Ship to Wreck

9

Athena knew she needed something to concentrate on to avoid getting lost in her dark thoughts, to avoid getting lost in Kyle, so she brought some work with her to Christian's game. It would also help her pass the time, as ten to twelve hours at the ballpark was a long day. She needed a distraction . . . She needed to get back to her job . . . Her life.

She had been sitting in the friends and family area of the clubhouse for a couple of hours when she was interrupted by the sound of Christian clearing his throat and scooting into the chair across from her. She watched as he slid a plate filled to the brim with barbecue and a bottle of water toward her. "You should eat," he said softly. "All you had today was half an egg and a triangle of toast."

Athena smiled at his kindness. "Thanks, Chris."

He refused to police her or force her to eat if she didn't want to, so he was relieved when she took a couple of bites of macaroni and cheese before twisting open the water bottle. "I have to get back, but please text if you need anything. Don't hesitate. I'm here, and you're safe." He reached across the table and gave her hand a small squeeze before leaving to take batting practice.

Athena continued to pick at the plate piled high with macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, and a salad while she edited her curriculum for next week to take into account by the time she returned to work she would have missed a full week. She never missed a full week.

Time passed quickly as she planned out some activities for her upcoming unit on the Great Depression, but she was abruptly interrupted again by the sound of a child yelling. Before she knew it, a blur of energy whizzed past her and hid behind her chair. "Shhhh," the kid, a little boy, informed her. "Hiding from daddy," he explained, trying to whisper but failing in the way kids do by being a bit too loud about it.

Athena couldn't help but laugh at the boy's attempt at running away, and was completely unsurprised when a grown man entered the room wearing a Brewers uniform and holding a sleeping toddler securely in his arms. He looked completely worn out.

"Did you happen to see a young man come through here? About 40 inches high? Looks a bit like me, but more handsome?" he asked, lowering his hand to his waist to indicate the 40 inches.

Athena laughed. "I can't say I have," she lied, but pointed her finger behind her to give away the child's hiding place. The dad looked like he had been through hell, so she wasn't surprised to see his expression change from anxiety to relief at her revelation.

He smiled and nodded before sneaking up on his son and yelling "Gotcha, Enzo!"

The little boy screamed gleefully before the reality of being captured settled on his face. "We have to go to daycare, buddy. Daddy has a game, and he's already going to be fined for being late."

"I don't wanna," Enzo said defiantly, stomping a little foot on the ground. "I wanna stay here with her." He smiled at Athena.

"I'm so sorry," the flustered man muttered to Athena. "Single dadding is much harder than I thought it would be."

"Don't be sorry," Athena said softly. "And, if you want, he can stay in here with me, and you can take the little one to daycare. I'm sorta stuck here too," Athena started before she thought harder about her offer. "Oh my God, I'm a random stranger, and I'm being a creep offering to watch your kid when we don't even know each other's names."

The man laughed. "It's actually the nicest thing anyone has offered me in a while. I'm Gio . . . Gio Gonzalez. I'm a pitcher," he said softly. "And I don't think I've ever seen you around. New to the friends and family area?"

"I'm Athena," she clarified. "I'm a teacher . . . and Christian Yelich's friend," she muttered while noticing just how handsome this man was. With his thick dark hair and deep brown puppy-dog eyes. Stop, Athena. How can you even go there right now?