Epilogue
Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
The morning sun reflected brightly off the golden desert sand as Javier looked out at the expanse of land he’d purchased.
It was a lot of dirt, rocks, brush, and distant buttes, but it was the most amazing view, and soon to be the lookout site of his wildest dream.
He was amazed by what he’d pulled together in six short months.
Granted, he’d poured all his time and an incredible amount of work and money into this project, but it still seemed unreal.
He wouldn’t have made it this far without the help of so many people.
His Cami, the amazing woman that she was, had listened to all his crazy ideas and had helped him meet with many different attorneys.
They’d consulted with business, real estate, IP, and several other attorneys regarding the various aspects of the project.
Her grandfather had connected them with anyone Cami didn’t have a connection with.
Her family had also pulled through as big sponsors, with Cal investing and helping Javi brainstorm.
He had plans for themed nights, ideas for concessions and merchandising.
It seemed that every day they thought of some new possibility, and his friends and past teammates were all bending over backwards to help him make them a reality.
Even his little cousin, Lola, had adopted a role as his unofficial documenter and social media expert.
It was amazing to him that someone with such limited prior access to technology had been able to pick it up so quickly. Lola was constantly filming him and editing videos for him to post. It was like she had a natural knack for it.
He needed to remember to thank every one of them in his speech.
Cami approached, and he immediately lifted his arm so she could fit herself against him.
“You look handsome in your new uniform. Are you ready?” she asked once he’d tucked her tight against his side.
Her left hand was resting against his chest, and he placed his free hand over hers as he turned them towards the waiting crowd. “I’m ready. I’ve been preparing for this day for months.”
She gave him a big smile. “I’m so proud of you.”
Before them were two portable bleacher units that had slowly filled with spectators. A couple of news crews were setting up on the ground nearby, and over to the side, a large white tent had been erected.
He gave Cami a quick kiss. “Stay close. I’ll be quick after the mayor speaks, and then I’ll pass the mic to Lie.”
A baseball diamond had been chalked on the ground, and Javier walked confidently to home plate, where a microphone had been set up.
He met Oasis’ mayor, Weston Muir, there and shook his hand. “Good morning, Mayor.”
The man smirked while rolling his eyes. They’d quickly become friends via Cal. “Good morning,” Wes said. “It’s a pleasure to be here. If you’re ready, we’ll get started.
Javi nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Mayor Muir tapped on the microphone to get the crowd’s attention.
“Welcome, and thank you for coming out this morning. I’m glad you all could join us today to mark this momentous occasion.
It’s an honor for our town to be the home of the country’s newest exhibition baseball team.
” Wes paused for a second before announcing, “The Oasis Gila Monsters!”
Applause and several shouts filled the air, causing Weston to pause again.
Once the crowd died down, he continued, “You are looking at the site of the Gila Monsters’ future stadium.
I am confident this team will bring much pride to the Oasis community.
But before I introduce the owner and you meet the team, I ask that you please rise as the Oasis High School ROTC presents the colors, and Oasis native Gus Reyes leads us in the national anthem and in reciting the pledge.
Applause sounded again as Gus made his way onto the field with a guitar.
The high school’s color guard took position, and Javi’s team, clad in their new uniforms, made their way out of the tent and lined up on the field.
The uniforms were in pristine condition, and the peachy-orange color, accented with green, black, and white, looked wonderful against the desert landscape.
Javi had chosen to wear the new uniform as well, sporting his lucky number—thirteen.
He walked over to join the team lineup and stood next to Lionel, who’d he’d convinced to join as the team manager.
The deep, raspy voice of Gus vibrated through the air, and just as he hit the last line of the national anthem, The Blue Angels, the military’s famous aerobatic demonstration flight squad, appeared from behind a fluffy white cloud in the otherwise clear blue sky for an epic flyover.
They swept low in perfect formation, and everyone went wild.
Javi had kept their appearance a secret.
At first, he’d been afraid his request would be denied, especially for a location so far from home.
Their home base was in Pensacola, and he’d made friends with several of the pilots while he’d played there.
Somehow, they’d gotten the request approved, and he was thrilled they were able to participate.
It was a secret he’d only told Gus and a couple of others so that the cameras would be able to capture the epic moment.
He chanced a glance at Cami. The smile on her face was probably the biggest he’d ever seen on her.
She’d dressed down, but appropriately, for the day’s event.
She wore jeans with a tank top and a replica of his new jersey, along with the number thirteen pendant he’d given her.
He smiled back at her, and when the pledge was over, Javi thanked Gus before taking the mic.
“Thank you all for joining us today, and thank you to the mayor of Oasis, Weston Muir, the patriotic OHS color guard, the talented Gus Reyes, and the phenomenal Blue Angels for an epic opening this morning.
