Page 3 of Off the Mark
Her cheeks went pink. “Bryce Harper is too handsome for this world.”
“If that’s the case, I must be some advanced-level threat to the whole universe, huh?”
Dean made an aggravated sound of protest, and Edna swatted my shoulder. “Trouble.”
She sniffed daintily, so I bent to plant a kiss on her cheek. Edna and her twin sister were in their eighties and lived together in the same row home they’d grown up in. They were second-generation Polish-Americans who had kept a watchful eye on me and Dean when we were kids.
“Edna, if you see my grandmother when you’re out today, tell her I’m bringing over pork chops and cabbage for dinner tonight?”
“As long as you bring us leftovers,” she replied.
“There’s already a Tupperware container with your name on it,” I promised. I clapped Dean on the shoulder as I walked past him towards the door. “I probably have a meeting I’m forgetting, but if you end up having eggplant problems, let me know.”
“Benny’s later?” he asked.
“Always, big guy.”
In the crowded hallway, I stepped around two harried-looking program interns and then almost spilled an entire cup of coffee all over Luciana Pérez.
“Luciana,” I said, startled. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to bump into the board president. Are you here to see Elaine?”
She pressed her lips together, shaking her head. “Do you have a few minutes to speak with me in her office? I’m sure you’ve got a busy morning, but this is serious. And urgent.”
I hesitated at the strain in her voice. “Of course. I’m all yours.”
Luciana followed me down our main hallway, past the computer lab, kitchen, and the large windows that faced the playground. To the left was our library and the door leading to the basketball court.
This center was one of the beating hearts of this neighborhood—a place for kids who lived in a city without backyards. A place for folks like Edna to pick up extra food when they needed it. We offered reliable internet, hot coffee, and an extra-wide front stoop for company and gossip.
And after my first year pitching in the majors ended with a career-destroying shoulder injury, this place had welcomed me home with open arms.
I pushed open Elaine’s door, pausing mid-step when I realized it was empty. Pausing, again, when I realized what a mess it was inside. I tried to remember the last time I’d been in here. Six months ago,maybe? Elaine liked moving around the office, hosting meetings in different locations to feel less trapped behind her desk.
I flipped on the light switch and blinked. Winced.
Now it looked even worse.
“I, uh…I guess Elaine’s not here yet,” I mumbled as I took in the chaos. “She should be in any second now. It’s not like her to be late.”
Luciana shut the door and clasped her hands in front of her. “Rowan, have a seat. Please.”
I slowly rubbed the back of my neck. “You’re makin’ me a little nervous over here. Is everything cool?”
Her eyes darted over to a chair. So I did as instructed, setting my coffee on the dust-covered glass table. I’d only known Luciana for a few years, but she was one hell of a board president. Like me, she was born and raised here, growing up a mile from the center after her parents moved from Quito, in Ecuador. She was in her late forties, with short, dark hair, light tan skin, and tortoiseshell glasses.
Her expression softened. “Rowan, I’m sorry to have to tell you this…Elaine had a heart attack late last night.”
My stomach dropped. “Jesus. Is she all right?”
“She’s improving but not out of the woods. I got a call from her wife, early this morning, letting me know that Elaine was still hospitalized and was an excellent candidate for surgery. It’s hopeful news, and her prognosis is excellent, but Elaine won’t be coming back to work for a while.” She paused, indicated the space around her. “Or potentially…ever.”
I reared back. “That’s not possible. Elaineisthe rec center. She was working here when Dean and I were kids. She hired me after I got injured when I was arealbastard to be around. She has to come back.”
Luciana dragged over a chair to sit facing me. There were dark circles under her eyes. A weariness to the set of her mouth. “We’re all devastated by this. It’s unexpected. And scary. And, yes, Elaine has worked very hard to make this place feel like a home. Her impact is undeniable.” She studied me for a moment. “How much did Elaine share with you about the inner workings here?”
I dropped my elbows to my knees. “Not much. I coordinate the programs, so we do meet often, going over logistics, issues, staffing needs. Elaine was always worried about money, but I still got paid the same time every month.” I shrugged. “Why?”
She glanced at her hands before looking back up at me. “This city owes more than I can say to Elaine and her leadership over the past thirty years. She’s a true visionary, and the neighborhood has come to rely on her tremendously.”
