Fresh-Start Family

by Lisa Mondello

  “I hope I’m not too late,” Tom said with a tentative smile, fixing his blue eyes on Jenna.

  Her heart swelled and she returned the smile. “Right on time,” she said.

  “Are you going to help me and Grandpa keep score, Tom? Can you?” asked Brian.

  “I kind of had another idea in mind, Scout.”

  Brian’s face drooped for just a second, and then he shrugged. “That’s okay. I can watch you play ball.”

  Jenna’s heart squeezed as Brian tried hard to put on a brave face. She had nothing but pride for this child that God had given her.

  “That’s the spirit. We need plenty of people on the sidelines for cheering,” Jenna said.

  Tag smiled. “Oh, there will be plenty of people doing that. But for right now we need to break up into teams.” He pointed to Jenna. “You’re going to be on my team.”

  “What?” said Jenna.

  “Mom’s going to play baseball?” Brian’s laughter did nothing to boost her ego and everything to strike fear into her heart.

  “I haven’t played sports since gym in high school,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t even follow the game, really. I’m just a good cheerleader.”

  “Anyone can participate, even if you don’t know the game very well.” He turned to Brian and lifted his chin with his fingers. “Even you, Scout.”

  Jenna’s heart sank. What was Tom doing?

  “Brian can help Dad keep score.” She lowered her voice and eyed Tom. “Playing baseball is a little too strenuous for him. Especially in this heat.”

  “Oh, come on, Mom. Please?”

  “No, honey. We’ve been through this. Remember what Dr. Healy said.”

  Tom took her by the arm and whispered. “He’ll be okay.”

  She cocked her head to one side and glared at Tom. “No, he won’t. He tires too easily and becomes dehydrated fast. Just running the bases—”

  “Don’t worry. The way this game works, he won’t have to run the bases at all and he’ll still get to play.”

  She blinked. “You mean, they’re not going to be playing baseball?”

  Pastor Robbins came over and said, “Nope. This year we’re trying something a little bit different. We’re going to be playing barrowball.” He laughed and slapped Tom on the shoulder.

  “Barrowball? What’s that?” Ben asked.

  “It was Tom’s idea,” Pastor Robbins said. “Come, Ben. Help sort everyone into groups. We’re going to need more people on the teams since each person needs a buddy.”

  Jenna turned to Tom. A small smile played at the corners of his lips. His eyes, clear and warm, just looked back at her.

  “What’s this all about?” she asked as Brian trotted off with her father and the pastor.

  “Barrowball,” Tom said quietly.

  “This church festival has been holding a baseball game for more years than I care to count. How did you talk Pastor Robbins into changing it to barrowball, whatever that is?”

  “Simple. With baseball, only so many people can play and the rest can only sit on the sidelines and watch.”

  “So?”

  “I just explained that there were probably other people who, like Brian, would love to participate but can’t for various reasons.”

  Her insides grew warmer than her sun-kissed cheeks.

  “You did this for Brian?” she said, her lips quivering.

  “I did this for you, Jenna. I’m sorry about what happened last night. I didn’t expect things to get out of hand that way.”

  “They didn’t.”

  His eyes never left hers and told her more than she’d ever expect to get from words.

  “I’m just sorry you had to see me like that.”

  “I’m not.”

  His gaze locked on hers. “I could tell you were upset.”

  “Yes, I was. But mostly for you and what you were going through.”

  He nodded and was quiet for a second. “Well, I still shouldn’t have put that on you.”

  “I thought we were friends. Isn’t that what friends do?”

  “Is that what you really want, Jenna? To just be friends? Because I’m not going to lie. I’d like there to be more.”

  For a brief moment she forgot all the people milling about around them, getting ready for the game, and just focused on Tom.

  She opened her mouth to speak, to tell him that their lives were complicated, that she didn’t know what the future was going to hold with Brian. As the words reached her lips, she felt something—or rather, someone—collide with her leg.

