by Pat Simmons
It was only one of many texts she had exchanged with her sisters complimenting Rahn’s physique whenever he came to bat.
She also had to contend with her uncle’s play-by-play phone calls after each inning. It was crazy but fun.
In the fourth inning, neither team had been able to score. With the American League at bat, Rahn signaled to the other outfielders that he could catch a fly ball to the center. Finishing off her bottle of water, Shae mentally fussed at the cameraperson to do a better job of keeping the camera on her honey.
Somehow his acrobatic moves caused him to collide with the wall. When he slid to the ground, Shae cringed, as she always did when that happened. She held her breath and even began to choke, waiting for him to get up. She discarded her bottle and got within inches of her flat-screen TV.
“Run!” she yelled at the two managers strolling out to the field to tend to Rahn. Her eyes misted, and she put her hands in a praying position. “Jesus, please let him be okay.”
After an agonizingly long period of time, they helped him to stand. With their assistance, Rahn limped off the field until he disappeared from view. His injury was soon forgotten as the game resumed.
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me. Viewers want an update—I want to know what’s going on with the man I love!” She practically screamed, annoyed at the lack of information, then clicked off the TV. The game was over, as far as she was concerned. She didn’t even like baseball unless Rahn was playing.
Uncle Bradford was the first to call. “Now, don’t fret. Men get hurt all the time. He’ll be fine.”
As she listened to her uncle talk, Shae paced the space of her condo, from her front door to her bedroom to the dining room to the guest bedroom, ending at her bay window. She flopped on the cushion and looked out at the magnificent view. Normally a source of relaxation for her, it didn’t provide comfort, only sparked more anxiety.
“They’re back from commercial break. I’ll call you back if they say anything. Rahn’s tough.” Uncle Bradford ended the call, and Shae padded across the living room to her kitchen.
She eyed a small box of vanilla cookies. “Lord, give me strength,” she prayed, turning from the sweet temptation and resuming her intercession for Rahn.
Within a span of thirty minutes, she spoke with each sister, her brother-in-law, and both cousins. She even called Rahn’s mother. “Hi, Mrs. Maxwell. I hope you’re feeling well today,” she said, getting the preliminaries out of the way.
“I’m doing well, sweetie. It’s so nice to hear from you.”
Eloise didn’t mention her son, so Shae brought it up, but even then, she didn’t seem too concerned. “His father used to get banged up all the time.” With flair, she switched the subject, wanting to know when Shae would be visiting. Since Rahn hadn’t said anything, Shae wasn’t sure, and she said so.
Three hours had gone by before she heard from Rahn. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!” She became frazzled once more. “I think I borrowed some of Mother’s gray strands.”
“Baby, I’m fine,” his soothing voice cooed. “It’s a little sprain. I’m in my hotel room with my leg elevated, nursing it with an ice pack. Players get hurt all the time.”
“That’s the same thing your mother said,” she mumbled.
“You called my mother?” He chuckled. “There was no need to worry. If I don’t need surgery, then I’m fine. And if I recall correctly, your mother doesn’t have any gray hair, so I’m sure you’re just as beautiful as you were before the game.”
“Small technicality. Grays could be sprouting from my roots this very moment, for all I know.” But his comment did calm her down. She even smiled at her own silliness.
“I can’t wait to see the Carmens again,” he said, steering the subject away from him.
Any other time, Shae wouldn’t have let him get away with it, but she did miss her family and looked forward to their visit. “Me, too. They’re really excited about coming next week to see you play. So, it’s all about you staying in shape for my family and healthy for me…because I need you.”
She didn’t want to “need” a man, but seeing him hurt, even if it was a sprain or strain, forced her to admit that loving him entailed all of the emotions that made her vulnerable, including her neediness for him.
Rahn lowered his voice. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that, because God knows I need you.” A moment later, he winced audibly. “I’d better get some rest, baby. I have meds to keep the inflammation down, so I’m about wiped out. Love you.”
She threw him a series of kisses before they disconnected, then asked and thanked God for His healing power.
