Tony was a little nervous about trying to find things to talk to Chris about, but he soon found that it wasn't necessary that he talk. As they ate their breakfast, Chris kept up a constant stream of chatter, all that was required of Tony was the occasional nod and an encouraging word now and then.
Chris's main topic of conversation was his teammates.
"We're not very good," Chris confessed solemnly. "We've got the worst record of any team in the league."
Which really relieved Tony's worry that the other boys would laugh at his lack of knowledge regarding sports. It didn't sound like they knew much more themselves.
"But we have lots of fun and that's more important than winning, my mom says," Chris assured him, smiling so widely that Tony found himself nodding and smiling in return.
As Tony gobbled down his waffles, listening to Chris's stories of his team's glorious losses, Tony wished with all his heart that he could just stay in Hawaii with Chris and Mrs. Brown. Chris was the brother he always wished for at birthdays when he blew out the candles.
"So my Uncle TC and his friends are going to come coach us today. They're going to give us pointers to help us play better." Chris bounced in his seat in his excitement.
Tony had relatives - aunts and uncles and cousins - more than he could count. He didn't feel anything special about any of them, certainly not the awe that tinged Chris's voice when he spoke of his Uncle TC.
"Your Uncle TC?" It was obvious the other boy was bursting to tell him more, so Tony obliged him by asking the question.
"He was a helicopter pilot in the war." Chris's eyes shone as he talked about his Uncle, "he saved lots of soldiers."
Tony was quiet, not sure what to say. He had heard his parents talk about the war and they'd even talked about it in school a little, but he didn't know much. Fortunately, again Chris needed no encouragement to launch into his Uncle's exploits of bravery. Their breakfast was finished before Chris's story was.
Tony envied the other boy. He could plainly see that Chris and his mom didn't have a lot of money, but they were happy. He poked at his last bits of waffle, blinking away at the tears that suddenly sprang unwanted to his eyes.
Mrs. Brown saved him the embarrassment of having to explain to Chris the cause of his distress by bustling up at just that moment. "Now, you boys had better get moving or you're going to be late."
She held out a light jacket for her son, who shrugged into it with a noncommittal scowl. Tony grinned at his friend until she held up a similar jacket for him. He knew that the weather outside was more than warm enough without it, but he pulled on the jacket without a word. He couldn't help it, when her arms were around him, helping him on with the jacket, he gave her a quick squeeze of a hug.
She seemed as surprised by it as he was, "Why thank you, Tony, what was that for?"
His toes suddenly seemed much more interesting as he mumbled, "I just wanted to thank you for breakfast... and everything." He peered up at her shyly.
Her tender smile made a lump form in his throat and the tears prickled again, "You are so welcome, Tony," she whispered into his ear.
Then she stood and shooed them out, "Now you two better hurry." She followed them to the door as they emerged into the bright Hawaii sunshine, "Be sure and look both ways crossing the street," she called as they set out.
As soon as they were out of sight of his mom and the hotel, Chris took off his jacket and tied it around his waist. "My mom always thinks we're still back in Detroit," he explained.
Tony followed suit, the day really was too warm for the jacket, but there was no way he was going to turn down the woman's kind gesture. "Detroit?"
"Yeah, that's where we're from. My dad died, so we moved here to be closer to my Uncle TC." Chris's steps sped up.
Tony hurried to catch up with his new friend. "You dad died? I'm..." Tony had no idea what you said to someone whose dad had died.
"It's okay, Tony," Chris said, "nobody knows what to say when I tell them that, but I thought you should know. Somebody'll probably tell you today."
"How did he...? I mean, if you want to talk about it?"
"Die?" Chris threw himself down on the stone wall that ran along the sidewalk, Tony sat down beside him. "It was in the war. He and my Uncle TC were really good friends and they enlisted together."
Tony was silent, letting the other boy tell his story at his own pace.
"Mom says he was a hero," Chris scrubbed furiously at his eyes, dashing the tears away. "I miss him though, you know."
Tony nodded solemnly.
"I was little when he died, so I really didn't know him, I've just seen pictures of him and heard stories from my mom and Uncle TC and his friends, but sometimes at night, it's like I can hear him talking to me, telling me to be good." They were quiet a moment more, then Chris jumped to his feet.
