My Storm Chaser and Me

1

Just breathe. 

That's what Dad says to do anyways. Breathe and eyes on target. 

I throw the ball, which ends in Cane catches, striking  number 21 out.

We jog over to the dugout, and coach tells us the batting lineup. I don't pay any attention, because I don't really care.

I'm only here cause my dad needs me too, and the school is expecting me to show up. I can't miss another game for the flu. 

I hate baseball. I used to love it, but I just fell out of love with the sport. I look into the clear sky, determining what kind of weather we are going to have tomorrow. It's going to be very windy. We might get a little bit of rain but not to bad.  

Jason goes up to bat, and Camilla starts squealing in the bleachers. She's fucking annoying. I don't know why Jason is dating her, but as long as she doesn't talk to me, we're good. 

He gets strikes out. Surprise, surprise. Coached kid. 

But honestly, Coach Graves isn't bad. He is a geography teacher, and the kind that doesn't care what you do as long as you're done your work. I talk to him about baseball and the weather.

Cam goes up next. I clap for him, because he's my best friend. 

He ends up getting to first with a nice grounder. 

The whole lineup goes by, then me. This pitcher can't strike any of us out, shockingly. Except for Jason. But nobody cares about Jason.

I take a deep breath and feel my muscles relax, and fall into the position I've committed to muscle memory. The first pitch I swing but no luck. The second pitch I ended up getting it in high outfield and run to first. 

Safe.

I let out the breath I was holding and watch as Jason goes up to bat. The games almost over, and I'm praying that Jason gets out so I can go home.

Just my luck, he does. 

I grab my bag from the bench and run across the field to the parking lot. Cam doesn't try and catch up with me, cause he knows how much I hate baseball. He'll text me later. 

"Not bad, son." Dad says, hopping into the passengers seat of my Ford F150 I got for Christmas. It's black and my baby, not even my momma can drive it.

"Thanks." I mutter, hoping there's no traffic so I can leave this awkward silence. It's awkward, but I'm grateful for this instead of yelling about how horrible I am. 

Pulling into the driveway, I see Kathrine's car in the drive. Kathrine Song is Momma's best friend, and they have wine every Saturday night. 

"Hey, Mrs. Song." I say, nodded to the fair headed woman. Her daughter, Hailey Song, is in my grade. We used to be friends, but I hung out with my baseball friends more than her bunch. She hangs out with the farm girls, they work at Wheelers Farm. Mr. Wheeler hires any teenager who is responsible and puts in the work. They get paid nicely. 

I glance at Mrs. Song and recognize the similarities her and Hailey have. They both have light brown eyes, like hard mud. But Hailey had her dad's hair, dark dark brown. But Hailey has Mrs. Songs smile, and face structure. 

I smile at Momma, who returns it. I race up the stairs and see the twins, Casey and Lily, giggling over something on their phones. 

"Hey, Dave." They chorus. 

"Hey girls." I say as I am shutting the door to my room.

I drop my bag and get changed into jeans and a white t-shirt. I head straight for my weather station, all set up like I never left. I wish I never left.

I was right about my prediction for tomorrow. Nothing exciting. Maybe Monday, which might finally be exciting with good weather. 

I hop in the shower, running the water a little before entering.

When I'm done, I walk downstairs to see what's for dinner. Homemade chicken strips with Garden salad and baked potatoes. Momma rambles on about Casey and Lily's dance recital that they had yesterday, so I don't have to talk.

"I'll wash the dishes, Momma." I tell her after dinner. "You relax."

"You're a peach." Momma smiles.

I hum a country song as I'm scrubbing the plates, when a knock on our door comes. 

"Hello?" Casey says, answering it. I dry my hands and walk to the hallway to see who it is.

"Hello, is Mrs. Pratt here?" The voice asks. Hailey's voice.

"Cas, go get Momma and tell her there's a visitor." I tell her. I look back up at Hailey, who gives me a small smile.

"Hey Dav. Long time no see." She says politely. 

"Yeah, it's been a while." I say, leading her lean frame into the kitchen. "Drink?"

"No thank you." She reply's, looking around. Her dark hair is in a ponytail, and she is wearing a Country Racing shirt with ripped jean shorts. Her birks are worn and leathered, which she paired with her white socks. 

"Who is it Dav?" Momma calls from the screen door. 

"Hailey." I say back, hearing mom shuffle into the kitchen.

"Hello Hailey, what do I owe the pleasure, dear?"

"Just dropped a book off, my Mum forgot." She reply's, her southern accent sounds like a swift breeze in the air.

"Lovely. Tell her thank you. Will that be all dear?" She smiles kindly.

"That's everything, Mrs. Pratt." She stands up from the stool. "I'll see myself out. See you. Dav."

"Bye, Hailey." I call.

"Are you finished with the dishes, dear?" 

"Almost, Momma." I say, turning to the sink to resume my task. 

"Alright, relax when you are done." She says, leaving the room.

"Will do." My voice is hoarse but I've barely spoken. Must be dehydrated. 

When I'm finished the dishes, I run up to my room two stairs at a time. 

I collapse into bed, after looking at my weather station one last time. From barely doing anything, I'm gassed. I am about to fall asleep when my phone rings beside me.