Page 62 of Signs and Signals

I am out here in center field, praying, hoping that Zander strikes this dude out. I hear the crack of the ball hitting the bat, my heart beating hard against my ribs, then that sweet, sweet word, “Fouuul” rings in my ears. Fuck yes! The next moment goes by quickly, Zander striking the batter out.

Seventh and eighth innings are a tossup, we finally catch up, tying the score, then the Rangers get another run. It is like a game of tug-o-war, every inch we gain, they take one step ahead of us.

It is the bottom of the ninth, Legends are at bat. The score is 7-6 with the Rangers leading. I am on second base and Bailey, our catcher, is up to bat. Bailey bunts the ball, letting me get to third, and Bailey getting us our second out.

Simms is up next to bat, and he gives me a look that I can barely make out, but I see clear as day what he does with his arms and hands as he walks to the plate. To most he may look like he is stretching before going up to bat, but to others we know.

Simms takes his index and middle finger spreading them apart to make a ‘V’ and slides it across his opposite arm. Holy shit, he just gave me the sign to steal. He wants me to steal home. Well, who the fuck am I to refuse him, especially when he learned to sign the word ‘steal’ just for me. I laugh a big belly laugh and throw my head back.

The other players around me look at me as though I am losing my shit. But they are about to see why I am one of the best in the league. I wait for the perfect moment to make my attempt. The adrenaline is rushing through me, ready to do this.

I take a deep breath, my foot on the base, my eyes focused on the pitcher. He winds up his pitch, as soon as the ball leaves his fingers, I take off like a bat out of hell.

The world around me seems to slow, my heart is racing, the adrenaline pumping, and the next thing I know, I hear “Slide!” yelled from somewhere in the dugout. So, I fucking slide, head first, arms out. The dirt flying all around me, I closed my eyes, my body tense, hoping I was fast enough. As the dirt begins to settle, I think,please let me have this one,then the sound of the umpire yelling “Saaafe!” melts all the tension away.

The roar of the crowd coming back to me, as I stand, my gaze goes straight to the box, I touch my bracelet, I touch my heart, then raise my hand with the two middle fingers down and the thumb, index and pinky finger up. My signal and their sign, all for them.

The team rallies around me, congratulating me on my steal, the umpire cuts it short as Simms is still at bat. The scoreis tied 7-7, we have two outs, we need one more run to give us one more opportunity to win the cup, one run, one game, dreams made.

Simms has two strikes; he steps out of the batter's box and I see him take a deep breath. I can see the nerves hovering his body like armor. He isn’t the worst hitter, but he isn’t the best either. He has days where he hits great and days where he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. If he strikes out, he is going to take it hard.

He takes the step back into the box, waiting, here comes the pitch. Every one of the Legends players are standing right outside the dugout, holding our breath, some like me with their eyes closed.

Crack!As soon as I hear it, I open my eyes, searching for the ball, when I don’t see it, I jerk my head toward home plate, Simms is running the bases. My eyes widen as I see the umpire giving the signal that Simms hit a homer. Holy shit, Simms just hit his first home run in his MLB career.

The smile on his face is bright, but he has a look of disbelief lingering in his eyes. He touches home, and we are all grabbing him, thanking him for getting us the win, winning by one point. The World Series Championship Cup is ours for the taking, one more game, nine innings. We got this.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Indya

Atlas stayed at the apartment with us after game eight. Today is their off day before the final game, whoever wins this one is the winner of the World Series. Atlas said he would more than likely be at the clubhouse with the team for most of the day, but will come back when they are released.

Which is fine, I have plenty of company crowding our little apartment. Both of Atlas' siblings are here along with the three of mine, Amara, Haven, and obviously, me, but Samantha is also here. Since she and Atlas reunited, she has become more interested in my life as well as Haven’s. She is even taking classes to learn sign language.

Samantha and I are sitting at the dining room table, everyone else is scattered between the bedrooms and living room. We have been talking about her new cottage she recently bought, which we have plans of visiting soon, it sounds gorgeous. Her house finally sold; she gave the entire amount to her now ex-husband. She told him if he signed the papers and made the divorce quick and painless, he could have all the money from the sale of the house. No one was shocked the divorce was finalized within a week.

“So, I have an idea I would like to run by you,” Samantha says, leaning in, like she is about to tell me the secret of life. I lean in as well, because that is just what you do when another woman leans into you, you never know what will come from one of our mouths.

“Okay, hit me with it,” I respond in an excited whisper. Samantha giggles, shaking her head at my excitement.

“I think I am going to plan another charity gala. This one specifically catered to Riverside Legends. I want to give away multiple baseball scholarships to those who can’t afford the camps and training, even to be on the team at school,” she starts, her eyes are so bright, I can tell she is excited about the event.

“I think that would be an awesome charity to raise money for. There are a lot of kids in the community that would be thrilled to be able to play and the parents not having to worry where the money is going to come from to allow them to play,” I respond, getting excited with her.

“Even though my children never had to go through that, I remember what it cost when Van and Atlas went to those camps and trainings and even when they were playing for school, the prices were ridiculous. I figure this is a way to celebrate the Legends for making it this far, whether they win or lose tomorrow, something good will be coming from it. I better go then I have lots to do and no time to do it in. I’ll let you know the details as soon as I have a concrete plan,” she explains as she starts gathering her stuff to leave.

Before she gets to the door, Haven stops her, giving her a hug goodbye. The warmth that is in Samantha’s eyes when she looks at my daughter, is something I thought I would never see when I first met her. Samantha has taken on the role of grandmother to Haven and doesn’t even realize it. She gives me a wave, and heads out the door.

Atlas ended up going to his condo last night, he said they stayed late strategizing today’s game. We won’t see him until the game is over. I am glad we still have the home advantage, because traveling to Texas again would be exhausting.

Haven comes out dressed in her game gear, bringing me a brush and some hair ties.I want puffs, please,she signs. Once her little puffs are on her head, she runs back into her room, only to come out with a crown on her head. She looks adorable to me and the others around us, but to those on the outside, she probably looks like she can’t decide if she wants to be a princess or a ball player. I say, fuck them, why can’t she be both.

We all get to the field around the same time, going up to the family box like we have done many times before. I am so nervous, and I am not the one playing. This time Thomas, Atlas’s dad, joins us with his new girlfriend. None of us were impressed. I feel like for someone who was so upset about the divorce, he sure did move on quickly. Samantha doesn’t seem to care; she is living her best life these days. She is a completely different person that the one I knew months ago.

During the entirety of the game, Haven is at the window, face pressed against it. At this point, she doesn’t care about her breath fogging up the glass, she just takes a napkin with her when she is up there, to wipe it away once she can’t see.

We are going into the ninth inning and the Rangers are up by two, they bat first. As long as the guys can keep them from scoring, we still have a chance.

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