  “Mom! Come on. We need to get on a team.”

  Brian had her by the arm and was pulling her to the field.

  “I guess we’d better go find our spot on the team,” she said.

  “I guess so,” Tom agreed.

  Now wasn’t really the time for declarations. So she left unsaid the words she wanted to say to answer Tom’s question. Did she want her relationship with Tom to just be a companionship? No. But without knowing what their future held, Jenna knew it wasn’t fair to pursue more from him than he was able to give.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Come on, Tom. You’re playing, too, aren’t you? I want you to be on my team!” Brian called out as he ran over. His breathing was labored.

  “Look how worn-out he is already. This may not be a good idea, after all,” Jenna said, rumpling her son’s sweaty locks of hair.

  “It’ll be fun. And everyone can play. Even you.” Tom laughed and grabbed one of the wheelbarrows. “Brian won’t do any running, and he can sit in the shade when he’s not on the field. We’ll go after him to make sure he doesn’t stay on base too long. He doesn’t have to play the whole game.”

  “Okay,” she said reluctantly. Brian would have the time of his life even if all he could do was go around the bases once. She could give him that much and then make sure he stayed hydrated and out of the sun.

  “Everyone, listen,” Tom said, wheeling the last wheelbarrow toward the crowd of people. “Here’s how the game works. Everyone has a buddy. One person will stand at bat and try to hit the ball. Once you hit the ball, you jump in the wheelbarrow and your partner wheels you around the bases. Whoever bats gets in the wheelbarrow, so figure out who’s doing the batting and who’s doing the running. All the other rules are the same as regular baseball. We’ll rotate wheelbarrows since we need only four. One for each base and one for the batting team at home base. We have extras to keep things moving along. Take a moment and buddy up with someone, and we’ll break into teams.”

  “Tom, can you be my buddy?” Brian asked eagerly.

  “Nope, your grandpa is going to be your buddy, Scout.”

  Ben snorted. “I don’t think these legs will move fast enough on their own, let alone while pushing a wheelbarrow with Brian in it. I haven’t run bases in years.”

  “Neither have I, but it’ll be good to show these young whippersnappers what we old folk can do,” Pastor Robbins said, laughing. “I think I have some wind in me.”

  “How can I refuse now? I’m up for it if you are, son,” Ben said to Brian.

  “Yeah!” Brian yelled.

  Emotion Jenna had told herself she would not allow to come to the surface rose up and lodged in her throat. Of course, when she’d made that promise to herself, she’d assumed it would be because Brian was disappointed. She had never dreamed today would turn into a day that would bring wonderful memories for her son.

  Lord, thank You for bringing this man into our world. I don’t know what is in store for us or how I truly feel, but I’ll take the gift of today that You’ve given all of us with thanks.

  Tag came back out of the crowd and took Jenna by the hand.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  His grin was lopsided and mischievous. “You’re my buddy.”

  “Your what?”

  She was still reeling with disbelief as he dragged her to the sidelines where the rest of the team was already assembled.

&
nbsp; Pulling her hand free from his grip, she looked up at him in disbelief. “I can’t play.”

  “Why not?” he said, propping his hands on his hips.

  “Because…”

  Tom lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

  “Don’t look at me that way,” she told him.

  His smile showed a row of straight white teeth. The creases around his eyes were a welcome sight after seeing how devastated he’d been last night. Whatever demons he’d wrestled with, he’d fought and won. Prayers had been answered at least for today.

  “You’re making fun of me,” she said, cocking her head to one side.

  “You make it easy.”

  With a sigh, she rolled her eyes. “I’m glad you’re having fun at my expense.”

  “Brian’ll get a kick out of seeing you play, too. Not just shouting from the sidelines. Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I haven’t steered you wrong so far, have I?”

  She tossed him a crooked smile. “No, you haven’t.”

  “Then trust me.”