"We've gotta get goin', we're gonna be late and then Uncle TC will yell at me!"
His mood fully restored, the two boys ran the rest of the way to the field where Chris's team practiced. They found the rest of the team assembled, waiting for Chris to arrive.
The other boys welcomed Tony eagerly and he reveled in the feeling of being a part of the group, just one of the gang. No one here knew or cared who his father was, Tony was accepted for himself. He grinned at the odd assortment of boys, trying to remember their names as Chris introduced them.
"That's Porter and he's our pitcher, even though he can't throw straight for nothing," the portly boy with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes just grinned at Chris taking no offense at his words.
The rest of the introductions flew by with Chris pointing here and there and Tony not sure what name went with which boy, "That's John and Jerry, they're twins and they're the catcher and the short stop," they weren't hard to figure out, "that's Petey, he's at first base 'cause he's left handed."
Tony tucked away the question of why that was important to ask later.
"That's Mary, she's second base," the kid Chris pointed at pulled off a cap to reveal a tumble of long dark hair.
"You got something to say about a girl playing second base?" She asked Tony with a growl when he looked surprised.
He shook his head quickly, taking a step away from the threatening girl.
"Leave him alone, Mary, he's alright," Chris stepped between the two, defending his friend. Without missing a beat, he continued his introductions, "And that's George and Oboe and Flute, they're the outfielders."
"Oboe and Flute?" Tony couldn't help asking.
"Their mom's make them take music lessons," Chris explained as the two boys scowled. "And I'm third base. So, what do you play?"
They all looked at him expectantly. Tony felt himself grow warm. "I... uhm... I haven't played much. Guess I don't really know." He gave a shrug like it wasn't a big deal, but it was.
He waited anxiously for the ridicule that was sure to follow. To his surprise there was none. Chris sized him up, looking him up and down. Then, picking up a ball, he gestured for Tony to follow him. Around them, the rest of the team took their places on the field.
Tony followed Chris to the center of the field. Porter took his place on the mound in the center.
"Show him a fastball, Porter," Chris instructed tossing the ball to Porter.
The other boy did as instructed as Tony watched closely.
Porter stood for a moment perfectly still, looking at the twin that was the catcher, Jerry.Or was it John? Tony couldn't remember.He made some motion with his hand andPorter gave a nod. Herocked back, then, pulling his arm back, he threw the ball with all his might.
Even so, the ball didn't go all that fast, nor all that straight. Which it seemed the rest of his teammates didn't mind telling him.
"Come on, Porter," Mary called from her place at 2nd base, "you gotta watch where you're throwing the ball."
There were more general grumbles from the rest of the team.
Porter didn't seem to mind the complaints, "None of the rest of them can do better," he whispered to Tony, "it's why they're not the pitcher."
The ball was thrown back and Chris handed it to Tony. He and Porter took a step back and left Tony in the center position all by himself.
Tony looked at the catcher who gave him an encouraging nod. He tossed the ball up once and caught it. It felt good in his hand, the weight of it was solid. He ran his hands over it, feeling the stitches in the ball. He studied the distance that had to be thrown and threw the ball up again, judging its weight. He remembered the game or two he'd been able to watch on television, recalling the pitchers and talk about fastballs. He gripped the ball and it felt right.
He took a deep breath and without further thought he rocked back on his heel and threw the ball. It whistled through the air and when the catcher caught it solidly in his glove he fell backwards into the dirt.
Tony looked over at Chris, "Did I do it right?" He asked with a grin.
Chris just nodded, but Porter came over to thump him on the back.
"That was the best pitch I ever saw," he told Tony. Tony was glad the other kid wasn't mad. It just felt so good to do something right the first time.
"That was some pitch." A voice from the side lines drew their attention.
All eyes turned to see the men standing watching them. Tony guessed the kids must know who they were from their reaction. Everyone abandoned their position on the field to surround the men.
Chris tugged Tony along with him, "It's my Uncle TC," he explained, "those other two guys are his friends, Mr. Magnum and Rick."
To be continued...
So now you know where the crossover is headed! Thanks for your reviews, it's very encouraging to hear your thoughts and comments.
We have a quiet moment or two before the action starts.