The Hitting Zone

The excitement lasted until we loaded up the bus, then everyone started to fall asleep or doze off, one by one. Some shared whispers, but it stayed relatively quiet.

The game wasn't super long, but it definitely took a lot of energy out of us. I didn't sleep. I couldn't. A lot has been going on this week from Monday's game, getting hurt, making the playoffs, the court visit, and today's game.

I was extremely happy that the Atkins wanted me. This was it. They gave me the feeling of safety and I liked not being on edge all the time. I'm curious as to what the next step would be though...after all, cps (child protective services) wanted me back.

I nervously tapped my index finger on my knee as I thought of the future. What would happen? What should I do? What will they do? So many decisions.

"Jake?" Noah whispered from across the seat aisle. I stopped the tapping and looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "You look like you're thinking too much."

Feeling guilty and caught, I shook my head. "No. No I'm not."

"You're not thinking?" He looked at me skeptically.

"Err." I frowned. "Well..."

"Aren't you guys tired?" Dave groaned from the seat in front of Noah. "Take a nap. We still have dinner and homework to do when we get back."

"I don't have homework." Noah said proudly. "I didn't want to be distracted."

"Don't you have any tests for tomorrow? It's a Friday!" Dave glared.

Noah smirked. "Nothing I can't handle."

Dave turned his glare to me. "You! I know you have a math test tomorrow. Shouldn't you rest so you can study after dinner?"

My lips twitched.

"You really think Jake needs to studying?" Noah rolled his eyes. "It's you that has been copying his homework; not the other way around."

"Shhhh." Dave hushed. "You brat, keep your mouth shut."

"Sounds like some of you still have energy and didn't give it your all today." Coach raised his voice from the front of the bus.

The bus collectively got silent; including the whispers from the back. Coach stood in the aisle up front, looking at all of us. "I'm kidding. You boys did great today; it was a good win. Very thorough. I hope we can bring the same intensity to Monday's game."

"Are we still practicing tomorrow, Coach?" Sean asked.

He nodded. "Yes. There's no reason to take tomorrow off when you guys have Saturday and Sunday to recuperate."

Noah glanced at me, wiggling his eyebrows. "That doesn't sound pleasant. Recuperate? What do we need to recuperate from?"

"Great question Noah!" Coach's voice boomed, making me shiver. "Tomorrow, we're going to do stations around the field. Sprinting, fielding, hitting, throwing, positioning...let's give it one more hard push before the weekend. As for Saturday and Sunday, you'll be on your own so I'll have to trust you all to make some good decisions."

The team chatter picked up as they talked to one another about tomorrow.

Coach came down the aisle and stopped between me and Noah. He looked down at me. "How's the arm feeling?"

"Fine." I answered.

"That doesn't sound reassuring." His eyes narrowed.

I shrugged. "It doesn't hurt."

"We'll have Drew look at it tomorrow. Take the bandage off and give it some air. Still bring your gear tomorrow, but also include your running shoes in case Drew wants you to stick with only footwork." He walked back up the aisle.

I groaned as Noah laughed. We've come full circle this season. I started it out running for endurance and now here I am, running in one of the last practices we'll have.

The bus ride got a little louder as we got closer to the school. By the time we parked and unloaded the gear, everyone was sharing in the excitement again of moving on to the semifinals.

Zeke hurried us home, where Mrs. Atkins has dinner waiting on the table. My mouth watered as we took our seats and started to chow down.

"You guys did great!" Mrs. Atkins commented as we noisily ate. "I can't wait for Monday. Have they decided when and where yet?"

"Monday, 5pm." Zeke answered. "I think they're having it at some community college near the beach."

"Do you know your opponent yet?" Mr. Atkins asked.

He shook his head. "We'll find out tomorrow night. The other quarterfinal game is in the late afternoon."

"Did you want to go watch it?" Mr. Atkins asked.

"No can do, Dad." Dave shook his head. "We have practice."

"I'm sure Coach will have one of the assistants watching or even recording." Zeke added.

"Good. Focus on your practicing." Mr. Atkins said before looking to me. "How did the arm feel throughout the game?"

"Not bad." I told him. "Coach said to let it breathe and then we'll decide what to do tomorrow."

"Be sure to listen to him and Drew." Mrs. Atkins told me. "I don't want you reinjuring yourself." She looked to Dave. "You be careful too. You've been a little injury-prone these last couple of months and that worries me."

"Got it, Mom." Dave nodded.

Soon the conversation shifted to shower times and what homework needed to be done before bed. The night closed out quickly with morning appearing after a good sleep.

Getting out of bed, my arm felt itchy and I fought off the urge to give in and scratch.

"Man, today feels like a Saturday." Noah yawned as we made our way through the halls of school after rushing through the morning routine.

I nodded in agreement.

Luckily, there were more test to take than actual learning to be done. It made the day fly by.

At practice, Drew examined my arm and came to the conclusion that I shouldn't push it. It really was going to be a running practice for me. I could only watch from the outer edges as the team put in work for the last practice before the weekend and the next game.

Afterwards, Coach gave a short speech on what to expect on Monday and how Kyle would get the start on the mound. He also shared that we would get an email about our next opponents so to be sure to check it out over the weekend.

"That was brutal." Noah groaned as the five of us left the field with our bags. His three brothers followed behind, talking about some pitching practice for tomorrow.

"At least you didn't have to run the whole time." I patted my quads. "I wonder if I should take an ice bath tonight or tomorrow."

"Ew." Noah cringed. "You're such a weirdo."

"But it feels so good." I argued.

"You're a weirdo." Dave echoed Noah from behind us.

I rolled my eyes, but in doing so, I saw something in the corner of my eyes. Or, to be more precise, someone. My feet stopped.

"Jake?" Noah asked.

I slowly turned my head away from him and looked to the man standing beside the bleachers. I could recognize him easily and that's what made me feel more unsure. What was he doing here..?

"Is that..?" Noah stepped up beside me.

I nodded.

The man was watching me. Seeing that I paused, his feet started to move and my breathing picked up. He was coming towards me.

"Hey. He's coming." Noah whispered. "What do we do?"

"Let's see what he wants." Zeke said in a low voice, reminding me that he and the twins were right there.

The man stopped five feet away, and glanced down at me. Jeremy Patterson. He was here. At my school. At my baseball field. Right in front of me.

My heart started to pound and my breathing became more shallow. "Hi." I blurted out. Because...what else could I say?