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People were milling around the room, drinking, eating and talking. Samuel introduced me to the majority owner and his wife. They seemed like friendly people. I met a couple of the other owners and their families. We all settled in our seats and prepared for the game to begin.
“Do you know anything about baseball?”
“Aside from the good peanuts andCracker Jacks?”
“So, that’s a no?”
“That’s a solid no. I go to at least one Cardinals game every season, but I would be lying if I said I really knew what was happening. I cheer when everyone else cheers, basically.”
“It’s not a hard sport to learn. There are rules but not nearly as many as football or basketball. The positions are straightforward, and there are really only nine players to keep up with the entire game. There aren’t a ton of substitutions except for the pitcher.”
“Who is the star of the team?”
“See that guy out there in the middle? That position is called center field, and his name is Wesley Phillips. He is the team’s leader, but we have a lot of stars, no pun intended.”
“Wait, is he the one that posed on the magazine cover with the helmet?”
Samuel contorted his face. “I mean, come on, how could I not recognize him?”
“Sit back and watch the game, Patterson.”
For the duration of the game, El sat next to me and explained what was happening. In the end, the Stars defeated the Seattle Mariners ten to five. It was an exciting game. It was more exciting watching how excited Samuel was and knowing the wheels in his head were turning about taking over the team.
After the game was over, he took me down to the clubhouse to meet some of the players. He introduced me to each player and told me something professional and personal about each one. I was impressed by his knowledge of the team and the way they all respected him.
The only player he introduced me to using my first and last name was Wesley. Everyone else he introduced me as Ms. Patterson.
“Wesley, this is Averie. Averie this is Wesley, the center fielder of the team and my friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Averie.”
Wesley and Samuel were about the same height and build. Wesley’s caramel complexion and curly sandy brown hair were a magnet for women, I’m sure. He had perfectly straight and white teeth and a dimple in his chin. He was even more handsome than he was in photographs. I couldn’t speak for what his body looked like up close because he was fully clothed.
He and Samuel discussed the game while I stood close by checking out things around me. Every so often I would tune back into the conversation and hear things about RBI’s and errors. Wesley smiled a lot and ran his fingers through his loose curls. A lot of females have tried to achieve those curls with rods but can never quite make it to his status.
“You will recoup here or back in Ragston?” Samuel asked.
I’d missed the preface of this conversation, so I had no idea what he needed to recoup from.
“Ragston, with my father. The doctors are saying that I can be back on the field by the end of August, so that’s what I am hoping for.”
“Are you sick?”
“No ma’am. I’ve broken my thumb one time too many. I will have to get it surgically reset and a pin in the bone. I’ve put it off for too long.”
“Oh well being close to family should help you convalesce. Unless they are like my family and drive you bananas.”
“No, I don’t have the opportunity to spend extended periods of time with them, so it will be good. Plus, I will be home for my fifteen-year high school reunion. I would have missed it if I didn’t have to have the surgery.”
“Alright, man. I will be checking in on you and will probably find some time to come up and check out Ragston,” El said while giving Wesley a hug.
“For sure. Bring Averie, too. I’m sure she would enjoy it.”
“Nice meeting you, Wesley.”
“Same here, Averie.”
Averie
