Seasons
By
1st endeavor
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Spioiler: Identity Crisis
Chapter 11:
Life was all around him. From the blades of grass beneath his feet to the blue skies above him life was present in so many ways. The park was filled with sounds and he hungrily listened to each one; laughter, dogs barking, music, teasing banter between friends and even the simple art of speaking that so many people took for granted. Vibrant colors and fragrant smells assaulted his senses and he longed to be a part of it once again-but could not; that path was no longer open to him.
As if on cue the shimmering light appeared before him bringing with it an overall sense of peace and tranquility, luring him to step into the light with an unspoken promise of ending his lonely existence. Tom took a step forward then another and almost walked through the alluring light but at the last second stepped aside and the shimmering light vanished from his sight. He clinched his fists in frustration; he couldn't leave yet, not until he was sure that Charlie and Don were going to be okay.
"Why didn't you cross over?"
Tom turned suddenly, surprised by the woman's voice. She was young, early twenties maybe, with light brown hair that fell to her shoulders. Kind hazel eyes framed by a pretty face gazed at him in curiosity while she waited for his answer.
"You can see me?"Tom asked excitedly. "You saw the light too?" At her nod he tilted his head to the side; eyes searching her face cautiously. Suddenly he straightened up as recognition flared in his eyes and he said with certainty. "You're with him."
"Yes. My name is Marta and he is my father."
Tom nodded thoughtfully then frowned, his brow furrowing. "Doesn't it frighten you to see dead people?"
"No," she answered calmly; her eyes softening even more as she spoke. "I have seen them all my life; they are just lost souls, like you, trying to find their way home, and like Papa I am glad that I can help them." She inclined her head. "You didn't answer my question."
"I'm not ready yet." Tom growled darkly, no longer enjoying the conversation. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and glanced away.
"Papa is worried….worried that your plan will hurt the Eppes brother's more than help them." She whispered hesitantly.
Tom's head snapped back; eyes hardening as he hissed. "He's not going to back out is he?"
"No…no." Marta stammered out, taking a step back in surprise from the sudden change in the spirit's demeanor.
"I'm sorry," Tom apologized immediately seeing that his actions had frightened her; his eyes softened. "I didn't mean to frighten you. It's just that I know my friends, especially Charlie, and this is the only way that I will be able to convince them that I am really here."
"..And the Red Team is retired with two hits and no runs as we go to the top of the fourth inning."
They both turned in the direction of the ball field as the sportscaster's voice floated across the park.
"You're missing the game." He pointed out with a nod at her red tee shirt.
"So are you."
Tom's eyes darted downward; it was amazing how he could change the color of his clothes with just a thought. He met her eyes and smiled. "Want to walk back together?"
Marta nodded and fell into step with the ghost. Tom had been a nice man in life she decided and wished that she could have known him before he had been murdered.
"Enjoy the game." He said quietly as they parted at the stands.
She watched as Tom followed Charlie out on the field and stood by his side at first base. Her eyes drifted over the crowd, she found it amazing that only one other person could see Tom standing there besides herself. A chorus of Take Me out to the Ball Game suddenly blared forth from the loudspeakers bringing Marta out of her reverie. She spared Tom one more glance then threaded her way through the crowd to join her parents.
Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For its one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game.
The score was zero to zero as the Blue team came up to bat in the top of the fourth inning. Hank was first at bat; the first ball was a strike then he hit a long drive to left field and managed to make it to second base. Frank Bailey, their centerfielder was up next and hit into a pop fly, getting their first out of the inning. Next at bat was Sylvia Mendez, left fielder and the girl's softball coach at the local high school. She surprised everyone with a bunt on her second ball and made it to first base while Hank advanced to third. The next batter, Al Miller, struck out without the runners advancing then Peter Winthrop, their second baseman, connected with the ball and hit a home run. Hank and Sylvia both scored and the blue team fans cheered wildly as Pete loped around the bases. Doug Faraday, right fielder stepped up to the plate, hit a pop fly which Don easily caught giving them their third out of the inning.
