Senses 03 - Love Comes Home (DA) (MM) (20 page)

“What’s wrong?” Skip asked. “You’re staring.”

“Didn’t mean to. Just thinking about crap.” Wishing his dad would have done something so simple with him when he was that age. “Let’s go back. We have to make sure everything is charged and ready for beep ball. Was there something you were interested in?”

Skip walked back through the store and returned with half a dozen T-shirts in various colors. “I need something to bring back to the guys, and they’ll get a kick out of these.” He paid, and then they walked back to the car, where another group of people surrounded it. Tom did the same routine as before, and then they headed home.

The sky clouded over as they approached town. “Davey will be disappointed if it rains.”

Skip pulled out his phone and began checking things. “There’s nothing on the radar, probably just clouds.”

They pulled into the drive, and Tom put the car in the garage. Then he began gathering the equipment, making sure it was all charged before packing it in the trunk of the BMW. Once that was done, they hung out for a while and then headed over to the ball field.

Skip helped him set up, and by the time Greg pulled in with Davey, Tom was all smiles.

“Did you have a good day?” Greg asked as he got out of the car and Tom hurried over to him.

“Yes,” Tom answered and then kissed him. “But that was still one of the highlights.”

“Is everything ready?” Davey asked. He was so excited he could hardly stand still.

“Yes.” Other cars pulled in. He recognized Howard and Gordy’s car along with Ken and Patrick’s and Joyce’s rental, but others arrived as well. “We have everything set up.” Greg guided Davey toward where they were going to play, and Tom went along with them.

“We got you some additional players,” Howard said with a smile from where he held Gordy’s arm.

“Excellent,” Tom said and lifted his head. “Please join us by the foot of the stands, and I’ll explain the game and what we’ll be doing today.”

The sighted walked over to the stands, while the new parents aided their blind children. It took a while, and Tom quickly realized things were going to happen more slowly than he’d anticipated. When they’d played with just Davey, things had gone relatively quickly.

“Welcome to beep baseball, or as Davey calls it, ‘beep ball,’” Tom said once everyone had gathered. “We aren’t here to play a game or for competition, at least not today. This is about fun. I’m Tom Spangler.”

“Are you the coach?”

“No, I’m just the organizer. Greg”—he motioned—“is going to act as coach, but really we’re here just to have fun. Since we have new faces, I think we should make introductions.”

“I’m Marty Phillips, and this is my son Kurt.”

“How old are you, Kurt?” Tom asked in a much quieter tone.

“Nine,” Kurt said.

“Have you played baseball before?”

“Kurt was born blind,” Marty answered for him, and Kurt turned toward him. “That isn’t a problem, is it?”

“Goodness, no,” Tom said. “All of us are learning, and we’ll do it together.” He was so excited, and Tom glanced at Greg, seeing some of his excitement coming back to him. He wanted to run over and hug him hard, because things seemed to be coming together. He turned to the other man who had come.

“I’m Frank Gardner, and this is Heather,” he said.

“Hi,” Heather said happily. “I’m really excited to play.”

“She’s a real baseball fan,” Frank said.

“Have you played?” Tom asked.

“No. I listen to the games with Daddy,” Heather said.

“When we heard about this through Howard, she was so excited.” Frank paused. “This isn’t just for boys, is it?”

“No. Certainly not,” Tom answered Frank. “Hanna and Sophia are going to play as well. They’ll use blindfolds.”

Frank smiled and hugged Heather to him. Introductions continued, and then Tom explained the basic rules of the game before turning things over to Greg. Tom checked out the equipment while Greg explained that they were going to start with moving between the bases. They’d figured one skill at a time was best. Parents took places at the bases, and the kids took turns moving between them, just like Tom and Greg had done with Davey previously. With each success, the kids laughed. Heather was totally fearless, and after one trip back and forth, she ran between the bases with a burst of speed. Sophia and Hanna were the most tentative, which wasn’t surprising.

“Do you want to work on hitting?” Greg asked. “I think Heather is so eager that if she connects with the ball, she’ll hit it out of the park.”

“I agree. Kurt is still reticent. I’d let him run the bases a few more times.” Tom looked over at Joyce.

