The Field of Love - 13. Chapter 13

The Field of Love

Chapter 13

Sammy followed the other boys into the spacious living room. He took in the old worn couch; white was never his favorite color, but it looked comfy. There was a big screen TV on the wall and several comfortable recliners. This room felt lived in and it brought a feeling of acceptance he hadn’t always felt.

As the boys took their seats, Andy called out, “We have coke, iced tea, bottled water, water with bubbles…”

Miss Nancy interrupted with a welcoming grin, “What young Andy was about to say is, I have some snacks here for you boys. There’s more if we need it, and yes I’m looking at you Joey. And the drinks are in the refrigerator.”

“Who was that?” Sammy whispered.

“That’s Miss Nancy,” Joey said with a big grin. “She is supposed to be helping out around here, mainly she picks on me for eating too much.”

Andy broke out laughing as Joey glared at him. Andy explained, “She’s also a nurse who helps me during my treatments.”

“Oh,” Sammy said softly. Most of the time he forgot that Andy was fighting for his life. “She seems nice.”

“Speaking of food,” Joey said as he rubbed his hands together. “Brent saved our bacon with that double. We needed that extra run.”

JT walked into the room followed by Cody. JT plopped down on the couch and blurted out, “What did that dickhead do now?”

“I don’t know.” Joey started then paused as he shook his head. “I mean he seemed different the second game. Almost like he was a different guy.”

“He sure rushed the catcher after you got knocked down.” Andy added.

“That surprised me,” Joey responded with a chuckle. “I looked up and there was Brent pushing the catcher away from me. He told the dude that dog wouldn’t hunt.”

“You mean he actually stood up for you, Joey?” JT asked.

“Yeah, he did. Kinda,” Joey grinned.

“Kinda?” Andy chimed in.

“Who is the Brent guy?” Cody asked as he looked around at the older boys.

“He is their best pitcher,” Roger explained as he pulled Cody into his lap. “He’s also a dickhead.”

“Well, aren’t teammates supposed to look out for each other?” Cody asked with a confused look.

“They’re supposed too,” Rodger explained with a grin. “But until today he never acted like a good teammate.”

“Hey fellow cougars,” James said as he bounded into the room with Mike in tow.

“Hi you all.” Mike said shyly. Besides Cody, he was the youngest and the only non-jock. He timidly walked over and sat beside Sammy on the couch.

Sammy’s heart started to race as he felt the warmth from Mike’s leg. He glanced over and saw Mike sneaking a glance as well.

“Are you all talking about Brent?” James asked with a big grin.

Andy probably knew James better than most and he recognized that look, James knew something no one else did.

Roger snorted. “Yeah, what’s up now?”

“Nothing like that. I just had a little chat with him after the game.” James said smugly as he looked straight at Joey. “Seems Brent may be having a crisis of faith.”

JT interjected again, “Can’t decide if he wants to remain a dickhead or graduate into a full-blown asshole?”

James shook his head and frowned. “From the way he talked, his dad is a drunk and likes to rant about minorities taking over the country. He said he was tired of it.”

Joey's world seemed to spin as he was filled with a sense of Deja Vu. He remembered hearing those same words many times coming from his own father. “Oh. I hate that for him.”

“So when he saw you on the ground, with that guy standing over you with a shit eating grin, he kind of saw what he had been doing to you and it made him feel sick he was acting just like his father,” James said in a quiet voice.

“So, basically he’s been giving people shit because he has been getting shit at home?” Roger asked, shaking his head.

“Fuck. That sounds just like what I used to do to Joey,” JT said in a sorrowful tone as he shot a glance over at Joey. “I was under so much pressure at home; I took it out on everyone. Especially people that didn’t deserve it.”

“Brent didn’t say this, but he was pretty friendly with Coach Sloan before he was fired for getting too friendly with the cheerleaders,” James added as he made air quotes with his fingers.

“Yeah, they were pretty tight. Seems to me they were always together during baseball season,” Joey said as the memories of his own baseball coach threatened to pull him back into those dark places.

Andy seemed to sense something was wrong and he just reached out and laced his fingers through his boyfriend’s hand. Joey smiled at him and Andy gestured with his head towards Sammy and Mike. Joey looked and then wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

Sammy had only been half listening; he kept sneaking glances at Mike. He learned over and said softly, “We missed you at the games. I missed you.”

“Really?” Mike asked, his face brightening. “I really wanted to go but I had piano practice.”

“You play the piano?” Sammy asked excitedly. “That’s so cool. I wish I could play an instrument.”

