“Right field,” insisted Krystal. “It’s not really a sport.”
“I don’t run,” said Rachel. “I mean, I’ve run from cops and stuff, but I don’t really remember it.”
“Take my spot,” said Krystal. “It’s the least you can do. If you leave us alone, I’ll buy you a new bathtub. But you can’t tell Bert. I can’t stand seeing you dirty. I mean, I’m not a complete bitch.”
“Are you really that scared of my mom?”
“Yes,” said Krystal. “Consider it a housewarming gift.”
“Fine,” said Rachel. Jake heard the faint rumble of Bert’s truck.
“The first practice is in a few weeks,” said Krystal. “Maybe you should start jogging or something.” Krystal slid the window shut and drew the curtains.
* * *
Jake worked on the laundry basket, folding the load he had removed from the dryer. He washed all of the laundry for the household because he was the best at it, and because he insisted. When Bert finally came through the door, he ignored Jake and his piles on the living room floor. Bert sat quietly on the couch. He held no beer in his hand and did not ask Krystal to fetch him one. Jake hoped that Bert had an infection from the cut on his hand, that he had a rare blood fever.
Krystal wiped down the kitchen table and plucked the baby from her high chair, placed her carefully inside the playpen. Bert continued to stare out into space. Bert took pills for his blood pressure, so Jake ruled out a stroke.
Finally, Bert asked to speak with Krystal privately. Jake gathered the laundry and fled to his bedroom. He turned on his stereo so he would not have to listen to their conversation.
Bert did not allow Jake to shut his bedroom door completely. Krystal appeared in his doorway, fifteen minutes later. She didn’t have the baby, which meant she wanted to discuss something serious.
She sat down on his bed, in the clear space among the stacks of his clothes. She examined a vest that was black and had a dark purple backing, and pretended to admire it.
“This is nice,” she said, and neatly folded it.
“You hate it,” said Jake.
“It’s not my style, honey.”
“I’ll put it in the storage shed,” he said.
“Have you made any new friends?”
“No,” he said.
Krystal did not respond, clearly distracted. “I have good news,” she said, clasping her hands together.
Jake carefully considered this. “But you just lost the baby weight.”
“Jake, you have to stop reading women’s magazines. Did you notice something different about Bert?”
“Are you kicking him out?” Jake’s heart leaped in his chest.
“No, honey. Something happened.”
“Okay,” said Jake as he folded a fitted sheet. He was the only member of the household who possessed this ability.
“He almost died. He’s a different man now.”
“I’ve heard that before,” said Jake. “And nobody even shot at him. It was an attempted robbery.”
“Oh, Jake,” Krystal said, and sighed.
“Whatever. You are always coming in here and making promises that he’s changed his ways, and that things are going to be better. And that lasts a couple of hours until he gets pissed off at me.”
“He’s been saved,” whispered Krystal.
“From what?” Jake handed her the properly folded fitted sheet.
“Saved,” repeated Krystal. “Like in a spiritual way.”
At this, Jake guffawed. Krystal glared but remained calm. She smoothed the sheet with the flat of her hand.
“I figured that’s what you meant,” he said, and stopped grinning. He knew his mother’s face and could see the pain it caused her.
“He’s in a better place now,” she said. “He has all sorts of plans for the future. I haven’t seen him like this since we started dating.”
“He’s been in a bad mood for two years,” said Jake. “Does this mean he’s going to get a job?”
“Like it or not, we have a baby now. He’s the head of this family,” said Krystal. “He’s had a hard life.” Jake turned away from her and pretended to examine his closet, because there were tears in his eyes. He was sick of all of the excuses. “Honey, I promise you. Everything is going to change around here.”
“That’s what you said about the baby,” said Jake.
“Bert’s getting baptized next week,” she said. “He really wants you to be there.”
“Did he say that?” He turned and addressed her directly. “Did those words really come out of his mouth?”
“No,” said Krystal.
“That’s what I thought,” said Jake.
“You will be the best-dressed person there,” said Krystal. “I just know you have a baptism outfit somewhere in here.”