The Field of Love - 16. Chapter 16

The Field of Love

Chapter 16

“So, there I was, covered in flour, a half-eaten cookie in my mouth, and my mom came into the kitchen,” Mike said through fits of laughter.

“What did you do?” Sammy asked as he rolled over on his side. He adjusted the phone to his ear and added, “She must have been so pissed.”

“I was five, how pissed could she really be,” Mike said indifferently. “Though she yelled at James for not watching me close enough.”

Sammy sighed. “I wish I had a brother sometimes.”

“Why?” Mike asked incredulously. “They get all the new stuff, they hog the shower, they hold you down and tickle you until you piss your pants.”

“He did not?” Sammy asked in shock.

“I was five,” Mike repeated with a laugh. “But every Christmas James brings it up like it’s some kind of badge of honor. I swear, to hear him tell it, you’d think I was pissing myself every other day.”

After a moment, Mike added, “When in reality I can go a week or two easily. If I don’t drink after five.”

Sammy laughed. They had been talking for about a half hour, and he hadn’t stopped laughing. Mike kept sharing stories about his childhood and all the trouble they had gotten into over the years.

“What about you?” Mike asked.

“I don’t have a bladder issue,” Sammy said after a moment.

Mike giggled. “Thank god you are so hot, you’d never make it as a comedian."

“What?” Sammy asked. As usual he was always a few steps behind the gregarious boy.

“I remember the first time I saw you,” Mike said offhandedly.

“Me too,” Sammy replied quickly.

“Really? When?” Mike asked in a breathless voice.

“It was in the parking lot,” Sammy said as he thought back to that day. "Remember when Evan sucker punched me in the parking lot?"

“I remember you bleeding on my favorite pair of pants,” Mike replied with a chuckle.

Sammy said softly into the phone. "The first thing I saw was your amazing mint green eyes.”

“My eyes?” Mike replied quickly. “Out of all my amazing attributes, it’s my eyes that did it for you?”

Sammy ignored that. “When I saw your face, I could feel our spirits brushing up against each other.”

“Are you sure you weren’t feeling my bulge brushing against your neck,” Mike replied with a chuckle.

Sammy groaned. "I’m being serious.”

"I know," Mike said remorsefully. "Sammy, this is all new to me too. I'm going to make mistakes, and you might too. But here's the thing: I like you too. I care for you. And to be honest, what you said...embarrassed me."

"You didn't have to—" Sammy started, but Mike interrupted.

"I know. It's just that I'm not used to anyone saying stuff like that to me. Usually, it's James making fun of me, and we go back and forth with insults."

"Okay, I understand," Sammy said.

"Not completely," Mike sighed. "I'm doing a poor job of explaining. What you said made my heart skip a beat too. It brought a tear to my eyes, and I was embarrassed. When I'm like that, I joke to deflect attention."

“Do you always do that?” Sammy asked, then quickly added. “Forget that. It’s cool. I can get used to that. Besides, you're usually funny and it makes me laugh.”

“I like to tickle your funny bone.” Mike laughed.

“Is that really the bone you wanna tickle?” Sammy asked seriously with a hint of mischief.

Mike blushed but was excited by the thought, “You’re being naughty.”

“Well, yeah. Don’t you like?” Sammy asked.

“Of course I do, you just surprised me.” Mike said then drew quiet. “Have you ever used FaceTime?”

The tightness in Sammy’s shorts started to take over his thinking. “No. Have you?”

“You wanna?” Mike asked shyly, his excitement rising as well.

“Hey Mike.” James said as he burst into the room.

Mike quickly removed his hand from his shorts. “What?!”

“Oh my god, you weren't just doing what I think you were, were you?” James laughed

“Shut up.” Mike threw his pillow at him. “What do you want anyway?" Mike nervously asked.

“Mom wants to know if her baby boy has the clothes he wanted to wear tomorrow.” James said.

“Yeah, you can see I'm on the phone, can’t you?” Mike frowned

“Little bro, here’s a piece of free advice for the future. Lock the damn door when you want privacy.” James smiled and left Mike to do whatever he was doing.

“You heard all of that?” Mike asked Sammy.

“Yeah. And I think I see what you meant about having a brother.” Sammy laughed.

“I gotta go. James will likely tell mom or dad what I was doing.” Mike said/

“What were you doing?” Sammy asked innocently. “James wouldn’t really say something, would he?”

“No, but he’ll hint enough to make me blush in front of mom or dad.”

“Okay. Good luck, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Sammy said, disappointedly.

“Sammy,” Mike quickly said before Sammy could hang up. “I really enjoy talking. Maybe next time we won’t be interrupted.”

“We can both lock our doors.” Sammy laughed.

Friday afternoon the Cougars were scheduled to play the Bulldogs of M.C. Napier.

“Eric, how are you?” Andy asked, pumping fists.

“I’m as fine as frog hairs.” Eric replied with a grin.

Andy laughed. “That’s pretty fine for sure. Have you seen Joey or Sammy?”

“Yeah, Sammy is over at the scorer’s table talking with James’ brother.” Eric nodded in their direction.

“Sweet.” Andy said and waved over at Sammy and Mike.

Sammy jogged over to Andy.

“Where’s your glove?” Andy asked when Sammy got near enough.

“I’m not playing.” Sammy shrugged. “I guess I’m suspended for fighting with Brent.”

