The Hitting Zone

We kept up the workout routine Friday morning. It's just this time we didn't have to rush anywhere afterwards. We ate breakfast with Zeke and then he went upstairs to work on his online classes while we decided to play catch in the backyard.

"Man, if the twins were here, we could at least play 'over-the-line' while Zeke does school stuff." Noah complained as we tossed the ball back and forth.

I shrugged, not sure what to say to that. Alisha wanted to hang out today, but Noah was the one to decide that we shouldn't go anywhere. Now he wishes we could go somewhere? Or is he just missing the twins?

Eventually I got tired of throwing the ball and Noah took pity on me. We went to the living room and he put on a baseball movie, 'Major League'. An old comedy about how a bunch of misfits were trying to help this major league team make it to the playoffs. Noah had told me that he watches this movie almost every month, but from the way he laughed, you would think that it was his first time seeing it. I laughed as well, but more at Noah's expressions than at the movie itself.

The morning passed by and it was almost time for lunch. I looked to Noah. "Should we try to make lunch? For ourselves and for Zeke?"

Noah jumped up. "Yea! Great idea!" He left the living room and I followed.

Zeke was coming down the stairs as we headed for the kitchen. "You guys getting hungry?"

"Jake said we should try and make lunch." Noah told him. He cracked his knuckles. "Time to put my cooking skills to the test."

"I thought we would go out for lunch instead." Zeke said, making Noah pause. Seeing that he had our attention, he grinned and lifted his phone. "Rhys has tickets to tonight's Giants game. We can eat a quick lunch and then hit the road."

Noah's eyes widened. "Wow! Awesome! Did you already ask Mom and Dad?"

Zeke nodded. "Yep. Have money for gas and food too." He headed for the front door. "Let's go eat. Then we'll come back to the house to change and grab some stuff."

Noah and I followed obediently. There wasn't too many fast food options near our house, but Zeke treated us to chicken tacos before taking us back to the house. Since tonight was a Giant's game instead of A's, I didn't know what to wear. Noah didn't hesitate to put on his A's gear though.

I raised an eyebrow. "The A's are playing in Houston this weekend though..."

Noah shrugged. "So? They're the only team I'll cheer for." He shivered. "You won't ever catch me in a Giant's jersey."

I laughed. "Even if you have to play for them in the future?"

"Don't jinx me!" Noah threw a sweatshirt at my face. He mumbled. "I would beg for a trade or sign for less somewhere else."

"You're such a liar." I grabbed the sweatshirt and pocketed my phone. "You would play for anyone if given the chance."

He sighed. "I can dream. If I get good enough, then I can make a decision on where not to play. Just like Jeremy. He's a great player and he was able to get himself out of Southern California." He paused. "I wonder how he felt when he got drafted to San Diego...was he thinking about going to college instead?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so. He probably didn't like it, but it's not like he lived super close to us." It was at least a two hour drive. I pursued my lips. Two hours to come see how I was doing. Two hours just to check up on me.

"Jake?" Noah asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. "You good?"

I nodded, clenching the sweatshirt I was holding. "Yea...just thinking." I headed for the door. "You ready?"

"Yep!" Noah was decked out in green, yellow, and white, representing his favorite team with pride. We went downstairs and found Zeke waiting for us. We packed up some snacks and left.

We met Rhys at the Giant's stadium; a stadium I've only seen from the freeway. He was all smiles and didn't even mind Noah's choice in clothing. He gave us a tour, mainly for my benefit before taking us to a spot behind center field that was already cooking up burgers. Rhys and Zeke paid for burgers and drinks, then Rhys led us to a table that overlooked the field. The home team had already finished their batting practice, leaving the field to the visitors.

Noah happily took pictures of us eating, or the field, of himself, and anything else that caught his interest. "Kyle is going to be so mad. This is the second time he has missed a game." Noah laughed, not feeling sorry for his brother at all.

Rhys chuckled. "There'll be more opportunities throughout the summer."

"Do you want to go to A's games with us too?" Noah asked. "Jeremy invites Jake every so often."

Rhys looked to me.

I nodded. "Yea, whenever our schedule lines up. He doesn't care how many people I bring, I think."

"Sure!" Rhys smiled. "I would never say no to baseball."

"Are you preparing for your college career?" Noah asked, changing topics.

Rhys nodded. "I'm feeling pretty good with how things are looking. My dad has found a good trainer that works with the team occasionally. Benefits of being a team employee family member, I guess." He showed off his arms. "You can't even tell the difference between the two now."

"Isn't your pitching arm supposed to be bigger and stronger?" Noah was skeptical.

Rhys waved his fist. "You're about to feel how strong it is."

The two goofed off, cracking jokes. Noah really acts like his little brother, a mix of the twins and Zeke put together. After eating, Rhys took us around the stadium again, telling us we had seats behind the home team dugout. It was a lot of walking, but I'm no longer the weakling from a couple months ago. This was nothing.

We had fun watching the game even though it wasn't the A's. Zeke bought snacks generously, not even giving Noah a hard time for eating a second cotton candy. I even had an ice cream sandwich, matching the summer theme. It was another good memory made with Noah, Zeke, and Rhys.

If we thought Zeke was nice Friday night, he turned into satan the next morning, making us keep the workout routine even though we had a softball game right after. With all the junk food from last night, little sleep, and an intense workout at dawn, it wasn't any wonder why we weren't in the best shape for the softball game. We were still able to pull out a win, but it wasn't thanks to me or Noah.

Julian carried the team by launching a homerun at every at-bat. As our designated homerun hitter, it was perfect.

Even Mr. Miller was in a good mood. He invited all of us to go out for pizza and paid for it. The fun may have been on hold during our morning workouts, but it came back as the day went on. Mom and Dad came home earlier than normal and took us three out for dinner and a movie. Sunday morning's workout was tough, but it was followed with some fun at the cages and the arcade. I was starting to get used to this pattern. This was the life I wanted to live from here on out.