Fun Fact #5
I wrote this story because I was in a bad situation at the time. A really bad situation and I needed something to distract me in the meantime. Even though I had a phenomenal support system I still felt awful each day. Every week I worked on this fic and tried my best. I can happily say that I am no longer in that situation anymore and that life does get better. I am so proud of how this came out (even if it isn't very good). I had so much fun with the story and the characters that it broadened my writing.
Overall this story was a wonderful thing to happen for me.
A very special Thank You to FreeEcho who helped me along the way. Please go check out her story! It's called The Sandlot Sisters and it's very good.
One last time, remember that I do not own the original Sandlot characters or the original story. I only own my OC's and this story. Please enjoy!
The Sandlot
I was setting up with the band to make sure everything was working. Familiar faces started pouring in through the doors of The Grand Slam, the bar in our hometown that we all went to when we turned 18. I made sure to rent it out for tonight. I had figured this would be the perfect spot.
As we, the band and I, were setting up Mr. Mertle along with Hercules came in with a couple of people behind them. I walked over to him and looped my arm around his. "Glad you were able to come!" He smiled and placed his hand over mine. "I hope you don't mind, this is long overdue but I brought my kids." I was speechless. I hadn't expected him to bring them. His son and daughter then approached me. "Hi, Robin, is it? Dad's told us so much about you." The woman said. She had his signature smile and curly hair that went past her shoulders. "I'm Nancy and this is John." She said as she gestured to her much taller brother. He was the spitting image of Mr. Mertle. I quickly let go of the old man and pulled them both in for a hug. I wasn't sure what came over me, considering I usually didn't hug people I had never met. But in some weird way, I felt like I've known them all along. "It's so good to meet you both!" I pulled away and got a good look at both of them. All these years I had wondered what they looked like. They're real and they're here. "Likewise. This has been a long time coming but since we both live pretty far, scheduling has been difficult." John said. I completely understood. I noticed more people coming in and that was my cue to go back to setting up. "You all enjoy yourselves. If you need me I'll be over there with the band." They gave me a nod as I walked back to the stage.
This was great! I couldn't wait until everyone showed up. There would be a lot of catching up but it would all be worth it.
"Did anybody double order the Timmons?" Timmy asked as he strolled in with Tommy. I was humming into the mic when they eyed me. I gave them both a wink while waving at them from above. I was so excited to see people showing up. Squints had to negotiate scheduling with a lot of people since everyone had their own lives preoccupied. He assured me though that he had reached all the boys and they agreed to show up, even Bertram.
Joanna then came over and smacked me in the ass, surprising me for a split second. "You excited, Honey?" I placed the mic on the stand with a huge smile. "Excited is an understatement," I admitted to her. "I bet, you guys have been planning this for weeks!" That's when I noticed Kenny walking in with his kids and wife. "Oh, they're so big now!" Joanna said as we continued to stare at them. "Weren't they babies yesterday?" I asked in disbelief. His sons looked old enough to play ball. Time sure does fly.
After we set everything up I made sure to give everyone a proper greeting, and boy, were there a lot of people. My family, Benny's family, the boys and their families, some of Benny's baseball buddies, the band, and the staff at The Grand Slam. Plenty of hugs, kisses, and handshakes went around. It looked like almost everyone was here. Almost everyone. Bertram hadn't shown up yet and I was getting a little worried. What if he wouldn't show up? What if he was still debating on coming? What if he didn't want to show up because he was still trying to figure stuff out?
"Hey, you ready to start?" Gabriel asked as he placed a hand on my shoulder which jolted me back to what was going on. "You okay?" He asked, now concerned. "Yeah, um okay. Sure." We walked on stage and I stepped up to the mic. "Hello everybody, thank you all for coming. It means a lot to me and all us baseball brats here." There were a few chuckles in the sea of faces below me. "I know what most of you are thinking, 'why did I decide to have a get together all of a sudden?' which is understandable. It's kind of a long story but I'll try to keep it short and sweet. A lot of things have happened this year that has made me realize how long it's been since we've all been here. We've all drifted off but not completely apart and I couldn't wait to see you guys again."
