The Field of Love - 14. Chapter 14

The Field of Love

Chapter 14

Andy shifted in his seat and glanced at his father, who was busy reading something on his phone. He had spent so much time in the waiting room he knew most of the hospital staff by name. He had grown to hate the overly bright room with its out-of-date magazines and antiseptic smell.

And the worst thing, he knew he would be spending much of his life in this room or one just like it. He sighed as he kicked his legs out in front of him.

“How are you feeling, Andy?” Judge Collins asked as he looked up from his phone.

Andy turned towards his father and smiled. “Truthfully, I feel better today than I have since this whole thing started. I’m ready for this to be over.”

His father studied his son as the boy stood. He understood his restlessness and the desire to get back to normal. But he didn’t know how to explain that getting back to normal was something that would never happen.

If Andy beat the cancer, and Judge Collins believed and trusted in God that he would, there was a real chance he’d be the son of a Governor. Sadly. He didn’t think Andy would ever get to experience normal again.

Andy walked over to the window and took in the warm spring day. He knew he would have to convince the doctor he was ready to play ball. He didn’t really have a plan. Maybe he could just wing it.

Andy peered at a bird flying lazily in a circle. It was a hawk, hunting something no doubt. That’s how he felt, like he was being hunted. Though it wasn’t a bird of prey but a hunter even deadlier. He was so tired of being chased. Maybe it was time to stand his ground.

He spun around to face his father. “I want to end the treatments, today. I feel like my body is back to normal.” He wiped the forming tears from his eyes. “I miss playing baseball.” He pulled a hanky from his back pocket, blew his nose, and continued. “I have a chance to play with Joey. Not many people get an opportunity to play a sport with their boyfriend.

His father nodded in understanding and crossed his legs. He rested his hands on his knee and said, “I understand, I really do. But your health is what is most important.

“And that’s what I’m talking about.” Andy fired back determinedly. “It’s my health, and I think what’s best is for me to play baseball with my friends and my boyfriend.

Judge Collins nodded and countered, “Okay, I’ll make a deal with you.”

Andy’s face lit up as he said, “That’s unlike you, sir. Isn’t a plea deal up to the prosecution?

His father chuckled. Andy walked over and sat down next to his father.

“So, let’s talk to the doctor, get all the facts and information before we make such a huge decision,” His father said in a practical tone. “And if Doctor Lewis agrees, then we discuss you playing ball again.”

“Andy, Judge Collins, the doctor will see you now,” April, the duty nurse, called out with a big smile.

They followed the bubbly blond women through the swinging double doors and down a sterile looking white hallway.

Ten doors down on the left. Andy knew which department was housed in each of those nine doors he passed. Over the last year, he had been in several of them for one reason or another. She really didn’t need to escort them, but protocol needed to be followed.

They sat down across from Doctor Lewis who was busy reading over Andy’s latest blood work tests. After a moment, the older man looked up and smiled warmly. “Hi Andy, how are you feeling?”

“Like I could run a marathon,” Andy declared as he started to put together a plan of attack to get the man’s release to play baseball. “Or at least around the bases a few times per game.”

“I heard the Cougars are going to be making us proud this year,” Doctor Lewis replied with a twinkle in his eye. “There’s even talk of them dethroning the Bulldogs this year.”

“Think of what could happen if I could return,” Andy replied as he met the man’s gaze.

“Andy, as you know you’re in the maintenance phase of your treatment. It’s great you’re in remission, but we have to keep you in remission and that takes following our treatment plan religiously.” The doctor began.

“I was doing some research online and one of the best ways to stay in remission is to eat healthy, get lots of exercise,” Andy countered as he leaned forward in his seat. “All those things can be achieved through returning to baseball.”

Doctor Lewis stared intently at the boy. Secretly, he was extremely happy with Andy’s desire to return to baseball. That meant the treatments were working and their plan of attack had been correct. But he also didn’t want the boy to rush blindly into anything. Or end their treatments all together.

So instead of agreeing, he said, “The concern I have is the chance of infection. We have done some amazing things, and you’ve come so far to allow a scratch to destroy all the progress you made.”

“I could count on one hand how many times I cut myself playing baseball,” Andy informed the man as he glanced at his father.

“Andy during the maintenance phase of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatment, side effects are generally less intense than in earlier phases, but they can still be persistent and disruptive” Doctor Lewis said as he smiled at Andy.