“What?!” Both Eric and Andy asked at the same time.

“Yeah. The coach told me about ten minutes ago. Mr. Horn made him.” Sammy explained.

Eric looked at Andy/ “Did you know?”

“Not for sure, but I knew it was possible.” Andy nodded.

“I’m not going to complain, but I didn’t fight. All I did was stop him from hitting me.” Sammy groaned.

Eric started the game by striking out the first two batters and getting the third one to fly out to right. He seemed to be on his game.

But the opposing pitcher was just as sharp. He was hitting the corners and was changing the directions of up, down, in and out keeping the Cougars off balanced. Sammy being kept out of the lineup had an effect on the rest of the Cougars’ batters.

However, in the bottom fourth the tide began to turn.

It's the button of the fourth, runners on second and third, and no outs. No score. Andy walks to the plate after going 0 for 1 with a pop-up to first in the second inning. Joey takes a short lead off third and Taylor dances off second.

The Bulldogs' pitcher has been firing the heat all game and had a no hitter coming into the fourth. But Joey drew a walk, and Taylor hit a double to left that might have scored Joey, but Coach Parker held him up at third.

As Andy walked to the batter’s box, he was worried that he hadn’t held enough batting practice to help the team. He was taken totally by surprise when he was told Coach Parker had him batting third. And here he was at an important moment in the game with his teammates counting on him to deliver. Could he do it? He knew his timing was off with the months off from hitting. And this pitcher was hard throwing. He was fast,

He turned toward the third base coaches’ box as Coach Parker began to give the signs for him and the base runners. Andy shook his head and looked at Joey who was inching closer to home plate.

“You can do it, Andy.” Joey yelled.

Andy nodded and faced the pitcher. Three things happened at once as the pitcher began his pitch to the plate. Joey sprinted towards home plate and Andy squared and dropped his bat down to bunt. It was a suicide squeeze.

Andy bunted the fast ball hard enough between the pitcher and first baseman that neither could field it. And by the time the second baseman got to it, Joey scored and Andy was safe on first.

The dugout exploded with yells and cheers. Sammy was the first to high five Joey after he scored.

Eric continued a masterful performance by not allowing another base runner after the second inning. However, the Cougars couldn’t score another run with the game ending with the final score: Cougars 1 Bulldogs 0.

After the game, Sammy lingered near the dugout, kicking at the dirt. The cheers had faded, and though the team had won, a quiet ache settled in his chest. He hadn’t played.

Mike spotted him quickly and jogged over. “Hey. How are you doing?”

Sammy shrugged. “I’m okay. Glad we won.” He slung an arm around Mike’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Man, it was close.”

“Yeah, but you guys could’ve scored more if you were playing.” Mike ducked under Sammy’s arm and spun to face him. “Please promise me, no more fighting.”

Sammy paused, eyes narrowing slightly as he considered. “Michael, just like all other martial arts, my uncle didn’t train me to go around fighting everyone. He taught me that a winning fight is the one prevented.”

He smiled, but his voice carried weight. “I promise I’ll always try to talk myself out of any fight.” Then his tone shifted, steady and serious. “But I will defend myself. And the people I care about.”

Sammy looked Mike dead in the eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you as long as I have breath in my body. That I can promise you.”

Mike blinked, caught off guard by the intensity. “So… you’re going to be my bodyguard now?” He took Sammy’s hands in his. “Sammy, I’m fourteen. I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“That’s your word.” Sammy’s voice was calm but firm. “I’m saying I won’t just stand by and watch you get hurt if I can stop it. Wouldn’t you do the same for me?”

“Well, yeah. Of course I would.” Mike glanced down. “I’m just worried you’ll get hurt yourself.”

“I’d rather it be me than you.” Sammy smiled and draped his arm back around Mike’s shoulder. “I understand how you feel.”

Mike glanced around. The field was mostly empty now. Just a few teammates gathering gear, no one paying attention. He leaned in and kissed Sammy on the cheek.

Sammy froze for a beat.

“Oh my god, you’re blushing.” Mike giggled.

“It’s not every day someone kisses me on the ball field,” Sammy said, trying to sound casual.

“It’s not the first time,” Mike replied, his smile soft and knowing.

“You know, sometimes you act like what my uncle calls a wíyakA.” Sammy grinned.

“A what?” Mike frowned.

“A wíyakA,” Sammy repeated and as he looked behind Mike he saw Andy, Joey, and Roger walking towards them.

“What is that? Is that an insult?” Mike asked with his eyes narrowing.

“Well, maybe. wíyakA in Lakota culture means to talk too much or always has something to say. I meant the latter.”

Mike playfully punched Sammy’s arm. “Oh really?”

“Here’s Andy and the other guys.” Sammy quickly said and pointed at the approaching group.

“What’s up dudes?” Roger asked Sammy, bumping fists.

“Just chillin’ and talking.” Sammy replied, bumping fists with the other boys. “That was a sick bunt, Andy.”

“Well, when you can’t hit, you bunt.” Andy laughed, then turned serious, “There’s someone here that is looking for you.” Andy looked and motioned towards the locker room.

Sammy looked over and saw two figures over by the doors to the building, one was standing by someone in a wheelchair. “Oh my god. Is that Tony?”

“It is.” Andy said and before he could say anything else, Sammy was off like a deer chased by a wolf.

OOOOO