"Reunion" Gabentine sequel

Chapter Seventeen Rest

4760 Words

Gabe slowly became aware of his surroundings...the cold feel of a baseball bat in his hands...the smell of hot food off a grill...laughing and joyful screaming from running kids...happy chatter from a group of adults...the creaking of swings going up and down...

He looked at a happy mother and father who were swinging their joyous son in the air with loud laughter.

Gabe could hear a voice call his name but he didn't react until someone placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You alright there,buddy?" Javier Garcia said to the ten-year old boy, a look of concern on his face.

"Yeah..." Gabe said,before shaking his head and giving Javi a fake smile.

"Well, that's good." Javi said as he walked away from Gabe, holding a baseball in his hands, "You've been doing better then me so far, I'd hate if you broke your streak." He said with a grin as he wound up the pitch.

Gabe felt a bit of sweat pour down the side of his new orange beanie, as he stared at his uncle who was wearing his baseball jersey.

Javier threw a quick ball and Gabe swung wildly, his mind still not completely focused. Somehow he not only managed to hit it but it also went soaring over Javier's head.

"Whoa! That was a heck of a swing from a eight year old kid, you might be better then me someday!" Javi said giving Gabe a big smile as they walked together to get the ball.

"I'm ten." Gabe said quietly, "You would know that if you were actually around..."

Javi frowned slightly as he swung his arms, "What was that?"

"I said I'm ten!" Gabe nearly yelled before hastily lowering his voice, "If you were around more you would know that."

Javi sighed, "Believe me buddy, I wish I was with you more too...that's why I asked your dad if we could hang out for a while and catch up, just us guys." He finished with a smirk.

"Why aren't you?...Around more, I mean." Gabe asked looking into his young uncle's face.

"Well...I'm just so close,you know? My dream was to be a baseball player since as long as I can remember and I'm actually playing in the big leagues,Gabe! I'm almost a star! I'm so close!" Javi said excitedly before calming himself, "Just a couple more years, then I can retire and I'll be so rich, our family will never have to worry about money ever again. And if the gambling pays off, maybe I could be done even sooner..." He finished, almost to himself.

"Gambling?" Gabe asked.

"Er, forget I said that." Javi said quickly before he picked up the ball.

They turned and walked back to their bats, "So...how's school?" Javi asked, trying to start a conversation after a silence.

"Boring...my friend Drew and I can't wait until we're done." Gabe answered.

"Oh...yeah I never really liked school either. How's Mari doing? She's gotten quieter since the last time I saw her."

Gabe shrugged, "She loves those headphones to death. Me and her still play but if I'm not around Mari just listens to music."

Javi gave him a look that asked how Gabe knew what Mari did if he wasn't in the room.

"Kate told me about it." He answered and Javi nodded.