“What are you thinking?” Greg asked.

“Hanna,” Tom called, and she pulled off her blindfold and ran over. “Would you be willing to help for a few minutes so I can borrow your blindfold?”

“Sure,” she said, sounding a little relieved before handing him the blindfold. “It isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Sophia said the same thing.”

Tom couldn’t help hugging her. “You’re both doing beautifully, and I’m… proud of both of you for trying. The others need that.” Tom glanced at Joyce, then back at Heather. “Thank you for this. Now let’s have a little fun.”

Hanna looked up at him, probably wondering what he was talking about. Tom released her and walked to where Sanjay and Joyce were sitting. They’d been talking between themselves, and a few times he’d heard her whispered comments.

“Would you like to try?” he asked her, holding out the blindfold. This idea had been running through his mind since the day before. Tom made sure his tone came across with the hint of a dare.

“Go on,” Sanjay said when she looked at him.

Joyce snatched the blindfold from Tom’s hand and walked to home base. Then she put it on.

“Can you hear the other base?” Tom asked, and Joyce nodded. “Then walk toward it. I’ll be right along with you.”

“You don’t expect me to run, do you?” There was fear in her voice.

“No, just make your way toward the sound. The ground is level, and I won’t let anything get in your way.” She walked slowly. Tom guided her twice, and she eventually reached the base. As soon as she touched it, she pulled at the blindfold and handed it back to him.

“I think you made your point,” she said softly.

“Did I?” Tom challenged.

“Yes,” she answered this time much more softly. “I could hardly walk a straight line.” She stepped back from the base, and Tom did the same so they wouldn’t become an obstacle.

“Yes. And Davey has to relearn how to do nearly everything in his life, including eat, drink, and walk. As frustrating as it is for you, because you want him to do well, it’s even harder for him.” Tom wasn’t sure he was getting through with his words, but he was pretty sure his little demonstration had given her something to think about.

“Tom,” Greg called, and Tom turned away from Joyce and jogged over to home plate. He handed Hanna back her blindfold, and they got the kids ready to take turns hitting. He did note that there was a lot more shouting and encouragement, especially when Davey came up to bat, and Tom shared a wink with Greg that was returned with a smile.

God, Tom loved it when Greg looked at him that way. Between him and Greg, they explained how the game worked and spent the next half hour giving each of the players a chance to hit. They did remarkably well. Davey and Heather were going to be power hitters. Kurt was much more tentative, and Tom worked with him closely, but by the end of the hitting practice, he’d managed to connect twice. Tom couldn’t help grinning when Kurt jumped up and down after his second hit, and his father rushed up to him and lifted Kurt into the air with tears in his eyes. “You did it.”

Tom blinked a few times himself, and he saw Greg doing the same. Sophia and Hanna did fairly well. For them, Tom was sure it was an issue of getting used to using a sense other than sight. He had little doubt that both of them would become good players eventually.

“This is amazing,” Frank said once the batting practice was over. “They’re really doing it.”

“Yes, they are,” Tom said.

“Let’s try fielding,” Greg said with energy. They gathered the players together. “Now we’re going to place you each in an area of the field. We’ll hit balls in your direction. The object isn’t to catch them, but to pick them up off the ground before the runner reaches base. Now, you’ll have to talk to each other so the others know where you’re at. One of the important things is to learn each other’s voices. In a game there will be people talking and other noise, so I want you to start by saying your name as you’re in the field. Things like ‘Sophia, and I have it,’ or ‘Davey, and I’m on it.’ Also periodically just say your name so the other players get their bearings. Can you do that?”

“Yes,” they all said excitedly, and the adults helped place the kids in position. Parents were nearby to help head off any potential collisions, and Greg began hitting balls to each player. The kids laughed, called out their names, and hurried for the ball. A few times they fell, but came up with smiles as they continued following the beep. Some collisions were headed off, and by and large the kids had fun.

“You all did great. Did you have fun?” Greg asked, and a chorus of yeses went up from the tiny team. “I’m glad. I think next time we’ll do the same drills and then try to combine hitting and running to the base. Does everyone like pizza?” Another chorus of excited yeses went up, and Greg explained where they were all going to meet. “Once we get to the restaurant, we’ll set up a schedule,” Greg told the parents. “I’ll also get contact information so we can stay in touch.”

