Page 44 of Home Field Advantage
Griffin takes the time to introduce everyone else. The only other two I haven’t met yet were Levi and Autumn. I briefly remember Autumn from the coffee shop, but never knew her name. Tucker chimed in about how Levi works with him in construction here in town.
All the other details are a blur because I can’t get my mind off the one person who isn’t here.
Poppy Barlow.
“Is this everyone?” I ask, hoping my question doesn’t give away that I’m looking for her.
Griffin nods, extending his arms out. “This is our crew. It’s kind of a nutty bunch, but they keep things interesting. Poppy is the only one missing. She doesn’t get out much.” He shrugs casually like it’s no big deal.
“She doesn’t?”
I don’t know what makes me ask as quickly as I do. Maybe it’s because I’m standing in front of her brother, more curious about her than ever. A part of me wants a reason to talk to her about something, anything, just for the chance to get to know her better. I keep finding myselfwantingto connect with her when I usually don’t.
I can’t understand why I’m so drawn to her, but I have to remind myself that my stay in Bluestone Lakes has an expiration date.
Griffin shakes his head. “If she comes out, it’s like a big deal.”
“It’s like analert the mediatype of moment.” Tucker barks out a laugh.
“We playin’ ball or what?” Nan says, standing on home platewith a bat in her hand. “I have recorded soaps I gotta catch up on after this.”
“Daddy.” Sage tugs at my hand. “What are soaps?”
“I think they’re some kind of TV show.”
“Sounds boring.” She wrinkles her face before skipping over to the bench with her little bag of treats in hand. “Go, baseball!” Sage cheers.
“That’s the spirit,” Nan shouts.
Everyone moves around, taking random bases, and Tucker puts me on the pitcher’s mound. There aren’t enough players to make two teams, and since this is really just for fun and messing around, everyone is on the field with rotating turns batting.
It feels good to stand on a pitcher’s mound again, even if it is just a flattened cardboard box.
Throwing the ball lightly overhead, Nan swings and, to my surprise, hits it. Hard. Past everyone in the field.
“Nan,” Tucker screams, running for the ball. “You aren’t supposed to be good.”
Nan jogs the bases. For an older woman, she’s got some quick feet on her. “Ah-ha.” She laughs. “You underestimate me, Talkative Tucker.”
“Go, Nan! Go, Nan! Go, Nan,” Sage cheers, jumping up and down from the first base sideline.
“What can’t that woman do?” I say through my laughter, shaking my head.
“She’s a wild one, that Nan,” Lily says, now standing next to me. “She can do everything and anything.”
Everyone moves to the bench, grabbing water from their bags.
“I’m water hungry,” Sage says.
“Does that mean thirsty?” Tucker asks.
“Yep.”
“Look at me, learning kid language. I’m basically a pro now. I can babysit any night for you, Dallas.”
“I’m not a baby,” Sage huffs out, narrowing her eyes.
“Kid sit?”
