Noah didn't have to pull me in a wagon on Saturday morning. Instead, we were both woken up at dawn and told to load up the car.
"Are we going to the park already..?" Noah yawned.
"Yes." Zeke answered.
"What about the girls?" Noah got in the front.
I got in the back and propped my leg up.
Zeke had put a grocery bag beside me and got in the driver's seat. "Julian said he would do it for me this morning. But in exchange, we're going to pick up Andy." He started to drive.
We made our first stop at Julian's to pick up Andy. He showed his usual serious face as he took in the look of my leg. "Will you be fine?"
I nodded. "Just a bruise."
He nodded. "Good. When do you think you can play again?"
I shrugged. "A week or two."
"He probably take two weeks off." Zeke told him. "Just to be sure. Rushing back to play softball is a foolish decision."
"Agreed." Andy nodded again. He glanced at me. "My brother told me that the high school baseball camp is considered the first tryout. If you don't perform well, you can't even join the program. If you can't join the program, you can't make it on any team."
"…" I looked at him blankly. Am I still asleep?
"There are exceptions to every rule." Noah mumbled from the front. "The camp is mostly for the incoming freshmen. Jake came in right before the season started and was abled to get a tryout with the varsity team immediately. Don't be so uptight."
Andy considered what he said as we arrived at the field. "I see."
Zeke parked and we started to get out of the car. We went to a grassy area of the park, where some lines for a small soccer field were set up. Zeke laid a blanket out and gestured for me to sit. He then opened up the grocery bag and started to pass out apples, oranges, and bananas. "Eat a bit, and then we'll begin."
Noah didn't need to be told twice. He ate two bananas and an apple in the time it took me to peel and orange. Andy also ate a banana and apple before looking to Zeke for further instructions.
Zeke finished eating as well. "Let's start with a jog. Jake, do some ab exercises."
I looked up at him. "I don't get to sit around?"
Zeke grinned. "You are sitting."
I wanted to cry.
My only solace was that Noah and Andy were working harder. Instead of the usual long distance run, Zeke had them doing sprints after a short warmup. It definitely made my ab workout pale in comparison. We kept it up until Julian arrived with the girls, along with some more food.
Noah and Andy stuffed their faces as the girls asked about my leg injury.
"You hit a foul ball into your own leg?" Kaylee asked, squatting next to me. "You?! But…how?"
I felt embarrassed as I shrugged. "An accident."
"I feel like you never miss though." Kaylee poked my boot. "Is it heavy?"
I shook my head. "Only if I walk for a long time."
"Thankfully it didn't go off your foot." Julian said. "You would have been more likely to break a bone then. And foot injuries are the worst."
I nodded. It definitely could have been worse.
"You're also lucky it didn't happen near the start of the season." Mr. Miller said. "Coach Wilcox would have given you an earful." He nudged Stu. "Guess we old folk have to play the whole time now."
"Me too?!?" Alisha questioned, in distress.
"We only have one sub." Noah shrugged. "It'll be fine. You can play in the outfield."
"I'm not good…" She sighed. "There's no position that's suitable for me."
"Catcher." Zeke spoke up.
Everyone looked up at him.
"There's no stealing allowed so it's not like she has to throw much. Just back to KJ." Zeke pointed out. "It'll work against the older teams at least."
It was decided. Alisha had to put on the heavy catcher's gear. Mr. Miller would cover first, Stu on third, Noah at short, and Kaylee at second. Julian, Andy, and Zeke would cover the outfield. I watched from the bench, leg propped up. They pulled off another win and we went out for an early lunch to celebrate. It was more like brunch since it was a pancake house. Everyone had a good time as we talked about nothing and everything.
The days started to go by, just like that.
Mom and Dad came back from visiting with the twins, worried at first about my leg, but were assured that I was fine once they could see for themselves. They had heard from Jeremy about him coming over on Thursday and potentially taking me to his place for the night. Friday I could see the doctor and go to another A's game.
Noah invited himself along which made it easier on me. I called Jeremy and told him the plan, Thursday we would go see Dr. Moore together, then go to the softball game, dinner, then leave for his place. Jeremy easily accepted the itinerary, not saying anything bad about Noah coming along either.
Mom and Dad said they would meet us at the A's game with Zeke and the twins. It would be a family outing. I don't think they realize how much I appreciate them coming. It was reassuring to have them come after spending a night somewhere I haven't been before.
With the plans set, the week began. Zeke would take Noah on a jog every morning and then I would join them for a small ab workout before it was time for school. Noah and I went to Spanish, talked to Mitchell about baseball, and then had lunch with Zeke.
Tuesday, there was a small change in our routine. When going to the softball game, Noah handed me his phone. "The all-star game will start halfway through our game. I set it up so you can watch Jeremy."
"Oh." I had forgotten. I held his phone, careful not to click anything. I didn't want it to change.
As they played their softball game, I sat at the end of the bench, eyes on Noah's small phone screen. Somehow, he had pulled the real game's broadcast so I was able to hear and see everything. Including a shot of Jeremy…talking with his family.
They were all there. Uncle Jack and wife. Their kids. Jeremy's family. Mine too, but not in a way that mattered. I wonder if they were invited before or after I was invited. Were they the backup plan for when I said I couldn't go? Or were they coming the whole time and Jeremy was going to spring that on me?
The announcers didn't say much about Jeremy and his family, just that he was looking at a big pay day with the A's. "He has a bright future ahead of him." They claimed. "So young, with so much talent."
An uncomfortable feeling took over my chest. I clicked the phone so the screen would go dark. I no longer wanted to watch.
Noah could tell something was off when we had dinner after the game, but I ignored his questions. I don't what to say. I'm jealous? Even though I already consider the Atkins my family? I thought I was fine with this.