“I have a recital coming up, if you want to, you can come see me play,” Mike said quickly so as not to lose his nerve. He had just admitted to being a nerd in a roomful of jocks.

“That would be awesome,” Sammy said excitedly. “The closest I come to playing anything is when I play the drum along to some old native songs and chants.”

“That sounds so cool. Maybe you could show me some of those songs sometime.” Mike said with a hopeful expression.

“Good evening. gentleman.” Judge Collins greeted the boys. “How did the games turn out?”

Andy jumped up from the chair and faced his father. “We won both games, sweeping the double header.” Andy finished with a smile.

“That is great news. So, the team is still undefeated?” The judge asked no one in particular.

The group as a whole answered enthusiastically, “Yes, sir.” This caused everyone to break out in laughter. Judge Collins rolled his eyes good naturedly at their antics. It made him happy Andy had such a great group of friends.

He knew in the coming months, Andy would need all the support he could get. Politics was not a game for the unprepared. He just hoped his choices would not have a negative impact on his son.

“Have fun boys. Andy, don't stay up too late. You have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning.” Judge Collins reminded Andy before heading towards his study.

“Yesssssss, dad.” Andy answered with a dramatic roll of his eyes.

“You must take care of yourself,” JT teased with a mischievous grin. “Our li’l baby needs his beauty rest.”

“How about we go outside and settle whether or not I’m a baby?” Andy declared though he could barely contain his laughter.

JT pretended to think about it for a moment before he replied, “Are you, a mere baby, really challenging me to a fight?”

Andy jumped up and launched himself at JT. For a moment it looked like JT would get the upper hand, but Joey joined in and within no time, JT was being held down while Andy declared himself the winner. The boys fell into contagious laughter at JT. That is, all but Sammy and Mike. They were in their own world.

As they continued to horse around, Sammy turned to James and asked, “Can we talk?”

James nodded with a grin. Sammy added, “Not here, maybe outside?”

“Sure.” James motioned for Sammy to lead. The rest of the boys were so involved in the “fight” no one saw them leave.

Once outside Sammy turned to James but nothing came out. He took a calming breath and then said softly, “I don’t know how to say this. I ain’t been in this situation before.”

“Hey Chief, we’re cool, just say it,” James said encouragingly.

“Okay,” Sammy said as he peered into James’s eyes, “I think I like your brother.”

“What’s not to like,” James said with a shrug. “He smells a bit but he’s smart, smarter than I am.”

“Everyone is smarter than you,” Sammy quipped with a chuckle.

“But at least I’m pretty,” James said as playfully shoved Sammy. “But something tells me you think he’s prettier.”

“I really like him, like like him,” Sammy said with a sigh. “But I can’t figure out a time for us to talk. So, I don’t even know if he is the same or if I’m going crazy.”

But James took hold of Sammy’s shoulders. “Look at me Sammy. Firstly, you are crazy.”

Sammy raised his eyes to meet James’.

“Secondly, Mike is cool, and not just because he’s my brother,” James said as he led them over to the patio chairs. “I love the guy to death, and I would die for him.”

“Sammy, I like you too, and if Mike would choose you I couldn’t be happier,” James said honestly. “And no matter what Mike does, I got his back.”

“You’re a good brother,” Sammy said with a relieved sigh.

“As long as you know if you ever hurt him, I wouldn’t mind going back to prison,” James said with an evil smile.

Sammy laughed at James’ joke. At least he hoped it was a joke. “Do you know if he’s like me?”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” James asked as he ignored the question. Of course, he knew the answer but that wasn’t his place.

“That’s the problem,” Sammy blurted out in frustration. “We never are alone long enough for me to ask him.”

“That’s definitely a pickle,” James said evenly.

Sammy saw the boy’s smirk, and he said, “James, are you going to help me or not?”

“Okay, all bullshit aside. This isn’t a big city where no one gives a shit what you do. This is Pine Hills where everyone knows you. It’s no haven for uhm, well, gays. You do understand where you and Mike live, don’t you?” James' tone turned very serious.

Sammy looked frustrated but answered, “Yeah, it won't be easy.”

“Do you trust me?” James asked with a grin.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s take a trip, the three of us and I’ll give you two some privacy." James declared as he jumped to his feet.

“Okay.” Sammy wasn’t sure what James had in mind, but he did trust him, or he trusted James’ love for Mike.

“Wait here. I’ll get Mike and we can go.” James said as he headed inside.

A few minutes later, James came strolling out with Mike following behind. As James headed towards his car, he called out over his shoulder, “Let’s go.”

