The Hitting Zone

After the scout, Willie Ramsey, left, the other random men in the stands started to follow him. I figured it was to find out what him and Zeke talked about. If they were scouts like himself, then they probably had an information exchange or something to find out the status of players. Maybe he'll share, maybe he won't.

Zeke faced us as we all started to get up and move around. "I don't want you guys to stick around anymore today."

The twins froze and Noah's jaw dropped. Mrs. Atkins frowned and I remained confused. Does this mean we won't be eating dinner together?

Mr. Atkins was the only one who wasn't surprised, offended, or anything. He just smiled at his oldest son. "Okay. Will you be eating in the cafeteria with the team? Or do you need some money to eat out with them?"

Zeke shook his head. "They provide my meals even if we go out. Afterwards they plan to take me out around the town to show me what else there is to do in town."

"What are we going to do then?" Noah remained a little upset. I didn't realize he wanted to eat with the team so much.

"We'll go pick somewhere by the hotel for dinner. Then we can even catch a movie." Mr. Atkins offered. "Tomorrow morning we can go to San Francisco and take Jake to the Golden Gate Bridge. Maybe Chinatown. The Ghirardelli Factory too. We could also drive by the stadiums on the way back before we come watch Stanford play their game."

The boys cheered up at Mr. Atkins suggestions.

"The game starts at 7pm." Zeke reminded his dad. "Meet me at the gate so I can bring you guys the tickets." He looked around. "I think this would be our seating area. The coach said somewhere behind home plate." He lifted his bag. "I'm going back to the dorms to shower. See you tomorrow."

"Be safe if you go out with the team." Mrs. Atkins rushed to say before he left. "No drinking. No getting into cars with someone who has been drinking. Don't do anything illegal. Have fun though."

Zeke let out a light chuckle. "I'm not dumb, Mom. You taught me better than that." He waved. "Have fun at the movies." He walked away, leaving us behind.

As the family watched him walked away, a heavy atmosphere started to settle in. I looked around at them, confused at their sad expressions. I poked Noah in the arm. "Are you okay?"

Noah regained his normal attitude and nodded. "Of course. Who needs Zeke around anyways. All he does is boss us around and nags."

"It would have been cool to have dinner with the team though." Kyle remarked.

Dave agreed. "Yea. I wanted to ask Shawn about his pitching since we didn't get to see him do anything at the practice."

"Okay, okay, lets go eat." Mr. Atkins guided us out of the seating area and started to lead us out of the stadium. "It's just a day without Zeke. No need to get so depressed." Oh. They were sad about Zeke not wanting us around?

Mrs. Atkins sighed. "It's just a sign of what's to come. Soon, he'll be off to college, busy with school, the team, and his friends. Or worse, he'll go to the draft, and be stuck in the minor league system. The money won't be enough and he'll have to work in his spare time and he'll never call home." Mrs. Atkins looked close to crying, making me a little nervous.

My mother used to cry every now and then, with incoherent mumblings about my brother and father. Those would be the really bad nights. She would become hysterical and the beatings wouldn't end until she passed out.

Mr. Atkins put his arm around her shoulders as we walked, heading to the car in the parking lot. "Honey, we have a few more months left. Just soak it in. He's growing up. It's not like he was going to stay five forever. Plus, we have other boys to focus on afterwards." He glanced at us behind him, raising an eyebrow.

Noah was the first to get the unspoken hint. He moved away from me and got on the other side of his mom. He pouted. "You always pay more attention to Zeke. What about me?"

"What about you?" Dave went over and pushed him aside. "Earlier, mom said she would focus more on us. We'll be leaving next so we should obviously get more of her attention."

"Awe. Boys." She pulled the two of them into a group hug. "I'm just a little emotional about the first of my boys leaving. I'll be okay." She gave a look of determination. "I'll make Zeke call me every day he's away."

The family laughed. Even I shared a smile. The Atkins family reminded me of a family in sitcom, constantly having heartfelt moments...something I didn't experience until meeting them.

We reached the car and started our night without Zeke. True to his word, Mr. Atkins took us out to dinner by the hotel, then let us pick a movie to see afterwards. It was an easygoing evening filled with laughter and excitement. As we ate, they took turns reminiscing stories of Zeke being young. He was always a serious person even at eight years old when he explained to an umpire that he missed the call and that he was out on a tag play, instead of being happy about being called safe.

All the childhood stories they brought up for me to hear all revolved around baseball and it made me realize that baseball was in their life since the beginning. The same could be said about me too. It just had two different feelings. Theirs were happy, funny, and exciting. Mine was secretive, lonely, and relaxing when in the cages. After tonight, I had a strong urge to find my brother. Just to see if baseball was still a part of his life like it was mine.

After the movie, we hustled back to the hotel to get some sleep. Mrs. Atkins suggested we leave early in the morning if we wanted to do everything that Mr. Atkins suggested. Apparently it'd be another hour drive from Stanford to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Laying beside Noah on our shared bed, in a room we shared with the twin, I felt him move about trying to find a comfortable position. After a couple of minutes, I turned to face him even though it was hard to see in the dark. "You seem a little restless."

Noah sighed, flopping down on his back. "I feel a little restless."

"Because of Zeke?" It's been a theme all night since Zeke asked us not to be at dinner with him and the team.

"I just feel like he's leaving us behind. I felt happy about making the varsity team, but then they had a selection camp after winter ball that I wasn't invited to. And just as I was feeling good about being a starter, and finding my swing, Zeke is already preparing for the next level." He voice got lower and he whispered. "I'm also a little sad he won't be around too. What will I do then?"

I didn't know what to say or how to comfort him. My older brother was never around for me to compare myself to or to look up to for inspiration. Sometimes he doesn't even cross my mind because of his lack of presence in my life after being three years old.

"You can always compare yourself to Zeke's sophomore level stats next year." A voice said in the dark. It was Dave. Still awake too. "Besides, you still have us. And then after we leave, you have Jake. He's like your unofficial twin since you're both in the same grade."

Noah laughed. "You're right. I do have Jake."

Me? I felt warm being included. I don't think I'll ever get over this feeling of belonging. Just when I was lamenting over not being able to help, Dave reminded me that I'll be there with Noah for all of high school. At least...as long as my dad didn't show up.