How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

16- Meet the Parents

Clara

After what feels like the longest series of away games, Anthony eventually comes home, but he doesn't come back alone. His parents tagged along on his way back from Florida and was going to be in town for a few games to hang out and to visit the children's hospital where Anthony is a usual at.

So early this Tuesday morning Anthony comes home and his parents check in to a hotel not too far from here. I had the place cleaned spotless and some food made for when they got here.

"You made this place a little too nice looking, they're never going to believe I help out around here" Anthony jokes.

"Well you don't" I giggle and he nods.

"Okay, fair enough. But thanks for always making me look good" he winks and I roll my eyes.

"Yeah yeah" I wave him off.

We hang around for a little and he tells me of his fun times on the road. All the pranks they pull and jokes they tell. The team he was on is so much fun both to watch and to be with outside of the ball park too. The were pretty much a bunch of kids free to live on their own, plus their manager is a old soul with a childish mind and always has fun things set up for them. They seemed more like a comedy tv show than a professional baseball team at times. Something like that, it would be great to be a part of, I would love to be a part of it. The guys are all such great guys and the one game I went to I had such a amazing time with their significant others. I don't even know if I would work out well with Anthony anyway, I was pretty broken and needed a lot of healing. That's a lot of work he doesn't need on his plate, you know on top of being a prominent baseball player and a genuinely great person. I know he likes me but I'm not sure he could ever love me, I don't know if I could ever love me. So how could he?

But I had bigger things to worry about than the chances of Anthony falling in love with me, like whether or not his parents are going to think that I'm just using him or think I'm some weak girl who is running away from her problems.

Eventually they arrive and I have to admit I was pretty nervous. Anthony brings them in and I make my way over to get this introduction over with.

"Mom and Dad, this is a really good friend of mine, Clara. Claire, this is my father John and mother Laurie" he introduces. I give them a hug and turn to the kitchen.

"Would you guys like some pink lemonade and finger foods? We have cocktail shrimp and cheeses" I offer.

"That sounds great" Laurie smiles and I have to admit I felt a little bit better now. She didn't give off the vibe that she would hate me without me giving her a reasons to and she was related to Anthony after all, how bad could she be?

We go into the kitchen and grab some drinks and snacks before returning to the living room. I sit in my usual spot on the couch and Anthony sits next to me. His mom sits in the chair next to me and his dad takes the recliner before kicking his feet up.

"So Clara. Anthony tells me you're a artist" his mom says and I nod.

"Yeah, I do mostly paintings. I tried poetry once and it didn't work out so well. But right now it's just whatever pictures I can create in my head and put on a canvas. I go with Anthony to the children's hospital whenever I can to paint kids as whatever it is their hearts wants to be. It's a lot of pleasure painting right now" I explain.

"I love art. Do you think I could sneak a peak at some of your work" she asks.

"Yeah! They're all in my room" I say.

"Awesome" she smiles.

After we finish up our snacks and drinks I take her to my room while Anthony and his dad hung out in the living room. I turn my light on before she follows me in and I hear her gasp from behind me.

"Wow. Did you paint these walls too" she asks as she looks around.

"Oh, yeah. That was the first thing I did when Anthony offered me the room. I figured I could use something to look at since I would be spending a lot of time in here" I explain. Like a lot of time.

"This is incredible. I feel like I'm actually looking at a waterfall" she claims as she studies the wall.

"I do a lot better with nature things. Having this here makes me feel so at peace, so far away from my problems" I sigh.

"Well you're one hell of a artist. What else do you have" she wonders.

"My room is usually where I do my work. Anthony was awesome and got me a bunch of canvases and paints and the rest is history really. I can do up to three paintings a day depending on what it is I'm painting and how much sleep I got the night before" I explain.

"Do you mind if I look through these" she wonders as she looks to a stack of paintings and I shake my head.

"Be my guest" I smile.

I climb on my bed and watch as she looks through the large pile of canvases by my closet. She smiles bright as she goes through the paintings, admiring each and every one of them. She looks at them with the same eyes Anthony looks at me with and that made my heart full.

"I might have to buy a few of these" she claims after she stops skimming a few times.

"Oh, you can just take them" I insist.

"I can't do that" she scoffs.

"I want you to! Anthony has done nothing but help me out and he won't let me repay him unless I make food or clean up. It would mean a lot to me if you took a few paintings home with you, that way I know they're in good hands" I insist and she smiles over at me.

"That's really sweet of you" she says and I smile back.

"It's the least I could do" I defend.

She continues to skim through them and completely stops at one. I could pretty much guess which one it was, it was one of my favorites too.

"Is this my little Anthony" she asks as she pulls it out.

"Yeah. It was one of the first ones I did here. I paint stuff that means a lot to me, and he, he means the world to me. So that's how I see him in my eyes. I know the circumstances that we met weren't the best. He literally saved my life and he's helping me try and get past a incredibly hard point in my life. Something that no person should ever have to go through. He is the most incredible person I have ever met. You know, you should be extremely proud of him, the things he's done and the way he is. I wanted to try and capture how amazing he is in that painting, but I don't think I did him justice. I never could" I insist.

"I know you're going through some things right now. I don't know the details but I know enough to know that you're an amazing woman. Someone that my son is so very fond of and that means a lot to me. You're right, I am proud of Anthony. And not just as a player but as a great guy too. I'm not sure what you guys mean to each other, I don't know what you guys have done or what your past relationship has done to you. But I see this painting and this is exactly how I always see my son. The fact that you see this too and that you were able to put it on a canvas, I know that whatever you guys have is special. And I hope more than anything that you guys can figure out a way to make each other happy" she claims.

"Yeah Laurie, me too" I agree.