Page 2 of Dibs
“Drink before you go?” Jamie asked as she closed the door to the bedroom part of the suite.
“Sure.” I went to the minibar and grabbed a small bottle of whiskey for myself and a mini bottle of champagne for her. After pouring the alcohol into glasses, I handed my ex-wife her drink, and we sat at the dining table.
“It’s crazy this day has finally come,” she said as we clicked our glasses together.
“Yeah.” We took sips of our drinks. I’d hoped to win the World Series in my last year, but the Rockies hadn’t made the playoffs, so tonight’s game ended without fanfare, just a farewell. It was okay though because I’d had a distinguished career. I was a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion. I had four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award. Plus, to go out without a major injury was, in my eyes, just as good as winning the pennant in my last season.
“The kids are excited for you to be home every day.”
“I am too, even though home will be in a strange town.” I snorted.
“If they can get used to it, so can you.”
“I know.” Being in an unfamiliar place wasn’t necessarily new to me because I hadn’t always played for the Rockies. I was drafted by the Phillies right after Jamie and I started dating. I played for their minor league team for two years before being traded to Denver and making my big league debut with the Rockies. When I hit a grand slam during my first at bat, I became a fan favorite.
“And you know Jase is excited to show off his MLB father.”
I took another sip of my whiskey. “Tell me about this Coach Stat.”
Jamie grinned ear to ear. “Well, he’s hot.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s not what I mean.”
“I don’t know.” She lifted a shoulder. “He’s the coach.”
“But is he good?” I knew the summer ball team had won one of their tournaments, but I didn’t know the specifics. That was all going to change and I couldn’t wait to be a more involved father finally.
“Yeah, of course.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I gulped down the rest of my drink, made more small talk before saying goodbye to my ex, and then went to my room down the hall.
* * *
Takingone last look in the mirror, I straightened the blue and gold paisley tie Cammie had given me for Father’s Day and then left my hotel room to meet everyone in the banquet room we had rented for my party. Jamie had instructed me to be the last to arrive. As I made my way to the first floor, my nerves took over. I could play nine innings in front of fifty thousand people and not bat an eye, but walking into a room filled with my close friends and family was a little overwhelming.
The moment I walked across the threshold, cheers and claps filled my ears. I smiled widely, giving a little wave before my children rushed over and wrapped their arms around me. Once we let go, I shook hands with people and said my thanks as they congratulated me on an epic career.
“Great to see you guys!” I greeted my old teammates, Aron and Drew, as I gave them quick hugs.
“My husband would never miss a party,” Drew stated.
“I wasn’t sure since you have these two little ladies.” I peered down at their twin daughters, Reese and Jolene who were almost a year old.
“You know, I thought the older they got, the easier it would be,” Aron said. “But even though we’re weeks from their birthday, it’s not getting any easier. It was much better before they started walking at ten months and getting into everything.”
I bent down and smiled at Reese, who was a few minutes older than her sister. “Not these two beauties. They can’t be any trouble.”
Aron scoffed. “It’s been a while since you had a baby.”
“True, but my son is going to be a teenager soon and if he’s anything like I was, I’m going to have to take the door off his bedroom.”
“Full-time fatherhood is the best,” Drew said, clapping me on the shoulder as I stood. “You’ll see, and so will my husband eventually.” Drew winked at Aron.
Aron played for the San Francisco Giants and they’d made it to the playoffs. After the current season, he still had one more to go before he could retire. I wondered if he would because before he’d met Drew, baseball was all Aron knew.
“I’m looking forward to it. Jase is playing fall ball and I can’t wait to teach him everything I know.”
“Are you going to coach the team?” Aron asked.
