“It was incredible. I can’t even describe it to you. It was like fireworks went off in my head when the umpire called strike three.”
“I knew you could do it.”
“Damn, I wish you were here.”
“I wish I was, too. I’m being discharged tomorrow but the doctors don’t think it’s a good idea for me to fly. They want me to take it easy.”
“Then that’s what you should do.”
“I know, but it worked out so well the last time we defied the doctor’s orders.”
He chuckles. “This isn’t the same thing. You just barely woke up from getting hit by a car. Give it a week at least. But I miss you like hell.”
“I can’t wait to see you again.”
“I’ll see you soon, baby. I promise.”
There are loud cheers around him now. “I’ve got to go. I love you, Sage.”
“I love you, too, Casey.”
28
Sage
I’ve been home from the hospital for three days. Jane took me back to her place and I’ve managed to shower on my own and read several pages without getting a headache. They’re small wins, but they bring me closer to visiting Casey in California.
I’ve taken a leave of absence from work, and while I miss the people I’ve met there, I can’t say I miss being in New York. I realize my attachment to Cedar Brook Falls isn’t just something I manufactured; it lives in my heart. I felt lighter the moment Jane drove past the welcome sign, reading population 3,079.
I’m wearing my best dress, the long light blue one with white irises and a sweater since the weather has gotten chillier now that it’s October.
“Hey, you look nice,” says Jane when I open her car door.
“I hope your mother-in-law thinks so, too,” I mumble.
“Oh, she’ll love anything you wear. You make her son happy.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Casey’s father answers the door and pulls us both in for a hug at the same time. “How are two of my favorite girls doing today?”
“Great,” says Jane and kisses his cheek. “You’re in a good mood.”
“My son is playing game seven of the World Series, and I’ve got my favorite people here to share it with me.”
Anthony and Charlie are already sitting on the couch munching on caramel popcorn. Cassandra is on her phone, but she looks up now and again. “Hi, Aunt Sage,” they all greet me. I kiss the top of their heads and head into the kitchen where I find Casey’s mom. She’s wearing her son’s jersey and I smile. “Oh, hi, dear,” she says, looking me up and down. “You look nice.”
“Thank you. I like your outfit better, though.”
She winks and pulls out a tray of sandwiches. “Are you hungry?”
I ate before coming here, not sure what to expect, but I take one anyway. “Thank you.”
She’s being suspiciously nice and I’m not sure if it’s genuine like Jane said or if she’s testing me. For now, I’ll take it positively and hope for the best.
Mrs. Tucker passes the sandwich tray around and then sets it on the table.
“The Jets have really come together these last two games,” says the television announcer. “It seemed like the Philly’s would take this series, having scored the go-ahead runs in the ninth innings, upsetting L.A. fans when they had the lead. But everything changed when Casey Tucker came back.”
