Chapter One of Home Run by Susan Alvis

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Lavender Isis Publishing First Electronic Edition: July 2007

Romance At Heart Publications Second Electronic Edition: October 2007

Dedication:

To My Son, Matthew, who never gave up his heart for the game

regardless of the countless adversities he faced.

Home Run

by Susan Alvis

Chapter One

Tabitha watched her son sit in the dugout as other kids made their way to the field. His sesame seeds were flying and his legs were swinging with a smile that lit up the entire stadium. He had been in a baseball uniform since he could hold a bat, which was at the age of three. Her husband found a league in a neighboring town that accepted three year olds and put little Johnny on the field for the great game of T-ball.

A few years later and Tabitha could have sworn she was the proud parent of the next Babe Ruth as she watched him go from T-ball to a recreational league to traveling baseball. Incidentally, the traveling club league was also known to the locals as Daddy ball.

Disappointments were few and far between as little Johnny used his left arm as a powerful tool. He taunted players as they struck at curve balls he shouldn’t have been throwing at his age. His fast pitches were rapid enough to strike a player out and some thought his skill far surpassed his age. He was on his way as a serious and talented player or so some thought.

There’s something about sports that many parents don’t see when their child is the crème of the crop. They don’t see the envy in the eyes of other parents and they certainly don’t notice when their child is targeted to be shunned. Parents are far too busy concentrating on their child and the team atmosphere he seems to have found.

Then, when it suddenly falls apart, moms and dads aren’t sure what happened because they weren’t paying close attention. Tabitha watched in dismay as she realized there was only so much she could do as a parent regardless of her son’s obvious natural abilities.

She was surprised at what others would do to take away from her son’s talent and from those talented kids around him that held similar skills behind the glove or bat.

* * * *

“Mom, it’s no big deal.” Johnny was disappointed because he had sat on the bench for the past three games without playing one inning. It was evident in his voice.

“It is a big deal Johnny when you aren’t playing. I’d like to know why.” Tabitha’s voice rose slightly.

“The other kids are better than I am so I’ll just have to work harder.”

John, Tabitha’s other half, shot Tabitha a look of warning. He wanted her to drop the conversation but her blood had boiled earlier when she’d witnessed two kids walk players around the bases like they were on a slow-moving merry-go-round. Johnny sat the bench clapping and cheering his team on. Their team had lost three straight games and the same players had remained on the field. Mistakes were rampant and there her son was-content to be on the damn bench.

“Johnny, go throw with your dad.” She intended to call the coach and find out what the problem was because after eight years of putting her summers on hold for baseball, she wasn’t about to go down without a fight. If her son wasn’t playing because of his level of skill, it was one thing but if he wasn’t playing for another reason, perhaps a sassy mouth, she’d like to know that too.

John was typically laid back and she knew he wouldn’t say the first thing to the coach who had benched their son. After all, he was a friend of the family. He wouldn’t snub her son when half the time, the coach’s kids were at John and Tabitha’s house. Of course not, she thought with a huff.

John grabbed a glove smacking a quick kiss on Tabitha’s cheek, “I don’t want to hear another word about it.” He gave her a stern look knowing she wouldn’t listen.

She watched them from the kitchen window and dialed the coach’s number.

By the fifth ring, Tabitha was down-right mad. She had just about given up when Dave’s wife picked up. “Hi Charlotte, can I speak to Dave please?”

“Oh, sure you can Tabitha. Hang on a minute.” Her voice was cool but oozed over the words probably so she could get a point across to her husband before handing off the phone.

“Hey Tabitha, how’s it going? That was some game huh?” His words were choppy and quickly delivered.

“Yeah Dave, I guess you could say that. In fact, it is why I’m calling.” He knew why she was calling and if he had half a brain, he should’ve expected it because the call was long overdue!

“Oh. Look I know it is disappointing to the kids. We are a young team though and we’re getting stronger all the time. I’ve got your boy in my back pocket if we can’t get it together. You know he’s the youngest one on the team.”

