Page 7 of Saved By the Pitcher

Maria became flustered. “If God blesses a man with striking good looks and that man works hard to build a beautiful physique, then he and the good Lord are inviting you to enjoy the view.” She turned to Mike. “Yes?”

Mike blushed. “Uh, I posed that way to make the sponsors and my agent happy. It’s rather embarrassing.”

Nadia piped in. “You want to know what’s embarrassing? James’ father made him take down the poster because he thought it would turn his son gay. Talk about ignorance. And people elected that bigot to a U.S. Senate seat.”

Billy shot Nadia a cautionary look. “You know we don’t criticize my father in public.”

Nadia shrugged and looked over to Mike with unmasked sarcasm. “Oops. I meant to say, he’s a great guy who, besides being a U.S. senator, is Billy’s and James’ very supportive father.”

Mike mumbled, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of that.”

Maria sighed. “Puppies, stop. You’re making Mr. Cooper uncomfortable.”

“More than telling him he has bad chemistry with his date?” Nadia smirked.

“I was saying what he already knows,” Maria noted. “He should find his true mate.” She turned back to look at Mike. “I can help you with that, if you want. What good is a gift like mine if it isn’t used to help others?”

Mike was sure his mouth was open as he was absorbing the odd conversation. The people sitting in front of them had glanced back at the group a few more times, too. He hoped they hadn’t heard anything incriminating. Mike was sure his agent wouldn’t like his name associated with the hubbub, and he was even more certain the senator would be furious about how his family spoke of him where others could hear.

Billy ignored the uncomfortable expression on Mike’s face. “So, you’ll come backstage after the show?”

Mike could only nod. He was still shocked at the insanity of the conversation, though he had to admit he was intrigued by the group as well.

“Great!” Billy smiled, his leg bouncing with joy. “James is going to cream his jeans when you walk into his dressing room.” Then, catching himself, he added, “Not in a literal sense. I mean, he may have rubbed one out a few times when looking at your poster, but he would control himself in public.”

Maria gave him a scolding glance, then blessed herself while shaking her head. Billy smirked in return. Mike was shocked at the utterance, but had to admit he was titillated that the handsome actor was gay and had crushed on him. Of course, that had been many years earlier, and this James person might react with disappointment at how Mike had aged.

Mike was still absorbing the craziness and revelations of the past few moments, debating whether to go through with the backstage visit when he heard a moan from his right. He hadn’t even realized Jessica had returned to her seat.

“False alarm before, but not this time,” Jessica complained, rushing from her seat once more. Mike worried it was a premonition that he was walking into a shit storm. He looked over to Maria to see if her expression belied a ‘reading,’ but she was smiling at the stage, eager to see her ‘boy’ perform. He watched her distinguished features fade into the darkness as the theater lights dimmed.

Chapter Three

Mike tried to remember, without success, the last time he had laughed at a live performance. The show had far surpassed his expectations with its humor, memorable songs and intricate dance routines. He thought the entire cast had been excellent, but James Vicksburg was nothing short of incredible.

Each cast member played a character from two eras. Vicksburg played a gay American soldier who seduced a hypocritical Nazi commander and stole information to help the allies win the war. Prior to being awarded a medal by the American president, his homosexuality was discovered and he was imprisoned instead. In current times, he played the American president himself—one who capitalized on the hatred of his ignorant base until he accomplished what Hitler had not—world-dominance for neo-Nazis. The show ended with the victors singing and dancing in the White House as the audience witnessed the outside world burning. Despite the show’s many one-liners and pratfalls, the comedy was dark, to say the least.

Mike had to admit to himself that the leading man’s beauty was another reason he enjoyed the show. There had been a scene where Vicksburg wore a white undershirt, a pair of very short boxers and a pair of black nylon socks with garters. He danced and sang a provocative number for the Nazi soldier, and Mike was mesmerized by Vicksburg’s gorgeous arms and legs throughout the sexy routine. Mike could appreciate an athlete’s build because he knew how hard it was to achieve. Unlike fellow baseball players, though, where certain muscles were over-developed compared to others—like a pitcher’s arm or a catcher’s legs—Vicksburg’s body was proportioned like a Greek statue. Although he had the slenderness of a dancer, each time he flexed an arm or put pressure on a leg, well-pronounced muscles showed off under glistening skin.

“Mr. Cooper?” Maria interrupted his train of thought as he continued standing and clapping after the final curtain-call concluded. “Will you still be joining us backstage?”

Mike had almost forgotten the promise. Now, the chance to meet James Vicksburg was like a gift. “Yes! Lead the way.”

“What?” Jessica pouted. “We need to go backstage? I want to go home and lie down.”

Mike knew the right thing to do would be to take Jessica home, but he had promised the group he would take pictures, hadn’t he?

“Jessica, I’ll take you home in a few minutes, okay? I promised to take selfies with these folks. They’re related to the star, so they want me to meet him. It won’t be long. Maybe you can sit here and relax.”

“Did it look like I was relaxing the dozen times I got up to go to the ladies’ room during the show?” Jessica griped.

Mike was beginning to wish he had broken up with her before the musical started. “Well, maybe you could visit the toilet again before we leave. Why don’t you go take care of business, and I’ll meet you in the lobby?”

Jessica huffed and reached for her stomach, obviously thinking it wasn’t a bad suggestion. “Fine. Don’t take forever.”

“Mr. Cooper?” Billy pressed.

“Um, yes, I’m coming,” Mike affirmed. Turning back to Jessica, he added, “See you in the lobby in a few.”