Page 113 of Bad Decisions & Back Roads

Sofia tugged hard on my hand.“Uncle Josh promised me a hug.”

I smiled down at her.“Sweetie, he can hug you after his talk.Uncle Josh has to work right now.”

Her lower lip poked out, devastated by this injustice.

We followed Josh and his entourage of managers through the tunnel toward the wings of the stage.The second we stepped into the stadium tunnel, the noise hit me full force.

Thousands.Not hundreds.Thousands.

Veterinarians from all over the country, possibly the world, packed the stadium alongside spouses, kids, students, and industry sponsors.The energy vibrated through the concrete beneath our feet.Every single one of them was here for Josh.Not just because he’d become baseball’s newest obsession after a massive surprise trade to Atlanta.Not just because the media and public loved the story of the Southern veterinarian who somehow ended up a professional athlete.I had no doubt a feel-good movie would be made about his story in the next five years.

People loved Josh.He was impossible not to love.He signed every autograph and remembered kids’ names.He showed up to shelter fundraisers without cameras present.He spent his down time at the clinic elbow deep in emergencies because he genuinely loved the work.He also flew home every Saturday night he could to be with us for Sunday dinner.

His team’s owners loved him.No scandals.No arrogance.No pretending to be bigger than where he came from.Just Josh.Apart from that, he was an incredible catcher and leader for all his teammates.

Here, surrounded by thousands of veterinarians, there was something almost emotional about watching them claim him as one of their own.

The stadium lights dropped.A tinny recorded organ playedTake Me Out to the Ballgame.The crowd immediately roared louder as lights flashed across the packed seats.Then his walkout song exploded through the speakers.

The place lost its mind.

Josh stepped toward the stage and glanced back over his shoulder.One look at Vinny still half-trapped in the plastic suit of armor and he immediately had to press his lips together to keep from laughing.Vinny pointed accusingly at him with the one arm he’d successfully freed.“How dare you leave me like this and laugh at me!”

“I believe in you,” Josh called back solemnly, which only made Erika snort.

He turned walked out on stage then, waving with that easy confidence he carried without ever seeming cocky.The crowd erupted instantly.

Meanwhile, behind him, Vinny made a noise of triumph as another piece of armor finally came loose—followed immediately by a loud plastic crack.

Everyone turned backstage.

Vinny stared down at the broken plastic piece in horror.“I didn’t do that.”

“You literally did,” Erika replied.

I buried my face in Timothy’s chest, laughing so hard.

Josh bent at the waist laughing as one of the organizers hissed, “You’re on stage!”

Sofia bounced so hard beside us I thought she might combust.

Josh faced the crowd and opened his mouth to speak?—

Sofia took off running.

“Oh my God,” Erika whispered beside me.“Our family is certifiable.”

I froze in horror as my daughter sprinted onto the stage in front of several thousand people.

Josh barely had time to react before Sofia reached him and punched him directly in the leg.

“You promised me a hug!”she yelled.

The entire stadium went dead silent.Every single person held their breath.

Then Josh looked down at her and smiled so softly it physically hurt my chest.He crouched and scooped her into his arms, hugging her tight while the crowd melted into laughter and scatteredawws.

“Well folks,” he said, still holding her, “this is my niece.”