A week later, Shae was excited to entertain the Carmens as they descended on St. Louis for the Phillies vs. Cardinals game. In attendance were her mother, sisters, brother-in-law, cousins, aunt, and uncle. Even Brecee was able to trade an overnight shift with a colleague in order to see her family and get a look at Rahn in person, as if she needed to see with her own eyes all of the wonderful things Shae had said about him. Then her sister was scheduled to fly back to Houston early the next morning.
“Spacious,” Ted committed as they entered her condo. When he inquired about the sleeping arrangements, Shae couldn’t help but rib him.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you?” she said, trying to keep a straight face. “There’s a sleeping bag in the kitchen, where you’ll be close to the refrigerator.”
Everyone hooted, even Ted. “That might not be so bad.”
Stacy swatted him. “Don’t get any ideas.”
Shae had given up her master bedroom and the guest room for her mother and Aunt Camille and Uncle Bradford. Stacy and Ted would take the study, which she had converted into sleeping quarters with two hideaway beds. Victor and Dino would sleep on cots nearby, while she, Brecee, and Shari would share the large sleeper sofa in her living room. It brought a new meaning to “Carmens in the house.” She was so full of emotions that it was worth having to camp in a sleeping bag for one night to spend time with her family all under one roof.
As was customary whenever they all got together, they harmonized on gospel songs while Stacy stroked the keys of Shae’s electric baby grand piano. Later that night, the sisters had an impromptu pajama party in her living room. To keep from waking the elders, they whispered and giggled as if they were teenagers again, awake past their bedtime.
Although everyone wanted the latest on her relationship with Rahn, she was more interested in Shari’s glow. Her older sister’s unwarranted self-consciousness about her beautiful dark skin had given her a complex. The whispers behind Shari’s back that she was “drop-dead gorgeous for a dark girl” did more harm than good, considering she was convinced she’d been picked over time and again for fairer-complexioned beauties. And then, Garrett had wooed Shari like Rahn had Shae, and her self-esteem had skyrocketed.
“I can’t wait to meet Garrett.” Shae sat cross-legged on the sofa, leaning in for the latest gossip.
“Oh, no,” Shari said. “Our story is for another book. This is about you and Rahn.” She leaned over and hugged Shae. “I’m so glad that Rahn is in your life and he makes you happy.”
“Yes, he does.” Shae beamed. The man gave her a feel-good emotion whenever she thought about him. With all eyes on her, Shae stretched out and then pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. “He respects me.”
“He better,” Dino said, startling them on his way to the bathroom.
Like old times. Shae had missed her cousins’ bodyguard treatment. Laughing, the sisters threw their pillows at him. Dino took their pounding like a man before ducking into her bathroom. Everyone was closed-lipped until he came out and disappeared down the hall to his assigned cot.
“Respect is worth more than money in a man’s pocket, Sis,” Stacy said, rubbing her pouch. “That’s a testament to how he was reared.”
“Stacy,” Ted yelled from the other room, “the baby needs to get his rest.”
“I
can’t even enjoy my sisters?” Stacy huffed, rolling her eyes, then smiled. “That man knows we’re having a girl.” Although the couple was opting to be surprised on the delivery day, they went back and forth with their guesses.
“Maybe Ted’s not talking about that baby,” Brecee said, pointing to Stacy’s stomach.
“Yes, my husband is the big baby.” Stacy stood and hugged everyone good night.
“Night, night, good night,” sang Shari, Brecee, and Shae in their best Three Stooges impersonation.
The next morning, Shae’s mother was gushing with pride. “How cool is it that my baby is singing the national anthem at a major sporting event?”
The Redbirds’ request was one of many that had come after Shae’s impromptu performance at the MLK celebration. She had graciously accepted a couple of the invites, depending on the function, while regretfully declining many others.
But this invitation was one she couldn’t pass up. She’d always loved hearing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and then seeing the F-15 fighter jets do their maneuvers over sports arenas. The show of military strength left her breathless.
