175 Last Year’s Foothill Classic (1/2)

The Hitting Zone half_empty 26390K 2022-07-23

After practice, we were all feeling drained, with maybe the exception of Zeke, who never looked tired. He drove us all home, where we were able to shower and sit down for dinner.

Zeke was the first one to say something about this weekend's tournament. ”Mom, Dad, the game for Saturday has been pushed to a later date.”

”Oh?” Mr. Atkins raised an eyebrow, but didn't dwell on it for long. ”Too bad. Do you boys want to plan something for the weekend instead?”

”It was postponed because we were invited to a tournament.” Zeke ignored his dad and continued on. ”The Foothill Classic. Just like last year. Did you guys want to drive us and watch? Or do you want to stay home and I'll just drive us there and back?”

Mr. Atkins shook his head. ”Of course we'll go. It's fun to watch you boys play. We'll all go together and make a trip out of it. Stay the night there so we don't have to drive again on Sunday. If I remember, this was the tournament that was almost a three hour drive. Do you know what time the first game will be?”

My jaw dropped. Three hours? What. Why didn't anyone say that beforehand?

”Why even bother staying the night?” Kyle snorted. ”We'll be lucky just to get past game one. Remember last year, Dad? We were mercy ruled by that one school?? We didn't even make it two hours.”

My jaw remained opened. They were once mercy ruled? That doesn't sound right... Especially when you have a Zeke on your team. Yet the tense silence around the table said otherwise.

Mrs. Atkins was the first one to break the silence. ”A baseball game can be unpredictable. Just like life. Have some more confidence, Kyle. You've been doing well.” She looked around the table. ”All of you have been playing very well. Your father and I wouldn't miss any of your games for the world. Even if you do get blown out. We'll just stay the night in the hotel and spend Sunday sightseeing or something.” She looked to me. ”Jake, you haven't been to San Francisco or Oakland right?”

”I'm from Southern California.” I stated clearly.

”See? There's our backup plan. If you boys don't do well, we can take the long way home and show Jake some cool spots.” She tried to soothe them.

”I plan on winning. Not losing.” Zeke stood up at his spot. ”Thanks for dinner.” He grabbed his plate and glass, and then took it to the kitchen. As he passed by the table on his way out of the dining room, he said, ”I'm going for a light jog around the neighborhood.”

”Be back before 10.” Mr. Atkins frowned as his eldest walked away from him, without another word. ”That boy is so taciturn. I can never tell what he's thinking.”

Noah waited until he heard the front door shut before saying anything. ”I could. He didn't like how Mom was making plans for if we lose.”

”What? Why?” Mrs. Atkins looked at her youngest, worried. ”It's normal to have backup plans just in case. It's what parents should do.”

Noah rolled his eyes. ”Yea Mom. But, you're not supposed to share that with us. Just keep it to yourself. What you should have said would be something along the lines of: have confidence Kyle; I believe you guys will win it all.”