Can anyone hear us?

4

The sun was high in the sky and beads of sweat slowly ran down from my hair. The light breeze only lasted for a second as it came by and quickly passed. There were only a few clouds in sight.

The old wooden scoreboard read: Home-5  Visitors-4  Inning-9. The opposing team's pitcher threw the ball at Jake. He swung his bat fast and accurately. It hit the baseball but landed outside the foul line. The ninth inning came to an end, and we had won the game.

I patted Jake on the shoulders, congratulating him. He was another player on the team. We had won our first game.

This game was awkward. The blacks sat away from us and so did the whites. It was like we were two separate teams instead of one. Teammates shit glares to each other and argued about every little thing, but only if they were arguing to a different color. It was definitely racism.

Once everyone was done celebrating and the bleachers were long empty, the team began to filter out of the old ball field. I was one of the last ones out. However, the coach had stopped me right before the exit.

"Coach?" I said, confused.

"Yeah, hi Aron. I was just wondering, what I'm trying to say is, some of the teammates have complaints." The coach said slowly.

"What do you mean?" I asked, even more confused than before.

"Many people are still racists, even on teams. The blacks on this team are complaining about the whites being too selfish. I already had this talk with many other people. I just want everyone to bond."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Well, since you're new, I figured that since you know the least about everyone, it would be easier to get to know everyone."

"So you want me to bond with the team hoping that everyone else will do the same?"

"Yes. I think if the team really connects, we can play like a team." He finished.

"Okay." I said and walked past him, towards the exit. I don't think bonding in the middle of a race war would be a good idea.

I walked down the sidewalk towards Ted's apartment. I began to cross the street when a biker had ran into me. I was thrown to the ground, the contents of my duffel spilling everywhere. I moved my limbs making sure nothing was out of order. A woman rushed over to me and helped me up to my feet.

"I'm so sorry!" She began. "I was biking and didn't see you in front of me. Are you okay?" She said in a rush. She had blond hair and blue eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." I replied. We stared at each other for a second before she began helping me pick up my duffel items.

"Do you play?" She asked, holding up my bat. I took it out of her hands.

"Yes. I play for the Louisiana Gators." I replied.

"Never heard of them. Professional?"

"Yes. I used to play for the Atlanta Mighty Falcons."

"Wow, I know they are very popular. Why did you move?"

"I don't really want to talk about it." I said as I swung my duffel over my shoulder.

"Oh, okay. I'm Elizabeth." She held out her hand and I took it firmly.

"Aron. Do you want to get coffee or something?" I asked.

"Coffee sounds great." Elizabeth wheeled her bike to the cafe and locked it on the bike rack. I walked in the shop, still in my uniform.

We talked for quite a while, discussing about jobs and what was going on in our lives. But I decided to leave out the part about abusive parents. By the time we were done, I had lost track of time.

"Do you have any siblings?" She asked.

"Uh, just me. My younger brother died early."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. How?"

"Hit by a car. His name was Colin. He was only 11."

"I'm sorry." An awkward silence followed.

"Nice meeting you. Maybe we could do this again." Elizabeth said. I nodded okay and rushed out of the cafe. Ted was probably worried.

When I entered the apartment, Ted was sitting on the couch looking mad.

"Where you at Aron?" He asked.

"I met someone." I replied.

"Who?"

"Just a girl."

"Here. Now y'all can let me know where you at." He threw me a small phone.

"Ted, you didn't have to. I can't take this."

"You better. Now get some sleep. We gotta game tomorrow." He said and walked to his room.

Elizabeth had left me her phone number and now I can use it.

Aron: Hey Elizabeth! Wanna come to our game tomorrow?

E: I can't. I have to work at the hospital. Maybe the game after that.

A: Ok. I can pick you up when you can come. Where do you live at?

E: I'll text you my address. It is next to the cafe, actually.

E: I'd like to know more about you. After the game wanna come to my house?

A: Okay. The game after tomorrow is an away game, but we can just take the bus.

E: You don't have a team bus?

A: Tell you about it later.

E: Okay. If you need one, I can always get you one.

A: How?

E: My dad is rich. So why did you leave the Atlanta Mighty Falcons?

A: Communication issues.

E: Okay?.. I can get you back.

A: No I don't wanna go back. I like this team. Again.... How?

E: My dad is the AMF's Coach.