Forever - Christian Yelich

They're Having A Moment.

Brooklyn~ 

Tonight was the night they were able to clinch the division. Nerves were high, but yet most of us were more than excited to be in this position once again. This time, I get to be directly a part of it. Although I'm obviously not playing on the field, it's the environment that allows me to feel like I am physically contributing to them. 

I am oddly busy before the game like players keep coming to see me and honestly, it's quite stressful. I look around the room and it is completely a mess, different bags and jerseys are laying around, wrappers from tape lay on the floor. My eyes go wide and I know deep down inside of me it's driving me insane, but I have to focus on my job. 

Christian walks in and sees me in distress and walks over to one of the beds. I can tell he is also trying to zone in as he has his AirPods in. I walk over to him and hold up a bag of ice and a roll of tape wondering which one he wants. He points to the tape and quietly says, "Back." I nod and he lifts his shirt so I can tape his lower back. His head hangs down but I continue with my job. I move in front of him and he picks his head up and looks at me. 

"Can you tape my right ankle please?" he asks. That was new, he never has had problems with his ankle, at least since I've been here. I nod and go back to my office to grab the stockpile of tape as we were out in the main area. I take the wrapper off and reach over him to throw it away, 

I pat his leg, "Can you scoot back?" I ask and he nods and gives me a soft smile. There's what I've been missing, that smile that does so many things to me. He quickly takes his shoe off and sets it next to him. 

I can tell he's intently watching me tape his ankle. I look up through my eyelashes and see him watching me but smiling. I look up and smile at him and tear the tape to finish his ankle off. 

"Can I tell you something?" he asks and I furrow my brow. 

"Yeah, what's up," I say as I sit on one of the rolling stools in the office. 

"I'm really freaking nervous. We always show up in September and I have no doubt that we won't but it's just like what if we don't clinch tonight. Then we fall and have to try again another night. I just want it to be over with so we can just chill," he says as he is clearly worked up about this. 

I gently grab his hand and hold it in mine, "Look at me," I say and wait for his eyes to meet mine. 

When they do, I give him a soft smile, "You go play baseball the way you know how to, and you will be just fine. Don't think about the postseason at all. You are getting in your head. Whatever the outcome is, I'm still proud of you," I say and he looks at me, remaining calm. He doesn't say anything but stands up and grabs my hands to stand me up as well and wraps his arms around my waist. 

We stand in this exact position for a few minutes until we hear whispers, "Oh, they're having a moment," I hear Ryan say. I look around Christian and seeing a few of the guys standing in the doorway. 

Ryan and I make eye contact and I think he gets what I'm trying to tell him, "Yo, Yeli we gotta get out there for warm-ups," Ryan says, and Christian groans and lets go of me. Ryan pats Christian on the back and stays behind and looks at me. I trust Ryan with what I tell him and Christian trusts him with what he tells him. 

I sigh, "He's really nervous and in his head," I say and he nods. 

"So he can play? He's just really worked up?" Ryan asks and I nod. "Thanks," he says and I quickly head to my office to get my stuff ready to be taken out to the dugout. 

I walk through the tunnels before getting to the dugout looking around at the craziness that is September Brewer baseball. I take in the excitement and quickly get set up at the back of the dugout.