The Field of Love - 15. Chapter 15

The Field of Love

Chapter 15

“All they can talk about is Andy,” Brent muttered as he stared at the back of Sammy’s head. They had been on the bus for about twenty minutes on their way to Knott County. He turned to look at Eddie Boggs. “All I hear is Andy this, Andy that. He isn’t even here.”

Eddie’s voice laced with disgust replied. “I thought one queer was bad. What’s it gonna be like when they are three?”

Brent spat, “The whole league is already making fun of us as it is. Someone called us the Queers of Pine Hills."

“Someone has to do something about it.” Eddie suggested.

Brent replied, “My thoughts exactly.”

“Really?” Eddie smiled. “After you took up for the little fairy the last game I was beginning to wonder if they had converted you.”

“Not likely, I’m not fag lover. I just didn’t like their catcher.” Brent snorted.

A few rows up, oblivious to Brent or his musings, Joey looked at his phone again. He sighed. He still hadn’t heard from Andy, and it was driving him crazy. He made the conscious decision to put his phone in his pocket.

He looked around and saw Sammy and Mike in deep conversation. What he wouldn’t give to be a fly on the window. Andy told him to mind his own business, but he thought the pair was just too cute.

“I can,” Mike declared as Sammy stared at him dubiously. “I can smell the difference between Jiff and Peter Pan peanut butter.”

“I asked if you had any hidden talents,” Sammy said with a chuckle. “Not if you were some kind of freak that can smell the differences between peanut butters.”

“So, you wanted something useful,” Mike countered with a grin. “I can also wiggle my ears.”

“How is that useful?” Sammy asked as he crossed his eyes. Then he held one eye motionless and moved the other.

“Now that is a useless talent,” Mike said with a snort. “But kind of cool.”

“Hey, not to change from this fascinating topic, but how late can I call you tonight?” Sammy asked as he picked at the seam of his pants absently.

“Why?” Mike grinned. “You wanna have phone sex?”

Sammy laughed and shook his head. Though he wasn’t opposed to that idea. He understood the concept of phone sex but if he’d actually have to do it he wouldn’t even know what to say. Do people really do that? What if they FaceTimed? Then he’d actually be able to see Mike.

He looked over at Mike, and saw the boy was staring at him with an odd expression. He blushed when he realized Mike was playing with him, he asked, “Don’t you room with your brother?”

Mike waved his hand dismissively. “Nothing he hasn’t seen before.”

Sammy’s eyes widened and he blurted out, “I thought you wanted to put on a show for me.”

Mike blushed and to cover it, he playfully punched Sammy in the arm. But his red ears betrayed his emotions. He replied with a crooked grin, “You can call me anytime you want to.”

“What do you think of the BTS songs I showed you?” Mike quickly changed the subject to avoid the awkward silence.

“I liked them. They had a good beat and most had a message.”

“I really loved The Truth Untold. So many people are really like that. They seemed to always be wearing a mask.” Sammy said unabashedly.

At the back of the bus, Brent grew angrier with each passing moment. He was furious that all the attention was on someone who wasn’t even there. He couldn’t escape the thought that one queer on the team had been bad enough, what would it be like with three? Something had to be done.

The Cougars arrived at Perkins Stadium in Knott County confident in their undefeated streak. The weather was perfect and as they took the field, hopes were high of another repeat performance.

That confidence was shaken when Joey struck out on three pitches. Taylor hit a fly ball to right field for an easy out. Even Sammy, who had shown how good of a hitter he was, grounded out to third.

But what shattered their confidence was when Brent took the mound. He walked three batters, hit another, and gave up five runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Brent stalked back to the dugout; he threw his glove on the bench and stared at his teammates. Joey was glued to his phone, Sammy was focused on Mike, no one seemed to be focused on the game.

“Jesus Joey,” Brent yelled. “He hasn’t called, get over it.”

“Hey,” Sammy spoke up as he turned his head.

“And if you’d stop flirting, you’d see that we are down five nothing,” Brent continued his tirade. “He’s not even a member of the team, what’s he even doing here.”

