by K. Aten
My Life as Cheese
Anne is happy with her life. She's happy with her job, her friends, her game, and even her women. She has fun without being tied down, that's all anyone could ever ask for, right? Everything changes when she meets her new neighbor and they become fast friends. Now Jen is breaking all the rules by asking for what Anne will not give, commitment.
My Life as Cheese
By
K. Aten
Chapter One
“COME ON CHEDDAR, don’t leave me stranded out here!”
That was Jill yelling at me from third base. I re-adjusted the Velcro on my batting gloves as I walked toward the batter’s box. I could hear the rest of my teammates and a few people in the stands cheering me on as I waited for the pitch.
“Base hits now, base hits!”
I took two breaths, a practice swing, then stepped up to the plate. I was in the zone and had no worries to give. I let the first pitch go by then two balls. The rules of our busy city league put me at a count of two strikes and three balls. The next one came in about waist high and a little outside. I mentally talked myself through it. “Wait, wait…now!”
The bat connected with a metallic dink, sending the ball between right and right-center field. As I rounded second base, I could see my base coach waving me toward third. Yeah right, as if I wouldn’t run! When the dust settled I casually stood with the tip of my cleat touching the third base bag, perfectly safe. The other team, Sudsations, was one player short but I still felt pretty good about my triple. They had four outfielders, they were just missing their second baseman. With my hit and speed, they weren’t going to stop me. I wasn’t cocky, just confident. I’m the Cheddar.
It was our first game of the season and I was pretty proud of my girls so far. Granted, it was only the first inning of the first game but hey, we’d take what we could get. My name is Ann Elizabeth Vandercheddan. Yeah, what a name to get saddled with huh? My friends and teammates all call me Cheddar. That’s better than Annie or Bethie, which is what my parents call me whenever I find time to visit. For better or worse, this was my team. We are Milligan’s Pub and we’ve been playing together for years. We’re not terribly serious and we win and lose our share of games, but we almost always have fun.
Our next batter, Lynne, hit some corn to make our first out. Then Angie brought me home with a nice base hit up the center. As I slap palms, heading toward my team’s bench I see a woman jogging toward the other team’s dugout. I assumed their missing player had finally arrived. I was instantly attracted to her because she was totally my type.
I looked up as our pitcher, Vicky, called my name. “Hey Ched, who’s the new girl?”
I shook my head. “Don’t know, I’ve never seen her before.” The other team was batting rocket, so I grabbed my book and made my way over to add her to the batting roster. At this point, I was only half paying attention to the game. I knew we only had the one out so I wasn’t too worried. I was actually more worried about the fact that I couldn’t keep my eyes off the latecomer.
She had her mid-length dark hair pulled back into a pony tail and she was really tall. Once I got closer, I realized she was at least five inches taller than me, probably about five foot nine. Like a freaking Amazon, so hot! It was a nice little height difference that put my eyes at just about the perfect level. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a perv.
Two minutes later I jogged back over to my team’s dugout and the new girl ran out to take over the short stop’s position. This shifted the previous short stop over to play the empty second base spot. I could see the dark looks from the rest of my team as I approached. I knew exactly what they were thinking. A girl that tall would surely suck all the balls into her glove like she was a freakin’ vacuum cleaner. Hell!
True to my predictions, she scored the next two outs and ended the first inning. Lucky us, we were home team and we’d get the last at-bat. As we filed toward the field, I followed Vicky out. I kept my words lower so the other team wouldn’t hear my warning. “Her name is Jen Brower. Keep an eye on her.”
Vicky winked and tapped my glove with her own. “Will do coach!”
I sprinted out to left center and yelled nice and loud to fire us up. “Let’s go ladies, three up, three down!” Just for fun, I added, “The first person to make all three outs in an inning will drink for free at Milligan’s tonight after the game!”
The girls all loved that challenge, of course I’ve only had to pay out once. The first person to do it was June, our shortstop. The second time, I did it. Everyone chipped in and bought me drinks, not that it ever took much for me. You see, I’m pretty small. I have short blond hair, I’m five foot four and nothing but speed. In high school and then college, people used to joke that I had short fuzzy hair like Big Bird and ran like the Roadrunner. They would call me little bird just to be funny. I preferred Cheddar, or Cheddy.
Everyone took their places and the second inning started similar to the first. The first batter hit a grounder to second and was easily thrown out. The next two made it on base because of a really good hit over the first baseman’s head and an icky error. Suddenly the new girl was up to bat. I muttered to myself, “Jen Brower, where are you going?”
I always tried to puzzle out where and how the opposing team was going to hit. I shuffled back and warned Julie, our left fielder, to do the same. Julie, as usual, didn’t pay any attention to me. We’re friends but she’s always been a little put out that I won’t let her play left center. Truth is, I was faster and well… I’m the coach. It was my choice.
Sure enough, I watch in equal parts awe and dismay as the tall shortstop sent the second pitch sailing over Julie’s head, toward the fence. I was already sprinting behind Julie backing her up. I rifled the ball directly to third base, bypassing the cut off. My arm and my aim are dead on and even though Jen was safe at third, I managed to stop her from going home. Two runners home was bad enough. After the dust cleared and the ump called time, I jogged back to my position. I looked up and see Jen Brower staring at me from third. I smirked and waved, this time I was cocky but I kept my voice at a whisper so no one else could hear my words. “Yeah girl, I got your number. Watch out.” It was going to be a good game.
