Page 9 of Catching the Coach
Before I do, Why are you doing this? Not that I don't approve, because I do.
I pause before answering. Why am I doing this?
Because you can’t get her out of your head.
True, but it’s not just that. I felt something between us yesterday. Call it a spark, energy, whatever. I’ve never in my 36 years felt a pull to someone, like I felt with Lucy, and I want to explore that feeling. But I’m not about to disclose that, not yet anyway.
Me
I want to show Lucy my appreciation… for the batting thing. This is how I’m showing my thanks.
Kara
I’ll accept that answer… for now….
Kara
*picture of practice schedule*
I can’t help but chuckle at Kara’s response as I look over the schedule and compare it to mine. It just so happens I have an available day this week for one of their practices.
Me
I’m available Wednesday. I’ll talk to some of the guys and we’ll come out to practice.
Kara
You’re serious?
Me
Yes, don’t say anything to anyone though. If the media got a hold of this, it would be impossible to practice.
Kara
Aye Aye captain. *thumbs up emoji*
Finished with breakfast, I rinse my plate off and place it in the dishwasher. I check the time on my phone, grab my wallet and keys, switch off the TV, and head out the door. I’ll talk to Reese and Brent at conditioning today to see if they’re down for helping me out.
* * *
I’m sitting in the parking lot of the field where Lucy’s team practices. I sent Kara a text earlier letting her know I was still on for today. She sent me the address and told me Lucy usually shows up about 15 minutes early to set things up. I decided I should come early to talk to her before everyone got there. I have a feeling she’s not going to like this.
Reese and Brent were on board of course, but not before giving me a bunch of shit about it.
I see an SUV pull up with music bumping. Looking over I see Lucy and Hudson singing at the top of their lungs and dancing in their seats. Laughing, I get out of my truck and walk over to her window. I rap on the driver’s side window with my knuckles and Lucy jumps in her seat and screams. Laughing, she rolls down her window. Her smile drops and her laugh disappears once she sees it’s me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she asks, almost shouting.
I can tell she’s shocked and trying to compose herself. Lucy clears her throat and holds up her finger to me. Rolling her window up, she turns off her car. She says something to Hudson, but I can’t make out what she says. Stepping out of her car, she closes the door and leans against it, crossing her arms in front of her.
“Mr. Davis, what can I do for you?” Lucy asks not quite looking me in the eye, but over my shoulder .
I clear my throat and stick my hands in my front pockets, wondering if this is a good idea. “First of all, call me Kessler, Please. Secondly, I said I wanted to thank you for helping me the other day. I was able to get Kara’s number.” I put one of my hands up, halting her from saying anything. “Don’t be mad, she just wants to help.” Lucy clamps her mouth shut and gives me the proceed motion with one of her hands, still not looking at me. “Anyway, I wanted to say ‘Thank You’ and Kara suggested I come help out at a practice. She mentioned the catchers needing some help with reaction times.” I look at my watch, then back at her. “Plus, I asked a couple of the guys to meet me here to help with the rest. That way everyone is included.”
She stands there in silence and I can see the wheels turning in her head. Before she has a chance to say no I add, “Kara said to tell you it’s for the kids. She said you’d do anything for these boys. So let me do this, for them.” I tilt my head and finally get her to make eye contact with me. “Besides, when will they ever get another chance to have coaching from MLB players?”
A look passes in her eye, but it’s gone as quickly as it appears. She takes a deep breath and lets it out. “ OK” she says reluctantly. “Anything for the boys.” Pushing off her car, she walks away from me to the back of her car. She pushes a button for her hatch to open. I hear her say, “Ok Hud, you can come out and help me.”
