Natalie and Megan were in the kitchen talking about Seattle where Megan was going to medical next summer. Natalie’s grandparents lived there so she knew quite a bit about the city from her visits with them. A few minutes later they made their way to the patio.
“I’m starting to think about life after baseball, Bill,” said Jake.
Bill became still. “Why?”
“My days as a catcher are numbered my friend. We’ve had a lot of fun and it’s been great, but I can’t ignore the inevitable. My knees are starting to ache, so I figure I’ve only got a few more years left. Sooner or later, something is going to pop, and I’ll be out of the game. Your accident has made me think about retiring before that happens.”
“I’m sorry, Jake. I didn’t know.”
“Don’t be sorry. Right now, I’m strong and they only ache once in a while, but it’s time for me to start thinking about where I will end up living,” said Jake. “I like Boise, you’re here, so why not?”
Bill nodded. “That sounds great to me. What’re you thinking of doing?”
“Maybe sell real estate. Or buy a ranch and raise some cows.”
Bill looked at him like he had lost his mind. Jake was immaculately dressed and looked like a poster male for GQ magazine.
“WHAT? Don’t you think I can ranch?”
“No! You look like a BMW salesman!” said Bill.
Megan was taking a drink when Bill spoke. She snorted, almost choking on her beer. Natalie laughed.
“My-my, aren’t you funny!” said Jake sarcastically.
Bill wiped the grin off his face with difficulty. “Seriously, Jake, I hope you do move here.”
“Here, here,” said Megan, raising her bottle in a toast.
“Me too, Jake,” said Natalie.
Natalie looked at her phone. “As much fun as it is to hang with you guys, I need to get started on my homework.”
“Time to go,” Jake said, standing up.
Bill raised his eyebrows.
“It’s the Yakima vs. Hawks game this evening, remember?
Bill nodded.
“I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
“Alright, see you tonight. Go have some fun,” said Bill.
When they were alone Megan spoke. “You have nice friends.”
“I do,” Bill said, unable to stop a yawn.
“You’re tired, Bill, and need rest. It’s time for me to go home. Maybe I’ll see you at Elks in the next few days?”
“I would like that very much,” Bill replied. “Can I buy you dinner sometime?”
Megan looked at him. It was decision time. She had come to Idaho to get away from her ex and the whole scene back east, including her parents, who were always trying to tell her what to do, especially after the death of her son five years ago.
Megan had married a jerk and it had been deadly. For a long time, her life had been complete, with her devotion to nursing and college but now she wanted more. She dated occasionally, never letting anyone close but missed a companion. She liked Bill and seemed like he could be fun, not at all the jerk Megan had imagined that a professional athlete would be.
“Why don’t you call me next week and we can go get a cup of coffee.”
“Sure,” Bill blurted, taken by surprise. “Yeah, I will.”
“Don’t sound so positive,” she teased.
Megan tore a piece of paper off one of the plates and wrote her cell number on it.
Megan quickly leaned down and gave him a short kiss, lingering for just a moment, long enough to surprise Bill again.
“I’ll see you next week then.”
“Great,” said Bill, regaining his balance quickly.
Tingling with excitement Bill watched Megan say goodbye to Natalie, who was on the phone at the kitchen table with books open around her. He turned his chair to watch the sun setting over trees, painting the sky with beautiful shades of orange, random thoughts running through his head.
Excitement about Megan.
Confusion about his future.
Happiness about being home and out of the hospital.
My hip doesn’t ache much.
An uneasy sense of apprehension settled over him. Whatever was going to happen now, he would worry about starting Monday morning.
Tonight, I give my crutches a workout.