The innings moved forward and things began heating up between the teams. Defense was extremely tight, which kept the score low. We were up, six to four, at the top of the sixth inning. They managed to score two runs before we were able to head in for our second to last at bat. I had been lucky so far, avoiding the Jen-monster at shortstop. Only because I could place the ball and I was very fast off the bag, but the others weren’t so lucky. Thanks to hot stuff Brower, we went scoreless in the sixth inning. That woman made all three outs on her own.
I was fuming as we trotted back to the field. “Come on ladies, three up three down!” They had one runner on third when Jen came up to bat. I could see her looking my way and I immediately called a warning to Julie. This time she listened. I guess she got tired of being burned by the tall brunette. With two balls and a strike on her, she connected. I took off top speed, running in. She had played us and totally dinked the ball. I could see it dropping in front of me and with a last burst of speed I dove for the ground with my glove held out as far as it would go. I caught the ball but there was no way I could get up and throw it in to prevent the woman on third from tagging up and making it safely home. The next batter was called out on an infield fly but the damage was done.
It was the bottom of the seventh and we were down by one. Two outs and no runs later, I was not a happy camper. I glanced at our one runner on third base then at “Jen the vacuum” as I adjusted the Velcro on my batting gloves. She gave a little smile and saluted. I did my usual deep breaths and practice swing before stepping i
nto the box. I had a plan, and I was ready. I could hear my girls yelling in the background. Things like, “Base hits Cheddar!” Or “Come on Ched, get us going now!” I ignored them.
I liked to base hit and run. It was challenging to beat the throw to the bag. But I could hit and that’s exactly what they weren’t expecting. It was a beautiful pitch that came in low and inside and I nailed it deep into left field. As I rounded third base, the base coach was waving me home and yelling slide. I just poured on the speed and at the last second went low, taking the slide on the pad I wore on my right leg. The catcher missed the tag and as the dust cleared the ump called me safe.
“Yes!” Everyone rushed out of the dugout at the end of the game. I was picked up and swung around and clapped on the back a few times before we lined up to slap hands with the opposing team. By some strange circumstance Jen Brower and I were the last two in line. Instead of slapping her hand I clasped it, like a show of sisterhood or something. “Great game, Jen.” I laughed, then joked, “Let me know if you want to sign up with a new team next year!”
She winked at me and smiled. “Nice hit, and thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
I collected my gear as the next game’s teams were filing in. My girls, with the exception of one or two who had to get up for work really early, were already on their way to Milligan’s to celebrate. I had a feeling it was going to be a good season. As I was putting my stuff in the trunk I could hear Jen talking to one of her teammates, one car over.
“Are you sure you don’t mind taking me? It’s kind of out of your way.”
Robin, the catcher for the other team just shook her head. “No, it’s ok. Maybe I’ll stop in at the book store in Eastown after I drop you off.”
Robin and I went to the same northern college years ago and we both ended up living back in my home town of St. Seren. Of course it was the first really large one south, after you cross the bridge so it really was a no-brainer. Anyway, we had remained friends over the years. I didn’t see her as often as I used to, life seemed to get away from us and we ended up running in different circles. But she was one of the coolest people I knew and would forever be one of the people I’d just about anything for. I knew she lived on the opposite end of town so I offered my assistance. I walked over and Robin smiled as she pulled me into a hug and said, “Hey Little Bird, nice game today.”
I grinned as we pulled apart. “You too!” Then I shook my head ruefully. “Definitely closer than I like though. You know I hate working that hard!”
She laughed. “Whatever! You just like to show off.”
I smiled and looked from her to Jen. “I couldn’t help overhearing, but did you need a ride to Eastown? I’m heading that way.”
Jen sighed and frowned. She got a cute little crinkle right between her eyebrows, indicating she wasn’t happy about something. “Yeah actually. My car wouldn’t start tonight, that’s why I was late. I talked my neighbor into coming early and giving me a ride but now she’s playing and I’m kind of stuck.”
“That really sucks. Well, my only plans are going to Milligan’s to meet my team. It’s in Eastown so if you want you can ride with me.”
Her face relaxed in relief. “Actually, that’s perfect. I only live two blocks from there.”
Robin smiled. “Hey, awesome! What are the odds of that huh?” Then Robin got a little gleam in her eye that I remembered from our partying days. She looked at me then back at Jen with an evil smirk. “You know, Jen, you should probably go to Milligan’s with her and crash their little victory party. After all, you made three outs in one inning and per her bet, I think she owes you some drinks!”
My mouth dropped open in shock. That little skunk, I would get even! Technically she was right. I never specified a team. I looked up at Jen’s suddenly red face and replied. “Well, she’s right. I do seem to owe you some drinks.” I looked back at Robin’s grinning face. “You know Robin… we haven’t hung out in ages. Why don’t you blow the dust off for once and come too?”
