Slugger (Sequel to 'The Jet') Benny Rodriguez

Finale

"Congratulations, man, I hope you and the new Mrs. Are happy together," You patted the younger man on the back, admiring the fact that he hadn't changed one bit. Still had those big black frames in front of his eyes.

"I definitely am, she's one in a million."

Going through the receiving line at the venue of the reception, you'd already bumped into Alan and Kenny. You were so happy to see them, too. It felt like a lifetime since you'd all been together, and would have to remember to really thank Squints for this. It was the reunion you all needed. Thinking about it now, maybe you should retire the nickname Squints.... but then what fun would that be?

It was crazy, all those years ago, and yet somehow you were able to click right back with these people. Childhood friends that stick around are truly there forever, this you were learning in your adult age.

You moved on in the line to greet the bride, one you knew fairly well by the red bathing suit she used to wrar every summer. The life guard of the pool, the girl of his dreams.

Benny straggled behind a bit, letting Squints talk to him where his new wife couldn't hear him.

"It took me a long time to get her, Benny..." he looked over at the two of you, smiling and greeting each other, no doubt getting along over the summers spent in the past. "But I finally found my Mack."

Benny was genuinely proud of him. He'd accomplished a dream of his that he'd wanted forever.
"I'm happy for you, man."

They shared a friendly embrace, before a few more words were shared.

"We all used to be jealous of you, you know," and to that statement, Benny furrowed his eyebrows. "Jealous of you having Mack. At one point or another, we all wanted her. She only ever had eyes for you."

"You wouldn't be jealous if I told you everything we've been through," he combatted, half jokingly.

"Yes, I'm sure we still would have been. Benny, through everything thT happened, she's stuck by you, and you by her. That's what we all envied, man. Someone to share the hard times with."

Benny nodded in understanding now, realizing how good he really had it. Any other couple that went through the emotional and physical strain that your relationship had gone through surely would have collapsed.... but you were truly matched in the most perfect way. You fit together and could think each other's thoughts. Benny took his friends words to heart, and agreed whole heartedly that he was the luckiest man in the world.

He wished his friend well once more and continued into the room after you, wrapping an arm around you and falling into step as you went further.

-

After the toasts, and a few roasts, courtesy of the best man, Hamilton Porter, it was inevitable that Benny would ask you to dance... but all night that had been the furthest thing from your mind.

Being back in this town... the memories of going to the drug store around the corner in order to buy a new ball, the way the streetlights all hung lower because the cabled were worn out. The little himming sound, erupting from the factory down the road. It all was giving you flashbacks of simpler times. Younger days.

You didn't want to dance, because there was only one activity on your mind.

You kept it to yourself until the Bride and Groom took their leave, everyone wishing them well as they got into a car with 'just married' hanging from the trunk.

"Let's go play ball," you whispered into Benny's ear, he was instantly enthralled.

"Play ball? At the sandlot?"

And with that, came a domino effect.

"Did someone say sandlot?" Kenny Denunez piped up from behind you both, and came stepping forward.

"She wants to go play ball."

"As if you don't," you teased him, looking back to Kenny with an excited  smile.

"I'm with her on this one... I'll meet you at the lot in twenty, I have a bunch of ball stuff crammed in the back of my car."

And with that, he was off.

You may or may not have found the other guys on your way out, and told them your little idea. Nearly everyone agreed, except Scott, who wanted to go home early and get some rest. You understood, and you knew you would see him again soon anyway.

On the drive to the lot, 'This Magic Moment' came over the radio. It filled your ears with the sweet sounds, and the melody reminded you of your first summer here. The summer you met Benny, and all your friends. The summer that determined the rest of your life. It was all right here, and ir was beautiful. You wouldn't change a thing that happened. It all came to thus moment now, cruising in Benny's T-bird, and remembering every single thing that made you who you are.

You are artistic, and elegant. You are gentle and kind. You are masculine, and strong. You are feminine, and compassionate. You are a mother, and wife... and you are a baseball player. Forever and always, you are apart of a team. A team that needed an extra player, so you happily agreed.

You are Mack.

Playing that night, lit only by everyone's headlights on the field, was something you will never forget. You'd played barefoot, because you didn't have your favorite shoes, and the glove Kenny lended you was way too small.... but you were having the time of your lives. It was just the same as before, never changing, never needing to.

Laughter filled the night air, and when Scott ended up showing to play, it got even better. He pulled up, causing everyone to stop and wait for him.

"When am I going to get another chance to play with my team," he said,  pulling on his old fishing hat. It fit him better now than it used to, but still looked ridiculous.

All of you dressed for the occasion of a wedding, and your first instinct was to play baseball. Because it was in your blood. You were all here because it was important to you, because you missed it, and you missed each other.

Some people grow apart, life happens and situations divide.... but this, here...

You knew that ten years from now, you could all come back and play another game like before.

You looked across the field at Benny and smiled. That summer never ended, and it never will. Because you loved him.

Always.