“Go where?” Mike asked as he almost had to run to keep pace with his older brother.

“You’ll see,” James grinned as he opened the car door.

A few minutes later James pulled into the parking lot of the baseball field.

“What are we doing here?” Mike asked as he stared at his older brother.

“Isn’t this where you two first met?” James said cryptically.

Mike nodded. “Yeah. So?”

James looked over at Sammy and said, “Sammy?”

“I um, kind of wanted to talk to you without any of the guys around,” Sammy stammered. Then he cleared his throat and added, “But I didn’t know he would bring us back to the ball field.”

“Looks pretty quiet to me.” James laughed. “You kids take a walk. Get out of my car.”

Sammy stared at James for a second so James said, “You can do it, just open the door and get out.”

Sammy jumped out and then helped Mike out. Mike smiled and said, “So, my brother sold me to your tribe.”

Sammy chuckled. “Pretty much.”

“I hope he got something expensive, I’m not cheap,” Mike said as he started to walk into the night. “What’d you give him, some beads and Indian blankets?”

Sammy laughed. “No. But I promised not to hurt you.”

“Well, that was nice of you.” Mike grinned. “Though if I know my brother, he probably threatened you.”

The boys walked around the infield with their hands occasionally touching. After the sixth time, Sammy decided to just go for it. He grabbed Mike’s hand and said shyly, “I hope this is alright.”

Mike smiled and gave the boy a squeeze. “It’s more than alright.”

They continued to walk in silence. They were enjoying the closeness. After a few minutes, Mike asked, “Are you two spirits as well?”

Sammy’s grin lit up his face. “Where did you hear that term?”

“Well, I did a little research after I met you.” Mike admitted with a sheepish grin.

They took a few more steps when it hit him. Sammy turned and exclaimed, “You said as well.”

“Sometimes you are so dense,” Mike said honestly as he held up their still clasped hands. “Do many guys our age walk around under the moonlight holding hands?”

Sammy laughed and said, “I guess not.”

“Can we go sit?” Mike asked as he gestured towards the dugout.

After they sat down, Sammy said earnestly, “I really don’t know what I am exactly. Two spirits or not but I really want to get to know you better.”

“I’d really like that,” Mike replied softly. “But this is all new to me, like I don’t know what to do about it.”

“I’ve never even had a girlfriend,” Sammy shared without a hint of embarrassment. “You are the first person I ever wanted to…um…kiss much less date.”

Mike smiled and it felt like his face might split open from his happiness. He asked before he could stop himself, “Are you asking me out on a date or for a goodnight kiss?”

“NO, well, maybe.” Sammy stuttered as his cheeks turned red. “I mean I’m just kinda tryin’ to tell you a little about myself.”

“Oh my god,” Mike said with a chuckle. “You are going to be so easy to mess with.”

Sammy didn’t have any siblings, so he was not accustomed to the teasing dynamic. He frowned and Mike added quickly, “If we are going to do this, you have to get used to my sense of humor.”

Sammy grinned as he brushed the hair from his eyes. Mike added absently, “I haven’t dated anyone either. Or kissed anyone, except my parents, my grandmother, my brother, my second-grade teacher Mrs. Baird, but she used too much tongue, then there was…”

Sammy couldn’t take it anymore and he quickly leaned in and pressed their lips together quickly. He pulled away and without missing a beat Mike continued, “You. And by far, you have been my favorite.”

Sammy leaned back and smiled stupidly.

“You know, if we are going to do this, we should set some ground rules,” Mike said as he peered into Sammy’s eyes. “Like in baseball.”

“Now you’re talking my language,” Sammy replied. He felt like he wanted to scream or at least run around the field a few times. He had never felt so alive.

“So, I’m only fourteen, and with you being the old man, we need to kind of keep things private, after all we live in Hicksville USA so we shouldn’t do any kissing or,” Mike said as he held up their hands. “Hold hands where people can see.”

“And now?” Sammy slowly, tentatively, brought his other hand up to gently caress Mike’s cheek. He peered deeply into a pair of the bluest eyes he had ever seen. He had been thinking about those eyes ever since he first saw them the day Evan had knocked him out. He licked his lips nervously and said softly, “You have the most amazing eyes.”

“I got them on layaway,” Mike replied as his breath caught in his throat. “Two more payments and they’re mine.”

Both boys leaned towards each other and their lips touched in a magical moment that caused both heart rates to spike. It was a chase kiss but a moment neither boy would ever forget.

OOOOO