Open Season

Mornings like this only happened on television. The sky was bright with happy fluffy clouds, the breeze gentle, soft and sweet. At the local baseball field, opening day was in full swing. Families milled about in their fan gear, excited to witness the triumphs of their little champions. This was one of the reasons I loved coaching so much. When dealing with children, you often got to see the best and sometimes the worst of people. "C'mon stripes! You can do better than that!" Yelled the slightly overweight boorish father of one of the children in the field. His child ducked his head sheepishly, deeper into his cap with embarrassment. "Dude," the teen griped; "That's a warning. Please sit down and be quiet or I will have you removed." The young man finished as he'd been instructed beforehand. Cutting his gaze at his father, the second umpire who was camped out behind second base, seeking is approving nod. Boisterous laughter accompanied the response of the overzealous fan, as he sagged into the fence behind home plate, unable to contain his mirth. "Don't make me laugh, small stock." he chuckled more. "As if you could. You or any of you, " he threatened. Peering around for approval amongst growing amount the many obviously displeased witnesses. Sighing, I siddled up beside him, rolling my eyes. There always has to be one bully. "Can we just stop here, Robert?" I ask, already knowing what his response would be. "Can you just mind your own business for once?" he quipped, annoyed that I would confront him in public. "You are my business," stating flatly that this wasn't going to work out in his favor. Pushing away from the fencing without noting the relieved expression on the young umpires face or the grateful nod he gives before calling the game back to action. "The high and mighty Sheriff has time to deal with us commoners, how lucky we are." he jibbed as he took a seat on the lowest bleacher to allow him access to continue to verbally accost the young umpire. With just a flash of my eyes and jeer of my head, directing him to move further away... he rose in a huff, walking toward the third baseline. "Always a pleasure, SSStaphanie," I hear as he gives me a two-finger salute ending exclusively with the middle finger. What an asshat. Still, he wasn't worth the trouble of busting. I didn't feel like dealing with any paperwork today. And I sure as hell wasn't going to give up what was left of my weekend to babysit his ass. Maybe a few years ago, I would have run him in just out of spite; but I didn't need to establish my dominance any further. After walking the premesis, out of habit I settled on the first baseline fence to observe my favorite player as he worked. Quick, lithe and lean he was a consummate professional on the field. And it didn't hurt that I was his mother. My chest rose with pride, as I watched him flawlessly pitching to the opposing team. Many of his childhood friends were on that opposite team, but I already knew that they would have their hands full today. My son wouldn't give them any special consideration, not when it came to competition. He loved to win. He always strove to be the best & this season would be no different. I myself coached many of these young boys a few years ago. My heart was often conflicted, wanting them to do well; but my son Ethan had no such weaknesses. As the Alpha male he was, that was compartmentalized into... right now, they are my enemy. And he destroyed enemies. I sometimes wondered where this vicious nature of his originated from. My eyes of their own volition wandered down the third baseline, to the middle-aged, slightly overweight image of Robert. How on earth did we get here? Opening weekend was a festival of sorts. The town of Melrose pulled out all the stops, with vendors, activities, even carnival rides. The free events of this weekend brought families from the entire town to enjoy the offerings of local vendors for the premier event of the Spring. In just a few short weeks it would be Easter, the time for new beginnings. This Easter was especially poignant. It would be the first Easter following her divorce. Staphanie couldn't deny the painful nature of divorce, but she also couldn't say she hadn't been enjoying her year of firsts. She'd had her first Christmas, first blind date, her first birthday since being single and this would be her first Easter. Since Easter was a celebration of new beginnings, of wiping the slate clean in a sense... she pledged to lean into the newness all around her. Calmly walking from the festival area back toward the fields, she can see a dark cloud on the horizon threatening to develop into a full-fledged storm in the shape of her ex-husband. And he's on a course to intersect her. Sighing and holding the snatched breath, she stops short to allow him to commit the last few steps... Okay, so be it. "Can we talk?" he asked quietly searching the ground, not even able to meet her gaze. Before she can even form a reply, Ethan storms in from the side blasting into his father with full force. Chuckling with wrestling his cap and ruffling his hair, "Hey bud. Great game. Sorry about the... you know." he finishes smirking at his young son with unbridled affection. "It's okay. I thought we were gonna dial it back this season, but whatever," Ethan shrugs, giving up on that particular point of argument. He disconnects himself from his father to lean over and peck Staphanie on the cheek. "Hey Mom." he bounces his shoulder off of hers in his own special kind of acknowledgment. "Hey E, can you give me & mom a minute?" his dad asks while eyeing his Wife cautiously. "Sure, I'll be over there with the guys." he responds, dragging his feet obviously reluctant to leave. The pleading look in his eyes all for his mother, chanting 'Not here. Not here. Not here" again and again. Giving him a solemn nod which seems to satisfy him, Staphanie redirects her attention back to her Ex while Ethan darts off into the crowd. "I just wanted to apologize again. And see if maybe we could hang out, have dinner... all together. Something." He says studying his hand to try and quiet his nerves. "I miss you guys." Sighing, Staphanie doesn't even know where to begin with a response to that. She can plainly see the truth of his words shining in his eyes. His whole demeanor is reaching out to her, begging her for another change. For more of her time. TCHEWT TCHEWT TCHEWT The shots ring out, as clear as a bell. Making her eyes buck and knees buckle. Automatically reaching for her side arm, eyes darting to the direction in which Ethan has run off in... the direction from which the shots came. God NO! Her mind rebels. NO! There are altogether too many people out here. Too many children. My child. The rest of opening day was rather uneventful; the Yankees won 11-2.