The Hitting Zone

We went through all of the Oakland Athletics shirts, sweatshirts, and jerseys. Noah found a jersey that could fit me and supposedly had the star player's name on the back. He claimed that he had the same and that I should get it so we could match when we start going to the games.

But..."It's too expensive." I studied the price tag that stated: $60. "I'm already getting the reaction ball with my money."

Noah grabbed it as I tried to put it back on the rack. "We'll put our money together. $80 will be enough to cover both items."

I frowned. "I can't take your share too. That's not fair."

"Just treat it as a gift!" He put in my arms. "Really, don't worry about it. There's nothing I need here. I already have this jersey at home too. C'mon, wouldn't it be cool to twin it at the game?"

I hesitated. I really didn't feel right about accepting his money even if he wasn't going to spend it. "Wouldn't your dad want his change back? What if he doesn't want me spending all this money at once?"

Noah rolled his eyes and took me by the collar of my shirt, and started to drag me to the front of the store. "If I say don't worry, then don't worry. You can trust me. When I have ever led you astray?"

I cracked a smile. A lot. He's always making bets and starting fights. Yet...he's never lied to me so I guess he may be right. His parents don't seem to be the kind to get mad easily. They would probably love him even more for sharing and being thoughtful.

That must be nice. Two perfect parents. Still together. And they love all their children.

"Jake?" Noah felt me slowing down and didn't want to choke me with my own shirt collar. "Really. It'll be fine. Dad gave us the money to spend so I highly doubt he'll care what we spent it on." We reached the front of the store where the cash registers were and got in line.

I let my depressing thoughts go and focused on the items in my hands. Not everyone has good parents, but they turn out okay too. I'm not a lost cause. I have Noah. If I just follow him, I should be alright. We stood in line for only a few minutes before it was our turn to go up.

The lady took my two items and scanned them as we both pulled out our two twenties. $80 just on two items. That could buy so much food for the old me.

"That'll be $80.23. Cash or card?" The lady said in a monotone as if she's done this all day.

"Cash." Noah said right away. Then paused. "Uh, wait. Excuse me? How much did you say?"

"$80.23." She repeated, slightly annoyed now.

Noah held our $80. "Shouldn't it be slightly cheaper? The jersey was $60 and the ball was barely $15."

"Plus tax." She narrowed her eyes at us. "Are you paying or not?"

Noah frowned. "I only have $80...can you loan me a quarter until my dad comes?"

"That's against store policy." She said. "You either pay or get out of the way. You're holding up the line."

Noah sighed and looked at me. "Let's just wait on the side until we see Dad or the twins."

I nodded. I guess that's all we could do.

"Here's a quarter. That should be enough, right?" A male voice interrupted us and held out a quarter between me and Noah.

"Perfect! Thanks!" Noah quickly grabbed the quarter and turned to pay the lady cashier so we could collect my items.

Unlike Noah, I had time to see who was nice enough to help us out. To my surprise, it was a familiar face. The young man from the aisle, who easily caught the reaction ball. Concerned citizen!

"I see that you boys decided on getting that reaction ball. That's a good choice." He noted.

I gave a small nod, not sure what to say.

"Thanks again." Noah finished at the counter and said while turning. But then he paused. "Oh it's you again."

The young man frowned. "Is that what you should say after I just loaned you money?"

Noah shrugged. "I already said thanks. Twice. What more do you want? If you wait a minute, I can call my dad over to return your quarter to you." He started walking away from the cashier. "Let's get out of the way Jake. Don't want to make that lady mad."

I followed him to the store's entrance, where we parted ways with his dad. Oddly, the young man followed us.

"You didn't have anything to buy?" Noah asked him, suspicious.

The man shook his head. "I was just looking. And I heard your pleas while passing by."

"I wasn't pleading." Noah corrected. "I was making a suggestion. 23 cents shouldn't be too big of a deal."

The man folded his arms across his chest, reminding me of Zeke. "I was just helping. No need to be so snippy."

"We would have been fine without your help. My parents are in the store. We could have just waited for one of them."

"Oh, so your parents are here? I was concerned that someone would just let their kids run around on a Friday when they should be at school."

"What's it to you?" Noah glared.

The guy shrugged. "Just saying...I could have slipped and been seriously injured. How could you compensate me for that?"

"It didn't happen though." Noah rolled his eyes. "Just let it go."

"And you should just listen. You really aren't coachable at all."

That got Noah's attention. He looked up to the guy. "Coachable? I'm perfect in that aspect. I always listen to my coach and willing to learn so I can be a better ball player."

"That applies to being a better person as well." The man continued his lecture. He was definitely the definition of a concerned citizen. He really didn't let us off and spoke a little more about listening and being respectful in public places.

By the time Mr. Atkins came to the front of the store, the two of them were sucked into their own conversation. Mr. Atkins stood beside me to watch the debate. "What's going on? Who is he?"

I shrugged and whispered, "A concerned citizen." I then explained our two encounters with the guy starting with playing in the aisles and then how he came to loan us a quarter.

Mr. Atkins stepped up to Noah and rested his arm on his shoulders. "That's enough Noah. You're acting a little ungrateful. He's just warning you the dangers of breaking the rules. He was even nice to help you out. What do you say?"

Noah sighed. "Thanks again." He then looked up at his dad. "Can you give him a quarter so he'll go away already?"

Mr. Atkins frowned. "Don't be rude."

Too late for that. I stifled a laugh at Noah's wronged expression. Mr. Atkins settled the mini debt and thanked the guy for his generosity. The man left with a wave and headed out of the store.

Unfortunately, the lecture didn't stop with him leaving. Mr. Atkins took over and told Noah how disappointed he was that his son would get in a heated debate with a stranger. Mr. Atkins only stopped for air and when his wife arrived, with the twins right behind.

I thought the lecture would keep going on once Mrs. Atkins was told what had happened, yet Mr. Atkins didn't tell her and finally let Noah off the hook. Me too I guess, since I had to hear about it as well.