Smells Like Lavender

Chapter 31

Lavender

I sat on the bleachers, watching the boys play.

Peter was pitching the ball back and forth between Justin and David.

Whichever of them wasn't batting was waiting patiently to tag the other one out.

Then they stopped and came together in the middle, there's seemed to be a dilemma.

They argued for a couple of minutes, waving hands for emphasis and Justin came over to me.

'Do you know how to play?' He asked.

'I read about the game. But i don't play.'

'Wanna try?' He asked. 'We need a pitcher.'

I thought about it for a second. I had never played baseball.

Or any sport for that matter.

I couldn't hear the calls and commands that were made.

I nodded and he took my hand, leading me to the middle of the field, where Peter was.

He said something to Peter who handed me a glove and the ball and ran to the edge of the field.

Justin tapped my arm, pointing to David, who was holding the bat.

'It's simple. Throw the ball at him.' He signed. 'Throw as hard as you can.'

I nodded and he took the glove, slipping it onto my hand. Then he stepped back and gestured for me to throw, so I did.

I sent the ball flying right over David's head, where it bounced off the bleachers and came rolling back.

'That was good. But this time aim for David, not at him.'

So next I threw the ball underhand and David hit it. I felt the momentum of it speeding back towards me, before Justin simply pushed me aside.

The ball went between us where Peter caught it and quickly ran in an attempt to tag David.

As I obseved this Justin stepped up to bat.

He readied himself, shuffling his feet in the sand.

I threw the ball to him and as he swung a sudden wave of paranoia came over me.

I looked around and though I had to look again, I saw a man standing beside the bleachers.

I tried to wave at Justin but he was midswing.

The ball went whizzing over my head, as I ducked. He stared at me, asking if I was ok.

I nodded and pointed at the man, who was coming closer.

He was at my side in an instant calling Peter and David from the outer fields.

He made sure I was surrounded before squaring his shoulders and regarding the man who was almost upon us.

Now that he was closer I could see he was older, maybe in his early forties, with a potbelly and floppy gray hair.

In many ways he reminded me of my father. But my father was much muscular.

He stepped up to Justin and held out his hand. Introducing himself.

Something he said made Justin look at Peter and David before slowly shaking his hand.

He spoke quickly, making gestures and pointing across the field.

Justin hardly said a word but his hand found it's way into mine.

The man said something and Justin stepped back, shaking his head.

Peter and David stayed where they were, watching the exchange.

The man then turned to me, speaking.

I signed. 'I'm deaf.'

'I know.' The man said. 'And I want you to come play baseball.'

I looked at Justin who was now conversing with David and Peter.

'Why me?' I asked.

'You've got a good arm.' He said. 'That was a great underhand pitch.'

'I don't know.' I said.

'Will you think about it?' He asked. 'At least, before you decide, I want you to meet someone.'

'Who?' I asked.

'Just come to my office on Monday.' He said. 'And if you decide not to play do you think you can convince him to play?'

'Justin?' I asked.

'He's got the best swing I've seen in all my years of coaching here.' He said. 'If we can get him to play he'll have scouts lined up to offer him different scholarships.'

Scholarships sound good but could I really convince him to play baseball.

He doesn't seem very adament when it comes to sports, at least not around me.

And he's around me a lot.

But maybe it would be good for him. To cope with whatever it is that's bothering him.

'I'll try.' I said.

'Can you do it by Monday?' He asked.

I glanced at Justin. 'Maybe.'

'Well get back to me then.' He said. 'Until then you can call me Mr. Parker.'

'I'm Lavender.' I shook his hand.

I watched him walk off, towards the edge of the field and eventually disappearing around the bend.

Justin pulled on my hand, asking once again if I was ok and I nodded.

Scholarships.

Scouts.

College.

He has his whole life in front of him and playing baseball could open up so many doors and windows of opportunity.

Why wouldn't he want to play?

'You should play baseball.' I said, as he began to pull me away from the other two. 'Where are we going?'

'Home.' He said. 'And I'm not going to play baseball.'

'But why? Do you not see how good this would be for you?' I said. 'You could be so good at baseball that people will pay less attention to our relationship. We can be together without having everyone saying you're a bad influence.'

'I won't do it. And there is nothing you can do or say to change my mind.' He said. 'So drop it.'

As if.

******

Saturdays update two days late😖😖😖. I apologize.
Leah💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