The Red Teams left fielder, Jason Mackenzie was first at bat in the bottom half of the fourth but after two foul balls struck out. Robin was up next; she swung and missed her first ball but caught a piece of the second one sending it flying toward second base. Hank easily fielded the ball then tossed it to the first baseman who tagged Robin out before she could get to the base. Charlie was up next; a strike was called on his first ball then the pitcher hit him with the second one so he advanced to first base on a walk. Don was next to bat and on the first pitch he hit a long drive to the right field; Charlie advanced to 2nd base and he took over first. Barry Travers was up next but he struck out, ending the inning.
"And we go the Fifth Inning with the score: Blue team – 3, Red team - 0." Bradley announced as the teams exchanged places. He glanced sideways at Larry but the cosmologist seemed content to just watch the game. Occasionally the professor would comment on a particular play but preferred to leave the play by play announcements to Roger.
The fifth, sixth and seventh innings were unremarkable without either team scoring then in the bottom of the eighth the Red team's Mark Grayson hit a double and advanced to second base. Amita was up next; her first ball was a strike but she hit an infield fly on her 2nd ball. It should have been an easy out for the first baseman but he fumbled the ball and by the time he recovered she was safely on first while Grayson advanced to third. Barry Travers, centerfielder was up next and hit a sacrifice fly giving them their first out and also their first run as Grayson crossed home plate while Amita made it safely to second. Next at bat was Neil Harper. The burly catcher grounded out to second and was tagged out but not before Amita made it to third. Jeremy, their pitcher was up next and since hitting wasn't his best position Don whispered a few words of advice to him before he stepped into the batter's box. He earned strikes on his first two balls then surprised the Blue team with a sacrifice bunt.
Kenny ran forward, grabbed the ball and threw it to home plate just as Amita tagged the base."Safe!" the referee called out as the "red" fans yelled wildly. She began to jump up and down with excitement and when the rest of the team came out to congratulate her she ran into Charlie's arms with so much force that she nearly knocked him over. The catcher had immediately thrown the ball to the first baseman who tagged Jeremy just in the nick of time. The inning was over but the pitcher's sacrifice bunt had given the Red team a second run.
"It's a pretty close game folks and as we move into the ninth inning the score is Blue Team – 3, Red Team -2.
Don's team took the field and while everyone was getting into position the agent approached the pitching mound. "You've got a really good pitching arm, Jeremy. Are you considering trying out for the majors?"
"Thinking about it." The young man replied as he limbered up his pitching arm."
"You keep pitching the way you have been and you'll get there." Don said, glancing sideways at the batter's box. Good, the batter wasn't there yet. "Listen, Jeremy do you have any pitches that you haven't used yet?"
"Actually," Jeremy replied with a sly grin. "I have a slider that I've been working on."
Don's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A slider? You've got a slider?" Suddenly he grinned broadly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Go for it, kid." Still chuckling to himself Don moved back to his position beside of second base just as the sportscaster announced the first batter.
"Batting first, #19 right fielder, Doug Faraday. Doug has grounded out and hit a pop fly so far today."
Jeremy stepped into his wind up then released his fast ball.
Dough gripped the bat ….and
"A swing and a miss. Strike one." Bradley intoned.
Another pitch…and
"Strike two."
A third pitch and…
"Strike three. Doug is out."
The Blue team's second batter approached the plate to the wild cheers of the fans.
"First baseman, Jill Hathaway. "
Jeremy limbered up his arm, took a deep breath and threw his fast ball once, twice and a third time and Jill went down swinging.
"And that's two outs for the Blue Team."
Once again the red fans gave a loud roar.
"#16, shortstop, Hank Fisher. Hank has scored one of the runs today and hit a long drive to the outfield. Let's see if he can do it again."
The Blue team's fans gave Hank a rousing cheer and he walked to the plate followed by chants of Go Sheriff Fisher, go Sheriff Fisher!"
Jeremy took a deep breath and stepped on the mound then in one fluid motion he threw the ball so that it would hook sharply outside of the strike zone. If he threw it right Hank would chase the ball and miss it.
Up at the home plate Hank stood poised and ready to hit the ball. The ball was coming right at him and it was just where he liked it too. He gripped the bat tightly and swung it with all of his might and just as he thought he had the ball dead center it dipped out of reach.
