We walk hand in hand over to the main gates, where the first faces we see are those of our highest-level sponsors, who get to enjoy priority seating right in the front, near the third base line.
“Welcome everyone, thank you for being here today, and for all of your support. Come on in, grab some complimentary snacks from the concession, and take a look around. The game starts in one hour!” Luca steps back and we let the swarm of people pass, many of them stopping to say hi or shake Luca’s hand. By the time the crowd is all inside, he’s grinning ear to ear. “Holy shit, there’s so many people here.”
I laugh. “Well yeah, I told you we had a full house today.”
“I know, but I don’t think I actually believed it until now.” He turns toward me, picks me up, and twirls me around.
The next hour flies by, and before I know it, it’s time for the first pitch. Charlie actually teared up when Luca asked if he would throw it. He’s been practicing ever since, but I can’t deny the fact that I’m nervous waiting for him and Luca to leave the dugout and walk to the mound.
And I’m certainly not prepared for what I see when they do.
Charlie is wearing a Cedar Creek Little League uniform but doesn’t have his prosthetic arm attached. And at his side is Luca, wearing a grey Cedar Creek Thunder home jersey and a pair of shorts.
“Is he actually walking out there with his leg uncovered?”
I turn at Dom’s shocked voice, to see him holding hands with his wife, standing next to me. Guess I’m not crazy for being surprised by the sight of Luca baring his prosthesis for all to see.
“He doesn’t do that often, does he?”
Dom shakes his head. “Rarely. He’s never wanted to draw attention to it. So why now?” He sounds baffled, but then Luca starts to speak.
“Hi everyone, thanks again for coming out today for our first annual charity ball game between the Cedar Creek Thunder and the Cedar Creek Little League. We’ve got a lot of fun planned, and I know all of the players are eager to get started. But before my friend Charlie throws the first pitch on behalf of the Little League, I want to make a quick announcement.”
I watch as Luca looks down at Charlie with a soft smile before facing the crowd again. “You might have noticed that Charlie and I have something unique in common.” He pauses, then grins. “We both love baseball.”
That gets some of the crowd laughing. Luca holds up his hand and continues. “But playing ball doesn’t come as easily for us as it does for most kids. And the same canbe said for plenty more youth in our area. Which is why I’m proud to announce that the proceeds from today will be split between the Cedar Creek Little League and Let’s Play Canada, a charity that supports full inclusion in youth sports for all. And I will personally be matching the donation to both organizations. Because baseball is for everyone. And it is my honour to be able to bring the sport I love to all of you here today, and hopefully to many more community members in the future. With that, Charlie, can you do the honours?”
Luca holds the microphone down in front of my son, who loudly and proudly shouts, “Let’s play ball!” Then, as the tears start to build behind my eyes, I watch him throw a near perfect pitch straight into Griff’s waiting catcher’s mitt.
After that, I don’t see much of Luca, but I assume he’s busy like I am, making sure everything runs smoothly. Once the game is over, Charlie finds me, throwing his arm around me in a sweaty hug. “Mom, that was amazing. Did you see my hit? I got a double. A double!”
“I saw, kid,” I say, ruffling his hair. “I’m so stinking proud of you.”
He grins up at me. “Thanks. Hey, can I go to Miles’s house for a sleepover?” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder, and I glance up to see his friend and his parents standing there. Miles’s mom gives me a wave and I wave back.
“Sure. Do you have your key so you can get what you need at home? I might be here a while longer helping clean up.”
“Yup. See ya tomorrow. Love you!”
“Love you, too.” I watch him go, my heart so full of pride and happiness, I feel like I could burst. He’s come a long way from the kid who hated the idea of moving and was facing relentless teasing at school. I know life won’t always be easy or kind to him, but right now, today, he’s living every moment happy, and that’s all I could ask for.
“Did I just hear something about a sleepover?” Luca’s warm voice hits me at the same time as his strong arms loop around my middle.
I turn and wrap mine around his neck before pulling his head down for a kiss. “You did. Which means I can enjoy a hot bath and a glass of wine in private.”
Luca hums under his breath. “You could. Or you could come back to my place. Did I mention I’ve got a hot tub on the rooftop deck?”
I lean back and stare up at him. “You absolutely did not! Luca Calloway, you’ve been holding out on me.”
He chuckles, pulling me back in. “In my defense, we’re normally at your house because of Charlie and Gus. The one time you came over, we didn’t exactly have time for the hot tub.”
I shake my head even as he kisses my forehead. “Excuses, excuses. Let’s get everything done quickly, so I can go and grab my swimsuit.”
“That won’t be necessary. It’s a very private hot tub.” His eyes darken as a slow smirk covers his face. “No swimsuit required.”
42
LUCA
