Page 23 of The Scout

“Right.” He sighed. “Mia.”

“They’re all good. I did see Hannah. She’s a mom now.”

“No shit. Boy or girl?”

“We have a son.”

Silence. All I could hear was panting, which I could only assume was Thor. After a long stretch of dead air, he asked, “Did you saywe?”

“That’s right.” I went on to tell him about the game and this amazing pitcher, Jimmy. Then about her assuming Tina was carrying my child. That comment made him groan. And then my father’s part in it all.

Cal whistled. “Your dad? That’s ... um ... fucked up.”

“I said the exact words earlier.”

“So now what?”

“Don’t know. Not sure where we go from here. She’s going to tell him about me, that I’m his dad, just don’t know when. It was a mind trip today. It was as though I had gone through some time warp at that game. Teenage me pitched to adult me, and it wasn’t until he said his last name was Hall that I started to piece things together.”

The more I thought of all I’d missed, the more I wanted to knock on Hannah’s door and spend every minute with them. I wanted to see pictures of her pregnant with my child growing in her belly. Did she have pictures of Jimmy as he aged through Little League? I needed to be close to them.

“Hey, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, name it.”

“Can you hold down the fort there? Don’t look for a place of your own yet. Just stay at my house, Thor too. I’d feel better knowing it wasn’t empty.”

“How long are you staying there?”

“As long as it takes. The only thing that matters to me is my son, knowing that I’m here for him. Can’t wait for you to meet him. The kid is special. I actually think he can make the big leagues, and I told him as much. He’s fourteen and phenomenal.”

“Of course he is. He’s your kid. Dude, you have a kid.”

“I know.”

“I’ll stay as long as you need me to.” He paused before asking, “What about Hannah? What was it like seeing her again?”

What was it like?“Blew my mind. She’s still pretty, an amazing mom, and I’m happy that she didn’t completely shut me out after everything.”

“Sounds like a good person. It also sounds like you still have a thing for her. Do you think you can love her again?”

“That’s the thing, Cal. I don’t think I ever stopped. It’s one of those things when you just feel like no time has passed, yet a lifetime has. She never told me about him. I know she tried, but fourteen years have gone by. I’m not sure what will happen with us.”

“Don’t envy you, brother. It might be rough for a bit.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks again, Cal.”

“Call me if you need anything. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

I’m going to need it.

Chapter9

Hannah

The school gym had been transformed into a vibrant space filled with decorations, banners, and a stage. Balloons in various colors floated around. At the entrance, the banner my class made greeted everyone—WELCOME TO THE BLOSSOM BERRY FALLS CLASS REUNION!—and poster-sized yearbook pictures adorned the walls.

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