Fun Fact #4
If you guys noticed I had all the kids refer to each other's mothers as "ma" "mamma" "mom". This wasn't on accident, I wanted them to call their friend's parents this to show how close everyone really was. That they are a family.
Hey guys, so I wanted to let y'all know that the next chapter will be the last chapter. It will be extra long and buckle up for a feels trip because it's gonna get mushy. Keep an eye out for the next update. Please enjoy this chapter!
Putting The Pieces Back Together
Months had passed and I tried my best to just keep going with my chin up. But the guilt of letting Bertram go didn't sit well with me. Benny tried his best to comfort me, but I could tell it hurt him too. Of course, it hurt me more since I knew something that the others didn't; I had broken his heart. I knew that dwelling on it wouldn't make anything better.
This whole experience with B was eye-opening. I didn't want to take anything for granted. Not time, love, or happiness. Every moment counts.
When I moved here in that summer of '63. When Smalls found me and brought me to the Sandlot. When we all camped out. Getting to know the boys and being a part of their group. Dealing with Mom's ex-boyfriend all while Mr. Mertle and Benny were there for me. All of high school. Just growing up. So many things are different now. Not just my life but everyone else's too. We all grew up and in some ways grew apart. Something I never wanted to happen but just accepted over time.
I was sitting out on the balcony staring out at the city; thinking. I heard the door slide open and saw Benny coming my way. "Hey," He said as he kissed the top of my head. "Hey, I didn't expect you," I responded, still caught off guard. He nodded his head as he sat down next to me. "Yeah, I figured that I would come to check in on you while I had some free time." I gave him a small smile before turning my attention back to the city.
"What's on your mind?" He asked in a low voice. "Anything and everything." He scoffed. "Yeah, sounds about right." He then placed his hand on top of mine. "You know, I've been thinking a lot of when we were kids." I then turned my attention back on him. "We had a lot of good times. Those summers of us just playing in the Sandlot and drinking cokes. Those starry nights and trouble we would get ourselves into." He had a smirk on his face. "Hey, most of the time it was you boys that caused problems. I was the smart one of the group." He threw his head back in laughter. "Yeah right!" I lightly shoved his shoulder. "I'm serious!" I couldn't help but join him and crack up.
"You know last night I had a weird dream." He said as he weaved his fingers through mine. "What was it about?" I asked, now wanting to know. "It's a lot, so bear with me. It starts with me standing in the middle of the Dodgers stadium. The guys were there and they were around me and clapping…" I then quickly realized I knew this dream. It's been years now but I still remember that little black journal of his. I didn't say anything, I let him tell me the whole thing just to make sure I wasn't wrong. "But you know what the weirdest part is? This isn't the first time I've had this dream." I slowly nodded my head and couldn't help but chuckle at the silly memory.
"What is it?" He asked, now confused. "You wrote it down in your journal. I remember it." He then gave me a bewildered look. "How did you-did you snoop around in my room!?" I belted out in laughter. "Come on, Benny. We've known each other for a long time and I've been in your room more times than any of your exes." He couldn't argue with that logic. "I read it that one time I had to hide underneath your bed." He nodded his head, "Oh yeah, jeez, I know it was years ago but it feels like yesterday."
It then got quiet. "I think I know what it means now. Tia Rosa was right. It was a message."
We talked for a good long while before he left. Hours had gone by and I was in my bedroom lost in thought. I had to do it. Now was the time. I then got up and grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. "Here it goes…" All the memories I had collected over the years started to flood my mind. I went to my music. I tried to put all the crummy feelings I had onto paper and I didn't hold back.
After I was done I quickly grabbed the phone and dialed up someone who owed me.
"Hey, Squints. Remember when we were kids and we made that deal? The one about if I helped you get with Wendy then you would help me with whatever, no questions asked? Well, I'm gonna need that favor right about now."