Page 32

32

CADE

“ S trike!” The umpire calls as the home team crowd roars. I struck out again. I want to throw my helmet in frustration. I’m letting my team down. I’m not seeing the ball right now. My bat has gone cold. I walk dejectedly into the dugout. A few of the guys pat my back in empathy. We’ve all been there. Hitting streaks are just that, streaks. It sucks to go cold.

I thought I’d learned how to navigate compartmentalizing my life two years ago. Guess not. Georgia won’t answer my calls. I haven’t talked to her in five days. Straight to voicemail… Déjà vu. The only difference… this time I’m not giving up.

I grab an iPad and watch a replay of my last at-bat. Man, I’m swinging at shit! The batting coach approaches and sits down beside me. He points out a few biomechanical errors I need to adjust and talks to me about my pitch selections.

“Remember this pitcher loves to mix it up. He usually likes to throw it up and in to crowd you, but this time he got you chasing the lower outside corner. He’s got his slider working for him today.”

“You can say that again. I’m just not seeing it today.”

“Shake it off. Focus on your next at-bat. Try to stay relaxed. Tension can mess up your timing. Be patient. Let a few pitches go by. Remember what we worked on in practice today. Keep your weight balanced during your swing.”

“Thanks, coach. At least we’re a few runs ahead.”

He stands, offering an encouraging smile. “We’ve got a nice little lead.” Coach leaves me with my iPad and heads over to watch the next batter.

A fter the game, I shower and change then head straight back to my hotel. After settling in, I call Georgia again. She’s probably at work but I try anyway. I’m shocked when she answers.

“Georgia?”

“Who were you expectin’?”

“Um… I just… I didn’t think you’d ever talk to me again.”

“That would be kinda hard.”

“Yeah, right… you know what I meant.”

Silence.

“Um… well… have you thought about what I said?” I say carefully.

“It’s practically all I’ve thought about.”

“And?”

“I’m still hurt.”

“I figured that much but do you get what I was saying? About the financial security for our son?”

Her voice is so quiet I can barely hear her when she finally responds. “I reckon.”

“That’s a start anyway.”

“I got served today.”

I swallow. “I know the legal docs are intimidating. I’m sorry if you’re unsettled. We’ll do this thing together.”

“As you know my sister is a lawyer, I have it covered.”

“Georgia, I meant we’d figure out how we want this to look. Together. You and me.”

“Why didn’t you ask me to go with you to the appointment then? If we’re so ‘ in this together? ’ Seems like you’re positioning us on opposite sides.”

“I wasn’t though. I didn’t mean to, anyway. Can you answer me honestly? If I’d have asked you to go to an attorney together, would you have agreed?”

Silence.

I push on, “I didn’t think so. You know what my schedule is like. I felt like I needed to hear what she had to say. I wasn’t planning on filing anything that day. I decided on the spur of the moment.”

I hear her deep sigh. “I guess that makes me feel a little better,” she says.

The relief I feel is immeasurable, like a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders. “I’m glad, Geege. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt you. I hope you know that.”

“Not so much,” she says. It feels like a kick in the balls but what do I expect given our history? At least she’s talking to me now. That gives me hope.

“Well, it’s true. I don’t blame you for having doubts, but it’ll all work out. I’m only trying to protect you and Auggie.”

“And get your own way on vacation.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “No. I don’t give a shit about that. If you say it’s too soon, it’s too soon and we’ll leave it at that.”

“Swear?”

“I promise. I’m not the bad guy here. I want what’s best for all of us.”

“I reckon time will tell.”

“Did you watch the game?” I ask.

“Maybe.”

“Did you answer the phone out of pity for me then?”

“Probably,” she says. “You still won so it wasn’t too costly.”

“Easy for you to say. Sucker punched my ego.”

“That sounds like a prayer being answered.”

I laugh out loud. “You’re something else, Georgia. Maybe you can use your prayers for good now that I’ve been put in my place.”

“That was for good.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Well, I best be heading to bed.”

“I miss you, Georgia. Thanks for taking my call.”

“It had to happen sooner or later.”

“You are one tough cookie.”

“Try to remember that when we’re wading through all this together . I’m no pushover.”

“I’m shocked! Listen, no doubt in my mind that we’ll work through this. Sweet dreams. Hug Auggie for me when he wakes up in the morning.”

“I’ll try to remember. Night, Cade. Good luck in tomorrow’s game.”

“Thanks. I’ll have a better shot at it now.”

We hang up and I turn on the TV and settle back against the pillows. Before too long Dean arrives so I switch it off and we talk baseball until I can barely keep my eyes open.

“I’m zonking out, bro,” I say yawning loudly. I reach over to turn off my bedside lamp.

“Yeah, I’m ready to clock out myself. See ya bright and early,” Dean says.

I’m asleep before he finishes his sentence.