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Rhett taps twice before opening the door. “Hey, bud, can you come with me for a sec. There’s something I want to show you.”
“I’m playing with my friends,” Ryder says, trying to sound uninterested in his dad. I have to stifle my chuckle because our son is trying to turn the tables on his father.
“It’ll only take a few minutes, then if you want, you can come back here and keep playing,” Rhett pushes.
Ryder lets off a groan like he’s being put out by something major and pushes back from his desk. “Fine, but I need to hurry.”
“It won’t take long. Grab your tennis shoes,” Rhett advises.
We follow him out to the garage and he tells us to hop in the Bronco. He pulls out of the drive and takes the street towards the clubhouse. The car is silent as Rhett turns down a road that goes up towards where the other houses are being built for other members of the club. We haven’t been over here but it has a large pool and playground area that all the families can use. It also houses a huge pavilion for us to have parties and gatherings. The closer we get, the more motorcycles and cars fill the area.
Off in the distance I see a large gathering and I have to hold in my response. I turn to the back seat and see that Ryder hasn’t noticed yet. Rhett parks the car and turns to face our son.
“Hey, bud, I know that I’ve been gone since we’ve been back home—”
“It’s fine. Cole said that you were a busy guy,” Ryder interrupts and I watch Rhett ball his fingers into fists.
Rhett clears his throat and I can tell it’s to rein in his sharp response.
“Yes, I’ve been working. But there’s been a project that I’ve been working on for you,” Rhett tells him.
Ryder finally turns his head from the side window to face his dad. “For me?”
Rhett nods his head. “Just for you, buddy. Come let me show you,” he says and gets out of the car.
We all follow suit and follow Rhett up the sidewalk. Ryder still hasn’t noticed the surprise but I can’t find the words to say anything right now.
The moment Ryder looks up at the crowd he stops. His eyes grow at least three sizes larger as he takes it all in.
“Wait, what?” he questions in disbelief.
“Thought you might need a place to come and practice,” Rhett offers.
Over his shoulder is a practice baseball field. Everything is set up. The infield layout is perfect for the bases and mound. It has the chalk lines in place and the dugouts shaded. The outfield is also set up to play football.
“You did this for…me?” You can hear the shock in Ryder’s voice and it’s causing my nose to sting as I try to not get emotional in this special moment for them. “Can-can we go play on it?”
Rhett reaches out and places a large hand on his son’s shoulder.
“I’d love that. We’ve got to get you ready for your tryout in two days, right?” Rhett tells him. “Snuck your bag in the back of your mom’s car. Go grab it and head on over there.”
Ryder wastes no time spinning on his heels. He moves like a puma back to the car.
“Rhett this is wonderful,” I finally say. “You know, you don’t have to give or buy him things. He just wants your time and presence.”
Rhett nods. “I know but… Y’all deserve the world and I’m gonna find a way to make that happen.”
I take two steps and wrap my arms around his middle section. This man is exactly who I pictured him becoming when we were sixteen.
“Dad, you ready?” we hear Ryder ask from the other side of the chain-link backstop. Some of the other guys are already out on the field. I watch as the father of my child swallows thickly at being called Dad for the first time. An emotion flitters across his eyes and he blinks several times before clearing his throat.
“Duty calls, pretty girl,” Rhett says as he gives me a kiss on the lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to save some energy for you tonight.”
And with a wink he takes off for the field.
The guys pick teams and they split off to warm up as the rest of us find seats to watch.
“You’re good for him,” I hear from above me and look up.
