The Home Run

Reuniting.

Izzy's POV

"Put it on." my mom said, passing by my room.
"Why, mom?"
"Because I said so." she poked her head into my room. I let out a loud groan. My first mistake.
"Are you complaining?" my dad asked.
"No, dad," I said, looking down.
"Look at me!" he said, grabbing my face in his left hand and picking it up to look at him.
I twisted my head out of his hand. My second mistake. He raised his left hand to me and brought it down on my cheek. I felt the sting from the slap. Then, cold as blood ran down my cheek where his wedding ring cut.
"Listen to your mother," he said, harshly and walked out of my room.
I grabbed my clothes and quickly walked to the bathroom closing and locking the door behind me. I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water. I looked in the mirror and winced as I put the washcloth on my cheek.
Hot tears escaped my eyes as I pulled on my clothes. I pulled on a black long sleeve shirt with a red collar, thin black tights, a red plaid skirt, and white converse. I wiped my eyes, put on mascara, and braided my hair. I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror.
"What's gonna be my lie for this one?" I whispered to myself.
Then I got an idea. I quickly walked to the front of the house and looked out the front window. I saw Benny and his family walking out to their car.
'Perfect!' I thought to myself.
I walked out to the backyard. I looked up at the tree branch where my ball was wrapped around. Then looked at the house and didn't see my parents in the kitchen. I took off my shoes, jumped, grabbed a branch, and pulled myself up to sit on it. Carefully I stood up on it. I grabbed another branch overhead and stepped onto the branch with my ball.
I kneeled on it and crawled out to the edge where it was. I sat just behind the ball and looked at my legs. My tights were torn and my legs were slightly scraped which was gonna help my alibi. I started untangling my ball from the branch. I finally got it down and jumped down. I put my shoes on and ran to the car in the front yard. My mom walked out and sat in the passenger seat.
"Did you hurt yourself when you fell out of the tree untangling that ball?" she asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
"A bit. I scratched my cheek pretty bad and tore my tights." I said, looking down.
"Sounds convincing," she whispered as my dad walked out to the car. He had a cigarette in his mouth, but spit it out and squished it when he got to the car.

*~*

The ride to church was quiet. When we got there my dad grabbed my mom's hand and they started walking to the church entrance. I hesitated a minute and covered my cheek with some loose hair from my braid. I jogged a bit to catch up with my parents and walked in close behind my mom. I glanced to the left and saw Benny. He caught my eye and looked at my torn tights and raised an eyebrow at me. I shook my head as we moved into the pew in front of his family.
After church ended I told my parents I was going to pray a bit more. They said okay and left me. I put down the kneeler and put my feet on top of it. I heard someone walk into the church and sit on my right side.
"What happened today?" Benny asked.
"I 'fell out of the tree getting my ball down'," I said, putting air quotes around my words.
"Can I see it?"
"As long as you don't touch it."
I felt his fingers push my hair back to see my face. He sucked air in through his teeth, "Damn."
"It's not that bad," I said, looking at him. He had concern in his eyes.
"Really?" he said, furrowing his eyebrows.
"I'm fine," I said, putting my hair behind my ear.
"Will you at least put some ice on it?" he asked.
"Okay." I said, looking down, "God, I'm glad I can trust you."
"Me too." he said, turning more towards me, "Hey Izzy, I-"
He was cut off by my dad stomping into the church. "Isabel. We're leaving. Now." I tensed up when I heard his voice.
"I'll see you later, Benny." I stood up and moved out of the pew.
"Bye, Izzy."

*~*

The car ride home was tense. We arrived at our house at the same time the Rodriguez family did. There was a car in front of the house that wasn't ours. We pulled into the driveway and someone got out of the car.
"Mom who is that?" I asked as my dad turned off the car. Benny's family was looking at the car smiling. I opened my door as the man turned around. My eyes widened, "DANIEL!"
He dropped his bags and we both ran at each other. I jumped into his arms and he picked me up spinning around. "Hey, hermanita," he said, hugging me tighter.
"I missed you so much." I said as tears fell, "It's been two years!"
"It felt like an eternity," he said, his voice breaking a bit. We eventually let each other go and he looked at me, "My God, you've grown."
He furrowed his brows at my torn tights and cut cheek. I shook my head meaning I'd tell him later. He hugged me one more time then went and hugged our parents.
I wiped my tears and looked at Benny's family. They looked just as happy as we did. Danny had always been very close to them. From mowing their lawn to Benny and his dad constantly talking sports with him. It was how I'd gotten to know Benny, aside from school.
       Benny's family walked over to our yard and said their hellos to Danny. Benny walked up to me smiling.
"Did you know about this?" I asked, still in shock.
"Maybe," Benny smirked, shrugging.
"You knew?" I asked, not completely believing him.
"He's been in touch with us for a while. We wanted to make it a surprise."
"You're jokin'?"
"Nope."
"Benny!" I said, hugging him, "I swear, I could kiss you!"
       "Well um..." Benny said, flustered.
       "I mean... thank you." I smiled, letting him free of the hug.
       "You're welcome." he smiled back, "You still gonna go play tomorrow?"
       "Is that even a question?"
       "Just had to be sure."
       "I would never miss a game. Well, I may miss some to visit with Danny."
       "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Benny said, walking to say bye to my parents and brother.
       "For sure," I said as I said bye to his family and went inside.