Page 36 of Fair Ball

I didn’t stand a chance, even without the undiagnosed autism.

Because there’s Catholic, and then there’s Catholic. We are put on nice clothes and go to church every Sunday, not just holidays, Catholic. Taking the gifts up during Mass and staying after to chat Catholic. We’re not only culturally Catholic; we’re actually Catholic.

“Well, what other reason could he have for hiring me?” I ask, and my mother counts off the reasons on her fingers.

“You’re qualified.”

“With my high school diploma?”

“He’s a good man.”

“He broke his brother’s nose.”

“He needed help.”

“To sort his socks.”

She throws up her hands. “I don’t know, Millie, but what do you want? To spit in the face of God’s plan?”

I roll my eyes. If everything is God’s plan, what’s the point of trying to make anything better? She says I should pray for discernment and understanding. I say she should pray for a better comprehension of science.

So, we don’t talk much about religion anymore.

Mom and I go silent for a while, long enough for Noah to take the pitcher’s mound again, and I film him striking out a batter. “Great job, nugget!” I stand up to clap, dropping my phone, and when I pick it back up, I look into the camera, saying, “Sorry about that,” then continue to film Noah striking out the next two batters as well.

As the teams switch positions, I send the video to Austin but don’t expect a text back anytime soon.

Except I receive one ten minutes later.

Can’t take you anywhere.

That’s a joke.

Why? Because I embarrass my son or myself?

I meant Noah. What do you have to be embarrassed about?

General air of clumsiness.

It’s part of your charm.

That’s a compliment.

Thank you.

Next to me, Mom shifts, trying to peek over my shoulder. “Are you talking to him?”

“Austin? Yeah.”

“What time’s his game tonight?”

“Starts at six forty, but he probably didn’t even leave yet. On days he doesn’t pitch, he sleeps in. He’ll go in for lunch and light skills work then physical therapy.”

“You have it all down, hm?”

I force my attention away from my phone to my mother. “I am his assistant. I should know his schedule.”

“Yes, but you’ve become so interested in baseball, when you’ve never liked sports before. Not even with Noah.”