Page 54 of Dibs
Two men I knew had been in a similar situation to mine. One of them was at spring training, so he was probably unreachable, and the other I hoped would pick up the phone as I dialed his number after setting the kids’ bags in their rooms.
“Chase Matthewson,” Drew greeted as he answered the phone. “How’s retirement treating you?”
“Good, really good.”
“But you miss the game.”
“Of course, I do.” Drew himself had retired from the major leagues, so he knew what it was like.
“Me too, but it will get easier.”
“How’s Aron?”
“Back on the field and doing what he loves.”
I was always competing with baseball.Jamie’s words played in my head. “Doesn’t he miss you and the girls?”
“Yes, he does, but you know Aron Parker. That boy lives and breathes the game.”
“Do you feel like you’re competing with baseball now?”
“What?”
“Sorry, that came out wrong.” I sat and stared out my back door at the ocean. “I just had a conversation with my ex-wife and she said she was always competing with the game.”
“Oh. I guess I can see what she means, but since I played and know what it’s like being on the road for half a season, it doesn’t bother me. Of course, I want to be with my husband every night, but it’s just not possible now.”
“But you want him to retire?”
“His contract with San Francisco is up at the end of the next season. We’ve talked about it some, but I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“But you want him to retire,” I said again, this time not as a question.
“I don’t know, butyouhave retired. Plus, you don’t need to worry about what she said because she’s your ex.”
“Yeah, you’re right, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“Okay, what’s up?”
“You have time? I know you have two princesses that need your attention.”
“They are napping right now. I have time until one of them wakes up.”
I took a deep breath and walked out onto my deck. “Remember that morning you and Aron told me you were dating, and I said I was cool with it because not only did I not have a problem with someone being gay, but also because I’d fooled around with a guy in college?”
“Yeah?” he drawled.
“So, that guy ended up being my son’s travel ball coach and now we’re dating.”
Drew said nothing for a few moments. “Wow. Okay. I didn’t see that coming, but I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks, but I was also hoping to pick your brain about something.”
“Okay?”
“How did you know you were in love with Aron?”
“I just knew.” He paused. “Are you saying you’re in love with this guy?”
