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I assume he will stay with me, but I’m not sure his living situation has crossed his mind.
As we begin climbing the stairs to pack Tackett some clothes the man says, “Sir, please don’t go up the stairs until I’ve had time to assess the home.” Tackett backs down the two stairs he’s already climbed. “It’s for your safety. Wait by the front door, it seems stable.”
The contractor comes down a half hour later and says, “Go up and get necessities. You have ten minutes.”
When Tackett returns with a bag, he pinches a quarter-smile with one side of his mouth. He decides to drive to Archer and Megan’s house who live two miles from Wilson and Kenni in beach miles, a little longer driving the winding roads to get there.
Their subdivision fared much better. Archer’s house has a circular driveway, and the first thing I notice are the flowerpots knocked over; nothing large seems out of place. But when we go in, it’s a similar situation to Wilson’s home. These beachfront homes have windows overlooking the ocean, which is why these homes cost millions of dollars. The main difference is there’s no standing water. This time I take photos and send them to Megan.
Me:Hey, Tackett and I came to check out the damage. What do you want us to do?
Megan:Get out of there, it’s not safe.
Me:Are you moving back into our apartment?
Megan:No. Archer already has the penthouse reserved for us at the Bueno! Hotel!
Me:Oh, okay.
Megan:Besides Tackett needs to stay with you.
Me:Okay, call me when you get here.
Megan:I will.
As we walk back to the car Tackett says, “I’m homeless. That’s something I never thought I would experience.”
“And you callmedramatic. You’re shacking up at my apartment. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
I purposefully bump into him, and he rewards me with a heartwarming grin. We drive past the stadium, and from the outside, it seems undisturbed. It’s ironic that Tackett gets an alert on the team app from the President of the Sharks, i.e., Megan, and shows me.
Out of respect for families that lost their homes, our series against the
Bladerunners will be cancelled. All Sharks personnel will report to the field at
eight tomorrow morning. We will be doing community service.
Wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. No sandals.
“Do you think she would care if I came to help?”
He shoves his hands into the pocket of his shorts. “I’m sure she’d love to have her sister by her side.”
I grin as he turns the key over in the ignition. “But do you mind me hanging around? You’re already going to be living with me.”
The car starts but before he pulls out of the driveway he puts his roped arm on the back of my headrest. “It’ll be nice to have some company at night.” It comes out silky smooth, like he’s practiced that line a hundred times.
ChapterSeven
TACKETT
The field has been transformed into a community center. Megan and Archer have tables set up across the infield for different stations for people forced from their homes, food and water needs, and a kids activities table.
Talynn is working with the kids while their parents fill out paperwork for the various forms of assistance. I can’t keep my eyes off of my roommate for the foreseeable future. Right now, she has a toddler on her hip while hugging a little five or six-year-old boy. The dimple that only shows when she’s truly laughing, dips high on her cheek.
Archer asks me to deliver water to the families in the tent set up in shallow right field. It’s unbelievable what two people that love each other and their community can do. Archer and Megan are not only professional, confident businesspeople, but they’re also caring individuals. They represent everything that I want out of life—a family, success in baseball, and to give back to the community.
After a while, Archer and Megan summon all the kids to the center of the field for a game. “It’s time to have some fun and be grateful that we have each other.” Megan continues with the directions for our Water Balloon Dodgeball Fight. She’s divided us up between blue and yellow, based on the Sharks colors.
