The Arrival
Rating: PG-13Not mine ~ they're just borrowing my head for a playground! :0)
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Author's note: Please forgive this re-write and change up of things. I did my research, but I wasn't paying close enough attention. Turns out the Red Sox played Milwaukee today (6/8) but it was in Milwaukee. The whole thing SO fit the title of this story, so as the author I took the liberty to re-write things a bit and use a little artistic license and move the game to Boston. Please forgive me!! :0)
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June 8. . .6:00 a.m.
Logan's baggage claim area. . .
Jordan. . .
As it turns out, the only game available while Hector had first planned to visit was on the 15th and he couldn't get a redeye that weekend, but he could the weekend before, so we moved things up a week and here I am, waiting for him. Of course, he had to take another redeye, but it'll work out. The funny thing is they're playing the Brewers! And when Woody saw Dad give me the tickets he won off one of his poker buddies, I thought he was going to throw a fit. Especially when I said that I had a friend coming into town and that's what they were for. And they're awesome tickets!! I tried to be nice and give Wood the other tickets I had already bought, but he said he wouldn't want to go alone. So Nigel jumped in and offered to go with him. Now THAT should be interesting. Nige suggested we meet up at the Pogue afterwards, which will be great since Dad remembered Hector from a visit out to LA while I was there. They got along well, and I know Dad's looking forward to seeing him again. It's gonna be a great day, but man it's way too early to be up and about.
Ok. The flight was supposed to get in at 5:58. I guess I can allow him a little time to do what he needs to do. I'll just go and check the monitor. . . Good. They're at the gate, so he should be on his way down. And then maybe I can go back to bed. I'm guessing Hec's going to want a nap before the game, and I could definitely use some more sleep! I really hate waiting. At least when you could go to the gate there was something to do. Here it's. . .
"Jordan, chica! What the hell are you doing here?" I turned towards the voice and Hector immediately swept me into a huge bear hug and planted a big, but completely platonic kiss on my lips.
"What? I'm picking you up you dork! By the way, it's great to see you!"
"You too. You look good, baby. Boston must really agree with you. Or is it our friend. . .Woody, was it?"
"Must be Boston."
"Oh come on. You mean to tell me. . .?"
"Do you have any checked stuff?"
"Alright, alright. I'll save the third degree for now. There's my duffel. I'll be right back." He returned with a large, slightly beaten up duffel bag and announced that he was ready to go. So we walked through the parking garage to my car.
"Man baby, this is sweet! They must be paying you real good out here."
"Not quite. It's the morgue's car; they just let me use it."
"Ah. Who knew morgues had company cars?"
"Right. So. . .you hungry or sleepy?"
"Both."
"Ok. . ."
"Could we do a nap first and then grab food on the way to the ballpark?"
"Sounds like a plan. I could use some more sleep myself, even if I wasn't cramped into an airplane all night!"
When we got back to my place, I let Hector take the futon and I curled up on the couch ~ after we made sure we set a couple of clocks to wake us up. They worked, and we got up and I worked on throwing some food together while Hector grabbed a shower. Then it was off to Fenway. As we were walking from the lot towards the park, he threw me a complete curve ball. . .
"Jordan, you know I was kidding about the game right?"
"WHAT?!?!?"
"It's cool that we're going, but mainly I just wanted to see you."
"Huh?"
"That guy you were seeing wasn't the only person you left when you came back here. I thought I would have at least warranted a note, me being your Los Angeles big brother and all."
"Oh Hector, I'm sorry. I know I should have. . ."
"Hey, I know you had your reasons. I'll get over it."
"Good."
I handed them the tickets at the gate and we went towards our seats. When we got there, Hector's mouth dropped open in amazement.
"Baby, are we where I think we are?"
"The Green Monster? Yep."
"How the hell. . .?"
"Let's just say Dad's poker playing has improved. He won them off one of his buddies a couple of weeks ago. Otherwise we'd be far, far from here."
"Sweet." We found our seats and settled down. The Hector turned to me, his face serious. "Jordan, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"When I said that about being your LA big brother, you flinched. Is there anything. . .?"
"Um. Sort of. But could we talk about it later? I don't want to get into all that mess right now. I promise it has nothing to do with you."
"Ok. You want a hot dog or something?"
"Thanks Hec. That would be awesome!"
It was an amazing game! A homerun was hit right out to where we were, but not quite to us, so no ball. A 9-1 win! Poor Woody ~ I only hoped he got out of there alright. In spite of all our warnings, Nige had reported that when they met up, Woody was fully dressed out in Brewers regalia. I don't think he'll ever learn! Hec and I spent a lot of it catching up on things rather than really paying attention, but unless it's playoffs or you've cut teeth going to games, most people use them to socialize as much as anything, right? And Hec and I being, well, Hec and I, there was a lot of good natured physical stuff ~ shoving, tickling, just playing around, nothing more than good platonic fun. Between hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and so forth, we didn't need a meal, which was good. We could start the celebration a little earlier!
"So baby, where are we going?"
"To this little bar I happen to love. It's really cool. And I know the owner's dying to see you again."
"The owner's dying to. . .? Wait a minute! Max owns a bar now?"
"Yep. He retired a few years ago. Long story. Don't ask ~ me or him."
"Ok. I won't say a word."
"Great! One of my friend's from work is gonna meet us there. Along with Woody."
"Woody? I get to see him again?"
"Yeah. Well, assuming that he gets out of there alive. Nigel said he was in full Brewers attire."
"Oh lord!"
"I know."
"So ~ are we still. . .?"
"Messing with him? Oh yeah. It's too easy not to! Let's go!"
. . .to be continued. . .