Page 97 of Mom Ball

I take my place in line beside Tami. She lowers her sunglasses and nods toward first base. “Who’s the hunk on first?”

“His name is Elijah Bowing. Ever heard of him?”

She drops her jaw. “Uh, yeah, he’s like this bodybuilder dude that starts up gyms.”

I cock my head. “And he’s in Apple Cart?”

“Good thing for us.” Tami licks her lips.

I start to reprimand her and try and tame her behavior, but it’s no use. My energy would be better spent warning Elijah instead.

And stretching. The last thing I need is to end up like Dr. Slugger.

Tami and I both strike out, which is a surprise to nobody. I’m a little relieved since I don’t want to follow her on the bases—or anywhere.

“It’s okay, Mama!” Timothy calls.

I side-hug him as my team goes into the field. They put me in left field and Tami in right. She’s every bit as unfocused as her daughters. I wanted to sit out, but they needed me after Aniston and Easton both left. The mysterious gym man is in center field.

Our kids are hitting better. Isabella helps correct their swings, so I give her all the credit. Several get on base, but the adults are better fielders.

We play two more innings and beat them nine to one. I hate that, but they’re still smiling.

Morgan whistles everyone in and gives a quick ending speech. “I’m proud of y’all.” She nods around. “Adults included.”

“I’ve never played any ball before,” Jim comments.

“I can tell,” Morgan says. He frowns, and she continues. “But you hung in there, and you got better.”

He nods and the sides of his face lift, curving his mustache.

“Neither have I,” I say.

Jim’s mouth forms a real smile. I squint at Morgan, but she’s already continuing with her speech.

“It’s tough playing bigger, better people, but we learned some new things.”

“Like don’t slide at first base,” Jack yells.

“You should already know that,” Morgan corrects. “But yes, that’s one of them.” She pats Isabella’s back. “And we had some great coaches today. Let’s give them a hand.”

Everyone claps.

“Isabella, honey, break us down.”

She sticks her hand out and the kids circle around. Jack and Charlie shove at each other until both are touching an older girl’s hand.

“Gray Armadillos on three!” Isabella counts down and everyone yells in unison.

I remind all the adults of the extra water, mainly because I don’t want to roll it all back to my car. Elijah engages Morgan in a conversation, so I sneak past her.

“Mama, can I have your phone and call Nate?”

“Sure.” I unzip my shorts pocket and hand him the phone.

He calls while I hand out waters to anyone who will take them. Then I drain the excess water from the cooler and pull it toward the car.

Timothy holds out my phone after I put the cooler in the trunk. “He didn’t answer. I left a message.”

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