“Are you sure you should drive after that?” Mom says laughing. “Seriously, you look like you’re in a daze, flushed.”
I laugh, “He always leaves me punch drunk. He’s so sweet though, Mom. The words that man whispers in my ear, I can’t even explain. I don’t know how to handle his request to take care of me. I’ve always taken care of myself.”
We take off out of the garage and head out shopping for a couple of hours. I’m enjoying his Challenger, the stick and the rumble of the engine. Very much like him.
Mom and I have pleasant conversation all afternoon. She actually offers helpful advice and tells me I’m an adult and need to do what’s right for me.
“So, to recap, he lets you drive his custom car, he wants to cover all of your expenses, he wants to live with you at your place, he’s not interested in other women at all, he’s a big league baseball player, kisses like sin and probably does other things just as well or better, and he’s solid muscle. Not to mention he wants to keep you and I believe him when he says he loves you. It’s written all over his face.”
“Does that mean you’ll wear a Seno jersey tonight? He had jerseys made for both of us to match the uniform the team is wearing tonight.”
“Absolutely, but I’m still an LA fan,” Mom smiles.
“Fair enough, for now!” We pull up to the stadium and I flash my access card, so I can park in the player’s garage. We park and I get our jerseys and my game bag out of the car. We enter the stadium and walk to the section behind home plate where our seats are.
Text from Rick - Order whatever you want, your seat is permanently set up to charge my account. Love you, babe!
Text to Rick - You don’t need to do that. I can handle my own. Mom agreed to wear your jersey. Make it a win! Love you, too... My king!
Text from Rick - I don’t need to, I want to. I know you can take care of yourself, but you shouldn’t have to. I want to take care of you, my queen.
Text from Rick - Buy your Mom some popcorn and a beer or something.
My mind goes dirty and I reply.
Text to Rick - What else do you want? Exactly how do you want it?
But, no reply and he walks out onto the field.
“There’s Rick, Mom.” I say pointing to the hottest man ever in full catcher’s gear. “How do you like the seats?”
“He moves with a different attitude on the field, doesn’t he?” witnessing his intensity. “These seats are nice, but too expensive. Is this where you usually sit?”
“My normal seat is over there, field level down the first base line. Rick gets me a seat behind home plate because he likes to hear me cheering for him and he can make faces at me from this distance. He’s serious out there. He wants to make it a win every game, less than that is unacceptable.”
“I can see that. He makes his mind up and does it. Determined. Good qualities,” Mom shares her insight.
Chapter Six
The team is out stretching and warming up. A marching band marches across the field and plays the National Anthem, and it’s time to play ball! Rick walks out and gets in position behind home plate, throwing the ball to the pitcher a few times and around the infield as San Francisco’s first hitter swings a bat in the on deck circle.
The Seals score first in the bottom of the third inning with Mason hitting a home run. Bottom of the fourth the score is still 1-0 Seals with two outs and runners on first and second. Seno is up to bat and the runners are Cross and Martin. Martin has a huge lead off of first base and nobody is holding Cross at second base. The first pitch to Seno and the runners go on the pitcher’s release, a called ball that’s probably a strike. Both runners safe at second and third. I yell out, “That’s it boys! Steal’m! Wooooo!” and Rick glances at me. “Let’s go Seno! Yeah baby! Knock it out! Woooooo! Bring those boys in!” Pitch two is called a strike. This umpire is making bad calls at the plate. Pitch three Seno swings because who knows what the umpire will call it, he connects and breaks his bat. There’s a loud crack. Rick runs and the ball chops through the infield over the head of the first baseman all the way to the corner where it rattles around long enough for Rick to get to third, and Cross and Martin to score! 3-0 Seals. Rick is celebrating at third clapping his hands in a manly way. The next hitter comes up and pops out, leaving Seno at third.
The game is going smooth and is still a shut out at the end of the sixth inning. I make a quick run to the bathroom before the seventh inning stretch, and get back to my seat in time to stand up and sing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” with Mom, swaying together and singing out. I love that Mom is a baseball fan, even if she does root for the wrong team.
The rest of the game was fairly uneventful. Our pitcher in good form,
