She pouts. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“What do you want me to do about it?” I ask, still in shock that we’re having a real conversation. It’s bizarre how easy it is.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to get used to it.”
“Well, you can stare at me as long as you want.”
Her eyes widen and a pink hue covers her cheeks. “Since when do you talk like that?”
“It’s fun to make you blush.”
“I think you’re blushing more than I am,” she says, patting my face.
“I doubt that.”
She tilts her head and gives me a look. “I’ll prove it. Give me your phone and I’ll take a picture.”
“I don’t have my phone.”
She covers her mouth.
“What?”
“I don’t have mine either.” She scurries back over to the opening in the floor and stares at the useless ladder on the grass. “How are we going to call for help?”
“We could yell.”
She scratches her head and doesn’t seem too confident in that plan. “What if that doesn’t work?”
I’m not worried. I’m with Emma Adler, after all.
The corner of my mouth turns up. “Looks like we’ve found our first adventure.”
40
MYLES
It’s the bottom of the ninth, and I’m up to bat. Our teams are tied, and we’re so close to winning I can taste it.
As I walk out, I can clearly see Emma sitting at the very top of the bleachers. She waves when our eyes meet and my heart skips.
A few rows below her, Mom sits next to Adam, cheering me on. Mom went all out, wearing our school colors. She even made a sign. It’s embarrassing, but I love it.
I tap home plate with my bat and make sure I have a good grip before I bring it over my shoulder. I take a deep breath as I bend my knees and watch the pitcher.
He throws the ball and I swing with all my might. The ball slams against the bat and flies through the air. It soars over the other team’s players and across the fence.
I’m so shocked, I don’t move until everyone behind me starts yelling. I jog forward and the dirt billows behind me.
The crowd cheers as I run, rushing from base to base. I imagine my dad standing at home base and I run faster,harder. He’s waving me on like he did at my Little League games.
My foot hits home. There’s yelling and cheering. My team runs onto the field and Sam practically attacks me. In the chaos I catch a glimpse of my mother. She smiles at me, and the happiness in her eyes warms my heart.
I smile back, and I want to cry. Not because I’m sad but because having her here makes me feel closer to Dad.
And I know if Dad were here, he would be proud. Not just of the game, but he’d be proud of us.
Of Mom and me.
