Page 41 of Catching Dreams

“What gate are they arriving at again?” Molly asked as I maneuvered her car around the airport.

“Gate 8A,” I said and pointed at the sign for the gate we needed.

“There it is. Turn left up here.” Molly directed me. “I see your mom! She’s so cute! I love her!”

I shook my head but was glad that my mom and my wife got along so well.

I pulled into a spot that was designated for pick up only. Mom and Dad walked over to the car and hugs were given all around.

“You don’t know how much this means to me that you’re coming to my game,” I told Dad.

“I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” Dad said as he gave me another hug. “I did something you won’t believe.”

“Oh my gosh! Are you really going to show him right here in the airport parking lot, Mike?” Mom asked.

“Is there a better place to show my son my first tattoo?”

Molly had been taking a drink of her water and spit it all over the place. “Did you say tattoo?”

“No way!” I cried out. “I want to see, Dad! Please, tell me Carter did it.”

“Yes, your brother did it. He really is talented. I did the drawing, though.”

“I can’t wait to see it!”

Dad lifted up the sleeve of his t-shirt to reveal a tattoo on his upper arm. It was a toolbelt that went all the way around his arm. Hanging from the belt were 4 wrenches. The designs inside each wrench were so detailed that I couldn’t believe my eyes. The first wrench had a stethoscope for Julia. At the bottom was a scrub cap with fish on it. The second wrench had a baseball player diving for the ball. The middle wrench had a catcher's mask and glove. It also had some strawberries hanging off of the wrench. My chest puffed out with pride. I checked out the final wrench and smiled. Inside that one was a tattoo gun.

“Holy crap, that’s amazing,” I said. “I love it, Dad!”

“Are the strawberries for me?” Molly asked as she came over to take a closer look.

“Yes, they are,” Dad said with a grin. “The scrub cap with fish on it is for Rob since he loves to go fishing on his days off. When your brothers find their matches, I will add something for them. I also plan on adding something for each of your babies under your wrench when we discover what they are passionate about.”

“Oh, that’s perfect! It’s like a family tree but with wrenches!” Molly exclaimed.

“That’s exactly what it is.” He pointed to the tool belt. I had missed it, but the date my parents got married was on the tool belt along with four hummingbirds. My mom loved hummingbirds, and I guessed that the four symbolized her four children.

“Well, we’d better go, or I’ll be late to my game. I’m so glad you guys will be in the stands cheering me on!” I said.

“This is my brother’s other sister,” I said with a giggle as I introduced Emma to Tyler’s parents. “That is probably the weirdest introduction I’ve ever given in my life.”

We all laughed, and Susan hugged Emma after Mike shook her hand.

“Family is family,” Susan said with a smile. “I love that you two are getting to know each other.” Man, Susan’s mom-talk made me miss my Mimi even more.

I remember being so nervous when I first met Tyler’s parents at the game when he first got called up to Double A. In reality, it hadn’t been that long ago, but here I was sitting next to his mom and Emma, laughing about anything and everything. We especially laughed at his dad, who was really taking the game seriously. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t been to a game in a long time because he was watching every action very closely, and the pride that he showed for his son was amazing. When Tyler got a double in the third inning, his dad jumped up and cried out, “That’s my boy!” Don’t get me wrong, I was so proud of Tyler, too, but knowing how he had felt about his dad’s disapproval and seeing his dad do a complete one-eighty and be supportive, meant everything.

When Ty got out one of the opponents trying to steal second, we were all up on our feet and screaming. We got a lot of looks since we were the away team, but we didn’t care. When Hunter Montogomery got a three-run homerun in the next inning, I was on my feet, cheering for Tyler’s friend.

“You are really lucky to be surrounded by hot baseball players!” Emma said as she watched Hunter round the bases. “I would love to get to know him better.”

I didn’t want to tell Emma that Hunter was not only not single but that if he were available, I think he would have eyes for my best friend, Meadow. I decided to change the subject and told Emma and Ty’s parents about the open lot next to the bakery. I mentioned I wasn’t sure what to do with it yet, but I couldn't wait to have more space upstairs with the babies coming.

“I’ll rent it from you,” Emma said suddenly.

“What?” I asked, in shock.

“I have a child and family development degree with a business minor because I had hoped to own my own preschool someday. If I could rent the space from you, I could make it into a daycare. I could watch the babies when you’re ready to go back to work. I don’t know if there is a need for a daycare in your town, but there might be. I’d also love to be closer to Dominic. I miss both of my brothers being so far away from me. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

---