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On June 8, the Piercehaven Panthers softball team boarded the mid-morning ferry. As they did so, dozens of islanders cheered them on and waved signs from shore. Emily heard the cowbell, though she couldn’t tell where it was coming from. It wasn’t quite the same turnout that a basketball tournament ferry got, but it was close.
The ferry itself was filled to capacity with vehicles, people, and several softball-loving dogs, and Emily knew some parents (and dogs) had already taken the earlier ferry. It seemed the only islander missing was Jasmine. Apparently she was extending her own suspension. This was sad, but not heartbreaking. The girls didn’t even seem to notice she was missing. They were hyper and talking about anything but softball.
Emily sat down beside Juniper, who was silent. “Nervous?”
Juniper looked pensive. “I am nervous. And I’m annoyed at how nervous I am. I shouldn’t be this nervous.”
“It’s OK to care, Juniper.”
“I know. But I shouldn’t be nervous. But this is the playoffs, and I feel like everybody back home is watching me.”
“Did Mattawooptock make the playoffs?”
“Of course.”
“Do you wish you were playing for them right now?”
Juniper looked at her.
“It’s OK if you do. I can imagine you miss your friends, your home, your coach.”
“I do miss all that, but no, I don’t wish I was playing for them. I wouldn’t be pitching, first of all, and there’d be way more pressure.” She chewed on her lip. “Actually, you’re right. I guess it could be much worse. I’m not so nervous now.”
Emily wasn’t nervous either, until she saw the Valley crowd. The fans had come out for both sides, making Emily suddenly feel like she was in a fishbowl at a crowded party full of fish-lovers. Before that moment, she’d felt zen about the whole thing. They had made the playoffs. They had exceeded everyone’s expectations. They might win. They might lose. Either way, it would be a good thing. But now with everyone staring at her and her girls, she thought they should probably win.
She thought, too late, to ask James to coach first base. But even before she’d finished the question, she noticed he was wearing jeans.
He sighed. “Go ahead. Ask Jasper. I know you want to.”
“Really? You don’t think it would get me into too much trouble with the island?”
“I don’t know. Right now I think they care more about winning this game than they do the windmills. Follow your gut. If you think he can help you, then ask him.”
Jake Jasper, wearing snazzy red windpants, was thrilled to help.
Valley had the higher seed, so were the home team, so were in the field first. Emily called her girls together. “You hit this pitcher before. You can hit her again. Just relax. Try to ignore the crowds—and the cowbell—and just try to have fun. Be like Hannah—enjoy hitting things.”
They laughed, shouted “Panthers!” and filed into the dugout. On her way by, Sara said to Emily, “My mom’s here.”
“Great!”
“No, you don’t understand. I can’t believe she’s here. Thanks for saying what you said about me to her.”
Emily gave her a small smile. The moment seemed too grave for a big one. “You’re quite welcome. I just spoke the truth.”
The infield collapsed on MacKenzie, making a lead-off bunt unwise. MacKenzie swung the bat instead and struck out. They were off to a rough offensive start. Fortunately for the Panthers, the Valley girls still weren’t confident batting against Juniper. So at the end of the fifth, the game was still scoreless.
Then Sara sparked a rally. It was just a little shot past the shortstop, an error really, but Valley infielders didn’t make many errors, and this fired up the Piercehaven troops. Sara stood on first, her eyes scanning the Piercehaven crowd, Emily assumed, in an effort to find her mother.
“Get ready to run,” Emily hollered at Sara, trying to reel her head into the game. Emily was greatly encouraged by the play, but she knew it was a long way till the top of their lineup. They were looking at seven, eight, and nine right now. “Here we go, Chloe. Keep your head down and your eye on the ball.” Emily had said the words so often, she was sure they’d lost their meaning. But she didn’t know what else to tell this child—this child who struggled to hit the ball off a tee. But today, Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, swung the bat, and hit the ball to shortstop for what looked to be a double play. But little Sara had a head start, and somehow, beat the ball to second base, her presence throwing the second baseman off balance as she tried to throw to first. The throw went high, and Chloe was safe. Valley had made two errors in a row. I don’t care how we get there, as long as we get there.
Little Lucy was up, and it appeared she wanted to be anywhere else. “Lucy, look at me!”
Lucy looked.
“Take a breath. You’re going to be fine. Just do the best you can.”
Lucy struck out.
“That’s OK, Luce! It’s OK!” Emily tried, but Lucy was already crying in the dugout. Allie stepped up to bat. “Hit the ball, Allie,” Emily said and then left her and the base runners to go see Lucy. “Lucy, look at me,” she said, her tone conveying urgency. Lucy looked. “I don’t want you ever crying over softball. Or any game. Do you hear me? It’s just a game.” Lucy sniffed and nodded, wiping at her eyes. “Good girl.”
Allie hit the ball. Right at first base. But she advanced the runners. Two outs, two runners on, and a girl who thought all she could do was bunt up to bat. MacKenzie looked at Emily. Emily shook her head. No. MacKenzie took a deep breath and stepped into the box. And singled to right field, driving in two runs. Jake Jasper sent her to second, which scared Emily half to death, but she beat out the throw. He’d been right.
Juniper stepped up to bat looking downright cocky in her pinstripes.
“A lot can happen with two outs, Juniper,” Emily said.
“I know,” Juniper said, with an uncharacteristic smile.
She fouled off the first two pitches, pulling too hard.
“Wait for it to get there,” Emily said.
Juniper nodded, waited, and then crack—the ball was on its way to center field. It looked like the centerfielder might get to it, but she wasn’t Sara, and she couldn’t quite get there before it hit the ground. MacKenzie rounded third and headed for home.
The Panthers scored five runs that inning.
Valley got one hit in the sixth and one in the seventh, but both girls were left standing on base. The Piercehaven Panthers were victorious. They were moving on to the semifinals. Hailey picked Juniper up and spun her around, with Juniper protesting the whole while. Everyone was smiling. Even DeAnna. Even Sara.
