Falling Together

Dax's Story

DAX

"Dax! Baby go your game is about to start!" my mom yells as we jump out of my mustang and head out toward the baseball fields.

"Ahma, I still have half an hour. I can help you carry this stuff to the snack bar first." I say with an annoyed look on my face. I walk to the trunk and open it to help pull out the boxes of snacks we had bought the night before. My mom was always stubborn. Always trying to do everything on her own even when there were people around her offering their help.

She always says if she could raise a man like me on her own she can pick up a box. Although she was right, I knew that she deserved enough respect to never have to pick up that box if I was around. I stacked both boxes and the soda boxes on top of each other and lifted them all at once to take to the snack bar.

"Dax, your always so stubborn! Your gonna hurt your back!" she scolds slamming the trunk down as I turn away from her.

"Gee I wonder where I get that from?" I say sarcastically. She tries to be mad but she also knows I'm right so she just looks away with a smirk and I get a free pass with a chuckle knowing it was one of those rare moments where my mom knows I'm right and can't say anything.

"Just because your big now doesn't mean your to big to get hit with my shoe!"

She hurries in front of me and opens the door to the little shack. Its a brick building with green roofs that match the grass on the baseball fields. Its right in the center of all four fields and very convenient for all of the players and family members who want snacks. I sit everything down and let out a breath and do some stretches. I don't dare admit it to my mom, but that actually did hurt my back..

"Thank you son, now go! Your team is probably already on the field. I can restock with the other team moms who are already here with their kids."

"Alright mom, I love you, Ill see you after the game and we can go to Harbor's place to get some dinner ok?" she nods and I kiss the top of her head before jogging over to the diamond where our teams are.

I announce stretches and do them with the team to make sure every one is warmed up. Then I give them there pep talk. My first kid up to base strikes out. Little Sarah Evans has got the arm of a professional. She's amazing. I look down at my roster.

"Peter! Your next buddy! Remember just do your best out there ok." I say giving him a high five. He smiles a big smile and jumps as our hands clap. This is such a goofy kid.

We clap and cheer.

Round up

Pitch

Swing

Miss...

"That's alright buddy! Keep your elbow up remember! Nice even swings and follow it through !" I yell encouragingly.

The pitcher winds..

Ball is pitched.

Swing...

"Foul ball!" the umpire yells as it falls behind Peters feet. I can see him deflate. But he's focused on the wrong thing here.

"Great job Peter! You hit the ball! Lets do it again!" I clap hard and the bench with our other players does the same. Peter steps up to the plate again..

"Ahhhh!!!!" a blood curdling scream rings out. Sarah at the mound stops mid-wind up and looks past me.

What in the.. I whirl around towards the back field. The kids on the bench watch and are starting to talk. "Hey guys be quiet for a second ok. Settle down.." I wave my hand over them.