Jen seemed a little lost and Robin appeared thoughtful. The catcher looked at her teammate. “What do you say Jen? These girls are a riot, are you up for a few drinks?”
The tall shortstop gave me a little grin and shrugged her shoulders. “Sure, why not.”
I slapped them both lightly on the shoulder then grabbed my cell phone. “Great, let’s go! I’ll just call and have them save us a few more seats.”
WHEN WE ARRIVED, the three of us walked in together. I could see appetizers on the table already as well as a few giant draft beer pitchers. They were the good pitchers with an area for ice in the middle and a spigot on the outside. As I walked up, everyone yelled, “Cheddar!” Then a few more added “Robin, and The Vacuum!”
Robin laughed and Jen blushed then laughed as well. For those who didn’t pay attention to the roster, I introduced Jen to the team then the three of us found seats at the end of the long table. The next two hours were more fun than the even the game was, and they flew by. It was about nine-thirty when Robin and a few other girls stood to leave. Jen and I had been talking and she didn’t look like she was ready to leave so I offered to give her a ride home.
She looked up at Robin and the catcher smiled. “If you want I can just bring your gear to the next game for you.”
Jen stood and gave the other woman a hug. “That would be great, thanks. I don’t have anything else in that bag that I’ll need until then.”
Robin turned to me and I gave her another hug and tweaked her earlobe. “You need to come out and play with us more often. This was fun!”
She smiled and laughed while batting my hand away from her hear. “I know, but some of us have to get up early in the morning. Not everyone can have nice office hours and work six blocks from home!”
We’d been friends for a long time and I felt my face soften into an affectionate smile instead of my usual smirk. “Yeah, yeah, you’re such a whiner!” She walked away to a chorus of “Bye, Robin!” from the remaining four of us, including Jen.
After Robin and the other girls left, Jen and I continued to talk. The first thing she told me was that she was Robin’s second cousin. And of all the small world stories, it turned out that she was a physical therapist and we worked in the same medical office complex. As for me, I actually did work for a living, contrary to what many of my so-called friends would say. I was a registered nurse working for a surgeon in the private practice wing of the complex. The place was like a mausoleum but I still couldn’t believe I’d never seen her around and said as much.
She laughed and cleared up the mystery. “I just moved here two weeks ago from Leonard. That’s about an hour north of here.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I know where it is. Is the Doghouse Bar and Grill still as fun as it used to be?” She gave me a surprised look so I explained. “Robin and I actually went to the college up there at FSC.” I gave her a little smirk. “Really small world, huh?”
She burst out laughing, garnering startled smiles from the last few of my teammates seated at the long table. “Oh my God, that is too funny!”
I grinned. “So how do you like the fair city of St. Seren so far?”
She leaned over conspiratorially. “It’s pretty nice but the one time I went out with Robin, I ended up feeling a little like fresh meat.”
I leaned over in return. “That’s because, Darlin, you are!”
The other two girls moved down the table when they heard the ruckus and we filled them in on the humor. Sally, our first baseman looked at the time on her cell phone and groaned. “Oh shit, I’ve got to go, girls. I promised my boss I’d write a quick proposal for her tomorrow and I still need to get online and download some information.” She stood as did the rest of us. Vicky also piped up.
“Yeah, I need to go too. Gotta get my beauty sleep.”
I quipped, “Then you should have left hours ago, Vic!” She slapped my arm and the four of us laughed.
“Yeah, yeah, smartass!”
After hugs all a
round and a “Nice to meet you, Jen,” the girls left.
I looked at the last woman left and felt a goofy smile start. “You about ready to go?”
She smiled too. “Yeah, let’s flag down the waitress so you can hit the road.”
We left a few minutes later and she walked me over to my car. I was worried about her walking home, even if it was only a few blocks. You just never knew what could happen. “Come on, let me give you a ride. It will ease my conscience a little.”
Truthfully, though I hated to admit it to myself, I had so much fun with Jen that I didn’t want to see her go. It was so weird, even though we are practically strangers I felt a connection with her. It was kind of like when you meet someone new but you feel like you already know them from somewhere. I was pretty sure she felt it too. Of course, there was also a big case of lust rolling around in my pants but I could keep that under wraps. I knew that Jen was family but there was no sense pouncing on her when she was so new in town. I just had a strange urge to hang with Jen and get to know her. My little mental musings lasted only a split second, long enough to unlock the doors and start the car.
She gave me a shy smile after she buckled up and apologized. “I’m sorry you got stuck taking me home. It’s only a few blocks and I hate to make you go out of your way.”
I waved away her complaints. “It’s no problem really. I live up this way myself.” I gentled my smile so she could see I was sincere. “So, where to, milady?”
She cocked her head and gave me an odd look for a second then shook it off. “I’m in one of the big mansions that were converted to apartments, up on the hill.”
I snorted because the neighborhood was filled with big mansions that had been converted. But I took a shot in the dark as to which one, based on the direction she was pointing out and the workings of coincidence and fate. “Um…is it the gray one with the lions by the front door?”
Shocked again, her mouth hung open. “Okay, how did you know that?” She laughed as it dawned on her. “You live in the same one or nearby, don’t you?”