Page 75 of Catch Me
His eyes were misty, and I had to push back my own emotions. I could remember my first game clearly. It had been with both of my parents and my grandpa, back home in Texas. It was that win against the Yankees that got the Rangers to the World Series that year. Once Féliz struck out Rodriguez, I decided I wanted to be him. The energy in the stadium became electric, and at nine years old, it had woken my drive to be down on that field someday, experiencing the same level of joy.
“Hey, I’m about to start a fundraiser for this place,” I told them. “Y’all wanna get a picture with me for the cover?”
Carl nodded enthusiastically, flashing me a toothy grin. I came up behind him and crouched. He held up his hand with the glove, still holding the ball in it. I snapped a picture of us, then stood and lifted him onto my shoulders. After getting one of the three of us, I helped him down.
“Do you guys have a place to go?” I asked.
“We have a studio down the road. It’s not much, but we’ve been off the streets for a year.”
“Just you two?”
He glanced at his son, who was tossing the ball in the air and catching it. “His mom and I struggled with heroin.” His eyes fell to the floor, and I squeezed his shoulder to encourage him to go on. “I got clean. She tried, but... well, she’s locked up right now for possession. So, yeah, just me and Carl.”
I nodded my understanding. “What do you do?”
“Uh, I was a math teacher before... Now, I’m doing nights at a ship center.”
“Hm. If I can get you something during the days that pays enough to get you by, would you take it?”
For what felt like the hundredth time, his eyes widened. “I mean, yeah, of course. I’d kill to be home with him at night. But I’ve got a record from when I was using. People don’t exactly like that.”
I waved my hand. “I’ll vouch for you.”
“But . . . You don’t know me, Mr. McKinney.”
“Just Trav. Sorry, I didn’t ask your name.”
“Steve.”
“Steve, I know you’re a father who’s battling his own demons to take care of his son. And you’re doing it alone right now. Something I believe is that most people just need a chance, and if they’re given it at the right time, it can change everything. So, tell me. Is it the right time?”
“Yes,” he said immediately.
“Then don’t let pride turn you away. We all fall, man, and there’s no shame in grabbing the hand that’s offered.”
“Thank you. That’s . . . I have no words.”
“Don’t forget there’s dinner and a toy drive next week. Bring Carl by to get something.”
“I will.”
Two of the players, Tom and Jack, walked through the doors together. I ruffled Carl’s hair and held my fist out until he bumped it.
“Amazing to meet you, kid. We’ll see each other next week. Make sure you give that glove a workout, ’kay?”
“I will.”
Heading back to the kitchen, I went up to Tom. “How’d everything go?”
He looked confused. “At the field?” I nodded. “Fine.”
My lips pursed for a second. “Cool. No issues?”
“Why would there be?”
“Dunno. Just checking.”
“Dude’s cool as hell,” Jack noted as he put on some gloves. “I never thought art could be interesting like that. Where’d you find him?”
