The Hitting Zone

"You would actually want to hang out with them?" Noah was skeptical after hearing what we had talked about.

Dad and I had gotten back to the car and Noah was curious about our short conversation with Jeremy and Carson.

I shrugged. "I don't mind it. I...actually kind of felt...bad."

"Why? Cuz we beat them?" Noah asked.

I shrugged again. "Maybe a little for that. But also, more for Jeremy. He's trying hard to balance out these...this relationship between us. I just don't want to make things anymore difficult for him. He's already done so much."

"It's called making it up to you." Noah rolled his eyes. "Don't you remember how mean he was in the beginning?"

The car got quiet.

I took off my hat and put it in the space between us. "I know." I whispered. "But that was only for the beginning. He's trying to change. And be there. It's only right to give some effort in return. I don't want everyone to feel sorry for me all the time. I want to be...normal."

"Hard to be normal when you're on pace to break Zeke's record for home runs your sophomore season." Dave pointed out.

Noah laughed outright. "Yea! Wouldn't that be something?!" He leaned forward. "Mom, are we going to stop by Zeke's school before going home?"

Kyle pulled out his phone. "Is his game already over?"

"His game is already over." Mom confirmed. "But we aren't going to stop by. Zeke has homework to do this evening. Besides, Grampa is waiting for us at home with dinner. He said he would make a feast for the champions."

We all smiled and laughed. No doubt, Grampa was only too happy and eager to take over the kitchen.

"You think he's going to grill up some steaks?" Dave asked.

"What else do champions eat?" Kyle joked. He checked his phone. "Yo, Zeke did well today. 2-3 at the plate with a homerun. He's getting into the swing of things."

"I bet he'll have the highest average on the team this year." Noah practically bounced in his seat.

"As a freshman? No way." Dave shook his head. "Bradley Thompson is still on that team. Don't forget."

"I didn't say he would have the most homers." Noah shrugged. "Just highest average."

We mostly talked about Zeke and his college team on the way home.

"He has a game Tuesday evening..." Noah hummed over Zeke's schedule. "We won't be able to make it unless practice is canceled. Fat chance of that." Noah looked to his parents up front. "Mom, are you and Dad going to Zeke's game Tuesday?"

"Yes." She answered confidently. "Grampa will be in charge of dinner, don't worry."

"Ah man, I want to see him play more too though." Noah looked to the next game. "Looks like a home series next weekend versus Kansas State University." Noah raised his voice again. "Mom, can we spend next weekend in Stanford?"

Mom checked her phone. "Possibly."

"Who do we play this week?" Dave twisted around to look at Noah.

"Only one game. At Santa Fe." Noah shrugged. He scrolled on his phone. "Oh, but next week, we'll have three games. Alisal. Golden West. Servite. Ugh, Golden West and Servite are both away games. Dang, that'll be tough."

"What?" Kyle twisted around too. "We play those two so soon?? Last season we played both of them late in the season."

Noah shrugged. "I guess. It's not like I make the schedule. It's fine to me."

"Fuckkk." Kyle groaned.

"I'd like a shot at one of those." Dave rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Last year, I didn't play in any of those four games. I have to make sure Coach knows I want to start one of those. I don't care about Santa Fe or Alisal. Those aren't league games."

"You can't have Servite." Kyle told him. "They're mine. Coach let me have at them twice. Both times I got pulled after giving up some homers. I have to bury those guys this year. Make sure they know that I don't give up easy runs like that anymore."

"You gave up a homer against University." Noah pointed out.

"Shut up. That's different."

"Kyle." Mom said with warning.

I frowned. "I think it was Servite's catcher that cut my arm with his cleat." I stuck out my arm that had a barely noticeable thin white line. "Twelve stitches."

"Golden West was our one loss that you weren't there for." Noah added. "I'm happy to take them on so soon. Everyone's healthy and ready to go."

"Not Sean." I spoke up.

"He'll be fine next week." Dave said. "Probably. I hope."

"He'll have to work with Drew to get better. It's just a strain so a week or two off should be more than enough." Kyle said. "Though Jason and Jesse at the corners aren't bad either. Jesse had more hits this weekend than Jason so if Sean came back, who knows what Coach will want to do?"

"But Jason hit a home run." I brought up, feeling a little sad that he might lose his spot.

"That was his only hit this weekend." Kyle sighed. "He's probably not feeling to good about it even though we won the tournament. Like I said, just depends who's hot and who's available. Coach is never set in his ways."

"Except when it comes to using Garret." Dave said. "You gotta imagine that Garret will get one of the starts against Golden West or Servite."

"Probably Golden West." Kyle quickly answered. "He got the start against them twice." He grinned. "Guess that leaves you with Alisal."

The conversation was taken over by the twins as they talked potential starters for next week's games. Ultimately it was up to Coach, but that didn't stop the twins from verbally competing with one another.

We got home a little late for dinner, but Grampa was ready for us. As soon as we walked into the house, we could smell it. Dinner. The twins rushed to the kitchen. Noah and I were right behind them.

Grampa just placed a giant bowl of salad on the table. "Good timing." He straightened up. "Congratulations on winning your tournament. I know how important it was to you boys. I didn't make it so I thought I would make it up. I've got some NY Strips on the grill coming out soon. Baked potatoes will be coming out of the oven. Help yourself to the salad and bread first."

My stomach growled. The smell was just too much for me. I hugged my stomach in embarrassment. "Thanks Grampa."

"Yea, thanks, Gramps." Noah sat down and grabbed some bread rolls.

"Dad, you've done too much." Mom must have overheard while walking in from the garage. "Take a seat yourself and let me get the rest done for you. You're going to tire yourself out doing big meals like this."

"It's not like I do it every day." Grampa headed for the kitchen. "You can help, but you are not kicking me out of my kitchen."

Mom followed after him.

The twins and I sat down too and started to grab some rolls before Noah ate them all.

Dad was last to walk into the dining room. He made eye contact with each of us. "This is a one time deal. You boys shouldn't start eating without the cook."

"Grampa said we could." Noah said with a shrug.

"We won't eat the main course without you guys." Dave said after swallowing the last of his roll. "Its been so long since lunch. Have mercy."

Dad let us go, heading for the kitchen to find Mom and Grampa.