A Fashionable Affair by Joan Wolf Read Free Book Online Page B

“Someone at the hospital gave Steve four tickets for opening day at the stadium,” she informed Patsy immediately. “Steve is a miserable Met fan, but he knows what fanatic Yankees his wife and brother-in-law are, so he took them. Do you want to come too?”
    “Is Michael going?”
    “Are you kidding? Michael would cancel an appointment with the president for the Yankees. Of course he’s going. You used to be a pretty red- hot fan yourself, I remember.”
    “I still am,” Patsy said instantly. “I’d love to go.”
    “It’s Thursday afternoon.”
    Patsy mentally canceled a lunch with a movie agent. “Fine.”
    They made arrangements to meet at the stadium and Patsy hung up. Her mood of depression had quite vanished and she went to bed in a decidedly cheerful frame of mind.
    * * * *
    The weather was perfect for opening day. Steve had been given tickets for one of the boxes, and Sally and Michael were in heaven.
    “I can’t believe you grew up on Long Island,” Steve grumbled good-naturedly as he listened to his wife. “Long Islanders are supposed to root for the Mets.”
    “Anyone who knew Mr. Melville rooted for the Yankees,” Patsy informed him kindly. “It was a matter of sheer survival.”
    Michael, who had been looking around the sta dium, turned to his brother-in-law and grinned. “The Mets stink,” he said simply.
    “They have some good, young talent this year,” Steve defended his team loyally. “I think they’ll do all right.”
    The public-address system crackled and then the announcer boomed out a welcome to the fans. The stadium was quite filled for a midweek afternoon, and Patsy found herself smiling with pleasure. All four of them were wearing slacks and sweaters. The men had taken their jackets off, but Sally and Patsy still wore theirs. The April sun was warm but there was a spring chill in the air.
    “I haven’t been to a ballgame since high school,” Patsy said in surprise.
    The visiting team was being introduced and Michael turned to her. “You probably haven’t been to one since Dad took us all for Sally’s sixteenth birthday.”
    “You’re right. That’s the last time I was here.” She looked around as well. “It’s changed.”
    “Here they come!” Sally cheered, and seconds later the announcer started to introduce the home team.
    “Batting first and playing second base,” the loud speaker boomed, “Joe Hutchinson.” They all applauded vigorously and Michael threw in a whis tle for good measure. The second and third batters were introduced and then came the announcement the whole stadium was waiting for.
    “Batting fourth and playing center field,” the announcer shouted, and the spectators rose as one to their feet, “Rick Montoya!”
    Sally shrieked, Patsy shouted, and Michael let out a sort of yodel that Patsy instantly recognized from bygone days. The ballplayer they were all so loudly saluting jogged onto the field, tipped his cap, and then flashed his famous grin at the fans. They yelled back louder than before.
    “The guy hasn’t even swung his bat yet,” Steve said.
    Michael sat down. “Watching Montoya swing a bat is sheer poetry,” he remarked to Steve. “Even the Mets might win if they had him in their lineup.”
    “And he’s so gorgeous,” Sally added. “I think he was smiling right at us.”
    “Were you applauding his skill or his pulchri tude?” her husband asked.
    Sally grinned. “Both.”
    “I need a beer,” Steve said, and Patsy giggled.
    It had been a perfect day, Patsy thought two hours later as the game moved into the ninth inning. She had forgotten what vociferous fans the Melvilles were. She had forgotten, too, what tremendous fun a baseball game could be.
    “Good God,” Sally mumbled a little acidly, “here comes the TV camera again. I’ve been afraid to blow my nose all afternoon.”
    “The camera is not focusing on you, Sal,” her brother said unkindly.
    Sally stared at him, affronted, and Steve put an arm around