Page 20 of Catching Dreams

“Can I help, too?” Cam asked.

“Of course, my man,” Tyler said and ruffled his hair.

“Well, we better get a move on. We don’t have much room in the van, but I do have enough for you and your girl, like you requested, Stone.”

Tyler nodded and squeezed my hand. “Thanks, man.”

“I also have to pick up my cameraman on the way out of town. You guys will love Tanner.”

“The kids and I will lead the way,” Penelope said. “That way, if we have to take a potty break, you guys can just follow us.”

“Oh my God.” Molly’s whispered words filled with shock echoed my own voice in my head. The road ahead of us was mostly clear, but tree branches and bigger pieces of debris were still on parts of the road. Erick drove slowly as he maneuvered around the obstacles in the road. Silence filled the crowded cab of the van. We looked out the window at houses with whole walls torn off and littered on the ground all around them. A destroyed and mangled vehicle sat still in its parking spot with its front end torn off and the windshield filled with cracks. Next to that car sat a pickup truck on its side with a huge dent on the top of the cab and covered with tree branches. Bricks and cinder blocks were tossed around the yard where a house had once stood. I wondered if the family that had lived there had ever gone to Tigers games or to Molly’s bakery. I hoped they were all okay. The house next to the now-empty lot sat like it had a few days ago and didn’t seem to have been touched at all other than some tires, clothes, and other debris in their yard.

I noticed that Tanner was taking video of our reactions as well as everything we were seeing. Tanner was a little older than us, in his late twenties, and was pretty quiet as he sat in one of the captain’s chairs of the van. Erick, Molly, and I were all crammed together on the front bench seat. We were very lucky that Molly was so little, even with her baby bump. The rest of the van was stuffed with tornado relief supplies.

“Oh my gosh, there is Mrs. James! I’m so glad she’s okay!” Molly exclaimed and reached her arm across my body to point out of the window. “Can we stop to talk to her? I saw her the morning of the tornado.”

“I can’t believe that was only yesterday,” I replied. I was ready to get out of the van, so Molly could slide out of the middle seat and go check on her regular customer.

“There is no way that was just yesterday.” Molly shook her head in disbelief. I squeezed her hand to try and give her some comfort.

“We can talk to her in a few minutes,” Erick said as he went around a car that was turned upside down in the road ahead of us. “We need to find Cornerstone Church. That’s the tornado relief headquarters. Volunteers are scheduled to be there to help hand out supplies. We will walk back this way and make sure your friend gets supplies, and you can check on her then.”

Molly nodded and directed Erick towards Cornerstone Church, which was only two blocks away from where Cupcake Curveball had stood. When we got to the area of main street that had once been lined with shops and trees, I felt my wife tremble beside me. Her bakery, the bookstore, flower shop, hardware store, small grocery store, and bank were unrecognizable. Even the town hall in the middle of the square had the top blown off, but the walls were all still standing.

“It can all be rebuilt,” I told her while holding her tightly. “The town will be beautiful again.”

Molly nodded and took a deep breath. “At least Campbell Field is still standing.”

“The guys told me the locker rooms were damaged and one section of the seats would need to be replaced, but overall, the stadium got very lucky.”

“I still can’t believe Ashleigh McAlister didn’t make it,” Molly said quietly.

“If you had been here, it could have been you…” I tucked her under my arm and kissed the top of her head. “It’s a shock. Mack still hadn’t processed it all when I talked to him. He’s going to be staying by Nico’s side for a while.”

Molly nodded. “As he should! Who is going to coach the Tigers?”

“I think Jason Snyder is going to step up. While I’m here, I told him I’d help in any way I can. I’m not a coach, but I know these players.”

“You’ll be a great coach someday,” Erick said. “I can see it. After you’ve had your time in the bigs, of course.”

As we pulled into the church’s parking lot, I was in shock at the number of trailers, rented moving vans, and other big trucks filled with supplies like what we were carrying. Several tents were set up in the field behind the church, and many were labeled with signs that said ‘Red Cross - Find Your Loved Ones,’ ‘First Aid Tent,’ or ‘Supplies.’ It was an amazing sight to see.

“Oh, Tyler!” Molly cried out and grabbed my arm as Erick pulled into an open parking spot. “Look!”

I looked where she was pointing, and without a second thought, I had my door open as soon as Erick stopped the van. I turned to help Molly down and grabbed her hand as we rushed over to the group of people standing by the Volunteer Tent.

“Mom!” I cried out, and my mom turned and grinned up at me.

“My baby!” Mom said as she wrapped her arms around my waist. She then turned and hugged Molly tightly. “My sweet girl! You’re so huge!”

Molly laughed. “It’s nice to see you, too. I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I couldn’t let Mike have all the fun cleaning up!” Mom said, and Dad turned at the sound of his name and grinned at us.

“I am so glad you’re okay!” he told Molly before he did the unthinkable and hugged her tightly. “How is my grandbaby doing?”

“Very good,” Molly said and gave me a wink.

---