Page 77 of Mended Hearts

March 2015

Things have finally gotten back into a groove with me and Dylan. I’m still trying to figure out things long term, but I know for the interim this is where we belong. I refuse to move Dylan from his school and ball team mid-school year. I hated always being on the move and then having to make good impressions to make teams because I never had the stability of one team to grow with. I promised him once the school year and ball finishes, we can discuss other options. This is a team decision. I won’t be deciding anything that he doesn’t approve of.

I stand at the fence on the other side of the dugout so I can be front and center watching my third baseman. I try not to yell at the umps. I try really hard. But sometimes I do wonder if they were dropped on their heads multiple times as babies.

“Are you frickin blind?”

“Oh my gosh. His foot was on the base.”

“Do I need to come do your job?”

“I can’t even watch.”

I turn around in disgust, looking at the ground, and run into a body. “I’m so sor—” I stop as soon as my eyes meet his. Dustin stands in front of me, wearing our boy’s team shirt and a backward hat that’s holding down his grown-out hair. His beard is longer and fuller, and I have the strong urge to give it a tug. His shit-eating grin tells me everything I need to know. I just gave him the reaction he was hoping for.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to watch our son.” He looks away, waves at Dylan, then his eyes meet mine again.

“Well, the umpires suck.” I yell the last part, and he laughs.

“Sweet, let’s holler at them together. Maybe we can both get ejected and make Dylan really proud.”

I raise my brow. “I’m not sure if you’re being for real or a smart-ass, but let’s.” I loop my arm through his, and we walk to the bleachers.

We spend the remainder of the game cheering Dylan on and yelling ‘Pitcher has a big butt’ at the other team. I was sure our son was going to be embarrassed to even acknowledge us after, but to my surprise, he came running and threw his arms around both of us. All I can do is look at Dustin and try real hard to hold back tears. This is it. This is what we’ve been missing out on. This is what we've all been missing out on. This is what Dylan wants and deserves.

“You did so good,” Dustin says, ruffling Dylan’s hair.

“Thanks, Dad! Are you coming to my next game?”

“I will be at every single game,” Dustin promises and I know I’m about to start seeing a lot more of him. I can't help the excitement that ignites within me. He grabs all Dylan’s ball equipment and walks us to my car. Opening our son’s door first, Dustin kneels in front of him, telling him how well he did, ending it with ‘I love you, son,’ before they give each other a big, long hug. He then makes it to my side.

“I hope it’s okay that I showed up unannounced.”

“Yeah.”

“The last time I saw him, he had asked me if I’d come. I couldn’t let him down.”

“You should be here. I just know it’s a far drive.”

“I will make the drive as many times as I have to until the day there isn’t distance between us.”

“Dustin,” I start, but he hushes me by wrapping his arms around me, pulling me in.

“I know. There are unknowns. But what is known is that I love you, Echo.”

I nod against his chest, wanting to acknowledge his words. He pulls away and gives me the biggest smile as he walks off backward.

“See you next week.”

And for the next two months, Dustin shows up at every game, walks us to our car, and tells me he loves me before making the five-hour drive back home. And each time it’s become harder and harder to watch him leave, and I count down the days until I get to see him again.

Chapter Fifty-Four

ECHO

May 2015

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