"What a pitch! Strike one!"
"What the hell was that?" Hank exclaimed in disbelief twisting around to catch the catcher's eye. "Was that a slider?"
"That my friend was Jeremy's secret weapon." Neil chortled as he threw the ball back to his son then squatted down behind home plate to get ready for the next ball.
Jeremy caught the ball and glanced sideways at Don who grinned and gave him thumbs up. He stepped on the mound and threw the ball with all of his might.
"A swing and a miss! Strike two!"
A gasp erupted from the fans and then complete silence as a determined Hank stepped up for his last time at bat; it was now or never- he had to hit the ball this time. The sheriff knew what to expect now so he grimly prepared himself for the next slider.
Jeremy took a deep breath and stepped into his pitch; narrowing his eyes he released the ball and followed its flight to the plate.
Hank swung the bat; too late he realized that the ball wasn't going to drop but continued straight over the strike zone.
"Strike three, you're out!" Bradley exclaimed. "Now that's the kind of pitching that you see in the majors."
Jeremy's team mates ran over and patted him on the back as they switched places with the Blue team.
"The pressure is really on the batters now. " The Sportscaster announced while the teams got into position.
"Ah…excuse me Roger but did you know that if a batter swings 1/100th of a second too soon his ball will go foul down the left field side?"
"I didn't know that, Larry."
"And if the batter hits 1/1ooth of a second too late it will go foul in the right field seats?"
"That is quite interesting and I suppose this is all due to Physics."
"Yes, yes of course it is." Larry exclaimed excitedly. "Here's one more tidbit for you-the batter's decision to swing has to happen within 4/100th of a second."
"I'm glad that I'm not down on that field." Roger said, whistling softly through his teethbefore getting back to the game. "This will be the last chance the Red Team will have to score. They have to get one run to tie the game and two to win it. The question is can they do it?"
Don walked in front of the bench, waving his hands in an effort to calm his team down. It wasn't easy; Jeremy's strike outs had infused them all with excitement.
"Focus, people, focus." He ordered, raising his voice to be heard over the excited fans. "Jeremy did his job now we have to do ours."
The pressure was getting to them though and their excitement began to fade as the first two batters struck out.
"Two outs and one to go. This could be the game, folks. A strike out here will give the game to the Blue Team. Now batting for the Red Team: #7 Left Fielder-Jason Mackenzie. Jason struck out his last time at bat."
As the third batter approached the home plate Don absently popped a piece of gum in his mouth; his thoughts on the game. "This could be it, one more out and we're finished." He started to put the gum away when suddenly three hands, palms upward, were thrust under his nose. His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he glanced at the faces belonging to those hands then silently deferred to Robin's, Charlie's, and Amita's silent request by deftly placing a piece of gum into each palm.
Alan moved up behind the three and thrust out his hand. "Hey, I want one too."
Don looked up and grinned then crumpled the now empty pack and tossed it into the trash. "Sorry, pal, but I'm all out."
"Figures," Alan grumbled good-naturedly then nodded toward Jeremy. "The kid's got some arm, huh?"
Don's eye flickered toward the bench where Neil was excitedly talking to his son. "I'll say. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the majors one day."
"Strike One."
Don groaned at the announcement and turned his attention back to the game.
"Well, good lucks guys." Alan said, wincing at the call as he moved to get out of the way. He had planned to sit on the bench and watch the rest of the game but he was too nervous so he ended up standing with the rest of the players as Mackenzie connected with the ball and sent a line drive out to centerfield.
Bradley's voice could barely be heard over the cheers. "Mackenzie hits a single and the tying run is on the field."
It was Robin's turn next and she was more than a little nervous as she picked up her bat. "I don't get it," she muttered to Don. "I can face a a cold blooded killer in court without flinching a muscle but I'm breaking out in a sweat over the chance that I might miss that damn little ball."
"Remember, it's just a game." The agent replied encouragingly, kissing her on the lips then he shoved her gently toward the batter's box and swatted her lightly on the rear end. "Now get out there and hit that ball."
Robin arched her brow at him then giggled as she picked up her bat. She took a deep breath and got into position; she could do this-all she had to do was watch for the right pitch.
