The umpire,Mr.Caldwellfrom the bait shop, lifted his hand.“Batterup!”
They were playing against a co-ed team from the firehouse, but tonight wasn’t about winning.Itwas about showing up.Foreach other.Forthe town.ForRose.
Still,Rosefielded the first hit like a pro, scooping the ball and tagging first with a satisfyingthwack.
Cheers erupted from the stands.
She turned and metRiley’seyes—he was standing behind the backstop fence and beaming like the proud twin brother he was.Hetipped his cap dramatically, and she gave him a mock curtsey.
The next few innings flew by.
Tasha struck out two with her lethal underhand spin.Maggiemade a behind-the-back catch that had the bleachers gasping.EvenlittleJosie, who’d never played a sport before this season, caught a fly ball in right field.
AndRose?
She played like her life wasn’t under scrutiny anymore.
She played like she belonged.
Because she did.
On the sidelines,Brianaleaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching the game unfold with a tight jaw.
It hadn’t gone as planned.
The article hadn’t destroyedRose.Ithad galvanized her.Givenher a platform.Andworse, given her the town’s sympathy.
EvenDeclanhadn’t returned her calls after it ran.
She turned to leave, heels crunching on gravel but stopped when she sawMrs.Trammellblock her path.
“Leaving so soon?”the older woman asked, arms folded in that knowing way ofSouthernwomen who’ve lived through everything twice.
Briana offered a strained smile.“Ihave somewhere to be.”
“Mm-hmm,”Mrs.Trammellsaid.“Seemsto me you had something to prove tonight.Funnyhow it’sRoseon the field, and you on the outside.”
Briana didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
Because the truth was, everyonehadpicked a side.
And it wasn’t hers.
Back on the field, the final inning was underway.Rosestepped up to the plate, bat in hand, heart steady.
The crowd quieted slightly.
Tasha shouted from the dugout, “Sendthat ball back toMemphis!”
Rose smirked.
AuntJeanstood in the stands “Give‘em hell,Rosie!"
She squared her stance.Thepitch came in, slow, high, looping and she swung.
Crack.
