The Home Run

The Future.

Izzy's POV

       Even though Smalls' step-dad loved the Murderer's Row ball, he was still mad
about Smalls taking his Babe Ruth ball and ruining it. But Smalls said he didn't feel too bad when his old man grounded him for a week rather than the rest of the rest of his life.
       We all lived together in the neighborhood
for a couple of more years, mostly through junior high, and every summer was great. But none of them ever came close to that first one. When one of the boys would move away, we never replaced him on the team with anyone else. We just kept the game going like he was still there.
       We thought it was interesting how Benny always said that Babe Ruth was like the Hercules of baseball, and The Beast's name ended up being Hercules. None of the boys could figure out what that meant. Of course, I did, but they were all amazed by it.
       We all kept in touch with each other over the years. In fact, we still talk to this day.
       Yeah-Yeah's parents shipped him off to military school. After the army, he became one of the pioneering developers of bungee jumping. Of course, we all knew why.
       Bertram, well... Bertram got really into the '60s, and no one ever saw him again. It was a little sad.
       Timmy and Tommy became an architect and a contractor. They started out small, designing playground equipment and prefabricated tree houses. But they became multimillionaires when they invented mini-malls.
       Squints grew up and married Wendy Peffercorn. Who'd have ever guessed that? They have nine kids. They bought Vincent's Drugstore, and still own it to this day.
       Ham became a professional wrestler. You'd probably know him as The Great Hambino. Name courtesy of yours truly.
       DeNunez played triple-A ball, but he never got to the majors. He owns his own business and he coaches a little league team that his sons play on called the Heaters. Of course.
       Hercules lived to be 199 years old. Well, in dog years that is.
       Smalls was the last one to move away. But when he did, he said The Sandlot was still there. He became a radio announcer for the Dodgers and did every game.
       As for me, I became a model. Shocking right? I couldn't believe it either. I wasn't complaining though, the money was good.
       After Benny and I pickled The Beast, our reputation spread all over town. From then on, Benny was known as Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez and I was Izzy "Mercury" Juarez. Or they would call us "The Jet Couple". And the nickname stuck with us for the rest of our lives.

*~*

       "Now pinch-running for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez!" Smalls announced through the radio. You could hear the faint cheering of a crowd.
       "C'mon, baby!" I said, listening to the radio in the studio while getting makeup done.
       "What's going on?" someone asked.
       "Wait. Shh!" I hushed them getting anxious.
       "It is the clutch situation of the season. They say The Jet's lost a step or two, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some fireworks here." Smalls said, "The Jets got a suicide lead and..." he paused, "And there he goes! He's stealing home! I don't believe it! He's stealing home!"
       "Go, baby!" I yelled, standing up and knocking over my chair.
       "He's stealing home, and they don't see him! The pitch! He's hit the dirt! He's safe! Safe!"
       "Yes!" I yelled, "Oh, my God!"
"Safe! Safe! Safe! I don't believe it! The Jet
stole home! The Jet stole home!" Smalls said again.
"He's safe!" I yelled, happily.
I cheered as the people around me looked like I was crazy. I didn't care, Benny had just won the game for the Dodgers.

*~*

       I was flipping through a book when I heard the front door unlock. I looked up to see Benny. He ran up to me and hugged me.
       "You did it! You won!" I said, kissing him.
       "I'd love to get another win in tonight," he said, pulling something out of his pocket. I furrowed my brows confused. Then, my eyes widened at the realization.
       "Benny." I gasped.
       "Isabel Juarez." he said, getting down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"
       "Yes!" I yelled, knocking him over with a hug.
       "Yeah?" he asked.
       "Of course!" I said as we stood up. I smiled as he slid the ring onto my finger.
       "I love you," he said, hugging me tightly.
       "And I love you."