Page 26 of Catching the Coach
“That’s skill and practice, not celibacy,” Reese chimes in.
My phone vibrates with a text and I ignore Brent’s response and open the text.
Mom
No, I will not cancel with them. I think you and Claire would be a lovely match.
I groan inwardly and type my response.
Me
Don’t make a big deal out of it, but I’ve been talking to someone and I really like her.
My phone starts vibrating and I look down to see my mom calling.
Fucking great.
“Mom,” I answer
“You’re seeing someone and didn’t bother to tell me?” she says, sounding confused and if I’m hearing correctly, hurt.
“Not really,” I say, but she doesn’t hear me over her talking.
“And why didn’t you say anything last week when I brought it up at dinner?” she demands. “I wouldn’t have mentioned dinner to Judy at all.”
I rub my eyes with my pointer finger and thumb. “Because I-” But I don’t get to finish because I’m cut off again.
“Are you bringing her with you Sunday?” she asks, sounding hopeful. “Because-”
This time I cut my mom off.
“Jesus, Mom just stop!” I shout, a little louder than I intended but I just need her to… stop. Talking. I look around and notice most of the guys staring at me. I get up and step off the bus, walking back towards the hotel a little bit.
I let out a sigh and apologize. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I haven’t been sleeping or playing very well and I’m just ready for this stretch of away games to be over, so I can be back home in my own bed.”
She’s quiet and I hope I didn’t hurt her feelings. I hear her adjust the phone before she speaks. “ I’m sorry too Kessler. I didn’t mean to push, I’m just surprised to hear you’re seeing someone.”
Kicking at a rock in front of me,I watch it skip down the cement. “Well, I’m not exactly seeing her, yet.”
“I don’t understand?” Mom says, sounding confused.
“I met someone at my last home game.”
“A fan?” she asks, concern in her voice.
“Well, yes, and no. She’s a coach for the little league team we had at one of our outreach nights.” I pause thinking back to when I saw her that first time and how drawn to her I was. Well, am.
“And?” my mom prompts, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“And I went to one of their practices to help out, and we ended up going to dinner at Tony’s, who funny enough, we both know well. I asked her out that night, but then an article was printed with a picture of us at the practice, which freaked her out for reasons I’m not sure of yet and I’ve been on this stretch of away games so I haven’t been able to take her out. We have been texting back and forth for a week though and,” I let out a breath, “I really like her, Mom.”
Mom’s quiet for a minute, probably processing the word vomit I just let out. “Wow, Kessler, I feel like I’ve missed a lot,” she says with a hint of sadness in her voice. “So, she has a child?”
“Yeah, Hudson. He’s 11.” I smile. “He’s a really cool kid and a catcher, like me.”
“Wow, how old is she?”
I think back to what the article said. “Uh 31, I think?”