An hour before game time, Rahn sent a limo to Shae’s condo to transport her family to the stadium. Shae was the only one not dressed head to toe in Phillies attire. There was no way she was going to walk out on the field in the opposing team’s uniform. Once they reached the VIP entrance at Busch Stadium, an usher guided them to their special seating. Yvette Evans and the children were already there, and Shae hugged her before making the introductions.
“You and your sisters all look alike,” Yvette said. “I see the resemblance, even with your cousins.”
“Strong Carmen genes,” Uncle Bradford boasted.
Shae smiled, then excused herself. She followed the same usher to the lower level and down a tunnel that opened to the field. She took a deep breath to settle the butterflies in her stomach.
***
Rahn stood in the lineup, eagerly waiting for Shae to appear. When she strutted to the microphone, wearing his jersey, Rahn couldn’t have been prouder. His heart beat wildly with excitement, knowing Shae’s vocal gift would wow the fans.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please stand as we welcome KMMD Channel Seven news reporter and weekend anchor Miss Shae Carmen with our national anthem,” the announcer’s voice echoed through the stadium speakers.
Before glancing in the direction of the flag, Rahn peeked at Shae. She hadn’t looked his way.
“Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light…” Shae’s voice burst with so much emotion.
Knowing that more than one camera was recording him, Rahn hid his smile. With a game face, he focused on the flag, holding his right hand over his heart. His left hand he kept behind his back, holding three long-stemmed red roses. Shae didn’t crack a note under pressure, and Rahn thought again that she had missed her true calling, even if she was an excellent reporter.
“And the home of the brave…?” She held the last note, to the fans’ thunderous applause.
While the players moved to get in position, Rahn jogged toward Shae, who was about to be escorted off the field. “Shae.”
She twirled around, her eyes sparkling as she gave him that killer smile.
Stopping within inches of her, Rahn handed her the roses.
“You knew.” She pouted.
Had she really thought that his teammates could keep it a secret? “Yes.” Although he wanted to linger and talk to her, he had a job to do. Winking, Rahn turned and trekked out to center field. He was ready to play ball.
It was apparent from the first inning that the Phillies wanted payback, since the Cards had swept them on their own turf the previous month. By the third inning, the Phillies had matched the Cardinals with hits and runs batted in.
“I know you’re good, but something tells me you’re showing off because Shae’s here,” Marcus badgered him. Both were sitting in the dugout, waiting for the last out.
“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.” He and Marcus bumped fists, then stood to take the field after the umpire called the third strike on David Freeman.
In another inning with the score tied, the bases loaded, and two outs, Rahn wasn’t in any mood to play extra innings when a fly ball barreled his way. A hush spread across the stadium as Rahn made an adjustment to the right. He caught the ball with ease, and the fans went crazy.
Rahn stepped up to the plate at the bottom of the sixth inning, with two outs and the bases loaded. After a full count of three balls and two strikes, the pressure was on for him to make his last swing count. The pitcher sent a split-fingered fastball. Rahn anticipated the ball’s dip, and his bat whacked the ball toward the upper deck. The sound seemed to echo throughout the stadium as the fans erupted in cheers.
The realization sank in…Rahn had hit his first grand slam. Marveling at the achievement, he pumped his fist in the air and circled the bases at a slow trot. “Thank You, Jesus.” What better game to earn it in than one with his lady present?
Again he whispered, “Thank You, Jesus,” as he crossed home plate and high-fived the three teammates who had scored because of his hit. In the dugout, Rahn was met with the same jubilation.
“Show-off,” Marcus mouthed as Rahn took his seat next to him. “Maybe Shae needs to be at every game.”
“Maybe.” Rahn wiggled an eyebrow, then reflected on his first career grand slam. If only his father had been there to see it.
Despite the four-point lead going into the seventh, the Phillies threatened to even the score as their power slugger came to bat. An eerie hush came over the stadium as Cardinals pitcher Lars Leonard stood on the mound, struggling to get out of the jam. After checking on the runner on third base, Lars threw a curveball to Phillies’ first baseman and St. Louis native Rob Hutchins and struck him out. It was a hard task, but Lars had come through. The Cardinals and their fans exhaled.
