“You're a lifesaver. These ones want to hit.”
With a nod from me he leaves to go help the next kid set the tee up.
“Hi. My name is Cooper.” I say to seven eager faces. “Sometimes we need to wait for our turn and batting is one of those times. Let’s all sit on the bench and cheer for our teammates!”
They all listen, sitting on the small red bench.
“What does it mean, cheer them on?” one asks.
“Well we're going to saycome on—” I peek at the clipboard on the fence “—come on Amanda. So she knows that her team wants her to hit the ball.”
A chorus of high pitched voices repeat after me. Two more children hit off the tee and Lily runs from third base to home plate as the other team chases the ball in the field by the pitcher’s mound.
“I did it!” She slams into my legs when she runs into the dugout.
“You did!” I hug her back. “I'm so proud of you!”
"Wiwy, is that your daddy?”
She looks up at me before turning to the little boy. "No, my daddy is gone. Coopa is my best fwend."
If there was ever a better explanation, I've not heard it. “That's right. We're best friends.” I pull her in, hugging her from the side a little tighter.
Everyone accepts the explanation without question and t-ball is back on.
I'm not sure who, if anyone, wins the game. But all the kids had fun and that's what matters to me. I'll be back next week in the dugout. It seems I've volunteered myself to help coach.
Aubrey saunters up to me, “You're really sexy when you coach t-ball.” She grins.
“Oh yeah? T-ball coach is your fantasy?” I chuckle.
“Being amazing with my daughter is sexy. It's all I want for her. I never want her to be the kid without a dad.”
I'm about to tell her what happened in the dugout when we're interrupted.
"Mommy, can I get ice-cweam wif Wibby girl?"
Aubrey looks over at Emma, who shows no remorse about bypassing her and going straight to the four year old. “Well, is it okay with Ms. Emma?”
Screaming across the parking lot, Lily yells, “Is otay Ms. Emma?”
“It's more than okay!” my sister yells back.
“Okay, you can go, but make sure you behave yourself.” Aubrey kisses her on the forehead.
“Yesssss!” Lily doesn't spare us a second glance.
I tug Aubrey over to the car, “Come on, we've got to go.”
“Go where?” she asks, taking her seat in the passenger side of my truck, looking around for any clue of where we’re going.
“I might have been in on the ice-cream date. Emma is going to keep Lily for the day so you and I can go to Hemlock Cove.” I reach behind me, pulling the bag I packed earlier to the front seat. “This morning I packed each of us a change of clothes. We're going to Bob’s. It's about time you stopped bugging me to bring you.” I laugh.
“Is Emma sure? She has full hands with Olivia.” I can hear the worry rising in her voice about accepting help from us.
“Emma will be fine. Mom is going over with her. You know she can't help herself. She loves being a Mimi and this is her dream Saturday night.”
A heavy sigh from Aubrey followed by silence. "You're right. They're so good with Lily and you're perfect for planning this surprise day.” She relaxes into her seat.
