When will it end (Anthony Rizzo)

Chapter 7

October 26, 2021

Josh's POV

After kicking some ass in 2K, I got bored, so I went to Disney+ and put on Mighty Ducks 2. After about 20 minutes, Mom and Dad walked in with Taco Bell and a few bags from Pet Smart, "Hey honey, we're back. I got you 2 Crunchy Tacos Supreme." 

My mom said, handing me my tacos. Dad started taking stuff out of the Pet Smart bags and said, "Hey buddy, this is going to be hard to hear, but we have to tell you,"

I was terrified: "I got a call from the team, and they said that at the end of the season, my contract will be up, and I won't be afforded another one."

"What?! Why?"

"We don't know, but Kris told me they called and told him the same thing."

I can't believe this. Dad has been a cub forever. Matt and I grew up in Chicago. I just sat there, and I can't blame my parents because they had nothing to do with this. Mom said, "Honey, I know this is hard to hear, but you got to eat, even if it's just one." 

"I don't wanna," I said, rolling over.

Anthony's POV

I feel so bad for Josh. This week was so good, and then, in the blink of an eye, his whole world turned upside down; I know that feeling too well. I wish I could fix everything to make it go back to normal, but I can't; nobody can. I looked at Emily, called her into the hall, and said, "He's heartbroken. I wish we could do something." 

"I know. Just thinking about how crappy this week has turned around for him breaks my heart." 

"Just wait until we tell the rest of the family."

Emily turns and looks through the window and says, "I will never forget when I would take them to the games, and they would be so excited to see their daddy out there, and Josh would turn around and say, 'That's my daddy out there on first base.' It would put the biggest smile on my face."

I hugged her from behind and said, "I remember when they were seven, and they were let in the dugout for a game, and I hit a home run, and as I got home, they were jumping up and down and gave me the biggest hug, and I got a curtain call, and I put both of them on my shoulders, and the crowd went crazy." 

After reminiscing a couple more memories, we walked in and saw Josh cuddled up with Ice. I walked over, pulled his blanket over him, and threw away the wrappers. I laid down on the couch and fell asleep.

The following day, I woke up to Rossy calling me, and I walked into the hallway, "Hey Riz, how's JJ doing with the news?" 

"He was angry, scared, and didn't want to eat." 

"Wow, I still can't believe the organization would do this to you and Kris. The both of you are like the heart of the team."

"And the boys love it here, and they love their school, friends, and the team. This is their home; this is our home."

"Also, what is going to happen with JJ? Isn't he starting treatment?"

"I don't know what's going to happen. I need to talk to the doctors and Emily about what will happen when we move."

"Well, I got to go. I'll see you later at the game."

I said bye and hung up, and went back into the room. I saw JJ playing on his phone and said, "Hey buddy, how did you sleep?"

"I sleep ok."

"Want some breakfast? I can go get you something."

Then Emily said, "Why don't I go? I need to run home and grab a few things anyway."

"Ok, JJ and I will stay here and walk you out to take Ice. JJ, are you ok with being here for a bit? Once I come back, we can watch some baseball highlights or something."

"Yeah, I'll be fine." So I grabbed Ice and his leash and walked Emily out.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. ~ Anna Kehoe