A New Experience Part 1

The front door slammed open and a small whirlwind came to a halt in front of Jack. "Sign this." Danny held out a sheet and pointed to the part at the bottom that said parent or guardian's signature. "Quick, Jack. I haven't got time to wait."

"I'm not signing anything without reading it. He lifted it up and Danny snatched it out of his hand.

"For Christ sakes Jack!"

"Language," Jack frowned at him. "I'll look at it first before I sign it."

"I haven't got time for that," he tried to snatch it back. "I'll sign it myself."

"Danny, you can't sign it."

"Of course I can, I'm supposed to be my own father aren't I? That's what we keep telling people. Now either sign it or give it back," he said rudely.

"That's enough." Jack caught sight of the title before Danny started again. Little League Baseball.

"Damn it Jack."

"Corner," Jack said pointing.

"No! I.." Jack turned him around and pushed him towards the corner. Why could Danny not take a warning, mind you he always did things and then thought later. Umpteen times his hastiness had got the team into situations. Pity he hadn't put him in a corner then. He might have learned not to rush in.

Jack read the form and signed it. "Here Danny." Danny turned round looking miserable.

"She's probably gone now and it's all your fault."

"Who?"

"Mrs. Anderson. She coaches the team. Charlie and Steven are going and they brought a form for me. She's their teacher from school."

"I'm sure she's still there. I'd like to meet her." He took Danny's hand and they walked round to the Robert's house. Morag opened the door.

"We were just wondering where Danny was. Jack this is Paula Anderson." A tall red haired woman got up from the couch. She held out her hand.

"Good evening Colonel O'Neill. Danny told me a lot about you." Jack hated to think what he'd said.

"Hope it was all good."

"Mostly." She gave him a smile. Danny tugged at his arm. Jack handed the form to her. "I certainly was surprised when he filled the form in himself. He's a very bright boy. Where does he go to school?"

"He's schooled at the base. He didn't have a very good experience at school before because he was clever."

"You seem to be doing a good job." Jack liked her smile. "Danny asked if he could come and I said there were plenty of spaces. We have all abilities in the team. Danny said he hasn't played much since he came here."

"When's practice?" Jack asked.

"Tuesday night after school. It's held in the school grounds. Then the minibus takes them to Daycare."

"I'll bring Danny Tuesday at 4."

"Good to meet you and see you Tuesday." She left.

Danny punched the air. "Don't know why you were making all that fuss Jack. Now we'll need to go shopping."

"Sorry. Well I'll need a lot of things." Jack looked over at Morag and raised his eyebrows as if to say what have I got myself into.

Danny pulled him round to the house, "Come on Jack. I need a bat, a ball, a catcher's mitt and I'll need shorts and t-shirts and trainers."

"Whoa, Danny you don't need all that. You've got shorts and t-shirts. We can get some trainers. You don't need anything else."

"But Jack. I'll need the right equipment. When you go on a mission you take the right things with you. This is the same."

Jack could remember Charlie getting all excited about something and then 2 weeks later losing interest. He still had all the things they'd bought him for Karate then he wanted to play soccer. "No Danny."

Danny stamped his foot," It's not fair, Jack. Everyone will have stuff, I'll be the only one and then no one will want to play with me." Too many times Danny had been the outsider. He'd never had any of the right sport's gear so he couldn't take part. All his things had been borrowed and didn't all the other kids know it.

Jack looked at his sad face. Oh damn, he couldn't do that to the kid. "Come on then but you better not lose interest after a week."

"We can get it." Danny was amazed, Jack had given in to whining. Must not be feeling well he thought, better get the things now before Jack came down with whatever was wrong with him.

He practically skipped to the door. Jack knew he was going to regret this but he could always donate the stuff to the team if Danny stopped going.

They drove to a big sport's shop at the mall. They had everything for just about every sport. Danny looked at the bats. He lifted them up and looked at them. Not that he knew what he was looking for but everyone else there was doing it. A sales assistant came over, "Can I help sir?" Obviously sees his bonus going up Jack thought.

"Yes, I need a bat. Which is best one?" Danny said.

He picked up a small bat from the second row. "Think this one will do for your height. You must be 6 or 7 are you?"

"I'm 6." God he's even admitting his age Jack thought. Jack looked at the price tag, it wasn't too bad. "Now I need a ball and a catcher's mitt." The man led them over to another display.

By the time they reached the trainers Jack was exhausted. He'd never seen Danny so enthusiastic about shopping. The sales assistant measured Danny's feet and brought out 2 pairs for him to try.

Jack was loaded with packages when he left the shop. The sales assistant held the door open for them. "You're a very lucky boy to have a dad like this."

"Yes I am," Danny said. Jack's face lit up. That made it all worthwhile.

Jack bought a pizza for their dinner, he couldn't be bothered to cook. Danny seemed to be as tired as Jack. "Can we try out my stuff tomorrow at lunchtime?" Danny asked.

"Sure Danny. Now let's get to bed."

TBC