The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,25
were very important to each other. I haven’t seen or heard from him in over two years.” I could tell I surprised him by my confession and suddenly it felt awkward sitting here with him, talking about this.
“I’m sorry. I read what happened to him.”
“I was there, with him, the day it happened… It was horrible… It was a terrible accident,” I say, remembering that afternoon in the parking lot. “Anyway, things didn’t end very well for him, or us. I thought we would always be in each others’ lives, but that changed when he left,” I say, looking away.
“Did it? I mean, it looks as though he is on his way back.”
“Do you mean, on his way back to baseball, or on his way back to me?” I ask, confused by his statement.
“Maybe both,” he responds quietly.
“Well, it seems as though he’s returned to baseball. But me? No. That chapter is closed. Our lives have taken us in different directions and we are not the same people we were then,” I answer definitively.
“But he didn’t leave by choice.”
“No, he may not have had a choice about going away, but he did have a choice about leaving me. I thought he would write, make things better between us, even if it was just to remain friends. We were such good friends before we were… you know… but he never did. He’s been home since spring; he hasn’t tried to contact me.”
“He knows you’re here?”
“Of course. His family lives across the street from my home in Jersey… I mean directly across the street. Our parents are friends. I would have known if he wanted to see me.”
“How does that make you feel?”
“I’ve moved past it… I came to terms with it a while ago. It just took me off guard seeing him for the first time today. He’s not the same person I knew.”
“Well, given what he’s been through, I’d imagine it could change you. I appreciate you opening up to me. It gives me a little more insight about you.”
I try to offer a smile as we rise from the bench and he puts his arm around my shoulder as we walk towards my apartment.
“You’re very guarded, you know? You never talk about your personal life,” he says, joking with me.
“Well, there you go. You got an earful tonight.” I laugh, realizing I do not mind that his arm is around me. It feels good to be able to talk about it with someone.
As we reach my apartment, I remind him that I have class on Monday and I won’t be in to work until Tuesday. While we talk, I feel the need to assure him that I’ve had a nice time with him the last couple of days. He kisses me softly on my cheek before leaving, just as he did after the game the other night.
Mya is waiting on the couch when I walk in.
“Is everything alright? I came right home. I thought maybe you needed me.”
“Yes, I’m fine. I was just shocked seeing him and all. I told Frank; it felt good to get it out. I’ve kept it in for so long, you’re the only one I ever told about him.”
“Good for you, I like Frank.”
“Me, too,” I reply before retreating to my room. I hope the pain I feel will soon fade once again, so that I can move on with my current life.
***
(Luke)
I was with the Renegades for two weeks before being called up to Double A just in time for playoffs. I feel good and I’m definitely getting stronger, mentally and physically. The Rays have been great to me. Since the interview, they’ve been very guarded and strict as to who is allowed to interview me. They’ve coached me on how to field their questions and if I find myself stuck, they taught me how to steer the conversation towards something more positive.
Mikey made a few calls to his former teammates and they greeted me as if I’d been a part of their team all season. I would love to play with Mikey again, but for now, my goal is to push forward day-by-day. I’m dominating the field like I have in the past and manage three shut-outs in my last five games.
I’m determined more than ever to have it all back, including JJ. However, right now my main focus needs to be on baseball. My loyalty is with this organization. They’ve helped me and stood by me through this whole thing. They