"Batting fourth is Robin Brooks. She bunted for a base hit her first time up and struck out the second time."
"Strike One." Bradley announced as she swung at an outside pitch and missed. Robin gripped the bat firmly and swung again.
"Strike Two."
Robin took a deep breath and as the ball approached she swung with all her might and got a piece of the ball. She didn't wait to see where it went but took off at a run and made it safely to first base.
"Brooks hits a pop up fly to right field. This should have been an easy out but Faraday drops the ball and she's safely on base by the time the ball is back in play. Mackenzie advances to second and the Red Team comes alive in the bottom of the ninth.
The fans were really getting into the game now and a roar of cheers followed his announcement.
"The next batter is #3, first baseman, Charlie Eppes. He walked his first time at bat."
Charlie swallowed nervously and picked up his bat but before he stepped out onto the field Amita gave him a fierce hug and a kiss for good luck."You can do it, Charlie."
Alan patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck, Charlie."
Don hooked an arm around his neck and spoke softly in his ear before he approached the batter's box then with a quick nod of understanding he got into position. Speed and wind variables played through his mind as he tried to focus on the first pitch and as Kenny released the ball he tried to time his swing with the arrival of the ball but missed.
"Strike one."
He put the sudden roar of groans from his mind and tried to concentrate as chants of Charlie, Charlie, Charlie rose from the stands. This time as the ball approached he moved his hands up the barrel of the bat and squared off to bunt. The ball bounced off the bat and rolled midway between home plate and the pitcher's mound. Charlie dropped the bat and raced to first base. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the pitcher pick up the ball and throw it to the first baseman. With a renewed burst of speed he breathlessly launched himself forward and slid headfirst toward the base, his fingers tagging the base just as the first baseman's foot left the bag while he caught the ball.
"He's safe! Charlie Eppes is safe at first!" Bradley exclaimed excitedly."Ladies and gentlemen this is baseball at its best."
The mathematician lay there afraid to move until he heard the sportscaster's announcement, then and only then did he allow himself to believe that he was safe. A smile spread across his face as Charlie rose unsteadily to his feet amid the roars and cheers of the red team fans. He bent down to retrieve his cap and as he placed it on his head his grin broadened at the sight of Amita and his Dad cheering and jumping up and down with excitement.
"Two outs and the bases are loaded as the final hitter moves to the batting box. This is a nightmare scenario for the Blue team's pitcher because the next man up is Don Eppes, former pro second baseman for the Stockton Rangers and the power hitter for the Red Team. Kenny can't walk the man without sending in the tying run so he has no choice but to pitch to him and hope that he can strike him out."
"Hit the ball, Don! Hit the ball!" The chanting began again as soon as the agent approached the batting box and his heart caught in his throat- he really missed this game.
Kenny wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered under his breath. "Man, why did it have to be Don's turn to bat?" He gripped the ball tightly, went through his wind up pitch then released it. Praying that he had thrown it right he couldn't take his eyes off of it as it ripped through the air.
Don could feel the sweat running down his back as bat in hand he prepared to swing."No pressure," he thought sarcastically. "I just have to hit it hard enough for two of us to score, that's all."
"A swing and a miss. Strike One." Bradley called out.
Don cursed himself; he knew better than to go after a low outside pitch. He clenched his jaw, vowing not to make the same mistake again as he readied the bat for another swing. He got a piece of the next ball but it foul tipped right into the catcher's glove.
"Strike Two."
Don wiped the sweat from his upper lip then planted his back foot firmly in place while Kenny got into his position to throw the ball. He shifted his weight backwards, twisting his hips slightly as he positioned the bat for his swing. Kenny threw the ball and Don took a small step forward to increase his hitting power as the ball approached him. He gripped the bat tightly; adrenaline coursing through his veins, eyes locked on the approaching ball. "Wait for it-wait for it," Don whispered then he stepped into his swing.
CRACK!
A hush fell over the crowd as everyone in the stands rose suddenly to their feet; all eyes locked on the ball as it soared across the field.
TBC
Take Me Out to the Ball Game-Jack Norworth, Albert Von Tilzer-1908