The Hitting Zone

"Hey! Good to see you boys!" Rose greeted us, wearing the same uniform that we've seen her in. Khakis, an A's polo, and a lanyard around her neck with her work ID.

"Hey!" Noah replied with the same enthusiasm. "How was your dinner date on Thursday?"

The twins looked confused while Rose got a little red in the face. Zeke didn't seem to care while I found it gutsy of Noah to bring up their date. Is that normal?

"It was...pleasant." She turned her back to us and started to walk. "I'll take you boys to the field."

Noah lifted his brows at me, then whispered, "Did you hear her hesitate? I bet it didn't go so well. Ask Jeremy about it."

"I don't know if we should get involved..." I told him.

Noah gave me a look. "Don't you like Rose? Are you team her or team uncle?"

I frowned. "Okay, I'll ask, but I won't get involved."

We followed her through the walkway and the path to the field.  We didn't have to wait like before for Jeremy to show, because he was already there signing autographs. He grinned at the sight of us.

"Oh cool! Some of the other players are here!" Dave started to go through the bag on Noah's back. "Let me get a pen and some paper. I'm going to get some autographs."

"Me too." Kyle wanted to join.

The two ran off before Jeremy even made it over. Rose also separated from us with work as an excuse. Noah had his phone out, taking pictures of the players warming up, the players signing autographs, and even took a few selfies with me and Zeke in the background.

"Hey." Jeremy finally got to us. "Glad you guys could make it." He reached his hand out to Zeke. "Congrats on getting drafted. Even if you chose Stanford over the MLB."

Zeke shook his hand firmly. "The goal is still the same. I'm just taking a small detour."

"To grab a College World Series ring?" Jeremy asked. "I saw that Stanford is in the playoffs still. You think you'll help them make it again next year?"

Zeke gave a small nod. "As long as the return players have the same energy and put in the same effort then I have high hopes."

"Our friend, Rhys, is going to Stanford too." Noah interjected. "He's a really good pitcher."

Jeremy laughed. "Baseball isn't a one or two player game. Takes a whole team to win a championship. Especially on the college level."

"They'll have Bradley Thompson too." Noah pointed out. "That's three. Plus, I'm sure a lot of players will want to return after knowing Zeke is committed to Stanford."

"I guess we'll see." Jeremy grinned. He looked at me. "How are you doing? We haven't really talked since Wednesday. Did the baseball card go over well at the party yesterday?"

I nodded. "Everyone liked them. I have some left over, but I'll save it for the kids who didn't get to go to the party."

"That's nice of you." Jeremy told me.

I glanced at Noah and Zeke. "Do you guys mind giving us a few minutes?"

Noah nodded. "Sure. Zeke, come take pictures of me with the players!" He handed over his phone to Zeke and walked a few feet away.

Jeremy lifted the rope that separated us. "Here. We can go talk as I stretch. That will be a little more private." He led the way, high-fiving and head-nodding at his teammates and people he knew. Just beyond third base, we had a little more privacy, and it was a little quieter away from the fans calling his name. "What did you want to talk about?"

I shifted my weight foot to foot. "You know...that the Atkins are...adopting me, right?"

Jeremy's eyes widened a little, but he gave a small nod. "Yes. They've been pretty clear about that. Is it already done?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. They just got all the paperwork in. I think there's a few more steps? I'm not sure."

"Ok..?" Jeremy looked confused. "What's wrong? Do you guys need my help or something?"

I shook my head again. "No. I just wanted to tell you that, I'm going to call them, 'Mom' and 'Dad'. In fact, I started to do so on Thursday." I watched his face closely as I told him my decision.

"Oh." He looked stunned.

He didn't say anything else so I asked, "Do you call Uncle Jack your dad?"

"What? No." He was thrown off by my question. "I-" He stopped, then started again. "He's my uncle. Not my dad. He may be a father figure, but he can't replace Dad." He looked me in the eyes, a little dispirited. "Our dad will forever be 'Dad' to me. I know you don't remember him, but it's different for me. Dad taught me how to ride a bike, tie my shoes, swing a bat, and throw a ball. I-I-I couldn't call someone else 'Dad'."

I felt like I didn't have his approval. Not that I needed it, but...it would have been nice to know that I can claim the Atkins as my parents.

Jeremy was quick to notice my crestfallen expression. "Hey, hey, don't get depressed. I didn't mean that you can't call the Atkins 'Mom' and 'Dad'. I'm just explaining why I don't call Uncle Jack like that. You...you can call them that. It must be a good feeling for you right?"

I nodded. "I really like them." I really want to fit in.

"That's good then. I know they like you too." He said, patting my shoulder. "Is it weird for you?"

I shrugged. "A little. But, in a surreal feeling way. Like...I feel scared that it's a dream and I'll wake up."

Jeremy gave my shoulder a squeeze. "It's real. I'm happy that you told me. I would have been a little offended if you didn't."

I looked up at him.

"Doesn't it feel like we're a little closer now?" He asked, smiling. "We share our thoughts and feelings. I'm happy that you're happy. I'm happy that you're considerate of my feelings. I'm happy that you don't hate me. I'm happy."

I let out a breath I had been holding. "Yea...I feel like...we're moving on." I glanced into the crowd for a second. "Do you think Uncle Jack will cause the Atkins trouble with the adoption stuff?"

"No." Jeremy stated firmly. "Is that something you worry about?"

I nodded.

"I'll talk to him. He's not that hard to get along with. I know you have some negative connotations about him, but he's someone I can rely on."

"What did Rose think of him at dinner on Thursday?" I asked, remembering her weird look when Noah asked.

Jeremy looked taken aback. "Why would you ask about that?"

"Curiosity." Rose is a nice person.

"Dinner went well. I introduced her to all of them. Uncle Jack, Aunt Ilene, their kids. Our cousins." He smiled. "You said you would meet our cousins right?"

I shrugged, kind of remembering a small detail like that, but all I could think about was how he thought they were more his siblings than I was.

"We can plan something this summer." Jeremy started to come up with some suggestions. "Either you all come to a game or maybe on one of my off days we'll have lunch or dinner."

"I'm taking a summer class." I reminded him. "Monday to Thursday, 9am to noon."

"Ah, right! I'll keep that in mind."