Rachel sat back in her chair as Alex blew on the steaming liquid before taking a sip. "I don't know what to say."
"No worries, Ray." She set her cup back down on the table, and looked up. "Tell me what Nikki was like before she hooked up with her ex. What types of things did she like?" She saw the surprise in her eyes before she quickly shuttered her expression. "I'm just looking for hints of possible gifts, Ray, not emotional insights and secrets."
"Okay, let me think about this." They sat quietly for a few moments as Rachel dug through her memories for the things a younger Nikki enjoyed. "I know she used to like to go hiking on the weekends. She enjoyed taking pictures of the scenery and wildlife." She looked over at Alex with a startled expression. "Oh my God, how could I forget? She joined a local recreational softball team while in college. She played for years. That was one of the first things Michelle made her give up." At her look of disbelief, she nodded. "She made Nikki get rid of everything, all of her equipment even her glove."
"What position did she play?"
Rachel thought for a moment before answering. "She played shortstop. I can't believe I forgot that. I need to see if she wants to join our team. I play on a team with a bunch of doctors. We start in a couple of weeks, and are still short a couple of players." She looked at Alex with a hopeful expression. "Wanna play?"
Alex laughed as she shook her head. "Sorry, but no. I think my playing days are done. You should ask Nikki though." She grabbed her cell phone and pulled up the Internet. Moments later she put the phone to her ear as Rachel watched, curious. "Yes, is Michael in today? Perfect…No, that's not necessary. I'll be by shortly. Thank you." She picked up her coffee cup and smiled at Rachel. "Let's go. I know where we're going first."
Rachel pulled into the parking lot and was directed by Alex to pull around back. "Softball World?" she asked hesitantly. "I've been here before. They have a lot of stuff, but it is more expensive than most other places."
Alex looked over at Rachel and with a secretive smile said, "I guess you're just going to have to trust me." She waited quietly and wasn't disappointed when Rachel chuckled and climbed from the car. Alex led her to the unmarked door near the back of the building. As they stepped inside, a buzzer sounded, announcing their presence.
"What is this place?" Rachel asked as she looked around curiously. The room was filled with the smell of leather as gloves of all shapes and sizes hung from hooks along one wall. As she turned, she saw another wall lined with bats, and buckets of balls along the floor.
"Can I help you?" Alex heard Michael call out, and turned to greet him. She saw the instant recognition on his face, and simply smiled. "Alexis? Is that really you?" She nodded as she walked up to him, stepping into his open arms. "It's good to see you, girl. It's been far too long." He released her and looked up as he noticed Rachel. He quietly hummed his approval as he reached past Alex to shake her hand. "Hello, I'm Michael. I own this little shop, and you are?"
Rachel shook his hand and responded, "I'm Rachel. I'm a friend of Alex's."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rachel." He turned back to Alex and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as he placed his hand over his heart. He sighed in disappointment as Alex answered his unvoiced question with a shake of her head. "What can I do for you ladies?"
Alex ran her hand lovingly over the smooth composite barrel of a bat lying on the counter. "I want to buy a glove for a friend of mine. She's a middle infielder, throws right, and her hands are just a touch larger than mine. I was thinking about a glove with closed webbing. What do you have on hand that fits the bill?" She watched as he thought about it, running through the inventory in his head. She smiled as his eyes lit up and he disappeared into the racks of leather behind the counter. She walked over and picked up a ball while she waited, her fingers immediately finding the seams.
Michael returned less than a minute later carrying a beautiful, rich brown glove. He handed it to Alex, and watched her eyes light up at the feel of the soft leather. "I can get your friend here a glove, and you two can test it out in the alley."
Alex slipped the glove on, and was immediately taken back to a time when she lived for the feel of the sun on her shoulders and a ball in her hand. As she began to walk towards the rear of the shop, she called out over her shoulder, "She's a catcher, not a fielder. Get her something she'll be comfortable in."
Michael clapped his hands gleefully as he turned to Rachel. Moments later he led her into a long narrow room at the rear of the store where Alex stood loosening the muscles in her arm. They started by gently tossing the ball back and forth between them as they each got a feel for the new equipment. After a couple of minutes, they both stepped back and began to throw the ball a little harder. Soon the sound of the ball slapping the leather reverberated off of the walls. Alex caught Rachel's throw and nodded to Michael. "This is a great glove, Michael. I'm sure she'll love it."
She looked up as Rachel called out to her. "Hey, Alex. Now that you're all warmed up, how about throwing me a couple?" Alex hesitated, so she pushed and teasingly yelled, "What's the matter? Are you too old to pitch?"
Alex
