“Hey mom,” Dale said as he tossed his duffel bag into the laundry room.
“Great game tonight, honey,” Sandra Elison said as she rushed over to hug her son. “Your daddy would be so proud of you.”
“Well,” Dale said as he sat at the kitchen table, “then he should have stuck around to see it.”
“Stop that,” Sandra said. “He was sick.”
“He wasn’t sick,” Dale said as he picked at the plate of Chicken Voila! sitting in front of him. “He was selfish. He thought a bottle was more important than you or me.”
“He loved you a lot,” Sandra said. “Now drop it.”
“Yeah,” Dale answered in a soft voice. “Let’s drop it.”
They sat in silence as Dale quickly finished off the garlic chicken and noodles.
“Any calls today?” Dale asked.
“A few more of those agent types,” Sandra answered as she stood and walked to the counter. She flipped through the stack of post-it notes, picked one and tossed it on the table in front of Dale.
“About time that guy called,” Dale said.
“Who’s Scott Borax?” Sandra asked as she took Dale’s plate and began to wash it in the sink.
“Boras, mom,” Dale said with a laugh. “Scott Bor-ASS.”
“Well, he acted like one on the phone,” Sandra said.
They laughed as Dale stood up and walked to the fridge. He opened it and dug around until he found a Mountain Dew.
“He’s the top agent in baseball,” Dale said. “I suppose it would be good for me to consider him but I’ve had every other agent tell me that no one in the front offices likes the guy.”
“Might not be a bad idea to have a guy they don’t like because it means if they deal with him they respect him,” Sandra said. “He must watch his client’s backs.”
“I guess,” Dale said as he slumped into a chair and popped open the Dew.
“Where’s Jessica tonight?” Sandra asked. “You two are hardly together anymore.”
“She had to do something with her folks tonight,” Dale said. “I guess they’re getting a little aware that their little girl is heading off to college in a few months and they want to spend quality time with her.”
“That’s sweet,” Sandra said. “Quality time is always good.”
“I’m a little tired of it,” Dale said. “Honestly, I’m not really sure that we’re meant to be.”
“Why not?” Sandra said. “She absolutely adores you.”
“I guess so,” Dale said. “She just seems to be more interested in being my girlfriend than actually being with me.”
“You’re just feeling the pressure,” Sandra said as she walked over and put her hands on her son’s shoulders. “Don’t let it bother you so much and just enjoy the moment.”
7:12pm; Bellefonte, PA; outside of the home of Michael Rogers
The shiny black Ford Mustang slid into the driveway. Jessica Stevens threw open the driver’s door and slid out against the car letting her cheerleader skirt ride up as she made her way along the car. Mike stood up on his house’s front porch and applauded the impromptu striptease.
“You know you love it, baby!” Jessica yelled as she slammed the car door and pranced toward her lover.
“You’re such a tramp,” Mike said with a smirk.
“But I’m your tramp,” Jessica purred.
Jessica slowly walked up the porch steps and then leapt into Mike’s arms and began to kiss him passionately. Mike’s hands roamed all over Jessica as he carried her toward the front door of the house.
Across the street, two girls watched the sordid scene.
“Isn’t that Jessica Stevens?” the first girl said.
“Yes,” the second replied.
“Isn’t she supposed to be dating Dale Elison?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he knows what’s going on?”
“Doubtful.”
The conversation paused while they watched Mike dry hump Jessica against the door frame. After a minute of passionate embrace they seemed to fall inside the house and the front door slammed shut.
“That’s not right, Erin.”
“No.”
“Someone should tell Dale about it.”
“Yes.”
The two girls walked downstairs and into the study where Erin’s mother was reading the Bible.
“Mom, can I use the car?” Erin asked. Her mother looked up with a puzzled look and put down her Bible.
“I thought you girls were staying in and watching movies,” she said.
“We planned on it,” Erin said. “Our plans have changed.”
7:54pm; Bellefonte, PA; Dale Elison’s House
“What’s the score?” Sandra asked.
“Phils are down three to one,” Dale replied. “I’m so sick of them losing all the time.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be a Philadelphia team if they were winning, right?”
“Shut up, mom,” Dale said with a sly smile.
“They’ll start winning when you play for them,” Sandra said.
“I won’t fall to them,” Dale said. “I know Tampa Bay’s going to pick me with the first pick.”
“You told them you wouldn’t sign with them.”
“It won’t stop them,” Dale said.
“True,” Sandra replied. “They have to save face.”
“I guess,” Dale said. He kicked off his shoes and laid back on the couch as Ryan Howard struck out to end the Phillies half of the second inning. “Damn it.”
“Hey,” Sandra said. “Watch the language.”
“Sorry mom,” Dale replied and went back to watching the game. His mother walked to the bay window in time to see a blue Oldsmobile Alero pulling into their driveway.
“Are you expecting company?” she asked.
“Nope,” Dale answered. “Probably another scout wanting to suck up.”
“No,” Sandra said as two girls exited the car and started walking toward the house. “It’s a couple girls about your age.”
“Groupies already?” Dale said with a smirk. “I guess it’s my lucky day after all.”
He stood up and walked to the window.
“I don’t know them,” Dale said. “I wonder what they want.”
Sandra moved to the front door and opened it just as the two girls were stepping onto the porch.
“Hello,” Erin said. “Is Dale home?”
“He’s busy right now,” Sandra said. “Do I know you?”
“I’m Erin McDougal,” Erin said. “This is my friend Brandi Sommers. We were in your cross-stitching class at the community center last year.”
“Pastor McDougal’s daughter,” Sandra said. “You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you.”
“I dyed my hair,” Erin said as her face flushed.
“It looks very nice,” Sandra said with a smile. “I’ll see if Dale can come talk to you.”
Sandra stepped back inside and closed the door.
“They’re nice girls,” Sandra said to Dale. “You should talk to them.”
“I don’t want to buy Girl Scout cookies,” Dale said to her.
“Just be nice,” Sandra said. “I’m sure they have a good reason to be here.”
Dale rolled his eyes and walked to the door. Taking a deep breath, he opened it to see Erin and Brandi had sat down on the porch steps. As he walked onto the porch, the girls jumped to their feet.
“We have something you need to see,” Erin said.
“That’s one of the more bizarre pick up lines I’ve heard,” Dale said. He expected them to turn shy and walk away but the girls just stood there with a cold, steely resolve on their faces.
“We’re not here to hit on you,” Brandi said as she turned to Erin. “Forget it, Erin. He’s just another dumb jock with an attitude.”
“No,” Erin said without breaking Dale’s gaze. “We have to do this.”
“Do what?” Dale asked.
“Break your heart,” Erin said.