  “So, Coach,” Ben said to Tom, “I think we got enough players and we’ve split into what seems like a fair mix. Who’s pitching?”

  Dennis, little Karen’s dad, stepped up, with her by his side. “I’ve got a good arm.”

  “Great,” Tom said.

  The ball was tossed in Dennis’s direction, and they all got in line for their turn at bat.

  Jenna eyed Brian with delight. He was positively beaming with joy. Then she turned to Tom who was standing next to her.

  “What changed your mind?” she asked quietly enough that Brian wouldn’t hear.

  Tom was quiet a moment. “I don’t know. I guess I just felt like it was time to get out in the land of the living again.”

  She smiled at that. “I’m glad you did.”

  After a few people had gone to bat, it was Brian and Ben’s turn. Brian stood at the plate and listened as his grandfather told him how to hold the bat.

  “Keep your feet slightly parted and your arms high and to your right side,” Ben instructed. “Don’t let the bat sag behind you, or you won’t hit the ball out into the field. It’ll end up dropping to the ground. And keep your eye on the ball so you know when to hit it.”

  “Like this, Grandpa?”

  “You’ve got it, son. And when you hit the ball, don’t throw the bat, or you’ll give me a black eye.”

  That got a giggle out of Brian.

  “I won’t.”

  The kids from Brian’s school were cheering him on, to Brian’s delight. The first throw was a strike.

  “You’re just getting warmed up, Brian,” Tom said. “Keep your eye on the ball.”

  Another pitch was thrown, and this time Brian hit a grounder that slid past the pitcher and went right out to left field.

  “Get in, Brian,” Ben said.

  Brian climbed into the wheelbarrow and Ben took off for first base. Brian bounced around, giggling as the front wheel hit a slight depression in the diamond.

  Jenna cupped her hands to her mouth. “Hold on, Brian!”

  Tom was laughing. “Did you even know your father could run that fast?”

  Jenna laughed, too. “I don’t think even he knew he could run that fast.”

  “Okay, our turn.”

  Jenna stepped up to home plate. “I hope I can hit this thing. I don’t want to humiliate you.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “I guess I forgot to tell you that I’m totally nonathletic. I’m such a weakling that back in high school I couldn’t even do a chin-up in gym.”

  “Lucky for you, all you need to do is swing the bat. Just remember what your father said. I don’t want a black eye, either.”

  The pitcher threw the ball. Jenna watched as it came toward her, her heart pounding with anticipation and excitement. She’d spent the morning worrying about Brian and whether he was going to have a good time, and she realized to her surprise that she was having a blast herself.

  As the ball came closer, she clenched her teeth tight over her bottom lip and swung hard. To her utter amazement, she heard the crack of the ball against the bat and felt the sting of the hit through her arms.

  “Get in!” Tom yelled.

  Jenna dropped the bat on the ground. She didn’t have time to see where the ball was going or judge if she’d even taken a good swing. She just did what she was told and climbed in the wheelbarrow.

  Once in it, she crossed her legs and gripped the sides of the wheelbarrow, leaning her body back so she wouldn’t bounce out as the front wheel rolled over the ground. She could hear the kids from Brian’s class urging him on and some of the people they knew cheering. When they reached first base, she was surprised when Tom didn’t stop.

  “They’re still chasing your ball, and your dad is trying to make it to third,” he said, only slightly winded.

  She was breathless from laughing. They had just barely hit second base when the ball was returned to the pitcher.

  “How are you doing in there?” Tom asked, catching his breath.

  “Better than you.”

  He shrugged. “I’m just fine. You had quite a hit there.”

  The next batter got into position. He had a serious face, as if he meant serious business. The first two throws were balls. The last throw was the one that he sent soaring into the air.

  “That has to be a home run,” Tom said.

  Not waiting to find out the call, Tom started running. As they turned at third base, Jenna saw her father and Brian glide over home plate. They were right behind.