The doctor continued. “Also, chronic tiredness or feeling drained can be worsened by anemia or the cumulative effects of long-term treatment. You may experience nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. You could have painful ulcers or inflammation in the mouth.”

“My main concern is the risk of infection. But there is the possibility of mood changes and neuropathy.”

“What’s neuropathy?” Andy asked.

“It’s the tingling or numbness in hands and/or feet.” Lewis explained.

“Okay.” Andy said as he put a plan together in his head. “What if we, instead of stopping all the treatments, you allow me to return to baseball, and I’ll let you poke and prod me every day to your hearts content.”

The old man smiled inwardly and pretended to think about Andy’s proposition. “You know, we would need to do blood work at least once a week. And if there is any negative change in either your white or red blood cells, I’ll need your word you’ll quit.”

Andy grinned. He had the man exactly where he wanted him.

Doctor Lewis held up a hand. “Wait, Andy. I haven’t agreed to anything. I want blood drawn today. And I want a stress test this week as well. Once I have the results, then, and only then, we can revisit this discussion.”

His father sat back as he listened to the back and forth. When Doctor Lewis first broached the subject of Andy and whether or not he could get back to baseball, he had been hesitant. But as Judge Collins watched the doctor manipulate his son into agreeing to continue the treatments, he felt like he had just witnessed a wise old man. Andy had agreed to even more monitoring than before. It was truly a genius move.

Andy looked at his dad and winked.

After they exited the doctor’s office and made their way to a waiting SUV, Judge Collins stopped his son and faced him. “Andy, are you sure about this? It could have a traumatic impact on your health.”

“Yes, dad. I’m very sure. It’s as important to my mental health as my physical health.” Andy said.

“Well then, we’ll head to the Labcorp office and get the blood drawn for Doctor Lewis. Remember the promises you made and keep them even if it has a negative impact on your plan.” Judge Collins said with a stern look.

“Yes, sir.” Andy said with a nod of agreement.

After the blood work was done, Andy was driven to Pine Hills High School where he was met by Joey and Roger.

“How did it go?” Joey quickly asked before Andy could even step out of the SUV.

Andy pulled Joey into a hug and whispered, “It went amazingly well. I’m gonna get to play baseball.”

“For real?” Joey asked excitedly.

“Well, I have to pass a few tests,” Andy admitted as he shook Joey’s shoulders. “But we’re going to get to play baseball together.”

Joey was so happy he forgot where he was and kissed Andy on the cheek. “That’s super awesome.”

Roger patted Andy on the back and grinned. “Way to go. Bro. You can talk your way into or out of anything.”

Joey’s face turned serious. “You sure it’ll be alright. I mean. You’re more important than a stupid game.”

“Yeah. I’ll be okay. I promised the doc that if I had any of the symptoms he named, I would tell him right away.” Andy smiled as he placed an arm around both Roger’s and Joey’s shoulders, “Plus, I got you guys to watch out for me. Right?”

Joey nodded and Roger said, “You know it. We got you.”

Andy asked with a grin, “Is it lunch yet? I’m starving.”

After changing into shorts and a sweat shirt James spied Sammy as he walked into the locker room. “When you're ready, meet me on the field and warm-up with me. Okay?”

Sammy nodded and immediately thought he had done something wrong. After he shared a very passionate kiss with Mike, they had spent a long time lost in a wonderful conversation. Did they stay out too late? Did Mike get in trouble? Is James mad that his brother was interested in him? Oh my god, he felt like he couldn’t catch his breath. Then he remembered that kiss and if James had an issue, then they could figure it out.

Joey noticed the dazed look on Sammy’s face, and he asked, “What’s up?”

Sammy just smiled and shook his head. “Nothing.”

Joey grinned. “So, James gave you a ride home last night.”

Sammy nodded. Joey added, “It must have been nice to hang out with Mike.”

“He’s a good guy,” Sammy replied as he realized he had buttoned his shirt wrong.

Joey smiled too. “Andy got some awesome news.”

“Oh yeah?” Sammy looked over expectantly.

“Yup. Nothing is for sure yet, but he may start practicing with us next week.”

“Wow. That is great news.” Sammy said. “So, Andy is cured? He’s over leukemia?”

“Well, it’s complicated.” Joey answered in a serious tone.

“What do you mean? Either he is or he isn’t.” Sammy retorted.

Joey sighed and slumped down on the bench. Sammy sat down next to him and asked, “Are you okay?”

Joey smiled weakly. “Sometimes, I just feel like it's all closing in, you know.”

