3 Strikes You're Out

Single, Cat Owning, Librarian

"Let's get the out right here guys" I could hear myself yelling from the dugout.

"Two down one to go!" Marisa, our shortstop called out to the rest of the team.

The score is 16-15 in the bottom of the seventh inning against Brookstown.

A small girl with glasses no more than four foot four with a blue and purple jersey came up to bat. There is no doubt in my mind that one of our pitchers, Mariah could take her. Mariah started her wind up and within a few seconds the sound of a strike rang in my ears.

"Two more Mariah you got it!" Elle the second baseman called with an extremely unexpected hint of positivity in her voice.

She pitched another, "BALL!" Kacey the umpire barked

Mariah began her windup once again, she released the ball at just the right time.

"PERFECT!" Our catcher, Lani smirked before Kacey could register what an amazing strike that was.

"One ball two strikes." Kacey said while he held up his fingers.

Mariah pitched one more strike.

"That's game!" Kacey yelled

The two teams lined up and said good game to one another. It really was a close game, it could have gone ether way a few times. We packed up all the gear and filed into the bus. What a good game. This game that started it all. Our rivalry with the Brookstown Bears.

On the way home from the game Mariah showed me how to use Instagram. It was a great learning experience except for the fact that I retained very little. On the bright side I now have a profile picture, a follower, and a biography that says: My only friend is my cat.

The Instagram lesson eventually died down and we spent the thirty minute bus ride laughing about random things.

Once we got back to the school, we unloaded the bus. Mariah and Marisa helped put the gear in the back of my car and then we all departed.

By the time I got home it was 8:30, I got out of my car, taking nothing with me accept my phone and backpack. I grabbed my keys from the first pocket in my backpack and opened the door. I dropped my backpack inside, shut the door and made my way to my bedroom where I knew I'd find Scout sleeping in a ball. I decided I should take a shower before sleep took ahold of me. After I took a shower and was in my cat printed PJ's I sent a group text message to the team:

Game's off because of unplayable fields:( we're going to practice from 3-4:30 in the B gym

I set my phone on the night stand and climbed into my queen size bed that I bought just so Scout would have enough room with me being restless sleeper.

Within a few minutes I had been overcome with sleep. I started having a dream about the Cougars beating the Bears. Suddenly it was interrupted by the horrible screeching of the alarm telling me it's Tuesday and I have to get up and go to work.

I pushed the snooze button and stayed in bed for a few more moments. I finally decided to roll out of bed, I put on my cat shaped slippers and went to the kitchen to eat my daily dose of Honey Nut Cheerios. I finished my Cheerios with record breaking time, two minutes and fifteen seconds. These are the things you start worrying about when your a single, cat owning, middle school librarian.

I put my dishes in the sink and the finished getting ready, by time I was going to start straightening my hair it was six thirty. If I don't leave now I'll be late. I put fresh food and water in Scout's bowls, grabbed my backpack and phone and headed out the door.

I slid in to my car, put the key in the ignition and buckled my seat belt. Time to begin the forty minute trek to work.