“Can’t you faggots give us a break? We don’t need you pushin’ your shit in front of us?” Brent yelled towards Sammy and Mike.

Joey shoved his phone in his pocket and jumped to his feet. Sammy looked stunned as he shot a glance at Mike. Coach Parker rushed over to the dugout, but Joey was already in Brent’s face.

“Seriously?” Joey yelled. “What the freak is the matter with you?”

“Oh, don’t play innocent,” Brent spat. “The three of you make me sick. I didn’t join this team to be around a bunch of faggots.”

“That’s enough,” Coach Parker’s voice bellowed so loudly everyone stopped what they were doing. He rushed over and pulled the two boys apart. Then he looked down the dugout and said firmly, “I told all of you, if you have a problem with anyone on this team, you’re welcome to leave.”

Then he turned and looked directly into Brent’s eyes. “Unfortunately, you no longer have that option. Pack your gear and wait on the bus. You’re off the team.”

He let the last four words land with unmistakable weight.

The Cougars fell nine to two.

The ride back from Perkins Stadium was silent at first, thick with the weight of Brent’s dismissal and the Cougars’ bruising loss. Joey sat near the front, staring out the window, his phone dark in his lap. Sammy was a few rows behind, next to Mike, who kept glancing between him and Joey, sensing something brewing.

Brent had taken a seat near the back, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He wasn’t done.

“Are you going to let them get away with this?” Eddie slightly elbowed Brent in the ribs.

Halfway through the ride, he stood and stalked down the aisle, stopping beside Joey.

“You think you’re some kind of hero?” Brent sneered. “You and your little boyfriend back there?”

Joey turned slowly. “You’re unbelievable.”

Brent leaned in. “You’re the reason this team’s falling apart. You and your freak show.”

Sammy stood. Quietly. Calmly.

“Back off, Brent,” he said, voice low.

Brent laughed. “Or what? You gonna cry on me?”

Sammy stepped into the aisle. “No. But I will stop you.”

Brent lunged, swinging wild. Sammy sidestepped, fluid and precise, Chulukua-Ryu training kicking in. He caught Brent’s arm, twisted, and brought him down with a controlled sweep. The bus jolted with gasps and shouts.

Brent hit the floor hard, stunned. Sammy didn’t gloat. He didn’t speak. He simply stood over Brent, breathing steady, gaze unwavering.

Coach Parker moved quickly from the front. “Enough!” he barked. “Sammy—take a seat. Brent, you’re lucky that’s all you got.”

Brent groaned and clutched his shoulder. Joey stared at Sammy with eyes wide in awe and gratitude.

Sammy sat back down, silent. Mike gave him a nod. Joey turned around in his seat, met Sammy’s eyes, and mouthed, “Thank you.”

The rest of the ride was quiet again, but this time, it was a different kind of silence. One that held respect. And something like hope.

The bus pulled into the Pine Hills parking lot just after sunset, its headlights slicing through the early evening haze. Andy stood near the gym entrance, arms crossed, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. He looked pale but steady—still in sweats from the clinic, but clearly eager to reconnect.

Joey was the first off the bus. He spotted Andy and broke into a grin as the boy jogged over.

“You’re here,” Joey said as he pulled the boy into a hug. “Man, you missed a heck of a day.”

Andy chuckled. “I heard we lost. But I’m guessing there’s more to it?”

Sammy, Mike, and James joined them, forming a loose circle around Andy. Sammy’s expression was calm, but his eyes held the weight of everything that had happened.

Joey excitedly launched into the story. “Brent blew the inning with three walks and hit a batter, giving up five runs. He then lashed out at Sammy and me calling us queers and,”

Joey paused and made air quotes. “Pushing our stuff in front of everyone. Then Coach Parker walked into the dugout, got between me and kicked Brent off the team.”

Mike filled in the gaps, adding color and commentary. James chimed in with a few choice quotes, mimicking Brent’s voice with exaggerated disgust.

“On the bus coming home, he said me and my little boyfriend were the reason this team was falling apart.” Joey added.

Andy’s face darkened. “He said that to you? And to Sammy and Mike?”

