In The Kutt

Wild Memory(Because Of You)

Chapter 33

Across the street from his mother's house was the old baseball field that the Pride family often spent time on tossin around baseballs or knockin them out the park durin spring. The nostalgia washed over King like a wave,as he began to daydream. He remembered his father arguin with his brother,as the three were on the diamond tossing the ball around and partly runnin drills before Kirk's game,which was the next day. See, Eli believed Kirk could get a scholarship to play baseball in college because he was just that good of a catcher and a all around fast runner. Part of the reason for the boys and their father not seein eye to eye was cause they always felt Eli believed more in bein a man instead of in more of bein a parent. He even went as far as makin them do things they didn't want to do, forcin them to put more of their time and energy into something,when they always gave it everything they had. And every time he got too involved just to change the rules,the further the boys pushed him away. To them it felt like almost as if their father was tryin to re live his life thru them. Rather than let the boys be kids,and do their own thing,he caused them to grown up too fast. Eli was a person who thought of himself as the leader of the family,but his sons didn't think he had a leader's mentality because he was too controlling,and not leading by example. Everything that revolved around the Prides,had to be Eli's way or no way,and he had a way of showin that.

It was 5:30 in the afternoon, and the boys were across the street from the house playin in the field as they waited for dinner. At first they were havin fun,then Eli came out and ruined it.

Willin' to test his son's agility, he walked up,and stood on the home base clenchin a bat as he begun knockin balls into the air and yellin every time he thought Kirk made a mistake.

Nope,don't come up here! Go back,try it again! We gone stay here all day until you get it right. It's not that hard,Kirk. You an outfielder and you disappointin me. Play time is over. I need you to show me what you got before that game. Let's go. And fix your face before you run out there,boy. How you do so well during games,but not durin trainin? Now the next ball I hit,it bet not go pass that fence! You missed four perfect catches,makin me hit four perfect home runs. If you don't want to spend the night on this field,I suggest you start catchin. Get off the field King,go sit on the bleachers. Batter up,he said as the sound of the ball cracked against the bat. Determined,Kirk kept his eye on the ball as it soared thru the air before makin a giant leap with his arm held high.

As he fell over the fence,King cheered him on clapping his hands watchin him hop back over the fence,with the ball held tightly in his glove, revealing it. Yaaay Daddy he caught it! Now can we have fun please,he asked as Kirk dropped to his knees and sighed.

Kirk thought that since he caught the ball,the minor practice was over,but it wasn't. He took off his glove as he tossed the ball to his brother,just as his father told King to leave the field. Gimme that ball. Go home,wash your hands, and get ready to eat. You,you stay right here. You owe me three more catches then we done,Eli said lightin up a cigarette as Kirk got off the ground shaking his head.

Nah man that's enough,I'm done. I'm tired, my legs hurt,I'm hungry,and my next game is tomorrow. I need rest. Plus,you overworkin me. You said if I caught ball we-. No! I said the next ball I hit better not go over that fence,and it did. Now get up,put that glove back on and run it agai-.

I said I'm tired! This why I hate trainin wit you! I do better wit my team than I do wit chue! You ain't no real coach! Always turnin it into something it's not,and because of you I don't even like baseball no more! I quit,Kirk said runnin off as his father yelled after him. Oh you quit? Good! Cause you a quitter! Quitters win nothin! Every time things get hard,that's what you do,you quit! King has a better chance at gettin that scholarship than you do! And he not even old enough! King..come here son. Pick up that glove and head out to the field,Eli said breathlessly as their mother came outside.