The Problem with Sports - M.E. Clayton Page 0,13

views are skewed, it’s obvious he loves sports,” he replied. “Why wouldn’t taking him to a game be a birthday present or something?”

“Again, how is this any of your business?” I wasn’t sure what this lunatic was about, but I hated the way he made it seem as if Steven and I were horrible parents because we didn’t take our son to ballgames.

And while I had nothing against taking Grant to some games, Steven felt strongly against it, and it wasn’t worth the fight. Especially, when I knew, deep down, Steven was doing it for the same reason I bought a condo and not a house with a yard. We didn’t want to rub Grant’s limitations in his face.

“It’s not, if you want to argue legalities and morality, but I’m not here to do that.” My brows shot up. “I’m here because it pains me to know that kid has never been to a game.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ll get over it.”

Nathan shook his head. “No, I really don’t think I will,” he countered. “Can I take him to a game or not?”

This man really was a stone-cold psychopath.

“No,” I said, dragging the word out, so he’d understand what I was saying.

“Why not?” he asked like a petulant child.

“Because I don’t know you,” I reminded him. “You’re out of your mind if you think I’m just going to let some stranger take my child anywhere.”

He looked genuinely perplexed when he said, “But I’m Nathan Hayes.”

“So?”

His mouth opened and closed like he was at a loss for words. And he probably was. He probably believed his superstar status gave him a free pass or something. Now, did I think Nathan Hayes would kidnap Grant? Probably not. But that was a probably not, not a concrete no.

After a couple of awkward minutes, he finally spoke. “Why hasn’t he ever been to a game?”

I wasn’t sure what it was, but something in Nathan’s voice moved me. He was asking me because he genuinely wanted to know, and not in a judgmental way. Grant’s love for sports was obvious, and Nathan was genuinely curious.

“Would you like to sit down?” I asked, extending an olive branch.

He gave me a terse nod. “Thank you, yes,” he replied before making his way to the couch.

“Drink?”

I could hear his low chuckle. “Yes, please. Water, if you have it.”

I went and grabbed two waters, then made my way to the couch. I sat down but made sure to sit far enough away that there was an entire cushion between us.

Handing him his water, I fiddled with the one in my hand. Not many people knew about Grant’s condition, and it wasn’t something I often talked about. However, with Nathan being who he was, plus our upstairs neighbor, it was probably a good idea to let him know, so that he didn’t fill Grant’s head with any harebrained ideas.

“Do you know what interstitial lung disease is?” Nathan shook his head. “It’s a lung disease that affects children, teens, and young adults.”

“Okay.”

“The best way I can describe it as is a severe case of asthma that, sometimes, comes with actual lung damage,” I explained. “Grant has to be monitored and needs a bronchoalveolar lavage performed every two years to monitor for damage, and we’ve been lucky that he doesn’t have any. Or, at least, he hasn’t had any since he was diagnosed three years ago.”

“So, he doesn’t play any sports?”

I shook my head. “No, he doesn’t,” I confirmed, a pang in my chest. “While chILD, that’s what it’s referred to, affects children differently, Grant doesn’t have any lung damage right now. So, Steven and I decided to do all we can to make sure no damage develops, and part of that was not playing sports.”

Nathan looked upset, and it touched me deep inside. “And…he’s not sad about that?”

“If he is, he’s never said anything about it,” I told him. “When he’s not at school, or playing with his friends, he’s consuming sports, and not just baseball. He loves all sports. Football being his favorites. He’s-”

Nathan put his hand up to stop me. “Football? Seriously?” he asked, visibly upset for a different reason now. “Have you people no consideration for me at all?”

“Uh…”

“First, I’m not his favorite Condor player. Second, I’m just good, even though I am bound for the Hall of Fame. And now, baseball isn’t even his favorite sport? What the fuck?”

It was everything I could do to keep my laugh in.

This man was serious.

“Is that really the point right