"Everybody deserves to be happy Gail, even you", Traci smiles as she walks out of the locker room. Gail stands there for a second thinking about what Traci just said. A different date every night is not being happy, she thinks.
She quickly dials Holly's number, not giving Holly time to speak before saying, "Hey, what are you doing tonight?" A slight smile appears on her face and the small laugh from Holly's voice.
"Hello to you too Gail. I'm not doing anything important. Why?" questions Holly,
"I was wondering if you wanted to meet up or something…" Gail's voice disappears towards the end of the question, suddenly unsure as to what she actually wants.
Holly hearing the uncertainty in Gail's voice, smiles before taking control. "Sure, I actually know the perfect place. I'll text you the address and meet you there in say thirty minutes."
Gail sighs. "Yeah sure, but what do you have planned? I don not like surprises nerd." Holly laughs into the receiver.
"Guess you will have to trust me Officer. Thirty minutes. See you there." Holly's laughter continues as she hangs up the phone.
Gail spends the next five minutes staring at her phone. She hated surprises. They never ended well for her or anyone else around her. But there was something about Holly that made her want to trust and want to be surprised. The phone buzzed Gail away from her thoughts. The address was not one she recognised. In that moment she could have googled it but she didn't. She wanted to be surprised. Gail turned back towards her locker to continue getting changed. A small smile gracing her lips as she did so.
"I told you I don't like sports," Gail splutters out as she leaves the cage, "I'm leaving". She heads towards the benches, still aware that Holly is laughing her guts up behind her. She places her helmet on the floor and puts her head into her hands in an attempt to calm herself down. Humiliation and embarrassment is what Gail was feeling.
"This is why I hate surprises nerd!" Gail exclaims as Holly sits down next to her.
Holly shrugs, still trying to get her laughter under control. "Maybe, but you are having fun aren't you?" Holly questions with a raised eyebrow as she bangs into Gail slightly. Gail looks up and takes a second to look at Holly before looking back at the batting cages.
"Yeah, yeah I am," Gail says softly. It has been a long time since she has had this much fun or been able to openly laugh as much as she has. There was something about Holly that made her open up and not feel ashamed to be embarrassed in front of her. It was a new feeling but a nice one. One that she could get used too. She smiled at Holly, who in return smiled a wide smile back. "Thanks for this. I think I really needed it especially after today." Holly nodded in understanding.
"Yeah I know, you seemed to be under a lot of stress earlier, and I've always found hitting something, or not in your case," Holly smirks, earning a slight shove from Gail, "is a great way to let off some steam."
Gail leans back slightly, her hands wringing together, a sign of nerves Gail thinks. "We used to date, me and Chris. To be honest it was never going to be the end all because of how I treated him, but I still care about him, you know." Holly moved a little closer to Gail as a sign of support. Gail subconsciously leaned towards her before continuing. "And he is such a nice guy, he did not deserve any of this, especially not finding out his son is not even his son. He put so much of himself into his family, I can't even imagine what he is feeling." Gail sighs. Holly puts her arm around Gail and brings her into a sideways hug. "It just sucks," Gail continues, her voice getting softer.
Holly kisses Gail's temple and squeezes her gently. "I understand," she whispers softly, "so how about we whack a few more balls. See if you can actually hit one" Holly teases her lightly. Gail laughs quietly and wipes her eyes at the tears threatening to fall.
"Yes lets. Although I know where you work, so no photographic evidence or there will be hell to pay." Gail grabs the bat and heads back to the cage, thankful that Holly changed the subject. She felt almost lighter and was glad Holly was there. Holly seemed to understand what she needed before Gail even did.
"Yes Officer." Holly smirked, "but with that swing, I think I'll be ok" she poked her tongue out at Gail, who turned and glared before storming into the cage. The battle is on now, Gail thinks.