Tales From Baseball Practice

3.0

The Keys

I think it had been three weeks since I started to notice you.

It wasn't an official practice day. Just a weekend at the field with my friends, continuing with baseball. We loved playing and wanted to do it every day.

Just like any other day, 2:19 came by and so did you. 

You were wearing your red scarf and this time earbuds. You had a skip in your step as you walked your Dalmatian. I wondered what song you were listening to, because you seemed to enjoy it so much.

Right as I was about to continue with batting practice, something had caught my eye. You'd drop something, from the way the sun hit it, it looked like your keys.

You didn't stop by the bench to have some water, so you never saw them on the pavement.

My friends saw how I hesitated in returning. They told me coach wasn't here, that I should go say hi.

So I did. I grabbed your keys, and caught up to you.

Your dog noticed me before you did. It gave a sharp bark, tail stiff. 

I slowed down. Even with the muzzle I knew to be cautious. Perhaps it's one of those dogs that weren't fond of men.

You turned around, pulling out the one earbud in your ear. You gave a shy smile, causing butterflies to erupt inside of me.

I just knew my friends were watching us, snickering at how awkward I was.

"You dropped your keys," I said, handing them back to you. You had them on a chain that looked like the friendship bracelets my little cousin made.

"Oh! Thank you," you pocketed them, laughing lightly. "Wouldn't have gone far without those,"

I laugh as well, sticking my hands in my pockets. I always did that when I was feeling nervous.

"You're one of the baseball players, aren't?" you asked, tilting your head, wearing that smile.

Gosh, that smile. It was curious, soft, and made me feel like I melted right where I stood. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

And then you laughed. That beautiful laugh of yours. "Well for starters you came from one of the baseball fields and you have dirt all over your pants. You weren't here yesterday, it was kind of odd, walking by and not hearing the familiar sounds of people playing. My friends teased me, for missing people I don't even know,"

So you were aware of me. Well, maybe not me specifically. But knowing you were familiar with me and my friends playing baseball. That you missed us when we didn't show up. "Oh, we had the day off yesterday, but we're back today,"

"Well," you switched which hand was holding your dog's leash, adjusting your grip. "I really should get going,"

"Right, okay, I don't want to hold you up," you and your routine. I probably messed up the whole day stopping you for light conversation.

You begin to walk away, then looked back at me. "He seems to like you, he usually growls a lot when someone new talks to me," you said while nodding to your dog.

I couldn't help but smile. I had the approval of your dog. "Funny, most of the time dogs bark at me until I give them food,"

You laughed, and I swelled with pride. I made you laugh. "Well, Dal here isn't even food motivated,"

Dal. So I knew your dog's name, but not yours. "Really? I don't believe I've ever met a dog that isn't food motivated,"

"I hadn't either until I met Dal. Took quiet a while to learn how to train him. But I managed,"

I couldn't stop smiling. Talking to you, it was amazing. I was finally getting to know the girl who walked by every day at 2:19 in her red scarf. "Hey, before you go," the words were getting stuck in my throat.

You looked intrigued to hear what I say, not attempting to walk away.

"I don't know if you're a baseball fan, but our game is next Saturday evening. It starts at six, and there'll be concessions and probably a food truck. Dogs are allowed," I added, not ever seeing you without Dal.

You considered it, I could see that you were genuinely thinking about it instead of just humoring me. "Oh, I don't know. I don't know much about sports, or if I have anything going on that day, but I'll check,"

My heart sank to my stomach. Everyone knew that was the polite way to say 'Thanks for the invite, but there's no way I'll go'. "Alright!" I kept my voice cheery. "Perhaps I'll see you around?"

"Perhaps," you smiled, before finally turning away and continuing on the trail.

I stood there for several minutes, even after you were out of view. 

Perhaps.