Sammy nodded. “He tried. Didn’t get far.”

Joey leaned in. “Sammy took him down. Like, literally. Chuluk-Ryu style.”

“It’s Chulukua-Ryu.” Mike quickly corrected.

Andy blinked. “Wait, he fought Brent?”

Sammy shrugged. “Defended you. Defended Joey. Defended the team.”

“It wasn’t a fight, it was a statement,” Mike declared proudly. “Brent crossed the line, and Sammy shoved him back on the other side.”

Andy looked at Sammy, eyes full of respect and gratitude.

“I wish I’d been there,” Andy said quietly.

“You were,” Sammy replied. “In every reason I had to stand up.”

The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of the day settled around them. Then James broke it with a grin.” Okay, but can we talk about how Brent hit the floor like a sack of potatoes?”

Mike corrected him, “It was more like the splat of a mashed potato.”

They laughed, finally freely. And as the rest of the team trickled off the bus, the circle around Andy didn’t break. It grew.

Eric stopped next to Andy. “How did your tests go?”

Andy shook his head. “I think I did good, but I won’t know for a day or two. They should have the result from the blood work by then too.”

“I’m sorry about Brent causing problems, but it’s not like it’s from out of nowhere.” Eric said sadly.

“I don’t know man.” James spoke up. “Brent gave me the impression he was changing about all of the stuff. Then he goes calling’ names, making threats and becoming violent.”

Mike took Sammy’s hand as he looked at his brother. “Sammy showed him that violence will get him hurt.”

Andy and Sammy lingered outside the gym after the others had gone inside, just the two of them beneath the soft glow of the parking lot lights. The night was warm, quiet, the kind of stillness that invites truth.

Andy leaned against the brick wall, arms folded. “What you did on the bus means a lot to me.””

Sammy shrugged. “It wasn’t much.”

“It was everything,” Andy said. “You didn’t have to step in. But you did.”

Sammy looked at him, steady. “You and Joey are my friends.”

Andy smiled, but there was something serious behind it. “You know, I’ve never really had someone stand up for me like that. Not like that.”

Sammy hesitated, then stepped closer. “You do now. You, Joey, Tony, and now Mike have treated me like I'm somebody. And not someone to be made fun of. That means a lot to me.”

Andy’s eyes searched his face. “You mean that?”

“I do,” Sammy said. “I don’t know what’s ahead for you—med school, politics, whatever or wherever you go or do, I’ve got your back.”

Andy laughed softly. “You’re offering to be my one-man security team?”

Sammy nodded. “If you’ll have me. But more than that, I’m offering to be your friend.”

Andy extended his hand, but Sammy pulled him into a hug instead. It wasn’t dramatic. Just firm. Real.

“Then it’s settled,” Andy said. “You’re in.”

They stood there a moment longer, the night wrapping around them like a promise. Two friends. One bond. And a future neither of them could see—but both were ready to face together.

After Andy left with Joey and Roger, Mike placed his hand in Sammy’s. “Is this okay here on school grounds?”

“Mike, yes. You’re always okay with me.’ Sammy replied with a goofy grin.

“Did I mention that I like you?” Mike asked shyly.

“Well, if you didn’t, the kiss kinda told me.” Sammy smiled. “And before you ask, I don’t kiss people I don’t like.”

The next day, Benjamin Hill, whom everyone called Ben, would start on the mound against the Jenkins Cavaliers. Andy made it to the field just before the game started after he had blood work done as he had promised Doctor Lewis.

The young freshman was as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs after being told he was to be the starting pitcher. He had a rocky first inning but only allowed two runs.

Joey led off the bottom of the inning with a hit that snuck through between the second baseman and the first baseman. Taylor unfortunately grounded in a double play to short. Sammy followed with a hit to left over the shortstop’s head. Eric followed with a strikeout.

Young Ben settled down and didn’t allow another run. However, the Cougars could only score a run on a solo homer by Sammy in the sixth inning. Losing their second game in a row, Cavaliers 2 Cougars 1.

“When will you know if you can play or not?” a downcast James asked Andy after the game.

