The Final Score by L.M. Trio Read Free Book Online

feeling that De blames me for her not being here. She visited JJ last week in Florida. When she returns, I barely take my eyes off the TV long enough to ask her how her trip went, which in turn, she barely gives me an answer, other than to say it was nice. I can feel her eyes staring at me, waiting for more, when I don’t respond, she turns away and leaves. It’s only after she abruptly leaves the room that I lift my head from the TV, wishing I was able to express to her how I feel.
    Summer is more than half gone when Mikey finally has a rare three -day break. He calls to say he’s flying to Florida first to take care of a few things and then he’ll fly to Jersey to spend a few days with me. As soon as he mentions stopping by Florida, my ugly thoughts soon return to, what it is, or who it is, that he’s taking care of?
    I can feel myself alienating everyone close to me. I don’t want to, yet I’m unsure how to make it stop. I can’t shake the feeling that they’re all in it together, keeping some big secret from me. I keep myself busy by working long hours during the day. In the evening, I spend a couple of hours working out and practicing. I know it makes my dad feel good to spend time in our backyard, hitting balls and letting me pitch to him. It’s the least I can do. I also spend a good amount of time at my old high school field, watching from afar so that no one sees me as Coach Briggs runs the annual summer baseball camp. My adrenaline gets pumping as I watch Coach run the drills with the new players, especially their new pitcher. He’s a lefty like me, and he’s good. I’ve heard about him, but he needs some work. I see Coach glance in my direction. I quickly turn away and head home. The bracelet firmly attached to my ankle reminds me of who I am now.
    I anticipate Mikey’s arrival. My feelings are so mixed up. I miss hanging out with him, but at the same time, I feel distant towards him ; like I don’t know him at all anymore. It annoys me when I watch him walk in… happy, cheery and optimistic. Especially if JJ is the reason he’s happy, cheery and optimistic. Everyone loves when Mikey comes home. Even my mom gets a look of relief on her face when he walks through the door. Good ole Mikey.
    Mikey gives us an update on his promotion to the Triple A Durham Bulls. I sincerely can’t help being happy for him. It’s the one thing I’m honest about. There is no jealously where baseball is concerned. There is nothing I want more than to see him succeed. He’s worked hard for it, he earned it. I respect him for that. No one knows more than me how much time is dedicated to get to where he is.
    “Yo , bud, ya want to go hit some balls down at the field?” he asks.
    “Yeah sure, give me sec. I got to check in ,” I answer, picking up my cell to put the call in that I’m heading out. I have permission to leave my home as long as I stay in a specific radius of the house.
    We grab our bags and a bucket of balls just like old times and head down to the field. I practice my pitching, while Mikey catches. Instantly, we get back to our usual rhythm as if no time has passed between us.
    “Yo, man, you are throwin’ some heat. You haven’t missed a beat. Your fastballs gotta be clockin’ bout 96-98. Your power breakin’ ball is devastating. You still got all that nasty stuff goin’ on.”
    “Thanks , man. It feels good, I guess,” I say with a bit of hesitance. Being on the field with Mikey, practicing like we used to, makes me forget all of my issues. Things just seem to click and it gets my adrenaline kicked up in full gear.
    “Let me try hittin’ a few ,” he says excitedly, grabbing his bat from the bag.
    I pitch while he swings away. “You’re hittin them!” I holler out, watching as one soars across the sky, finally landing somewhere in the football field.
    “Yeah, well, that’s ‘cause I know you. I know what you’re gonna throw, and… I’m strugglin’ right now. I’m telling you,