“And I’m the only person you can think of to fill in?” I asked. “And what exactly is topsy-turvy tee-ball? Is it like baseball or something?”
“Yep,” Mom said. “Exactly like baseball, except with a few additions.”
I closed my eyes and envisioned myself in a different scenario…one where Ihadn’tpicked up my cell phone this morning when it rang.
“Be here at nine,” Mom demanded. “Don’t be late!”
I hung up and threw back the covers. No getting out of it now. Not if I didn’t want Gilda putting some kind of Italian curse on me. And I had no doubt she’d do it. Katherine once told me that Gilda made her get a surprise bikini wax!
I dressed in yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt since it was still cool in the mornings and hurried downstairs to put on coffee. No way was I starting this morning off by skipping caffeine.
By seven-forty, I was sitting at my outdoor table sipping the life-saving liquid gold and looking out over my backyard when Jacob emerged from his cottage. A niggling of apprehension pierced my body. Would Jacob act like nothing happened last night? Or would he push for something more?
“That looks good,” he said. “I need to remember to stop at a store and buy a coffee pot.”
“You’re more than welcome to go in and get a cup,” I said.
So far so good.
He grinned. “Thanks, but I better not today. I just texted Daniel I’d be at his house by eight this morning.”
“Have a good day.”
“Will do.” He started to walk away then turned back to me. “Oh, I almost forgot. Daniel also texted me that you were playing ball this morning with his grandpa, your mom, and the girls.”
I groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
He chuckled and shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “I told him I’d give anything to see that.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re working and can’t see it.”
He shrugged, but I could see the sparkle in his eye. “Daniel said maybe we’d need to do an emergency run to the local hardware store for some nails. It goes right past the senior center ballfield.” He winked. “See ya later, slugger!”
***
“Is this a joke?” I watched in astonishment as Frank Carson lined up four walkers along the dugout.
“Nope,” Mimi said. “It’s no joke. Once you hit the ball off the little tee, you grab the walker and run down the baseline to first base. It’s that simple.”
“Why do you have to hit the ball off the tee?” I asked.
Gilda looked insulted at my question. “Because we’re old. Do you really think one of us can pitch for nine innings?”
Lord help me!
“You’ll do fine,” Ingrid said as she yanked a catcher’s mask over her face. “If not, we’ll give you a proper Viking’s death.”
“Here.” Mimi threw me a shirt before I could react to Ingrid’s threat. “You have to wear the uniform.”
“I won’t,” I said.
“Put it on,” Gilda said, “or I’ll put it on for you.”
With a sigh, I unfolded the shirt and threw it on over my long-sleeved t-shirt. It was only sixty-eight degrees out, so the extra layer was helpful. Whatwasn’thelpful was the logo now splashed across my chest for all to see.
Trinity Falls Sexy Seniors.
I didn’t feel like a sexy senior, nor did I want to advertise I was anywhereneara senior. Especially since Jacob said he might stop by. The last thing I wanted him to do was think about me as an old woman. I wasn’t even sure I wanted him to think about me at all…but if he did, I certainly didn’t want it to be in a geriatric way.
