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I wrap my arm around her and cringe when I feel her ribs poking through her skin. Mom sighs and continues, “I named you after my momma, hoping if I did she’d change her mind and love us both. My momma left me, Elisabeth, but I never left you. Never. ”

No, my mother never left me and that is the reason why I owe her. I grew up knowing the sacrifice she made on my behalf. I hold my breath to keep my body from shaking with sobs. My mom needs me and I can’t be soft any longer. I did this to her. I left her behind.

“You’re still coming for me, right, Elisabeth? On Monday?”

Ryan

IN A WRINKLED POLO and a pair of jeans, Scott leans against the wall at the end of the emergency room. He raises an eyebrow when he spots me, but then lowers it as if he’s too tired to care. “How did you know she was here?”

“Your wife told me. ” I came straight from the competition to Scott’s house so I could share my news and give Beth the roses. My world came crashing down when Allison said those three words: Beth’s mother overdosed.

I glance into the room and immediately look away. The sight of Beth curled up on the bed with her mother is too intimate for anyone to witness—including me. “How long has she been in there?”

“A while. ” Scott kneads his eyes with his fists, just like Beth does when she’s had all she can handle. I see a lot of Beth in Scott.

“How did the writing competition go?”

And just like Beth, he’ll avoid the bleeding elephant in the room. “I won. ”

If he weren’t so tired, the smile on his face would appear natural. “Congratulations. How did your team do against Eastwick?”

“They won too. ” Just like I knew they would. They’re a great team and I’m proud to be a part of them.

“Good. ”

Difference between me and the Risks? I have no problems discussing elephants. “How is Beth’s mother?”

“She’s alive. ”

I pause. “How’s Beth?”

Scott shakes his head. Silence falls between us, but we both jerk our heads toward the room when we hear a muffled sob. Beth is breaking my heart and from the pain tearing across Scott’s face, she’s doing the same to his. More silence between us. A sniff comes from the room and my fingers itch to hold Beth and somehow right her world. I won’t let her use this as an excuse to run. I’ll talk to her and make her realize that now is the time to involve Scott.

“Elisabeth says that you’re trying to decide between college and pro,” he says.

I nod. The choice is harder now that I’ve won the competition.

“Can I give you some unsolicited advice?” he asks.

I tilt my head up. “I’d love your advice. ”

“Decide what baseball means to you, because if you’re playing to make money, then you’ll be sadly disappointed. Only a small percent of drafted players ever play a day in the majors and you’d make more working at McDonald’s than you will playing in the minors. ”

A nurse passes between us and I let the back of my head hit the wall. “You went pro. ”

“When I was eighteen, baseball was my only option. From what Elisabeth says you have several options. If baseball is what you want more than anything, then it will be worth the sacrifice. If going pro is a means to an end, I’m telling you the odds are against you. ”

Then Scott gets that crazy gleam in his eye.

The gleam I understand. “If baseball is what you live by, breathe in, and die for, I’m telling you that you’ll need the rush of running out onto that field. I’ve never experienced anything else like it. ”

“Thanks,” I tell him. His comments are well received, but not helpful. I’m nowhere closer to making a decision. Out of the corner of my eye I peek into the room. Beth’s eyes meet mine.

“Spend time with her,” says Scott. “But Elisabeth goes home with me. ”

Beth

SCOTT’S HAND ON MY BACK urges me forward as I watch my aunt Shirley drive away with my mom. It’s late, I guess. The sun has set. Stars twinkle in the sky. Ryan has come and gone, though I could tell he didn’t want to leave. He loves me. I know that. I somehow wonder if his love is the only thing that’s kept me from losing my mind.

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