AllFreeNovel
Share Us
DREW
The blue summer sky reminded me why I endured so many cold gray Michigan winters and kept coming back for more. The sun shone down on me and the smell of freshly cut grass filled my nostrils. I was grounded and relaxed despite what I was about to do. The weekly sessions I’d been doing with Dr. Hayer had a lot to do with that too.
With Sadie’s encouragement, I’d upgraded from mental health apps to seeing an actual trained professional. It had only been a few months so far, but I’d already unpacked a metric ton of the emotional baggage I’d carried around since the accident, and my soul was much lighter for it. If someone had asked me six months ago, I never would have imagined I’d be doing what I had planned today.
My three best friends ambled over from the grassy overflow parking area. I wasn’t sure if the huge turnout for the game was exclusively because of proud parents, or if there was a bit of a gawker effect in play once word got out about my role today, but I didn’t care. None of the gut-swirling anxiety I used to get when I worried about what people were thinking or saying about me were present today. People were entitled to think whatever they wanted, and it was none of my business because it didn’t affect me.
The only thing that mattered was the dark-haired beauty sitting at the top of the metal bleachers with a grin so wide her face could barely contain it and a camera in her lap. Kobie and Grace flanked her on either side, and Val sat in front of her. From the look on Sadie’s face, I could tell she was only half listening to whatever Grace said and was busy mentally recounting the shower we took together this morning before the game.
Turned out that orthopedic shower bench got put through its paces once I got over my hang-ups.
“How are you feeling?” Brody asked as he and Will reached me.
I pulled my gaze from Sadie—reluctantly—and focused on my friends. “Great.”
“This is awesome, what you’re doing today.” Will smiled at me, then his face grew serious. “But if you’re at all uncertain, we’ll get you out of here right now. No questions asked.”
“I’m fine.” I laughed. “This was my idea. Remember?”
“Of course,” Brody said. “Just letting you know we’re here for you, man.”
Ben walked up with a half-eaten corn dog. “You guys worried he’s gonna throw a beanball for the first pitch?” He wore a shit-eating grin.
Brody gasped. “Don’t jinx him.”
I shook my head. “That was one time, and you leaned in so you could get a walk.” This was what my life was now—nonstop shit-talking with these guys—and I loved every minute of it.
Paul jogged up to the break in the chain-link fence, decked out in his Little League coaching outfit. “You ready?” He clapped me on the shoulder and gave me a smile.
“You bet.” We headed out to the mound together.
Since we’d been back in Kelly Bay, Sadie had told me more than once that she felt like the whole article debacle ruined my big moment—her words, not mine—at the festival. Being praised wasn’t high on my to-do list, so I didn’t care as long as she was still by my side.
But the day I asked about her discussion with Ivy changed my viewpoint. Until then, I had no idea how much my refusal to acknowledge the good that had come from that night hurt other people. When I talked it over with Dr. Hayer, she made the point that accepting Ivy’s gratitude could be one more step in helping me reframe the experience in a more positive light.
I was on Ivy’s doorstep the next day. We had a good long talk where I let her thank me and I apologized for her feeling like she could never openly discuss the accident. By the time we finished our talk, she knew I wouldn’t have done things any differently.
If it wasn’t for that night, I wouldn’t have been the moody asshole I was for the past five years, my friends wouldn’t have hatched a ridiculous plan to try to help me, and I never would have met Sadie.
It was a rough road to get here, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Ivy had cried on my shoulder for a few minutes, I’d told her that her baked goods were always welcome, and we’d both gone outside and played catch with Russ for a few minutes afterward to lighten the mood.
While we were playing, Russ asked me about today. They needed someone to throw the opening pitch for his Little League all-star game. Apparently, it was a tradition in the rookie division for each team to nominate someone they admired, and then the staff picked who would do it. Ivy tried to shut him down, no doubt worried I’d be uncomfortable with the idea, but I’d agreed immediately.
That was how I ended up standing on the mound of a baseball diamond, staring at Russ, decked out in all his catcher’s gear, while the announcer introduced me. I’d let Russ write the bio they used, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the bleachers by the time the announcer finished.
It was the perfect solution. Sadie could be satisfied I got my day in the sun, and I showed everyone in town that I held no ill will about the accident.
When I threw the pitch, Russ’s smile was so big, not even the steel cage on his helmet could contain it. My smile was even bigger.
