Page 67 of Catching the Coach
“I’m sorry, was there a question in there? I couldn’t tell over all the shouting.”
“Lucille Elenor Carver, do not be cheeky with me. Spill.”
“Ew, don’t full-name me.” I let out a sigh and relent. “Kara, he told me he loves me. More specifically he said he loves Hudson and me and that he thinks of Hudson as his.” I hear her gasp.
“Hold on,” I tell her and pull my phone away from my ear and take a picture of Hudson and Kessler out on the field and send it to her.
“I just sent you a picture.”
I hear her shuffle the phone. “How adorable is that?” she says. “What did you say back to him?”
I sigh. “Not what I know you wanted me to say. I told him Hudson would like going onto the field with him.”
“Lucy!”
“I know, I know! I just… Kara. Isn’t it too soon?”
Kara lets out a heavy sigh. “Lucy, I don’t think time has anything to do with it. He’s already proved to you, a couple times now, that he’s in it for the right reasons. Trust him, put your heart into this, and keep your head out of it.”
“People are going to talk,” I say, my stomach turning at the thought of other people’s opinions. I’ve tried hard to not care about the opinions of others, but this situation brings back all the insecurities I’ve tried so hard to overcome.
“Fuck ‘em! Let them talk. If they’re negative, they’re just jealous because you have what they want.”
I let out a laugh. “This is why you’re my best friend. You tell me all the hard things I don’t want to hear, but need to. Thank you Kar.”
She blows a raspberry into the phone. “That’s what I’m here for. Now go watch your man play.”
I end the call and make my way back to Marlene and Henry. I take my seat and Marlene raises her eyebrows. “Everything ok? You looked a little frazzled down there.”
I give her a smile. “Everything’s good. My best friend was just talking some sense into me.”
She nods and pats my hand. “Those are the best kind of friends.”
We’re quiet for a moment and I mull over my conversation with Kara. “Marlene?” I say, feeling I need her opinion on this.
“Hmm?” she says looking over at me.
I pop my fingers and fidget with my ring on my thumb. “You don’t think Kessler and I are moving too fast, do you? I mean, I know you and Henry were married within three months of meeting each other, but…” I shrug my shoulders. “These are different times.”
It’s not Marlene who answers me though, it’s Henry. He leans forward to look at me, his eyes so much like Kessler’s, but with more wrinkles around the edges. “Lucy, if I’ve learned anything in my 60 years on this Earth, it’s this–the amount of time doesn’t matter. What matters is the actions that happen in the span of that time. Does he show up for you and Hudson? Does he treat you right? Has he ever for one second made you think you’re anything but important to him?” he pauses, letting his questions sink in.
He’s right. I know he’s right. I’m just scared that this could all come crashing down and I won’t survive the fall.
When I don’t say anything Henry continues, “Don’t let your fear take over, Lucy. I see how my son looks at you, that love doesn’t come around often.” He grabs Marlene’s hand and gives it a squeeze. “And not everyone is lucky enough to find it, so when you do, you hold on and don’t let it go.”
I wipe at a tear that’s somehow found its way onto my face. “I thought you said no more waterworks,” I say letting out a laugh.
Marlene and Henry chuckle. “You’re right. Enough mushy crap. There’s no crying in baseball.”
I let out a gasp. “That’s my favorite baseball movie!”
Henry laughs. “I knew Kessler had good taste.”
We spend the rest of warmups discussing our favorite baseball movies. We’re in a disagreement over which Major League movie is the best when I see Charlie and Hudson make their way towards us. He takes a seat on the other side of Henry and Charlie takes a seat next to me.
“So, did you see the announcement?” she asks, looking hesitant.
I nod. “I did. I was… shocked you chose two pictures.”
