Can anyone hear us?

6

I picked up Elizabeth from her house and we took the bus to the away game. A few people of the team were on that bus. It was very sad to see the black members sit in the back, so I sat with them.

Many people gave me disgusting looks and glares, but I ignored them.

The game we had won today was a blowout: 3-0. I had gotten better on gripping my bat and was currently in the top three batters within the league.

But right now I was as nervous as an audience judging your play. Elizabeth sat before me in a local bar. We haven't said a word since we saw each other.

"Why don't we take a walk." I said and we both got out of our seats and went outside. The night was cool and quiet.

"I saw you with that man. The one that hit you." Elizabeth said.

"Look, I didn't start that. He-" She cut me off.

"I know. I saw. It makes me sick to know how people treat each other just because they look different. It's horrible."

"I'm glad you're not one of those people." I replied. We both smiled and stopped walking to face each other.

"You know, we can't be together officially because I still don't know everything about you." She said. I smiled.

"You don't?" I asked. She nodded her head yes.

"I know my dad didn't treat you well. I told him about it and he just argued with me. And frankly, I'm glad your on the Louisiana Gators."

"Where is this going?" I replied.

"Well, you know about my dad. What about yours?"

I took a deep breath. "He is in jail."

"Oh. It must be for a good reason because you don't seem affected by it." Elizabeth said. I nodded my head yes.

"It was nice to meet up with you again. You should come to our next game. It's tomorrow." I said.

"Yeah, I'll try to but being a nurse is a busy job." She said.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak again. "Do you wanna come over and meet my parents?"

"Oh, sure. Tonight?" I asked.

"Yeah. I know you can't change but I don't think they will mind you in your uniform."

We got back on the bus together and were taken to the closest bus stop to her house. I texted Ted and let him know where I was.

"Elizabeth! Your back." Her parents opened the door to her house. I smiled and wave my hand hi.

"And who is this?" They asked.

"This is Aron. We met each other the other day." Elizabeth responded.

We walked in the house and her parents already and dinner set up. I sat down at one end of the long table.

"So, Aron. Why did you leave the team?" Her father, aka the AMF's coach, asked.

"With all do respect sir, you had treated me like shit."

"Aron!" Elizabeth nudged me.

"Tsk tsk. That's where you're wrong. You had everything you needed." The coach argued. Elizabeth and her mom just continued picking at their food.

"I'm glad I left."

"You ditched your team! You left them hanging." The coach raised his voice.

"No, I left because you're a bad coach." I spat back.

"You're a quitter!" He yelled. I stood out of my chair, shaking the whole table.

"I hope you all have a good night." I said as politely as I could and left their house, not bothering to close their door.

"Aron, wait!" Elizabeth ran out after me.

"You knew that I had issues with your dad! Did you know that he was gonna get mad?" I asked.

"Aron, I did know about you and my dad. But I thought you both could get along." She replied. We stood in silence, staring at each other.

As quick as blinking she pulled me in closer and kissed me. I gently pulled away.

"I gotta go." I said quietly and began to walk away from her.

Ted was sitting on the couch watching a small television screen. The picture was black and white, which wasn't unusual.

"I'm glad ya texted." Ted said in his slight southern accent. "I can't even walk down the street no more."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Can't get ten feet without someone throwin' trash at me or call in' me names. It's really hurt in' me, ya know?"

"Ted, believe me. Those people don't know heck. They don't know who you are or what you do. They don't know anything. Don't let them bother you."

"That's a little hard. Everyday it see,s to only get worse."

"Something will change. It has to." My focus went back to what happened tonight.

"Ted do you know anything about love?" I asked him. He looked at me from the couch confused.

"Yeah, I have a girlfriend. Why?"

"Because I have no idea what just happened. One minute I was mad at her, the next she kissed me."

"Dude, it's called girls." I slightly laughed and sat on the couch with him. He was intent, eyes fixed on the television. The news was on. The headline read: Mixed Baseball Team?

"A baseball team called the Louisiana Gators have come to issue from a complaint by a local resident. The resident had complained because the team is a mixed team. The resident is willing to take this issue to court if the team does not disband soon. However, if the team rises to fame, then court will not be in the picture."

"That's so stupid." Ted said.

"How can they do that?" I said.

"Well, we just have to win."

--------------------------

The next day it was rainy. The weather created a pile of mud as our field and soaking wet uniforms. It was a hard game and the opponent definitely put up a fight.

This game came out at a lost. Even thought we had only lost once so far, we still had a good record.

As I was leaving the field, I felt someone grab my wrist and pull me aside. I looked at the stranger and my heart dropped.

"Come back, Aron! We need you. You're the only one who is helping to pay for the house! We were both fired." He said.

"No! I'm happy where I am! Why aren't you in jail, Dad?" I asked angrily.

"Your mother bailed me out with all of the money she had left. Come back." He grabbed my wrist to the point where it hurt. I tried to yank it free but he was too strong. He was about to pull me towards his junkie car when I spotted the coach walking behind me.

"Coach! Come here!" I said loud enough so he could hear me. He jogged up next to the both of us and my dad quickly let go of me.

"What up, Aron?" He asked confused.

"Meet my dad." I said. He could tell I was uncomfortable.

"May I speak to your dad alone?" Coach asked. I nodded yes. I walked back inside the field so I couldn't hear them and sat in the dugout, my head down in my hands. This cannot be happening.