As I said, all I have is baseball.
But now, for the first forty games of our regular season, I don’t have that, either. It’s almost a quarter of the entire season.
Another shard to break off. Another thing my father took from me.
Troy nods at the folder again, and I suppose all the details are in there. I’m supposed to sign it like I’m okay with this. I’m fucking not. At all.
“So, all of April and into May?” I say, my voice garbled.
He nods. “I’m so sorry. My advice to you would be to just lay low. Stay out of the media. Stay out of trouble. Fall off the grid for a month or so,” he suggests. “We’ll get you a controlled return the week before so you can work out and reintegrate. You’ll come back like you’ve got something to prove when you step out on the grass again.”
“Fall off the grid,” I repeat. I’m in fucking Vegas. It seems like a big place, but the reality is that the community here is pretty damn small. “Where?”
He shrugs. “After spring training, take a vacation. Hide out in the Caribbean for a while. Go on an adventure. Come back recharged and ready.”
The Caribbean? Is he serious right now? He’s telling me to take a goddamnvacationwhile I’m suspended?
I clench my jaw and flip open the folder, and I sign off that Troy has informed me of the league’s decision.
“If you need anything, you know I’m here,” he says as I stand to leave.
“Thanks,” I mutter. Fat lot of good it does me having him in my corner when I can’t even play.
Before I leave, he says, “See you back here next week to head to Arizona for spring training.”
I nod and head home. I probably won’t play much this year at spring training. Usually the first two weeks are light for starting players, and we just play a few innings every few days. Things ramp up in the final few weeks as we get closer to playing the regular season, but if I’m not playing the first forty games, Troy isn’t going to give me a ton of playing time. He has to test other players in left field to see who’s going to be the best choice there.
We all know it’s me.
But I won’t get to prove that until mid-May.
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I need to get the hell out of town during my suspension.
Once I’m home, I grab my tablet to do a little research.
I remember a resort in the Bahamas my ex always dreamed of visiting. I look it up. Over forty restaurants, plenty of activities, private beaches, several pools, an adults-only area…
It doesn’t sound like a bad place to lay low for a while.
Before I can stop myself, I book a suite in the adults-only tower for the entire month of April. It’s got to beat sitting around here feeling sorry for myself.
CHAPTER 2: Millie Monroe
The Best News
“Okay, I’ll see you then. Thank you so much! Bye!” I end the call and dance around my apartment.
Holy shit!
I can’t believe this is actually happening.
I sit on the couch for just a second before I pop back to my feet.
Who’s the first person you call when you have news?
Some people might call a significant other, but since I don’t have one of those, I might turn to my closest friend. But she’s married to my boss, and I’m not quite ready to tell him I’ll be out of town for a month, so I guess…Mom?
I dial her number. I have to share the news withsomeone, and I most certainly do not have the patience to wait for my shift to start tonight.