“Wednesday afternoon I should know one way or the other.” Andy said as he looked for Joey.

“Well, we sure could have used you today.” James added.

“Hey, you guys played good defense. Your hitting was off, but that will come around once you get used to not having Brent in the line-up.” Andy assured him. “Besides, you guys found a future superstar in Ben.”

“You’re right about that. It was a good surprise. Hey. there’s Joey, Sammy, and my little brother.” James said as he pointed towards the locker room.

Joey walked up to Andy. “Sorry we didn’t win.”

“Did you give it everything you had?” Andy asked.

“Of course I did.” Joey replied.

“Then there’s nothing to be sorry about.” Andy wrapped his arm around Joey’s shoulder. “Just as the old saying goes, you win some and you lose some. What matters is if you gave it your all.”

Joey nodded and leaned into Andy. “You’re so smart and wise.” Joey said straight-faced, which caused giggles from the other boys.

Andy playfully shoved Joey away from him. “No snuggles for you tonight.”

“Judge Collins, can I get an interview with you, sir?” Rocky Newman of the Lexington Post asked as he caught the Judge before he reached the Courthouse front door.

“Call my office tomorrow. Maybe we can set something up.” Judge Collins shook the man’s hand before he turned towards the door.

A large crowd gathered outside the County Courthouse on Wednesday morning in anticipation of a major announcement. Among the crowd was a reporter for the local paper and a news camera from the area news station, as well as one from Lexington.

Andy walked behind his father as they walked outside onto the Courthouse steps. Judge Collins stepped up to a bank of microphones flanked by local and state officials.

Judge Collins addressed the crowd. “I would like to thank everyone for coming out this fine spring morning to hear another politician make promises never kept. However, I am not one of those politicians. I will keep every promise I make and that is my first promise.”

The Judge paused and scanned the crowd, then continued. “I will fight for the coal miners and their families. I will fight for better roads for the whole Commonwealth. I will fight for every Kentuckian, whether they are in one of our cities or on a farm in western and central Kentucky or in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re white, black, or brown. I don’t care who consenting adults sleep with in the privacy of their bedroom. Every Kentuckian has the right to live free, the right to live, and the right to seek happiness. Therefore, I am announcing my candidacy for Governor of the great Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

The crowd yelled and screamed its approval. Judge Collins smiled and had Andy come stand beside him. Andy felt a little out-of-place and uncharacteristically shy. He had played before big crowds before, but this was different. Today, people were judging him not by his skills as an athlete but as his father’s son. Potential Governor’s son.

Judge Collins noticed Andy’s demeanor and asked, “You okay, son?”

Andy glanced around at the crowd, “Yeah. I’m just feeling a little weird.”

“What do you mean, weird? Healthwise?” The Judge inquired.

“Uhm, no. I mean all these people staring at me like I’m a prize bull or something.” Andy laughed nervously.

“Ah, I see. But you’re no bull.” The judge laughed. “You may be full of it, but you’re just a boy.”

“Funny dad. Are you going to do a meet and greet?” asked Andy.

“No, not today.” The Judge turned serious as he asked. “Are you going to be okay with all of this? Because, if you aren’t, I can drop this whole thing, You’re more important to me than anything else in this world.”

Andy felt his father’s love wash over him in those few words, but he has always known the love and support of his dad. He was there for him when his mother died. He was there for him when Joey needed help. And here he was putting his concerns above his own ambition to be Governor.

“No dad. I’m fine with it all. It’s my turn to support you like you have me all of my life.” Andy said and he wrapped his arms around his father in a hug.

Thursday morning, the school buzzed with the news: “Andy’s dad is running for governor.” It’s all-over social media, local news, and whispered in hallways. Some students are impressed. Others are skeptical. A few are downright hostile.

Andy walks into school with a mix of pride and dread. He knew the announcement was coming, but not how it would land. Joey met him at the lockers.

“You okay?” Joey asks.

Andy shrugged. “I’m not the one running.”

Sammy turned to Andy, calm as ever. “You kinda are. Just not officially.”

OOOOO