Page 109 of Off the Mark
I sensed the weight of Charlie’s attention on me. I shifted my arm to take her hand, curling our fingers together.
“And what do you do now?” Leonard asked.
“I’m the…” I hesitated. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Charlie start to smile. “I’m the executive director of the South Philly Recreation Center. Do you know it?”
“No, but I grew up in West Philly, and the rec center was like my second home,” Gloria said immediately. “What do you provide there?”
“Community, mostly,” I said. “Programs for kids, cooking classes, we’ve got social workers on staff and public health nurses. And a couple years ago I helped start a senior food program.”
Leonard’s brow furrowed. “Like Meals on Wheels?”
“Similar, yep. We kept seeing that our elderly neighbors weren’t getting connected to the services they needed. We had neighbors with nothin’ to eat in their fridges, but they’d never say a word. Never ask for help. I realized it had more to do with trust than access. So I hired two people to oversee it, with the goal to build trust one-on-one with neighbors we couldn’t reach before.”
“Amazing,” Leonard said. “You tailored a program to fit the unique needs of your neighbors and not the other way around.”
I grinned. “It’s South Philly, you know you can’t tell us to do nothin’.Butfolks know what they need, as long as someone’s honestly interested in the answer.”
Gloria returned my smile. “I felt that way growing up about the community we built around the rec centers. There was always something special that wasn’t easily replicated.” She touched me lightly on the arm. “I’m happy to know that kind of work is being done all over. Being the director’s a tough job, but it seems like the right fit for you.”
It’d been a hot August night, a lot like this one, when Elaine dragged me into her office and asked if I had any extra time to help out around the center on a part-time basis. She said she’d seen Alice at church, learned how I’d been cut from the Mets and was home for good, and had I ever considered community work?
I’d muttered something noncommittal—sure, yeah, I can help—never realizing that she’d been giving me a lifeline, a purpose, something bigger than my injury to focus on.
“It’s tough, but maybe it’s the ballplayer in me.” I tossed a covert wink at Charlie. “I’ve always loved a challenge.”
The crowd started to applaud as a woman took to the podium, introducing herself as one of the convention coordinators. The lights dimmed most of the way, and the audience started to still. I was turning in my seat when Leonard tapped me on the arm.
“Gloria and I would love to come for a visit and learn more about your program,” he said, slipping me his business card.
I barely managed to keep my cool. “I’d love to have you down.”
There was a presentation happening on stage, but I was too busy feeling victorious. Because I knew—knew it the way I used to catch a runner trying to steal—that Gloria and Leonard were the miracle donors the food program needed. They were locals who’d grown up in rec centers and who seemed to already get why ours was special.
I leaned in to Charlie, whispered, “They’re interested in coming on a tour.”
She suppressed an actual squeal and kissed me hard on the lips. I laughed softly against her mouth and let the kiss deepen for all of a second. Any more than that and we’d be finding a utility closet somewhere.
“I know what you did for me tonight. What would people do if they found out this bad girl was a secret softie?”
She held a finger to her lips. “Don’t blow my cover, O’Callaghan.” Then her expression shifted, growing serious. “You’re going to do incredible work as the director. Your parents would be so proud of you. I’m…I’m proud of you.”
I couldn’t reply, at least not verbally. But I kissed the top of her hand and let her see how strongly those words affected me.
“Now, of course, we’ll be doing awards all night in between our program,” the woman on stage said cheerfully, “but this wouldn’t be the championship gala without the fan award. Presented to the dirt bike racer that fans have voted on as theirfavoritefor the year. It’s an indication of the rider to watch, the one whose racing style and technique has captivated our base of supporters.”
Surprised, my eyes darted up to the stage. “Wait, you didn’t tell me there’d beawardstonight.”
“Because it’s no big deal,” she whispered back. “I mean, itisa big deal, but it’s mostly a popularity contest, and I’ve never been about that life.”
I arched a disbelieving brow. “Even though your fans are obsessed with you, and you’re also a two-time X Games winner withBettencourtprinted on the back of your jacket?”
She fidgeted with the straps of her jumpsuit, averting her gaze. “That doesn’t necessarily mean—”
“And we are so happy to announce that this year’s winner is none other thanCharlie Maddox,” the announcer yelled.
The applause that erupted was instantaneous. Charlie froze in her seat with her mouth wide open.
“Oh my goodness,congratulations,” Gloria exclaimed.