The Oasis Gila Monsters are a dream come to life for me, and I will forever be grateful to everyone who has helped me along this journey.
For those of you who do not know me, I am Javier La Costa.
Some of you may know me as a professional baseball player, catching for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
You may not know that I hold a doctorate degree in sports management, and while working on my dissertation, I became obsessed with exhibition sports.
The success of the Savannah Bananas led me to conduct extensive research into baseball’s barnstorming history.
From there, I started dreaming, and from those dreams, the Oasis Gila Monsters were born.
It took a lot of help from many different people to make today a reality.
I have a wonderful family and friends who have believed in me and who have helped at each step along the way.
One of my D-Backs teammates, and Oasis’ own son, Callahan Gallegos, has invested in this team.
In fact, the Gallegos and Callahan families have been two of my biggest supporters, in addition to my own family. ”
He paused for a second as the crowd applauded and looked at the bleachers on the left where his mother and Lola sat. Both had their cell phones up, filming him. Camdyn’s family was also sitting on the front row.
“We have great plans for the Oasis Gila Monsters. While we unfortunately will not have the time to complete the stadium build for this season, we are hoping to have it ready for next year. This site is our future home. But in the meantime, until our stadium is ready, our boys will be on the road traveling. It’s tough to always be the visitor, and I hope you’ll join me in cheering them on.
Today is actually their opening day, and they’ll be loading a bus to head out for their first game after our ceremony.
They’ve been working hard, and I know they’re going to make us proud. ”
Javi held his arm out as his team lined up behind him.
“Now, let me introduce the manager of your Oasis Gila Monsters.” He motioned to where Lie was lined up with the team.
“He’s a former MLB pitcher and coach, as well as a four-time Cy Young award winner.
I know our team will be amazing under the leadership of Lionel Grover! ”
Cheers rang out from all around as Lie strode forward to join Javi at the microphone stand.
They gripped hands and pulled together for a quick hug before breaking apart.
Before handing off the mic, Javi said, “Lionel has been working hard to build us an amazing team. I’m gonna step back and let him make their introductions. ”
Lionel gave a short speech and then started introducing each recruit with a short bio of where they were from, former teams, and their position on the Gila Monsters.
Each player had a catchy sound clip of their choice, like a mini walk-up number that played, and some of the guys did dance moves or flips; one guy flexed and struck bodybuilder poses.
It was entertaining, and the crowd was eating it up, but Javi wished he’d had time for the guys to have worked with a choreographer before today.
A big musical number as they wrapped up the event would have been spectacular.
Instead, Javi planned to steal their spotlight.
Though he’d found a way for the team to be involved, too.
When Lie finished, Javi took the mic back. “I have one more person to thank. When I was listing people earlier, I forgot to name the most important one.”
Javier motioned to Lionel’s son, Leo, who was sitting by Lola, to come to him. The little guy was decked out in a miniature version of the players’ uniforms, and he brought Javi a special baseball that Javi’s mother had been holding for safekeeping until this moment.
“Actually, I forgot two people. He scooped up Leo. This is our ball boy, Leo Grover.”
The crowd oohed and clapped while Leo waved. The little guy was not shy at all. Javi took the special ball from him and then sent Leo back to the bleachers.
“And now I have a special ball that I’d like to present to the person who helped me make my dream a reality. The person who believed in me and inspired me to find a way.” With his hand outstretched again, he asked, “Camdyn Gallegos, will you join me on the field?”
He could see in her eyes that she was shocked and dissecting the moment. She walked towards him slowly while the crowd clapped.
Taking his outstretched hand, she asked quietly, “What are you doing?”
Javi just grinned, then dropped to one knee and flipped open the hinged baseball in his other hand.
He’d cut the ball in half and filled it with cork.
In the center, he’d carved out a small slot where he’d placed the diamond art deco–style ring that he’d commissioned a local artist, Sadie Muir, to make for Cami.
The crowd gasped, and a low murmur filled the air.
Staring up into the beautiful eyes that he had learned to read so well, he asked the most important question of his life. “Camdyn Gallegos, will you marry me?”
She reached down and cupped his face. Her eyes were shining, but he could see her answer.
“I will,” she replied, and the crowd went wild again as he placed the ring on her finger. Looking up at her, he hoped that she, too, could read all the love he had for her when she looked into his eyes.
As soon as he stood, he pulled Cami into his embrace and found her lips. Their kiss, a sweet connection, further cemented their engagement.
“I love you,” she stated as they broke apart.
“And I love you, Cami. There are not enough words to describe what you mean to me. We’re going to build a beautiful life together, but I don’t think there will ever be a day better than today,” said Javi. “This day will live in my memory forever as the day my dreams came true.”