Through Thick and Thin (Anthony Rizzo)

Fighting On Two Fronts

Jazmyn

"Maybe we can decorate your crutches to make them extra fancy. I'm thinking red white and blue duck-tape and some flowers" Anthony says as he messes with them.

"For the cubs or for me being a solider" I question.

"Why not both" he shrugs.

Anthony had to pull a bunch of strings but I finally got to come out to Wrigley field. They were really stingy about their covid protocols, as they should be, so I hadn't been able to see it yet. But now that things were a little more calm and things were reopening they granted me access to the facility.

And I was so excited to be here, I've watched every game so far this season and Wrigley is a national treasure. To be here is really cool to me and I couldn't wait to see it all.

"What's it like when people are filled up to the top bleachers here" I wonder.

He smiles extra big as he sighs. His eyes look around the field imagining what it used to be like. "It's insane when this place is full and over 90% of them are cubs fans. Sometimes I get chills as I look around knowing they're here to watch me and my friends play this game. I take it all in and it still doesn't seem like enough to truly appreciate this place.

The history here is immaculate. The bears played here, there has been legendary concerts and the fact that it's the second longest standing baseball field in the MLB makes this place the cream of the crop. The jinx's and curses and everything make this place so full of life. Even when it's empty like this" he explains.

"Well I can't wait to see this place when they let fans back in. I know they'll be dying to see you" I smile.

"I can't wait either" he nods.

He continues to show me around before getting into the clubhouse. This is where Anthony spent a lot of his time making playlists and dancing with everyone making sure they're having a good time. He was the kind of teammate everyone loves to be around. He is respected and he has made this clubhouse his own. I see the things on Twitter about him being the captain and all that good stuff. The guys love him, the fans love him, and I loved him most.

"Hey Anthony, over here" someone yells and Anthony and I hobble over them. I see someone in a nice suit and I realize that it was one of the guys who is calling the game on Marquee.

"Hey Len" Anthony starts.

"It's great to see you. And this is Jazmyn, correct" he asks while turning to me and I raise a eyebrow.

"You know who I am" I question.

"Of course I do. You're kind of a big deal in this city with what you did at the protest" he claims.

"Some people see me as the villain, not the hero" I insist.

"And that would be the kind of people you wouldn't want to be aquatinted with anyway" he argues. He's not wrong. "But we think you're a hero for what you did. Anyone who knows what's good for this nation and for our people know that you are exactly what we need right is. Who knows what could have happened to all those people if you didn't stop him. We've seen people mowed down before and if he had much more time who knows what could have happened? I think you are brave and courageous" he claims.

"Well thank you" I smile.

"I was wondering if it was okay if we talked about you during the game tonight? Get a little insight about who you are and your ties to this team. I know you were with the guys back in June when they organized the get together with athletes and cops and you've been doing national guard work as a part of the covid containment. We would love to highlight what you've done" he claims.

"I'm honored, but I don't want to take away from what the guys are doing here" I insist.

"Are you serious" Anthony asks. "Babe we couldn't be here without people like you. Plus baseball games are at least three hours long, there's plenty of time to talk about you and what you've done for us guys and this city" he assures me.

"Are you sure" I wonder.

"Of course" he smiles as he wraps his arm around me.

"Then I guess I don't mind at all" I tell Len and he lights up.

"Perfect. We can set up a zoom call and have you on during the game. We will ask a few questions then you can watch Anthony win this game hopefully" he assures me.

So we exchange information before I head back to the apartment. Anthony stayed and got ready for the game and for the first time in a while I actually put on makeup. I haven't done anything that has required me to look nice in a while, not since before the incident at least. And it was kind of nice to get dolled up and put an effort into my appearance.

During the top of the third inning I hop on the broadcast with Len and JD via zoom. They introduce me and we just talk about the city and what it's like right now.

"Why don't you let us know what it was like being locked up with one Anthony Rizzo for almost four months" JD asks and I laugh.

"Honestly, it's like being locked up with three guys who all want different things. He always has to be doing something, his mind can't rest or he goes crazy. So we would watch a movie but he had music playing too while we did a puzzle. There was always constantly something going on and there was never a dull day in there. It's karaoke and working out and dancing and anything else" I explain.

"I think you worked him out really well. He credits you with him losing 25 pounds while in lock down. How did you get him to be motivated while things seemed so bleak at times" Len asks.

"It was his idea, actually. Part of it was a silly excuse to come up to my apartment so he wasn't by himself but he does want to be a better player. He wanted to change and he wanted to come back stronger in every aspect. All I did was guide him and he did the rest" I insist.

"Well you did a great job with him. He looks good out there and he's been healthy so far this season.

Now for the interesting stuff. You were a general in the army correct" JD questions.

"Yes sir" I nod.

"And you also are a active advocate for the black lives matter movement too" he continues.

"Also true" I nod.

"What's it like to be a part of two things that people often times try to put against each other" he questions.

"You can fight for this country and still be aware that it's not everything you hoped it to be. You can love America and still call out its faults, we've fought for our rights to do so.

As someone who fight along side black soldiers I know that this country is indebted to black men and woman on every front. I owe my life to many black brothers and sisters and I couldn't imagine fighting without them. To think that the very country they fight for is failing them breaks my heart. We fought so hard and for what? You know? They leave the war only to come back home and be attacked by their own people... that's not right.

Being a part of two organizations such as the army and black lives matter is important to me. It's not impossible to believe in those two. To fight for others and fight for myself is a incredible honor that I don't take to lightly" I say.

"Recently you did something not a lot of people have the courage to do. You attacked a active gunman head on with nothing but the clothes on your back. You were wounded in the action but you knocked the kid over and he was able to be detained thanks to you. I know it wasn't easy but why did you feel the need to do it" Len asks.

"Sometimes the right thing to do is the only thing to do. I could have ran away but I still would have been shot. As a solider we fight terror, and this kid was terrorizing a group of people. So I jumped into action without even thinking" I admit.

"Well we're thankful you did. The people who were there appreciate you putting your life in the line for theirs. We know Anthony missed a few games to make sure you were okay and we all were praying for you. But I think it was well worth it" he smiles.