Home Base

Cheeky and Stubborn

The setting sun shone straight through the order window into my agitated blue eyes. Kasey was handling the rare customers as they came and went, occasionally walking by me with a cheeky comment. Adjusting my legs as he walked by again, he lifted them into the air to pass, knowing my intention to trip him.

"You're no fun." I whined. 

"What? Would you like me to fall?"

"Actually, yeah. That would have been funny. This hell hole is far beyond enjoyable." I sarcastically smiled.

"I'm glad I'm not the only who noticed." He snapped right back, propping up on the back counter. Rolling my eyes, I watched the baseball game going on just outside the window. Ryland was pitching and doing pretty well from what I could tell. My knowledge of the game was not the best. I heard, "Strike! You're out!" That must have meant he did something right. I smiled to myself in pride of the handsome boy now leaving the pitcher's mound. 

A sudden scoff from the tanned boy on the counter brought my attention annoyingly back into the room. "What a tool." Kasey said under his breath and hopped down to make his way over to me. He stopped right in front of me with his arms crossed and stared at me. My eyes looked deep into his green ones. A small freckle came into view as I looked down to his lips. It was placed lightly on his upper lip to the left side. I glanced for a few seconds at it before snapping back into my mood, "May I help you?" "What's your number?" He bluntly asked, "… In case you need me when I'm on the other side of the fields."

Quickly I typed my number into his flip phone. "Nice phone." I laughed, handing it back. "It's simply the best." He turned away from me, "I broke my iPhone." "You had an iPhone?" I sounded confused, almost in disbelief. "Yeah, surprisingly I could afford it." He sarcastically mocked my shocked expression and passed me to leave the concessions.

"Wait, where are you going?" I ran to the window.

"Home! I already got your number, so mission accomplished."

My mouth hung opened slightly. His cheeky attitude was rubbing me the wrong way. He wasn't leaving much of a good first impression. Left alone to close up the concessions, I attempted to close the window. On my tiptoes, the door fell from my grasp, slamming on my fingers. "Ow, shit!" I yanked my hand back. If he had stayed to help, this wouldn't have happened. My left hand shook, swelling up with redness and purpleness. A bit of blood slipped from my middle finger. Pulling out the first aid kit, I ripped open the bandage tape and wrapped my ring, middle, and index fingers together to stop the swelling. 

"What happened?" A voice suddenly came from the door. I whipped around to see Raymond standing there with Kasey. "I was trying to lock up." My words came out in more of a questioned manner. "Why would you do that?" Kasey belittled me. "Because I thought you left!" I raised my voice, going up an octave. "I was just kidding! I went to go get Ray." He looked at me like I was a child. I stared at him with hateful eyes. "We need to get you to the hospital." Raymond walked quickly over to me. I glanced down at my minute injury. The tape was unraveling from the red seeping from my fingers. The sight of it made me feel faint. "Kasey, finish locking up." Raymond demanded before helping me out of the room. Just outside the door, my vision blurred and I felt my body drift to the side.

"Nick!"

~~~

A sharp pinch in my finger jolted me out of my unconsciousness. A surprised doctor looked at me, hoping I would lie back down. "What are you doing?" I yelled as the pain sank in. "Lay back down, Hun." Aubrey used her small hands on my shoulders to guide me back down. I worriedly glanced around the curtain cubicle. Forrest was scared, clenching onto Ashton, who was staring at my hand with a wince. Raymond's shadow paced back and forth behind the curtain on the phone, his free hand shooting up into the air. 

"I didn't mean to do all this." I guiltily whispered to Aubrey. "It's just fine. Accidents happen. At least you're not the guy with a knife in his foot to the right of us." She gave me a reassuring smile and held my right hand in hers. Vulnerability coursed through my veins as I no longer wanted to be seen so weak. I was supposed to be strong and independent. But here I was, in hospital, holding my aunt's hand for comfort as a doctor stitched my fingers. Bandage was wrapped around my fingers once again.

"You got your fingers pretty good. You're lucky they didn't get cut off." He slipped off his latex gloves and tossed them into a trashcan. Panic was evident in my expression. "I'm just joshing you. But you did cut them up deep. Try not to move your hand a lot for the rest of the night, and tomorrow you should be able to move them with a little pain. Take some Advil if you need to." He smiled, helping me down from the cot. "Thank you." I hesitantly said. "You're very welcome, my dear." He nodded and lead us out to the lobby.

Aubrey bid us a temporary goodbye as her and Forrest headed to her car. Raymond pulled his truck around front for Ashton and me. Being a gentleman, Ashton opened the passenger door for me and steady me into my seat. "I'm really sorry." I peered over at Raymond as my door shut. "It's okay. You're not the one I'm mad at." He kept his eyes forward, waiting for Ashton to board in. "Please don't be mad at Kasey. He didn't do anything. I was too stubborn to ask for help. He didn't know I was going to do that." I pleaded. Raymond chuckled deeply, "I ain't mad at him either. I'm mad at that umpire. He accused one of my boys of doing steroids." An unexpected smile appeared on my face in amusement of the ridiculous accusation.

~~~

Throbbing pulsed in my hand as I laid half asleep in the bed that made me feel puny. A light lit up the wall, and a small vibration was sent through the blankets. My hand felt around for my phone. A message came from an unsaved number.

I'm really sorry.

A groan escaped my lips as I tossed my phone to the end of the mattress, knowing who it was. Flopping over to my side, I tried to fall asleep. 

He was just being nice. 

He didn't want me to think badly of him. 

He feels terrible about it.

Guilt of not replying came over me. Defeatedly, I texted Kasey that it was okay. My eyes closed once again; my phone went off. He had replied quickly. I typed with a sigh. He obviously felt terrible for what happened, believing it was partially his fault. Sympathy was felt for him…

I never feel sympathy.