Chapter 11 Hey Mickey
Hey Mickey
“Good evening, ladies, gentlemales, monsters, ghouls, and anyone who’s here to enjoy a night at the ballpark!
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the annual Maplewicket Hallowfest Monsterball Charity Game!
” a booming voice fit for an auctioneer said into the speakers that echoed around the community baseball field.
We were lucky enough to live around the corner and Chester, Marigold, Briar and I all enjoyed the walk over among the other baseball fans looking for a night of fun rivalry.
“We have a star-packed lineup for your enjoyment tonight! Our very own middle and high school coaches Thrakh and Lyle will be going head-to-head with their hand-picked teams composed of only the very best and brightest Maplewickans!”
I didn’t know what to expect for the best and brightest Maplewickans but seeing dozens of senior citizens wearing retro baseball uniforms and big smiles stretching across their aged faces as they lined their respective sides of the field was better than anything I could have imagined.
I was used to charity events hosting celebrities or famous players, but seeing the town elders together was something special.
The crowd seemed to agree as the stands erupted in cheers, stomping the floorboards hard enough to feel the vibrations thrumming through my Chucks and into my shins.
Of course I felt extra special since the dude I was dating, if that’s what you could call flirty text messages and spending almost every day together in some way since the disastrous night of road head and rejection, was a big part of all the chaos.
“For those of you visiting, our annual baseball game celebrates the town elders while raising money for the Hallowfest fund. Members of Maplewicket’s Oldies but Goodies community volunteer group lend a hand as the players each year, so let’s meet ‘em! This year we have…” the announcer began to list each player’s name and their position.
I’d seen Thrakh standing with his players in front of the dug out near third base, laughing full booming belly laughs with one of the elders he stood next to. They looked comfortable with each other, like old friends meeting for a scrimmage instead of coach and player.
I’d never experienced community like this before.
I moved around too much or got bored too quickly to build any lasting relationships.
Seeing how easily Thrakh got along with almost everyone he met warmed something in my soul.
It felt like a good sign, and I wasn’t completely off base when I thought he was a good catch, even someone I could see building a future with here.
“Shouldn’t give that old bat an actual bat, Lyle!
” Briar shouted after one of the players on Lyle’s team was announced.
The older woman had her black and silver hair braided in long pigtails with what looked like purple and green extensions woven throughout.
The elder wore a lot of makeup, all in the same bright green and purple theme.
I’d missed her last name, but saw the back of her jersey read Castillo, which meant she was likely related to Briar in some way.
“I’ll show you an old bat, you little shit!” the elder yelled back. Briar blew her a kiss, and the old woman flipped her off.
The crowd ate it up, laughing and offering their own commentary.
“Love you too, granny!” Briar shouted, earning a chuckle from the crowd.
“Is this the granny I’m lowkey obsessed with even though I haven’t met her yet in real life?” I asked excitedly. Briar was obsessed with her grandmother, and after all the insane stories she’d told me over the years on my visits about what she got up to, I was too.
“The very one,” Briar answered.
“I love Miss Sofia.” Marigold added. “She always comes to read to us in the afternoon before we take our nap.” The little one decided to go all out in support of Thrakh, demanding I paint her face orange and black with all the glitter and sparkles before we’d left the house.
This obviously inspired all of us to get decked out in the team colors to show support, and judging by the pleased smile on Thrakh’s face after seeing us sitting behind his team’s dugout, we’d made a good decision.
“All right! Let’s play some ball!” A medley of upbeat Halloween music played as Lyle’s team took the field and began warming up while Thrakh’s filled the dugout except for the first few up to bat who practiced their swings.
“Excuse me, excuse me,” a jumbled voice sounded behind us. I ignored it, assuming someone was finding a seat, until I was suddenly pushed forward causing me to spill caramel corn and my drink all over the ground. Thankfully no one was in front of us.
“Hey! Watch it!” Briar turned around, yelling at whoever knocked into me.
“Sorry, sorry! It was an accident.” The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
“It’s fine, no worries,” I said on autopilot, pasting on a pleasant smile before turning to see him. His angular face looked familiar, but not enough for me to remember his name.
“Sorry again,” he said before squeezing between the two fans sitting directly behind us who looked annoyed at him.
“Are you sure you want to sit there?” I asked. “There are more seats available up top.” I motioned toward the several open rows higher up in the bleachers.
“There’s not enough room. You’re way too big,” Marigold added in the blunt way only a five-year-old could manage. The man was small, way smaller than me and his frame was lanky overall, but my niece was right, he was too big for the spot.
Chester rolled his eyes. I saw him whisper something into Marigold’s ear then turn back toward the game.
“Nonsense. There’s plenty of room right here. I can fit just fine,” the man muttered. “I’m right where I need to be.”
I shrugged and turned back to the game.