The stands of Dodger stadium were full on this crisp November evening, the crowd uncharacteristically quiet. Bill wearing a light blue dress shirt stretched over his broad chest, and a royal blue tie, was seated in his wheelchair. He had rolled out to the mound when the camera feeds were off. He was surrounded by those he loved; his legs covered by a blue team blanket. The Dodgers’ owner, coaches, staff, and players were lined up in a semi-circle behind Bill and his family.
The Dodgers had won the World Series, but the journey had left one of their own paralyzed. Their solemn expressions mirrored the respect, and sorrow felt for Bill, and the quiet celebration for Natalie’s miracle.
Natalie, standing beside her dad, was sporting a soft white cervical collar. Her eyes were dripping, her cheeks wet, when she suddenly raised a hand and waved at the crowd. Everyone roared their approval.
Megan leaned down and gave her fiancé a kiss, leaving her right hand resting gently on Bill’s back when she straightened up. Kai was in the stands taking care of their infant, Thomas William Sullivan.
On the big Dodger Vision screen a picture of Julio Chavez appeared, with the dates of his birth and death displayed at the bottom of the screen.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” began MLB Commissioner Hank Scranton. “We first want to take a moment and honor Mr. Julio Chavez. He was a strong competitor and a rising star in Major League Baseball. His last professional appearance was right here in this stadium. He was a supporter of charities and founded the Chavez Children’s Cancer Foundation to support children stricken with that disease. His death is a loss for us all.
May we have a few moments of silence please?”
“Thank You.”
“Bill, your pitching, after your comeback from your car accident, helped your team make it to the World Series. Therefore, on behalf of Major League Baseball we wish to present you the Honorary World Series Most Valuable Player Award! Congratulations!” he said, handing Bill the gleaming trophy. He started shaking Bill’s right hand, while smiling for the cameras.
“Bill Sullivan!” exclaimed Hank Scranton.
The crowd exploded with applause and started chanting. “Sulli-van…Sulli-van…Sulli-van!”
When the noise abated, the Commissioner continued. “Mr. Ronchetti, congratulations to you as the owner of the Dodgers, to all the management and coaching staff, the fans and of course the team, Major League Baseball’s World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers!”
The fans shook the stadium with an enormous response.
Bill felt the sun and its warmth on his neck and upper back. He removed his cap, waved it toward the crowd, receiving an enormous standing ovation in return. Replacing his cap Bill reached for Natalie and Megan’s hands, found them, and raised them in victory, as one solitary tear dropped from his face onto his shirt, creating one dark spot on the field of blue.
Jake felt his friends tear darken the breast of his shirt, so he leaned in so Bill could hear him.
“Bill, as hard as this is right now, try and enjoy these moments.”
Bill tensed, wanting to come back with a caustic reply. He even opened his mouth…but Jake was right; and Jake always told him what he thought. Sometimes bluntly, but always right. Bill forced the tears back behind his eyes, so tight they started a pounding in his brain, right behind his eyebrows.
His team followed Coach Jackson and the owner, Mr. Ronchetti, as they began to surround Bill and his family in offering congratulations.
Jake could feel Megan’s love for her child, her fear, wonder, and concern about her career, and how she was going to be able to take care of Bill. He knew she was worried about how to make it work as a wife, mother, step-mother and medical student. Wondering how she could make a life, what kind of life even, if Bill was a paraplegic.
Jake could feel Natalie’s love for her father, along with her anguish and feelings of guilt, thinking she somehow caused Bill’s paralysis because of her fall. She was going to need a lot of support.
Jake leaned in close again. “Kai was there when you needed her, when you were a boy; angry, scared and confused.
“Now I am here, when you are a man; scared and angry.”
Bill twisted to study Jake’s face, his own showing slight confusion.
“Bill, on the way back from McCall, right before Katie’s accident, I told you that you are my full-time job. You…and Megan…and Natalie…and now Thomas.
“You did not get all you needed as a child. Many don’t. Now it is your turn. Kai and I will help you.
Jake moved directly behind Bill and laid one hand on Bills right shoulder then let the power of pure love and warmth flow out of his hand as he leaned down to whisper in Bill’s ear.
“He, the man you knew as Julio, sent me to you, for the kids we helped and for your family,” said Jake quietly.
Jake pulled a small white paper ice cream bag from inside his own shirt.
“Bill, before Darrell passed, he requested that your childhood glove be returned to you. Darrell said you will need it to play catch with many children, including your own son.”
Jake moved beside Bill and laid one hand on Bill’s left leg and the other on top of Megan’s right hand.
Megan turned her head, frozen, staring at Jake.
Bill, mouth agape, turned to look at his friend, and saw a momentary image that looked like Julio Chavez, just behind Jake.
Then he looked down.
He could feel Jake’s hand.
My leg is twitching.
THE END