“They’re nuts for any veggies. One of their favorite things is when I take a toilet paper roll and stuff it with hay and herbs. They really like cilantro.”
“I wonder if animals get that cilantro gene where it tastes likesoap,” Jake muses. He peers into the cage. “Is this cage kinda small? I’m only asking. I literally know nothing about piglets.”
“They aren’t piglets,” Max and I say simultaneously. He looks over to smile at me, and butterflies erupt in my stomach. I sure do hope that, one of these days, I won’t have this insane reaction to his proximity. If I’m going to live here for longer than a day or two, I need to force myself to stop viewing him as a hot man and only see him as a co-worker.
“Well, whatever they are, they’re cute,” Jake answers. “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to see them. Max said their names are Marilyn and Manson?”
I erupt into a fit of giggles. “No! Marilyn and Muriel. Although naming a duo Marilyn Manson would be pretty comical. And yeah, they could have a bigger cage. I really hope to double their space sometime this year. My apartment is small, and cages are expensive, so we’re making the best of it. I take them out of the cage as often as I can.”
“So like free-range piggies?” Max asks, chuckling.
“Yeah, but I also have two of those balls that they can run around in. That way I can keep track of where they poop.”
Jake shakes his head. “This is why I don’t have pets. I don’t want to track any poop except for my own.”
Max rolls his eyes, slapping his hands on Jake’s shoulders. “On that note, we’re going to go. We’re meeting some of the guys in a few minutes. Do you want me — I mean, us — to wait until you’re ready to walk back to the field? If you don’t want to walk alone.”
I’m tempted. I’ve got half a mind to tell Jake I need Max for something right now. If I knew it couldn’t come back to haunt me, I’d be telling Max to show me his bedroom right now. Sighing, I shake my head. “That’s very kind, but I’ll be fine. It’s a couple of blocks, and it’s not like anything can happen in broad daylight. Right?”
“Alright, if you’re absolutely sure,” Max murmurs, waiting for me to reply.
“It’s fine. I’ll only be here for an hour, then I’m heading back toget everything ready for tonight’s game. I’ll see you guys later,” I tell them, then walk into the kitchen to busy myself with getting a small lunch plate together for me and the girls. Keeping one ear tuned toward the door, I listen as Max and Jake whisper to each other before they finally open the door to leave. Once the door closes and locks, my posture relaxes. Breathing a sigh of relief, I turn toward the cage, where both of my little girls are waiting impatiently. “I know he gave you food, ladies. You aren’t wasting away with starvation.”
Muriel stomps her hind paws, much the same way a rabbit does during a temper tantrum, making me laugh. These two little fluffy butts have brought me so much joy, and I happily sit next to the cage to eat my lunch as I slowly feed vegetables through the cage slats.
After deciding to forgo a bath due to time constraints, I flop onto the guest bed to relax for a few minutes before I have to make my way back to the ballpark. Opening my phone, I find an unexpected message from Ground Man.
Ground Man: I was forced to eat a kale salad recently, and it made me think of you. How are you, Kale?
Me: I’m doing well. Very busy. How did you like the salad?
Ground Man: I’m not a big salad supporter. I prefer red meat and things that can give me a lot of energy.
Me: Kale should do that.
Ground Man: All it made me do was think of how I’d rather be eating you.
Me: If given the choice of eating kale or having you eat me, I’d choose the latter as well.
Ground Man: It’s a pity I’m not traveling right now. Where did you say you’re from?
Me: I didn’t.
Me: No details, remember?
Ground Man: Even if I said I’d come to you? I must admit, Kale, I haven’t stopped thinking about you.
Ground Man: It’s rare that I feel this kind of connection. It may have only been one night, but you really made an impact.
Me: We agreed to one night. I don’t have time to handle a relationship right now, much less a long-distance one. And for all I know, you might be married. Or engaged. Or living in sin with your girlfriend of ten years.
Ground Man: None of the above.
Ground Man: You’re assuming it would be long distance. What if we actually live near one another?
Ground Man: Stranger things have happened, Kale.
An odd pit settles in my stomach. This is out of left field. I haven’t heard from this man in quite some time, and he suddenly messages today to discuss a potential relationship.
