Page 32 of Double Play

“What does he have to do this time?”

She giggles. “He has to shave my name on his head before our next home game.”

Ripley looks unimpressed. “You should have made him do a full striptease. The mini one he did at our game was hot.”

Kam’s eyes light up. “Ooh, good idea. Next time.”

I look behind her. “Where’s the girl? Still battling the evil sea witch, Ursula, in your bed?”

“Nah. She black-bottom-hoed it out of here.”

I can’t for the life of me figure out that one. “What does that mean? Though I’m afraid of the answer.”

Kam looks appalled that I don’t know. “Black-bottom hoes are women who go out for the night in high heels and then go home with someone. When they leave in the morning, they don’t want to put their heels back on, so they have to walk barefoot. Theoretically they’re walking on pavement and their feet get dirty, hence black-bottom ho.”

The three of us burst out laughing. I shake my head. “I don’t know where you come up with this shit.”

She shrugs. “I think that’s, like, a common dictionary term.”

I shake my head. “It’s definitely not. I don’t think Webster has thought of that one quite yet.”

CHAPTER SIX

LAYTON

It’s Saturday morning. Arizona and I didn’t see each other at all the past few days because both of us have been out of town for road games. I have a game tonight and need to be at the ballpark in a few hours. I have something to do this morning that I like to keep private, but I trust she’ll keep it between us.

We meet at the address I gave her at the allocated time. We’re in front of a row home in West Philly. She tugs on her baseball cap. “I’ve got my hat on, per your instructions. What’s with all the cloak and dagger? Where are we? Are you kidnapping me?”

I let out a laugh as I fiddle with my own hat. “Nope. This is a group home for kids without anywhere else to live. Most are hoping to be fostered by amazing people like my grandmother, but even if they aren’t, the director, Linda, treats them all like her own.”

“Like an orphanage?

“No one calls it that anymore, but yes. It’s named Linda’s House.” I point to the sign indicating as much. “Remember I mentioned that I coach a baseball team? This is that team. We have a game today, and I thought you might like to help out.”

She gives one of her big smiles. “I’d love to, but you’re doing a wonderful thing. Why do you hide yourself?”

“I don’t do it for the notoriety. When I coached at a different home, it was publicized. They started getting all kinds of weird people hanging out in front of the home hoping to see me. I had to stop coaching them to avoid causing a scene or potentially putting anyone in danger.”

“If we’re trying to hide, why did you bring me? We’re not getting any publicity for it.”

I guess I didn’t need to bring her here, but I wanted to. “Because I think the girls could use a positive female role model.”

She smiles again. “Good answer, superstar.”

When we walk in, Linda, the director, embraces me. She’s probably in her early seventies, with graying dark hair and blue eyes. She’s dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, per usual. “The kids have been looking forward to this all week.”

“Me too.” I turn to Arizona. “I had to miss their last two games because of the Cougars’ schedule. Linda, meet Arizona. She’s going to assist me today.”

Linda’s face lights up, likely because I’ve never brought a woman with me before. “Arizona, it’s so nice to meet one of Layton’sfriends. Do you know much about baseball?”

“I think I can probably manage.”

I let out a laugh at her humility. “She’s a professionalsoftball player. She knowseverything. Probably better than I do.”

Linda practically bursts with enthusiasm. “Wonderful. The girls on the team will be thrilled.”

Arizona gives me a curious look. “There are girls on the baseball team? I assumed you meant girls in the home.”

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