Swing

Chapter Twenty Three

I quickly climbed into bed after throwing my clothes off trying to make it seem as if I was asleep after silencing my phone. I had just finished turning when I heard the slight creak of my door open.

“Robert, are you awake?” I heard my dad slur.

I didn’t say anything but continued to pretend I was asleep because it was just after midnight and I was supposed to be home hours ago. I heard the door shut and I knew that my dad had given up on whatever he was trying to say. After a few moments I let out a sigh of relief and pulled my phone back out from under the covers and saw that it was Coach Macco who had sent me a text. He wanted me to meet him at the field tomorrow so we could work on better control and make sure that what had happened wasn’t a fluke and that I could balls at almost a hundred miles an hour.

I didn’t bother responding because as late as it was it would probably just aggravate him. I finally fell asleep and was up and jogging by eight.

I ran by Fiona’s house and waited to see if she was going to come jogging with me like she has been lately but after a few minutes of jogging in place and her not coming outside I left. I ran to the field and did my normal warm up like I did every day. I finished my routine by around ten and I walked back to Fiona’s house as a cool down. Once I arrived she was walking outside.

“Good morning beautiful,” I said giving her a quick kiss.

            “Morning babe,” she said yawning.

“Didn’t sleep well I’m guessing,” I said slipping my fingers through hers and locking our hands together.

“Nah not really,” she said still groggy.

“How about a nice cup of coffee and a bagel?” I asked leading her towards a Dunking Doughnuts.

“Sounds delightful,” she said with a smile.

We finally arrived at Dunkin Doughnuts and I bought two coffees and a bagel. I gave her the bagel because I wasn’t hungry but the coffee was a nice treat.

“So Coach wants me to meet him at field later today to practice my aim and to make sure that my throws were legitimate and not just a fluke,” I told Fiona hoping she would want to come watch me.

“That’s understandable I guess,” she said.

“Yea, I’m not complaining,  just don’t feel like going alone,” I hinted with a laugh.

“Where did you get the strange idea you were going alone?” She asked with a mocking tone.

We both started laughing and we finished our coffee and her bagel and walked out. It was about eleven now and I had to be at the field in an hour.

“I’m going to run home and change real quick,” I said.

            “Well I don’t feel like going back to my house so stalking you it is!” she exclaimed with a laugh.

We made our way to me house and when we got there I asked her to stay outside. I told her about yesterday and the way my dad was behaving. I told her that if I wasn’t a little pushed for time I wouldn’t worry about it but I didn’t feel like dealing with him at the moment.

I ran inside quickly and changed into a more comfortable pair of shorts and a better T-shirt. I finally got comfortable enough to the point that I was ready to leave so I grabbed my gear and ran outside.

            “That was quick,” Fiona said with a a surprised look on her face.

“Well you know, can’t keep the ladies waiting,” I said with a sly grin and a wink.

She punched my arm and groaned. I started laughing and I kissed her.

“You know I’m just playing babe,” I said pulling her closer to myself.

“Yea I know. Now let’s get you to your baseball practice,” She said.

We started our way to the baseball field but we didn’t get far.

We were about fifteen minutes from the field before we got stopped by half of the baseball team.

We talked with them for about ten minutes before Fi reminded me that we had to get going. We said our goodbyes and I told them we would meet up later for a little backyard scrimmage. The guys said later and went their own way.

Just as I was getting to the field I saw coach getting his supplies ready for me. I gave Fiona a quick kiss and thanked her for coming. I also said I didn’t know how long we were going to be. She said she didn’t care; she had nowhere important to be. I ran out and started helping coach get everything ready.

We finished getting everything prepped up and I started heading for the mound.

“Robert, before you get out there I have something to tell you,” Coach said looking a little uneasy.

“What’s that coach?” I asked.

“My buddy plays has connections with the New York Yankees. I asked him to come out today just to examine you. He is going to be sitting in the stands taking notes. I’m not telling you I’m expecting perfection, I’m just telling you that I expect your best and nothing less,” He said.

“Have I ever given you anything less than my best?” I asked trying to prove a point.

“Understood,” Coach said.

With that, I made my way out to the mound and I started warming up with the Coach.