“I have a few questions,” Frank said, and Tom turned to him. “How much does this cost? The equipment can’t be cheap.”

“All the equipment has been donated, as are the uniforms, pizza, drinks, and anything else we need. We’re working to get set up as an official team within the league so we can be nonprofit as well. There are people looking into what needs to be done.”

“How did you manage that?” Frank asked.

“I have my ways,” Tom said, and he shared a brief look with Greg. “Let’s get the equipment put away, and then we can get these players some pizza,” he cried loudly, and the adults fanned out onto the field, including Joyce and Sanjay. Tom saw Joyce talking with Greg and wondered briefly what they were speaking about, but returned to packing up the bases.

A
FEW
hours later, almost everyone had eaten their fill and had left the pizza place. Greg, Skip, and Tom sat at the table with Davey, who leaned tiredly against Greg.

“I should get him home,” Greg said softly.

“I’ll stay here if you two want to talk a few minutes,” Skip offered.

Greg shifted, and Davey sat up. Then Greg and Tom moved to one of the empty tables in the back. “Joyce sure changed her tune after what you did with her,” Greg said.

“I thought she would, but I don’t want to talk about her.”

“Oh,” Greg said stiffening. “Is something wrong?”

“No. I’ve missed you today. Skip and I went to the falls, and I stood at this great lookout point and all I could think about was you. I kept wishing you and Davey were with me.”

“It used to be one of his favorite spots. We’d go there for the day, take a picnic, and when we visited the lower falls the last time, I let him row across. He was in heaven.” Greg smiled. “When he was losing his sight, we did all kinds of things together. I knew it was likely for the last time, but I didn’t tell him that. It won’t be the same now, but eventually we can take him back.”

Tom looked around them and then leaned across the table. “I want to come home with you, but I can’t leave Skip alone again. Does Davey have school tomorrow?”

“No. He has the day off, but I have work that’s piling up. Howard and Gordy are going to pick him up in the morning for me. Howard wants to spend time with him to help him with mobility and other issues. He also has an embosser and is going to help with reading.”

“Are things happening too fast for Davey? He’s had a lot to take in.” Tom couldn’t help looking over to where Davey and Skip chattered back and forth.

“I asked his teachers that, and they said he’s one of the brightest students they’ve had. They say he shows frustration from time to time, though mostly they say that’s because Davey still hopes he’ll be able to see again. Speaking of that, I got a call from Davey’s doctor, and he wants to meet with me and Sanjay late tomorrow afternoon.” Greg shifted in the seat. “I was wondering if you’d go with me.”

“Of course, if you want me to.”

Greg glanced at Davey and then leaned closer. “I’m so scared I can’t think straight. I mean, if there is something that could work, how can I say no? And yet there are probably no guarantees. What if we try whatever Sanjay proposes and it doesn’t work? That would devastate Davey… and me.”

Tom understood. “I know. On the one hand, you want to give Davey every opportunity to be able to see, and on the other, what if it causes harm? Nothing is guaranteed.” Greg nodded very slowly, and Tom took his hand. “I’ll be there with you if you want, and you can make the decision once you hear all the facts.” Tom wished he could be more encouraging.

“Thank you,” Greg said and stood up. “I have to get him home.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tom said, pulling Greg into a hug. “I….” The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he held them back. He wasn’t sure why. “I’ll miss you,” he said and pulled Greg tighter before releasing him.

Greg got Davey, and they said good night and left, with Tom and Skip right behind.

“Why didn’t you tell him how you feel?” Skip asked once they were in the car.

Tom didn’t have an answer, at least not one he was willing to vocalize. How in the hell could he say that the few times in his life he’d told someone he loved them they’d left or died, or worse, he found out they didn’t love him back—only his money. He’d tried to make the words come, but they’d stuck in his throat. Tom glanced at Skip, who looked back to him.

“Believe me, I know what it feels like to keep your feelings to yourself.” Tom knew from the way Skip stared that he was referring to him, and he winced involuntarily. “What you feel for Greg is written all over your face, at least for me.”