Chapter 25 Closing of One Door
-Drew-
Everyone knows by Monday that Meg and I have broken up.
“Do we need to find a new place to eat lunch? Are we now a group divided?” Luke asks me.
“Stop being so dramatic,” I tell him, “I’m not going to divide up the group.
” I jab him in his side. “Fine, I’m not asking again: if it's awkward, then it’s on you because I asked,” he says as we make our way to the lunchroom.
We are the first ones at the table, and it doesn’t take long to have the others join us.
Meg sits across from Luke with Annie in front of me, joined by Craig.
It is weird to see Meg on the other side of the table, if I’m being honest; she’s been sitting next to me for the last few months.
But also, I don’t mind that she is sitting next to Annie.
Maybe with some time, this will not feel so weird.
Maybe we can still stay friends after all.
Annie interrupts my thoughts with a statement.
“I’ll be in the dugout for today’s game.
” “Did you ask Coach for the jersey we talked about?” Luke asks her.
“UGGGH, I forgot with all the prom stuff last week,” she says.
“Any chance that you guys could help me out? I feel bad that I keep wearing my football jersey. At least it’s the right team across the front.
” She gives a little smile with her comment.
“We got you covered—we can’t have our girl wearing the football team’s gear at our games, right guys?
” Craig says, all animated. “I totally agree, it’s blasphemy,” I interject.
And just like that, we all fall back into our rhythm.
***
***
We win the first playoff game easily, 4-1, but we don’t get as lucky in the next game, and we lose 2-3.
The letdown is hard, and Coach gives us a talk about holding our heads up high and thanks the seniors for all they offered during their time with the team.
He tells us underclassmen that we can expand on this next year if we are all willing to do the work during the offseason.
Coach asks me to meet him in his office before heading out.
***
“Coach, you wanted to see me?” I say at the door of his office.
“Yeah, Davis, come on in,” he says, pointing to the chair.
I sit down, then he launches into the conversation.
“You had a great season. I already had some of the scouts asking about you during the season. We haven’t talked about it, but what are your goals when it comes to baseball?
Do you want to go pro when you graduate next year? ”
Did I want to go pro? Yeah, I’d thought about it, but it was the dream of every little boy who puts on a baseball jersey and walks onto the diamond.
“I would love to go pro,” I tell him. “It’s not a sure deal, Davis: you made some great stats this season, if you put in the extra work, you could easily get signed into the minors next year,” he finishes.
I ask, “Anything I can do over the summer to help get my name out there?” “Actually, that is why I wanted to talk to you in here. My buddy is the coach of a traveling team out of Missouri, and he is looking for a strong shortstop. I’ve given him your information.
It could be a good opportunity for you to be seen by scouts in those markets.
Talk to my buddy and your parents, and think about it as an investment in the dream.
” I thank him for the information and the reference.
The season may not have ended the way I had hoped, but this opportunity is a door opening I had only dreamed about.
***
When I make it to the parking lot, my car is the last one other than Coach’s.
Standing next to my car, looking at her phone, is a beautiful blonde.
I know it’s Annie, but I can’t stop my brain from noticing that she’s beautiful.
“What are you doing out here?" I must have startled her because, she jumps and almost drops her phone, placing her hand over her heart in surprise.
“God, Drew, you scared me.” She continues, "I told everyone I would ride home with you. I could see the disappointment earlier when you left the field. I figured you could use the company.”
I feel a little pressure in my chest. Annie has always been special like this, always knowing when to show up for people, for me.
“I think we should go get ice cream,” she says as she makes her way to the passenger door.
“Yeah, I think I could go for some ice cream,” I smile back at her and hop into the driver's seat. Over ice cream, I fill her in on what Coach said about the scouts and the travel team. “You think you’ll do it?” she asks me after I finish.
“It’s too early to tell. I’ll have to talk to my parents—the team is currently out of Missouri, so I’m not sure of all the logistics of it yet, but I am curious,” I tell her.
“Drew, you could make it, I can see it now—” she holds her spoon like a mic.
“Making his first start for the Griffons is number 17, Drew Davis: he shows off his ability to be dynamic in the infield at the shortstop position, and his on-base performance is second to none.” She stops her pretend announcing and smiles at me.
I let myself imagine it, the dream of getting to take the field, getting to call what I love my job.
“Promise me that you’ll get me box seats when you’re famous,” Annie says, smiling.
“Promise, if I’m ever famous, I’ll always have a seat for my Annie,” I answer.
Later, as I drive us home from the ice cream shop, I realize I’m happier than I thought I’d be after the biggest loss of my life, and it has a lot to do with the girl sitting next to me and the fact that she believes in me.