Page 72 of Batter Up!

“Careful.” I literally growled. I did not like him implying that my girl was with me just for money. It was Molly’s turn to give me a reassuring squeeze of my hand under the table.

“Mr. Stone, I have my own successful business,” Molly explained while straightening up her back. “So, I don’t need his help financially now or when he makes it to the majors.”

“Dad, do you know who she is?” Carter asked.

“Your brother’s fiancee. That’s already been established.”

“No, Dad. She’s more than that,” Landon stepped in. “She’s the girl we met when we went to the Little League World Series. The one Ty’s loved ever since.”

Molly looked over at me with a huge grin on her face, moved her hand to my thigh, and rested her head on my shoulder.

“The one that caused his allergic reaction?” Dad asked. Was he really only picking up on the negativity?

“Mr. Stone, because of that reaction, Molly actually makes sure to have a case in her bakery for allergy-friendly baked items. It impacted her whole life and career. They were meant to be together,” Meadow told him with confidence.

“I can’t wait to come to your bakery and try your items,” Mom said, trying to change the conversation to something positive. “I’m sure you’re very talented.”

“I can’t wait to make something for you,” Molly said with a kind smile to my mom. “What is your favorite flavor or baked item?”

“Mom loves pecan pie but hasn’t had it in forever because of Ty’s allergy,” Landon let her know.

“Oh, I don’t need anything with nuts. I do love anything with peaches, though. That’s my favorite flavor,” Mom said.

“I can make you something special with peaches and pecans,” Molly said and then looked around. “Um, where is the restroom?”

“Down the hall, second door on the left,” Mom pointed in the direction of the downstairs half-bathroom.

Molly stood up and walked towards the bathroom. I saw the change in my dad’s face when he noticed her stomach. His eyes closed, and if this was a cartoon and not real life, I could imagine steam coming out of his ears.

“Please, tell me it’s not true,” Dad grinded his teeth and looked right at me.

“Dad, Molly is expecting our baby,” I said and felt my own back straightening, waiting for the conflict. “And if you don’t have anything nice to say about my woman or your first grandchild, I expect you to not say anything.”

“How could you have been so irresponsible?” Dad asked. “How are you going to afford to take care of not only a girlfriend but a baby, too? Especially being on the road so much. I’m guessing because she’s got a bakery that she’s in the original town, so you’re not even near her since you moved up. Long distance never works, son, and now you’ll be stuck with this girl for eighteen years because of the baby.”

“He’s not just ‘stuck with me’, Mr. Stone!” Molly announced as she entered the room. “I’m glad to be with him. I love him. Yes, long distance is going to be hard, but we’re living off the motto of taking it one day at a time.”

Dad just shook his head. “And what happens when he gets injured again? What then?”

“Then, I will be there for him IF that happens,” Molly stated, putting the same emphasis on the word ‘if’ as he had earlier. “Your son is very talented, and I’m very proud of him. I think you should be, too.”

“Don’t tell me how to feel about my son,” Dad ground out, and I felt myself stand up next to Molly and pulled her closer to me.

“Michael!” Mom cried out. “Don’t talk to our guest that way.”

Dad didn’t listen to Mom and just shook his head, “I’m very proud of the one son that stayed with me to help me with the family business. He won’t get his knee injured or just play a game during half the year and be on the road away from his family when he chooses to have one. He will be around and present.”

“With all due respect, Mr. Stone, your son is very present. We talk every day.”

“And once you have this baby, they will get to know their father through a telephone?”

“Dad, really?” Landon asked.

“Don’t you even start. I wasn’t happy when you got drafted, but then you put crazy dreams in your brother’s head, and he left the family business, too.”

“Mr. Stone, do you know how many fathers out there would be so proud if only one of their son’s played professional baseball? You have two! That shows how talented they are, and you should be proud of them. I understand the family business is important, but my grandparents raised me to pursue a career that would support my family and make me happy.”

“Well, that’s very nice, dear,” Dad said. “But Tyler can’t support a family on $600 a week.”

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