CHAPTER 8
SORRY
“Benny!” Ian shouted furiously.
He couldn’t believe it. Hunter didn’t take Dad’s baseball after all! Ian thought. It hadn’t even left the house! I’m a terrible teammate for not trusting him.
There were quick footsteps on the stairs, and then Benny was standing in the doorway. “Yeah?” his little brother said.
Ian held out the baseball. “Did you take this the other night when my team was here?” he demanded, even though he already knew the answer.
Benny stared down at the floor, looking guilty. “You said it was Dad’s most favorite thing,” he said. “I just wanted to have it for a little while.”
Just then, Dad appeared behind Benny, a puzzled look on his face. “What’s going on, boys?” he asked. Then he saw what Ian was holding. “Why is that out of my office?”
“Benny took it,” Ian said. “And I thought one of my friends stole it from you.”
“Did you accuse him of stealing it?” Dad asked.
Ian nodded.
His dad held out his palm, and Ian placed the baseball in it. “Then I think you know what you have to do, Ian,” Dad said.
Another nod. “I feel awful. Could I have a ride over there now?” Ian asked.
* * *
Hunter and his family lived across town, on a road lined with one-story houses and trailers. As they drove, Ian looked for the right house, consulting the team roster which listed all the players’ addresses. He and Dad found it at the end of the street.
Dad parked, and Ian got out of the car and walked up the cracked driveway. He climbed the steps and knocked on the door.
A woman with straight dark hair answered.
“Hi, is … uh, is Hunter home?” Ian asked.
“One minute,” the woman said. She disappeared back into the house. Ian heard her say, “A friend is here to see you.”
Hunter responded with, “Friend?”
A moment later, Hunter appeared in the doorway. When he saw Ian waiting on the porch, he rolled his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Hunter asked. “I told you, I don’t have your stupid baseball.”
“I know,” Ian said. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “I came to apologize.”
“Oh,” said Hunter.
“I’m sorry I thought you stole my dad’s baseball. I should have trusted you,” Ian said. “My brother was actually the one who took it.”
Hunter smiled, just a little. Ian was pretty sure he’d never seen Hunter do that before.
“I’m sorry, Hunter,” Ian said.
Hunter nodded. “Sorry I got angry and shoved you,” he said.
He paused, picking at a splinter of wood on the doorframe. Then he said, “Honestly, I was more embarrassed than angry. I got the glove from one of those ‘Toys for Kids’ charities. My family doesn’t have a lot of money. And I, uh … I don’t have a lot of friends.”
Ian smiled. “What are you talking about?” he asked. “You’ve got a whole team of them.”
Hunter smiled back. “Sometimes it feels like I’m the odd one out, since you guys have been playing together for so long. But I’d like to get to know you all better.” Then he paused for a moment before asking, “Hey, do you wanna come inside for a little bit and hang out?”
“Absolutely,” Ian said.