, Tabby,” Gran Millie introduces us. Roger shakes my hand.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“Same.”
“We better get this rowdy bunch home,” PopPop Bob says with a wink toward Di and me.
“You’re not gonna come out with us for drinks?” Di asks.
The older group shakes their head and each one stifles laughter. “Sweetie pie, you’re lucky we stayed up for the end of the game.”
I look at my watch. It’s only ten thirty.
“I ate enough hot dogs for a week,” Gran Millie says with a wink toward Roger, who rolls his eyes and slaps her ass.
I blush with embarrassment.
“Cool it, Millie. You’re gonna scare Tabby,” Nana Betty says to her, giving her a sharp look before turning back to me with a smile. “Don’t mind us old farts. Now, you two go find the others, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Your chariot awaits!” a man says to the group. I look over and find a very attractive man, offering his arm to Millie. Nate bounds up behind him and hugs Di.
“Your man is on fuego!” she says to Nate as Nate leans over to hug me.
“I know and his ass in that uniform! I swear he’s just trying to get me going every time he wiggles it while on home plate.”
Nana Betty gives him a look, and he grins. “Tabby, this is my bestie, B-Ray.”
I shake his hand. “So, this is the beauty that has captured our little KJ’s heart. I can see why, girl, you are a stunner.”
I blush again. I swear I love all these people, but man, do they know how to get my face to heat with color.
“Thanks,” I say awkwardly.
“Here’s my card, if you ever want your hair done. I love redheads,” he says with a wink as he pulls a card out and hands it to me.
“Stop flirting with the ladies and get us home. I have a nail appointment at nine tomorrow,” Gran Millie says to him.
B-Ray holds up a giant foam finger. “Follow me, my little loves. Let’s get you home.”
I turn to Di. “Another character, huh?”
Di giggles and shrugs. “What can I say? We collect them.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
I stare out the window as Mr. Moore drives us all to the away games. I promised Kent that I wouldn’t miss them for the world. Now, all the Moores, other than Kent, and I are heading to Cleveland. A second van with all the grandparents, Nate, and B-Ray follow behind us.
I haven’t seen much of Kent this week, not that I expected to since he’s a tinge busy. And I’ve been spending every waking second that I’m not at a game or with the Moores, trying to put the finishing touches on things for the gala that’s in two weeks.
All the phones ping at the same time, and I look down. I laugh when I read the text. I have been added to the official World Series extended-family group chat.
Tilly: Can we stop at that wings place? PopPop wants wings
Mr. Moore groans as Mrs. Moore reads the text out loud.
“No! I just want to get there. We can stop on the way home.”
“OK, dear.”
C-Dog: Dad’s being a party pooper. The answer is NO.
“Clark!” both Moore parents yell as he announces he’s already responded.
“What? I know Dad, why beat around the bush?”
“He has a point,” Kylie says from next to me.
“Are we almost there? I need to pee,” Lanie asks.
“Oh, I can pull over here,” Mr. Moore says as he signals to turn off into a service center.
“Sure, you let us pee but no wings,” Clark mutters as he pulls out an earbud.
“Can everyone just not be cranky? We need positive mojo,” Di says.
Everyone grumbles in response. I’m pretty sure everyone is exhausted. It’s been a long week. And with the series tied up, the tension is high.
It’s only eleven in the morning and the game isn’t until seven tonight.
My phone rings as we pile out of the car. I look down and see Kent’s photo and smile.
“Hey there, champ.”
“Don’t say that yet, you’ll jinx us.”
I laugh. “OK, what’s up?”
“I just wanted to hear your voice before things get crazy here.”
“Oh, do you want to say hi to everyone,” I ask, looking around at all the Moores. Everyone is clustered into little groups, chatting about differ
ent things as Lanie beelines to the bathroom.
“No, just you.”
I smile. “OK.” I walk away from the group. “You ready?”
“Yes. Just a ball of nervous energy at the moment.”
“That’s understandable. Just keep your eye on the ball, I mean not literally keep it on the ball. I learned that much.”
He laughs. “You have so much more to learn.”
“Shut it, I’m trying.”
“I know. And I love that you are trying.”
I grin like a schoolgirl that just had her crush say hi to her in the hallway.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” he says. “Only a few more days and then we can spend real time together.”
“I know. I can’t wait.”
“Why don’t you pick somewhere you’d like to go, and we can plan a trip?”
“OK…” I trail off because a trip is like a serious thing. I’m still unsure about our relationship status. We haven’t had “the talk” yet.
“I have to go, but…thanks for coming to the games. You have no idea how much it means to me,” he says and my heart swells at his admission.
“You’re welcome, Kent. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“See you later, alligator.”
“After a while, crocodile,” I respond with a smirk and hang up.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Kent
There’s one game left. Game seven happens to be home for us. I’m so channel focused on the game that I almost forgot to call Tabby.
She answers on the second ring.
“You ready?”
“As ready as I can be.”
“You got this.”
“Yep. I do.”
“That’s the spirit. Uh, don’t bother looking at the family chat till after the game because C-Dog posted an inappropriate gif and now there’s a whole discussion about his behavior going on between Tilly, Betty, and your mom.”
I laugh. “That kid needs to get his shit together.”
“He’s only eighteen. Give him time.”
“I know, I know.” My coach calls for me to come to get ready for an interview. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll see you afterward.”