Sammy nodded though he really didn’t know. Not at all. He had never had anyone close to him go through cancer, much less such an aggressive one as Leukemia. Joey continued in a quiet voice, “I mean Andy is perfect, but it’s killed me seeing him this past year. The vomiting is the worst, after his treatments, he can’t keep anything down or in.”

Sammy placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. Joey sighed again. “I feel like we’re so close to putting all this behind us. And sometimes I can’t help but think about the next shoe to drop.”

“Hey, whatever it is, we can get through it,” Sammy offered after a moment. He might not understand what Joey, or Andy for that matter, had been going through; but outside of Tony, they were his oldest friends.

Joey smiled weakly and said, “It’s complicated. But Andy can explain it better. For now, we just have to wait and see.”

“Okay. I hope he can play. He can help make up for the loss of Tony.” Sammy said as he picked up his bat bag.

“Speaking of Tony. What’s the latest news?” Joey asked. “I like him and he’s a good guy.” Joey said as they headed to the field.

“His mom says he is doing great, considering.” Sammy shrugged. “He’ll spend a couple of more weeks in the hospital. Maybe less.”

When Sammy positioned himself beside James to warm-up throwing with Joey, James greeted him with a knowing smile. “Seems my plan to give you alone time with my little brother worked. Your ear to ear smile matches Mike’s this morning. I swear if I didn’t know better since I was there, well close enough to have heard moaning and groaning, I would have thought you two had sex last night.”

Sammy’s blush quickly spread from his head to his toes and no words could escape his lips. All he could do in response was smile wider.

“James, are you messing with Sammy?” Joey called out after Sammy almost threw the ball over his head.

James laughed. “Naw, I just told Sammy a dirty old man joke.”

Meanwhile, Andy was meeting with Coach Parker. “I’ll probably be given the okay from Doctor Lewis to play ball starting next week. If it’s okay with you and I pass his medical tests.” Andy explained. “I really wanna play this season. It would mean so much to me.”

Coach Parker took a moment to study Andy before speaking. “What does your father think of this?”

“He’s leaving it up to Doctor Lewis and myself.” Andy paused and then decided he should mention, “Also I should tell you, but I need to ask you to keep it to yourself.” Andy looked to Coach Parker for his agreement. After Coach Parker nodded he continued. “Dad will announce next Wednesday that he will enter the race for Governor.”

Sammy watched as Andy joined the team on the field and thought Andy was as brave as an eagle in the sky.

Sammy walked over to where Andy was in a conversation with the Coach and Roger. “I don’t mind if you tell the team. Most of them know my situation on and off the field. It’s a small town after all.” Andy shrugged.

“Even concerning your father?” Coach Parker asked a little concerned.

“I think that can wait, Andy.” Roger offered.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I don’t want to get ahead of dad.” Andy said, shaking his head.

“What do you think, Sammy?” Andy turned to Sammy.

Sammy looked at his shoes and then with a serious face said, “Uhm, I’m not into politics. I just came over to ask how you are doing.”

Andy smiled. “I’m doing great. If my blood cooperates, I will start working out with you guys soon.”

“Wow, that’s so cool. Joey was telling me a little earlier.” Sammy frowned. “I’m kinda confused but if you’re okay, I’m okay and I’m glad Father Sky is watching over you.”

“Thanks, Sammy.” Andy said. “Father sky? Is that God?” Andy said, puzzled.

“Well, I think of him as the creator, the great spirit. So, uhm. Yeah, God.” Sammy explained. “Yeah. My culture focuses on the spiritual, kinda like Christianity.”

“I get that.” Andy smiled and placed a hand on Sammy’s shoulder. “I think our beliefs are similar."

“You think so? It sounds like it.” Sammy replied.

“Okay guys. Time for infield. Andy, you hit some to the outfielders.” Coach Parker said, taking charge.

After practice Coach Parker had the teams gather around him. “We play Knott County tomorrow. We will wear blue and white uniforms. Andy?” Parker turned to Andy.

“Guys, I have some good news and some bad news.” Andy looked at the boys around him with a grin.

“The bad news is, I won’t be able to travel with you all tomorrow. My doctor has ordered some tests for me tomorrow afternoon.” Andy said with a sad tone and a shake of his head. With a smile he continued, “The good news is, if I pass the tests, there’s a good chance that the doctor and the coach will allow me to start playing ball again.”

Several of the boys whoop and yelled “Hell Yeah.” However, one boy made a sour face and whispered under his breath, “Fuck me.”

OOOOO