The Thread Between Danny and Me

Afterward

Danny McGarry hung up his jersey, stowed his gear, and quietly smiled to himself at the cheering behind him.

"Yo! That was a great game, McGarry!"

Danny turned toward his teammates. His smile grew into a large grin. "Thanks, it felt good."

Harvey injected himself into the half-circle of men that were nearby. "I had a good game, too. One of my best yet."

Several of his teammates rolled their eyes, but Danny clasped Harvey's shoulder. "You did."

Harvey gleamed with the approval. Danny knew the bravado Harvey used to call attention to himself was the markings of a deeply insecure person. He also knew Harvey wanted to change and was having trouble figuring out how.

It's not easy. If anyone knows that, it's me.

"Feels like you've been on fire lately Danny," his teammate George said. "Like you're workin' extra, extra hard. And that's really saying something."

Across the room, Ev gave Danny a knowing smile.

"Just doin' what I can," he replied.

A wave of fatigue broke over Danny and he turned away from his teammates. This was the fourth game they'd played against Hartford, and they had two more before a single day of rest and then another six days of games at home.

Danny's hard work last season had paid off. A few days after MJ had convinced him to not give up baseball, he'd received a call from his coach that he, Ev, Harvey, and their teammate Jonas were being called up to Portland.

It was a relief he didn't go back to South Carolina. MJ said she would be fine with it, but he honestly didn't see how his being there wouldn't have caused them both utter misery. Portland was bad enough.

"Alright, I'm headed out," Danny said as he picked up his duffle bag. "See you guys tomorrow."

"Night, Danny," a chorus of voices said as he threaded his way through the locker room.

God, I miss MJ.

She was the reason he'd been going so hard this season.

Can I do it? Can I make it all the way?

He had to try. He had to push himself to the very brink. MJ had faith in him and he owed her. That Major league contract was what she deserved. If he got one, he could provide the funds for her to build whatever house she dreamed up.

Danny closed his eyes. He loved surrounding himself with her aesthetic. It was the epitome of serenity.

For most of his life, "home" was a dangerous place filled with pain and sorrow. He had done whatever was necessary to escape that place. And even after he'd left that horrible house in Vermont behind, it was still difficult to unwind, especially at night.

The only exception was at MJ's. MJ's home made him feel safe and loved. It made him feel like he was surrounded by her mind and all the good thoughts it contained. There was no place for haunted memories in her space. Only peace.

I love her so much.

Danny sighed. As much as he wanted to shower her with money, his primary goal was getting to Triple-A. Triple-A was in Providence. Triple-A meant he could go home to her when he wasn't on the road. He could collapse into her arms after a hard game or celebrate with her when things went well. He could take Rojo for a light jog in the mornings before he drove down.

Triple-A also meant a real salary so he could start saving for a ring. If MJ had agreed to his quitting baseball, he would've used the money he saved from working construction to get her one.