Tabitha thought of all the late nights she had spent with Dave and Charlotte’s kids while they went out celebrating New Years, Valentine’s and Fourth of July. She was always the mom-at-home who loved being with the kids but still offered their so-called friends a break when they wanted to go out and party. Somewhere along the line, she felt like that warranted her child getting his fair chance to play. The other kids proved they certainly weren’t headed for careers in baseball much less interested in playing little league.

Johnny lived baseball. It was his life.

“Dave, listen. Johnny has played baseball since he could practically walk. This is the first year he has sat the bench. While I don’t expect him to be a starter, I do expect him to have a fair opportunity to play. You have kids out there who number one, can’t swing the bat and number two, can’t pitch, and finally, can’t catch. I’m calling to see if there’s a problem. Has Johnny done something to piss you off?” Tabitha was direct.

“Well,” Dave began with a slow draw, “this is a young team and I will play him some but as I said, he’s one of the younger ones out there. I’ve had him in the line-up as much as anyone else his age.”

Tabitha hated to be played as a fool. “Really? Is that so? How many kids do you have on the team Dave?” She was hot.

He was quiet for a moment before he answered her. “We’ve got fifteen this year.”

“Hmm. Yes, there are fifteen kids out there and guess what? Fourteen of the fifteen have played every single game. Fourteen. Still, the one kid that hasn’t played is the one child who continues to think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. He’s also one of five kids who has been playing longer than the rest of those out there. I’d like to hear a reason why he isn’t out on the field rather than a cop-out about his age. He was old enough to make the team. He should be playing.”

“Well, as I said...” He didn’t know what to say and that much was apparent.

“Yes, he’s young. You said that.” Tabitha interrupted him.

“I don’t know what to tell you except that I’ll play him. How’s that?” He had to say something.

“Dave, that would be really nice. We’re paying to go out of town on these trips coming up and we have invested as much, and in most cases, more time at the baseball field than any of your other players and parents. I’d appreciate the opportunity to see my child play and then we can all see if he belongs out there or not.” Tabitha rattled off at the mouth when she was mad and had quite the reputation for doing so but it took a lot to provoke her. Most of the time she was pleasant to be around but if someone wronged her child, look out!

Going back to his jovial self, Dave laughed. “You got it neighbor! By the way, Charlotte and I are going out for the fourth. Do you all have plans?”

“Same as always.” Tabitha knew what was next.

“Great, do you want three more?” Dave never cared to ask.

“Sure, they are welcome to come over as always.” Tabitha’s tone was cool. When it came to the kids, she couldn’t take it out on them but she really didn’t want to help Dave out if her son wasn’t going to be given his fair shot at playing time. Since Dave was from

California, he had few options for baby-sitters and Tabitha thought he should keep that in mind.

Dave was chummier than ever. “Fantastic! It’s going to be a late night so they can stay over right?” He was a pushy SOB. She had to hand it to him.

”They’re welcome to stay.” After all, maybe it would help Johnny get a fair shake. The thought entered her mind and she pushed it aside. Who am I kidding? She almost said the words out loud when she hung up the phone.

* * * *

The day before Independence Day, Johnny was clearly excited. The biggest tournament of the year was coming up and he had practiced hard for the game. He didn’t know his mother had talked to Dave because Tabitha made sure he didn’t. Johnny went to the game with a positive attitude ready to spend some time on the bench but optimistic that he might get a chance to play at least one inning.

John and Tabitha sat in the bleachers waiting for the game to start when they overheard one of the other mother’s conversations as she spoke to an attentive audience.

“Yes, they called him at home. Yes! They did. Shouting about the fact that their son had been to all of these baseball camps and the least Dave could do was put him in the game.

So Tim isn’t starting today. He’ll be on the bench.” She turned to look at Johnny’s parents with heated anger.

Tabitha glared back in her direction. She was about to let her know her side of the conversation but John stopped her. He pointed toward Johnny taking the pitcher’s mound.

His eyes were fiery as he pitched strike after strike. He didn’t walk one player in the first inning and no one scored any runs for the opposing team. The second inning, he struck three batters out back to back. The third inning, again he was flawless and then, it was over.