I pulled the mic off and walked around on stage. "Look how we've all grown up. Some of us have kids!" I then eyed over at Kenny and Squints. "More baseball brats!" There was a wave of laughter. "Some of us are focused on our careers." There were a few cheers and I couldn't help but giggle. That's when I noticed the door open up one last time and in came Bertram. I couldn't help but sigh in relief. "And some of us are trying to make a fresh new start. And if you hadn't noticed a fresh new start is just what I needed." I then walked back to the stand and placed the mic back in.
"Years ago somebody once told me that we kids were all gonna be going our separate ways, living our own lives, and all we would have to remember it all was an empty lot full of sand." I then peered over at Kenny. "I'm more than happy to say that we all have so much more than that. It's true, our days of playing on that field are long gone, but we all still are here and better than ever."
I could feel my eyes water up and I had to look up at the ceiling to calm down. Once I was okay I looked back at everyone and smiled. "I was stuck writing a certain song and thanks to a certain someone it's finished. It's dedicated to all my boys."
I then turned around and gave the band a nod. I was finally ready. I took a deep breath and started:
- "Everybody loves the things you do
From the way you talk
To the way you move
Everybody here is watching you
'Cause you feel like home
You're like a dream come true
But if by chance you're here alone
Can I have a moment
Before I go?
'Cause I've been by myself all night long
Hoping you're someone I used to know -
I pulled off the mic and stepped off the stage. I then walked over to Ham and wrapped an arm around him as I continued on.
-You look like a movie
You sound like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young -
I then spotted the Timmons brothers. I walked over and kissed Timmy's cheek in a quick motion before turning to Tommy. I couldn't help but gently squeeze his now plump face before planting one on his cheek as well. He gave out a chuckle while I sandwiched myself between them both and squeezed us all together before letting go.
- Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song -
I then made my way over to Benny. He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on my lips all while smiling at me. The butterflies quickly came back along with my own smile.
- I was so scared to face my fears
Nobody told me that you'd be here -
I then grabbed Alan's muscular arm and pulled him into a hug. I then patted his chest with the back of my hand to see how firm he was, and boy, there was no fat on him. He gave me a smirk right before kissing the top of my head.
-And I swear you moved overseas
That's what you said, when you left me -
I spotted Kenny with his family and headed over to him. His kids were so cute. He gave me a shrug as if he didn't know what to say. I lightly smacked his shoulder with a light laugh.
-You still look like a movie
You still sound like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young -
Squints kids came running up to me and hugged my legs. I patted their heads as he and Wendy came over to grab them. We fist bumped as I mouthed a "thank you" to him. After all, he helped me put this all together.
-Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song -
I walked over to dear old Mr. Mertle who was sitting down with Hercules and his two children. I bent down and gave him a tight squeeze. That deep chuckle rumbled throughout his body. I let go and gave Hercules a kiss on the snout.
-When we were young
When we were young
When we were young
When we were young -
Scotty made his way to me with his hands in his pockets. We exchanged smiles along with an embrace. He kissed the side of my head right before we let go. He then gestured to the very back where a certain someone was. I then slowly walked over to him.
-It's hard to admit that
Everything just takes me back
To when you were there
To when you were there -
He had trimmed his beard and looked so much healthier since the last time I saw him. His arms were crossed and he gave me a small smile.
-And a part of me keeps holding on
Just in case it hasn't gone
'Cause I still care
Do you still care? -
I returned the smile and he hesitantly opened his arms. I closed the distance and wrapped my arms around him with a gentle squeeze. He was okay. I looked up at him and he gave me a nod.
-It was just like a movie
It was just like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young -
I started to head back to the stage and gave everyone else waves on the way back.
-When we were young
When we were young
When we were young
When we were young -
Once I was on the stage I grabbed the mic stand and pulled it aside. I looked around the room and saw all the faces staring up at me with happiness. It pulled my heartstrings.
-Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
Oh, I'm so mad I'm getting old
It makes me reckless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song
When we were young-
Everyone cheered and I couldn't stop smiling. I placed the mic back on the stand and gave a quick bow. I then stepped aside and gestured to the band so they could get their round of applause as well. Once it had quieted down I grabbed the mic.
"Thank you to everyone in this room. I am blessed to have so many people in my life that are so wonderful in so many different ways. You all are amazing. Now, who's hungry?"
Everyone was eating, laughing, having a good time. The kids were playing and giggling which brought a smile to my face. All of our parents were reminiscing about when we were little, which meant they brought out pictures. Lots and lots of pictures to pass around.
Bertram came up beside me. I had been waiting to talk to him since many people were catching up with him. "Hey," He said. "Hey, B. How are you?" He sighed and gave me another smile. "I'm doing good. I'm clean, been so for six months." I could feel my eyes water up. He did it. He groaned while slightly shoving me with his shoulder. "Don't cry, you'll mess up your makeup." I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm proud of you," I said while giving him another hug. "I couldn't have done it without your help. I owe you." I quickly shook my head. "You don't owe me anything. You did this." I grabbed his face with both of my hands. "You helped yourself." I kissed the top of his head before giving him one last squeeze. "Hey, B!" Kenny called while gesturing to him to come over. I patted his back as I said "Go on before he sends those kids of his to come get you."
Benny then came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "This is what we all needed. Reconnection." I nodded my head in agreement. "Yeah, and it's so funny to me. Just a second ago we were all at the Sandlot playing ball. Then I blinked. Here we are now." We swayed a bit as we watched everyone having a good time. He then chuckled. I couldn't help but look up at him. "What is it?" I asked. "What if those days aren't behind us?" Huh? "You scheming something?" He had this grin on his face that made me hope that he was.
Before I even knew it we all were on that field. Kenny was pitching, Ham was catching, and Benny was up to bat. All the boys were at their old spots and our families cheered on while watching us.
"You ready for my heater?" Kenny called out. Benny smirked with a nod. "You better be prepared cause my wife and kids are here and I'm not holding back!" I couldn't help but giggle. Kenny threw the ball and Benny whacked the bat against it, sending it far but not out of the lot. He ran to first base before the ball was caught and thrown back.
It was now my turn to bat and I stepped up to the plate. Francisco and Jessica cheered me on and I made sure to give them a wink. "Robin!" Mr. Mertle called out. "You know Hercules had puppies about a week ago." I knew what he was doing. "Oh did he now?" I responded. "Yes, about five to be exact." I wasn't gonna let him distract me so I gave Kenny the signal to throw. "If you hit a home run I'll give you one." My eyes widened in surprise as Kenny threw the ball. I had to hit hard. With all my strength I swung and slammed the bat against it. The ball flew past everyone and over the fence. Everyone cheered as I dropped the bat and danced around the diamond. "Guess who's getting a puppy!" I shouted with excitement.
Benny had his arms wide open and I couldn't help but tackle him. We both landed on the ground just laughing. "You excited?" He asked while gently brushing the hair from my face. "Oh yeah!" I pulled him up and grabbed his face and kissed him. "Sheesh! Get a room you two!" Ham remarked. I pulled away and rested my forehead against his. "You hear that? Sounds like we need to just move in together." He had a slight blush on his face. "Oh yeah? A new place and a puppy? Anything else I need to know?" I then thought for a minute. "That we need to work on your batting, Benny the Jet. No boyfriend of mine is gonna be caught lacking when he's got Rockin Robin as his girl." He threw his head back in laughter, "You're too much, Robin!"
The End
Song used in the chapter (I do not own this song):
When We Were Young by Adele
Even though this story is completed it doesn't necessarily mean it's over. I wouldn't be opposed to writing another Sandlot fic or adding a sequel. Who knows, I might go into the lives of the boys or go into depth of when they were in high school. Keep an eye out for something in the future. Thank you all for reading!