It was a repeat performance for the Cards at the bottom of the eighth inning, as the second Phillies relief pitcher had shamelessly loaded the bases again. As Rahn walked to the plate, he couldn’t help but think about the inning where he had made history in the same scenario. As the Phillies’ manager and back catcher converged on the mound, the only thing on his mind was that he couldn’t leave his teammates stranded.
Minutes later, another pitching change was made, bringing in their third relief pitcher of the night. Rahn was familiar with the left-hander known for his incredible fastballs. As a right-handed batter, Rahn was certain to get at least a base hit to drive in one or two runs.
On the first throw, Rahn gave his bat so much force, it broke in two as he sent the ball with torpedo speed into the upper decks—again. He couldn’t believe it. Cameras flashed, and fireworks exploded in the air. Had he done it again? It was the second grand slam of his career, in the same game as his first. Shaking his head, he ran around the bases to the roar of the crowd. He really couldn’t believe it.
Your gift will make room for you, God whispered, bringing to mind Proverbs 18:16. Never get ahead of Me.
After that feat, the momentum was all in St. Louis’s favor, and the Phillies couldn’t recover. The Cardinals picked up another win, beating them by six points. In the locker room, the media shoved tape recorders and microphones in Rahn’s face. He answered them quickly so he could shower, change, and get to Shae. As player of the game, he was expected to grant a live interview on the second level.
In record time, Rahn was presentable and detoured to get Shae before making his way to the broadcast booth. Her family and others vied for his attention to congratulate him. But it was the hug from Shae that he cherished. “I’ve got another interview upstairs. How fast can you walk?”
“Faster without heels,” she answered, pointing to the athletic shoes on her feet.
“Let’s go.”
26
I may as well have worn heels, Shae thought as she tried to keep pace with Rahn’s long strides. Her heart was pumping as beads of perspiration for
med on her forehead. Thank God for twenty-four-hour deodorant protection. That’s what she got for skipping her workout for more than a week. This was evidence that it didn’t take long to get out of shape.
When Rahn noticed her panting, he slowed down. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. My mind was caught up in the moment.”
“You earned that moment, so no apologies necessary. I’m your cheerleader, remember?” Just an out-of-shape one for today.
Without words, Rahn’s tender look conveyed his love for her. She had no further complaints, and she suddenly had a burst of energy to pick up the pace.
Sports announcer Lee Ramsey was giving the game highlights over the air when they slipped quietly inside the glass-encased broadcast booth. “Unbelievable—just an unbelievable game this evening at Busch Stadium, folks. Maxwell is playing incredible baseball this season, making history for himself and the St. Louis Cardinals…”
Lee paused as he glanced over his shoulder. “Well, here’s our player of the game now, outfielder Rahn Maxwell, with Channel Seven personality Shae Carmen.” He nodded for both of them to take a seat in front of the mic. There happened to be two unused pairs of headsets, and he motioned for both of them to slip them on.
Shae shook her head, declining the invitation, but Lee was persistent, so she obliged.
“What an amazing show you put on tonight, Rahn. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it. Two grand slams in one game by one player…whew.” Lee’s accolades were endless. “That’ll go down in the record books for you. And this is the first double grand slam for the Cardinals in almost two decades.”
During Lee’s commentary, Shae watched as different emotions played across Rahn’s face: awe, humbleness, pride, and—when he glanced at her—love.
“God really blessed me tonight,” Rahn acknowledged. “My only regret is that my father wasn’t here to witness my achievement.”
“Understandable.” Lee nodded and turned to Shae. “Miss Carmen, you pack a lot of power in that voice of yours. Wow.”
Nodding her thanks, Shae didn’t want to be dragged into any conversation that would take the spotlight away from Rahn. Just then, she saw movement in her peripheral vision. It was one of the photographers from her station, aiming the camera her way. Grady’s actions encouraged the other camera crews to follow suit. Shae sighed.