So, That's Your Dad? (Freddie Mercury) | Under Construction

Chapter Forty Two: My Dad's Shirt Gets Ruined

      "Strike three!" The umpire yelled. I'm proud because there are two down on our opposite team. Joe tosses the ball back to me as the next person on the opposite team is putting on a helmet. I turn towards the bleachers when I get into position with the ball in my glove. I would know that my pupils dilated if I had been looking in a mirror. There my two dads are taking a seat on the bleachers. I give them both a wide smile as soon as we make eye contact. My dad gave me a wave. Joe waved towards them after he saw the two of them. Neither of them could recognize who he was and it was funny watching them try to figure it out. The only way they couldn't tell that it was him is because of the cage in over his face.

       "Who the fuck is that?" I heard Jim ask. "I don't know. Maybe it's just a fan." My dad replied. I smile down because this is actually hilarious. "Freddie! Jim! It's me!" Joe yelled. My dads now look like they finally got the point. The next girl was now at home plate in position. A leftie. Okay, we both have at least something in common. "You're not going to run bitch! You're going to lose!" I am now so embarrassed. I went from being happy that he was here, to being humiliated. What he said was bad enough, the real problem is that softball has a different tone from most other sports. My cheeks turn red as I'm preparing to pitch the ball.

My dad was wrong, very wrong. The ball had gone all the way into the outfield. The people in the outfield are trying to get the ball but all myself and the audience can see is their jersey numbers running over to the fence. Quickly enough the ball got to the infield and Nicole tossed the ball to me. I could tell that it was with the intention of me not catching it because she laughed as soon as it rolled right past me. Ralph who was our short stop had to catch the ball and toss it to me. Our small audience was not too thrilled by us as a team. I'm not either and it's kind of my fault. "TIFFANY BULSARA! GET THE BALL IN!" My dad screamed.

       I turn to him as the ball still sits in my glove. "Dad shut up! Just, talk to Linda she's right next to you!" I yell at him. I really don't have time for this. I have to get this girl out so that we don't have to be on the field anymore. "Oh it's your dad's wet dream, being around a bunch of dudes." Nicole intended for only me to hear that. I have to ignore her and focus. Us winning really depends on me. "Everyone should be careful. They probably don't want to get the new disease either." She is really testing my patience. Does she not realize that what se says is so fucked up? Her and her friends have been harassing me constantly for the past two months when I have done nothing to them.

       I have had enough. I wasn't thinking about the sake of my team winning or losing when I threw the ball at her. It landed on her chest and she looked to be in pain after I hit her. That's not enough for me. I don't care if now is not the time to beat her ass but that's what I'm going to do. It is common sense that you don't talk about people's mothers and that definitely goes for my father too. She's nobody compared to him. I stomped towards her and pushed her to the ground. Soon enough we were rolling around in the dirt and fist fighting. Sometime when we were tackling each other she let my hair go free which means that I am fighting blindly because my curly dark hair is all over my face.

       Three other teammates were trying to break the two of us up but it does not work at all because now I am on the ground. I am getting punched in the face many times. The punches consistently landing on my nose and mouth. I can taste the blood coming from my mouth and I just want to spit it out. I don't have time to do that when my head is bashed against the first base bag. Oh shit it hurts so bad and I am sure that I might die if she does it again. I can see again because she's pried off of me. I look to my side to see Linda and Nicole now fighting. Good. Everything this bitch has done to the both of us is now biting her in the ass.

       "Get your ass up Tiffany!" I hear my dad and he forces me to stand up. He drags me away and I am having trouble seeing clearly. I could have gotten a concussion. Never mind, that's a bold statement. Both of us are now outside of the field behind the gate. He grabs me by the shoulders and I know that he is going to give me a lecture. "Darling what on earth were you thinking?!" He yelled. "It's what she deserved!" I replied and I'm close to having a breakdown. "No you don't assault someone in that situation. I don't care what she said about you, you have to learn how to ignore it." He failed to reason with me. "You're wrong. She was talking about you. Saying that everyone should be careful to not get the new disease. As if it can be spread within the air. I don't care if she said anything about me. But if it's about you then I am more than willing to beat the shit out of someone for it. And I didn't tell anyone anything dad, I swear. This is all just rumors that my classmates are believing." I start to sob.

       All he does is hold me tightly in his arms. "Hey, hey. It's ok. I'm sorry. You did the right thing. I mean, don't throw the ball at someone but stick up for the ones you love. I would've done the same for you in a heartbeat." He's attempting to calm me down. "I love you." I remind him. "I love you too darling." He said and let go of me. I am horrified and embarrassed to see his white shirt with blotches of red and brown. "Oh my goodness I'm sorry!" I blurted out. He laughed. "It's fine dear. I love you more than this shirt. Now let's get you cleaned up." He put his arm around me.