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Cal shook his head as he walked away, leaving me standing where I was in the middle of the gym while others either played basketball or ran laps around us. He had walked about ten feet.
“That’s too far.” I was terrified.
“It isn’t,” he promised. “Watch the ball,” he said. He was too far away.
He gently tossed the ball in my direction. I stuck the glove out hoping that the ball would land in the glove. It did not. It hit me in the stomach and bounced to the gymnasium floor. Better than in the face.
“Abby, are you all right?” Cal chased down the ball as he called out to me.
“I’m fine,” I croaked.
“Girl, you have to keep your eyes open,” he informed me.
“I was afraid it would hit me.” Closing my eyes was instinctual.
“It will if you close your eyes silly girl,” Cal declared.
I nodded. Determined to keep my eyes open this time. I spread my legs a little. Stuck the glove out and my butt too leaning over just a little. I waited for Cal to throw the ball.
“What are you doing?” I turned and saw my brother Tyson standing behind me.
“Waiting for the ball,” I said.
He rolled his eyes at me. Then he kicked my foot, so my feet were closer together. “Abs you don’t need to stand like that. You aren’t batting. You’re catching. Keep your eye on the ball. Does he know you can’t catch for shit?”
I glared at my brother. Of course, he had years of experience tossing pitch after pitch that I chased. His arm got strong while I got winded.
“Throw me the ball, Cal,” I shouted.
He nodded. “That’s my girl,” he said smiling at me.
I stuck my glove out as the ball came at me. I was determined to catch it. I missed by a foot. I didn’t close my eyes this time though. It rolled to Tyson. He picked it up and threw it back to Cal with a smirk at me.
“Throw it again, Cal.” I was determined to show Tyson that I could do this.
He nodded. “Don’t be afraid Abby. Just watch the ball,” he encouraged me.
I nodded at him. I was catching this damn ball before the end of gym class if it killed me. The next ball hit me in the shoulder. I heard Cal gasp. “You all right?” He asked.
I was going to be covered in bruises before the class was over. “Just fine.” I beat Tyson to the ball because it didn’t roll far. I threw it back to Cal. It dropped a foot in front of him which made Tyson laugh. “Shut up,” I said without looking at him. “I was close.” That only made him laugh harder.
“Ready?” Cal shouted at me.
I nodded. I was determined to catch the ball. I watched it float through the air, coming directly at me. I held the glove up. It smacked me in the forehead. I felt dizzy. I took a step backwards and went flat on my back. I didn’t pass out or anything. I just was a little dizzy.
I heard Cal’s footsteps. He squatted beside me. “No more catch for you.”
“Probably a good idea,” I replied.
“Can you sit?”
“Gardener, you’re a liability,” Mr. Hill snapped as he too squatted beside me. Then I realized that Tyson was standing beside me still. He hadn’t run away this time. He didn’t ignore me, but he hadn’t moved either.
“I’m fine,” I insisted.
Cal extended his hand to me and pulled me to my feet. We both glanced at Tyson who turned and went to a basketball game at center court. The teacher touched my shoulders and turned me around. “Go to the nurse and get ice for your forehead,” he informed me. “Maybe you won’t have a goose egg in the middle of your face.”
He shook his head and walked away. “I’ll see you after practice?” Cal asked.
