Page 142 of Double Play

He looks down at Kaya. “You’ve had it easy with Ryan. I hope you get a red-headed devil child like mine.”

I let out a laugh. It’s true. Ryan is the easiest child ever. She’s spent most of her first two years either on a softball field or at some beach location watching us have our pictures taken, with her even being included in an ad campaign or two. I think it tires her out. Or maybe she’s just mild-mannered. She’s curious though, absorbing everything around her. I suppose it’s not shocking that she knows we’re having another baby. She misses nothing.

Kaya, on the other hand, is a raging lunatic of a kid. She’s been causing trouble since the very beginning, but that’s a story for another day.

My in-laws sit down on the other side of me. Ryan leans over to hug and kiss them both.

A few years ago, they hired someone to manage the store. They began to travel and visit more often. Arizona and Quincy both love having them around. They’ve even mentioned moving to the East Coast a few times.

When he visits, Paul works with the kids at Linda’s House, teaching them carpentry. He’s mentioned wanting to do more of that in the future.

We all enjoy the exciting, back-and-forth game. Well, Paul, Pamela, Ryan, and I do as we watch on. Ryan is mesmerized seeing her mom out there. Almost as much as I am. She can’t wait until she’s old enough to be on a team. Of no surprise, she wants to be a catcher. She already has a good arm for her age.

Quincy has to chase Kaya up and down the stands throughout most of the game. He hasn’t been able to watch very much. I catch the ladies on the field laughing at it a handful of times.

I feel my phone buzz and look down at the incoming text.

Cheetah: What’s happening? There’s a fucking reception issue at our game. I’m going nuts. I’m gonna get my ass kicked for texting in the dugout, but this is bullshit. They promised us updates.

Cheetah still plays baseball for the Cougars. They’re mid-season, so he couldn’t be here.

Me: We’re up by one run going into the last inning.

Cheetah: Sweet.

Cheetah: Yes! It just went live on our screen. Watching now.

There are two outs. The batter from Japan steps into the batter’s box. Ripley is on the mound. The pitch comes in and the batter swings. It’s a hard-hit ball on the ground. Kam dives toward third base to stop it from rolling into the outfield, gets up on her knees, and fires it to first base for the final out.

The crowd goes nuts, yelling and clapping. Arizona runs out to Ripley with her hands raised, as does the rest of the team. Ryan is jumping up and down with excitement.

I hear my phone pinging and look down.

Cheetah: Tell Kam no one is better on their knees than her. She can get back on her knees again when she gets home next week.

I laugh as I shake my head. Cheetah never changes, not that I’d want him to.

As soon as the pile of players clears off Arizona, she jogs toward us with that big smile of hers. I think my heart skips a beat. This woman has done it to me since the day we met.

She leans over the front partition and kisses me.

I touch her face with one free hand, the other holding Ryan, and mumble into her mouth, “I’m so proud of you, sunshine.”

She mumbles back, “Thank you, superstar.”

She pulls away, takes Ryan into her arms, and walksback out toward the celebration. Ryan is giggling like crazy, thrilled to be joining the fun with the team. What a special moment for them both.

I snap photos of the celebration, looking on at my beautiful family with tears in my eyes. I’m a lucky man.

A few hours later, Ryan and I watch as the team receives their gold medals. Seeing the person you love achieve their lifetime goal is just about the most rewarding thing you can imagine.

I look at Ryan in my arms, watching her mother with awe. “Ryan, your mommy worked her whole life for this. Winning an Olympic gold medal was her dream since she was your age.”

Ryan nods in understanding. “What was your dream, Daddy?”

I toggle my eyes between her and Arizona. “I’m looking at it.”

THE END

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