“I’m going to get a bottle of champagne I’ve been saving,” says Mr. Tucker. He runs out of the room, the fastest I’ve seen him move since his heart attack. He’s back and pops the bottle open. “Whoopee, I can’t wait to taste this one. I’ve been holding onto it since the day Casey was born.”
“Uh… Dad, where did you keep it?” asks Jane. “Is it still good for consumption after all this time?”
“Who knows, maybe I’ll just get us some beers instead.”
“Shh, shh,” says Mrs. Tucker, waving her hands frantically. “Casey’s on the television. They’re about to interview him.”
Casey is soaked, his hair dripping with champagne. He’s wearing goggles on his forehead, keeping the burning bubbly out of his eyes for now. Those big blue eyes are bright, and his smile is almost larger than his handsome face.
“Casey, can you take us through those final moments of the game?”
“Sure, Jim,” he says, wiping the rivulets of champagne dripping onto his mouth. “I felt confident I could throw him a fastball. I knew he would hit it, but I had faith that my infield would get to it. I just didn’t expect it would come straight to me.”
“Yes, and thank goodness you grabbed that. Then to have the presence of mind to throw to first and get the double play. That was impressive considering it was game seven.”
“I wasn’t thinking about what game it is. I was thinking how many outs I need to finish this inning. I figured I needed two more, so I would try to get the runner at second out any way I could, and I did.”
“Well, congratulations, Casey. You’ve had a tough road getting back here. Some critics counted you out, so what do you say to those people?”
“Nothing. But I have a lot to say to everyone who believes in me. To my family and friends and neighbors in my hometown Cedar Brook Falls, thank you for believing in me. And to my girlfriend, Sage,” he wipes his face, “I love you. You’re the reason I’m standing here today.” He turns to the camera and clenches the microphone. “We did it, Sage. We did it. I’m coming home to you, baby.”
I press my lips together, but the tears fall anyway. “I love you, too,” I whisper, but I know everyone hears me. The room is silent, everyone’s eyes are on me, but I can’t tear mine away from the television screen.
“Well, that was an emotional tribute,” says the announcer. “I don’t know who that Sage woman is, but she’s one lucky lady.”
“A pretty special one, I think,” says Mrs. Tucker, and I release a shaky breath. She’s smiling and her eyes are soft. “Thank you,” she says.
I can’t hold back a sob, and she puts her arms around me. “You’re welcome,” I cry into her shoulder. I can’t explain the emotion. It feels good to have his mother’s approval, but more than that, it feels good to be embraced by a mother. It makes me miss my own at the same time as I take comfort that I have this moment with her.
I bury my face into her sweater.
Oh geez.
I’m such a mess.
She rubs my back and pats my hair. “Come on, you heard Casey. We’ve got another homecoming to plan.”
29
Sage
Casey tried calling me last night, but I couldn’t make out a word he said from all the cheering and loud music in the background. I watched the celebrations on television back in my own home. The Jets’ clubhouse was transformed into a nightclub fully equipped with a DJ, strobe lighting, and overflowing glasses of champagne. The players poured most of it over their heads rather than in their mouths.
I couldn’t be happier for Casey. He did it. He lived his dream, and he shouted-me-out on national television. The little girl inside me squealed, for sure.
By the time he got back to his hotel room, it was three o’clock in the morning on the east coast and I’d fallen asleep. But I needed to get to bed because I have an important call this morning, one I’ve been thinking about since I was hit by that car.
“Good morning, Sage. How are you feeling today?”
“I’m doing a lot better, Garrett. Thank you for asking.”
“No problem. I’m glad to hear it. And I don’t want this to come across as insensitive as we are all concerned about your health. We’re just looking for a timeline of when you think you’ll be back at work.”
“I understand, and I’ve thought deeply about what I want for myself. This accident put a lot into perspective.” I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be returning to the hospital. I loved researching and contributing to the clinical trials, but I just never felt at home in the city. Cedar Brook Falls is my home and it’s where I’d like to live. That being said, if there’s any opportunity for remote work for these projects, I’d love to be considered for the job.”
“Mmm… I’m sorry to hear you won’t be staying with us. You had some great insights to some of the recovery strategies, but as you know, it’s not just my decision.”
“Yes.”