  The crowd was going wild and cheering them on. Jenna could barely hold on to the sides of the wheelbarrow as Tom pushed forward. She leaned back, felt his movement behind her and then closed her eyes.

  The crowd, which was jumping up and down, parted as they made it past home plate. Tom slowed his stride, but his foot must have caught on the base, because he stumbled, tipping the wheelbarrow slightly and causing Jenna to tumble to the ground and roll. Tom flew over her and regained his footing. Ditching the wheelbarrow, he turned quickly to her, his face a mixture of pride and worry.

  People were still cheering as the final batting pair whizzed past them as they made it home.

  “Are you okay?” Tom said, dropping to the ground next to her.

  Jenna couldn’t find the words. Her heart exploded with a thousand different emotions. She couldn’t remember ever having this much fun. Hearing her father and Brian laughing triumphantly at their good effort for the team only made it more special. Jenna threw back her head as laughter enveloped her from her toes to her head. Tom joined in with her as he realized she was fine. When she could finally get control of herself, she realized tears of laughter were streaming down her face.

  When the dust from the play finally settled, Tom reached over and wiped the wetness and dirt off her cheeks. Then he laughed again. “I think I made it worse.”

  “That’s okay. It’s nothing a wet rag and a bar of soap can’t handle.”

  “That was a nice play for a weakling.”

  If she lived a thousand years, she’d never forget his eyes as he looked at her. It seemed as though he were looking through her to her very core.

  “You did all the work.”

  “I didn’t hit the ball. You did. All I did was run.”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s all. That’s why you’re out of breath and I’m not.”

  “Did you see me, Mommy?” Brian said, jumping into her arms.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “We got a run,” Brian declared. “I haven’t seen Grandpa run that fast since I turned the tractor on by accident and it started to go into the field all by itself.”

  “What?” said Tom.

  Ben cleared his throat. “That’s a story for another time,” he said. “Let’s hope we never have a repeat of that. I don’t think my heart or my legs could handle it.”

  A repeat of today would be a gift, Jenna thought as
Tom helped her to her feet. She had a little boy who had laughed and played like he’d never laughed and played his whole life. And she was laughing uncontrollably with the man who’d managed to make that happen. How could she ask the Lord for anything more?

  Chapter Thirteen

  They drove back to the farm in Tom’s truck in quiet contentment. Jenna tried to remember the last time she’d felt so good and so safe.

  Brian was falling asleep against her as they rolled down the driveway toward the farmhouse. Her father was driving behind them. There hadn’t been any need for Tom to drive them home since they had their own truck in the festival parking lot. But his offer of a ride and Brian’s quick acceptance had made it a done deal.

  When they came to a stop, she gently shook Brian to rouse him. “We’re home, bud.”

  Brian lifted his head and waited for Jenna to pull his seat belt off. Her father climbed out of his truck and walked over to help Brian out.

  “I’ll take him in,” Ben said.

  “Can’t I go play with the piglets?” Brian asked.

  Her father replied quickly, “No, the piglets are just fine where they are. In their pen. And that’s where they’re going to stay, at least until tomorrow.”

  “But, Grandpa, they’re lonely outside.”

  “Never you mind. They have each other for company,” said Ben.

  Ben and Brian were still arguing as they walked toward the house.

  In the quiet of the truck Jenna found it hard to form the words she wanted to say.

  “Thank you for today,” she finally managed.

  Tom shrugged. “It was the least I could do after yesterday.”

  “I understand how you feel now. I hope it wasn’t too difficult for you.”

  “Not at all. Did it seem like it?”

  “No,” she said, smiling. “But what you did today…This was above and beyond. Brian—”

  “It was wrong of me to run away from you the way I did. To snap like that at Brian. He’s a wonderful kid. I just wish I hadn’t upset him.”

  “You saw him today. He didn’t give it a second thought.”

  “Kids are pretty forgiving. What about you?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.”