Trent

by Lindsay Paige

  “Scarlett.” He smiles at me. “Decide to take in a game?”

  “I brought along some fans.” I point to David and Joey in front of me.

  “You know Miss Knowles?” Joey looks between us.

  “She’s my friend,” Trent tells him. “And who are you guys?”

  “I’m David, and this is my best friend. Miss Knowles is our social worker.”

  “I’m Joey. Is Colby Wilson coming out soon?”

  I push on Joey’s shoulder to silently tell him it’s rude, but he looks confused.

  Trent laughs. “He’ll be out in a moment.” Trent takes their markers and signs the poster. Then he opens his glove and signs the baseball he had tucked inside. “Here, Scarlett.” He reaches over and hands it to me. “Your first souvenir.”

  “Thank you.” I take it from him and smile.

  “Enjoy the game, guys, and make sure Miss Knowles has fun, too,” he tells them.

  The boys wave to Trent and he makes his way down the rest of the line as I continue to stand with the boys as the rest of the team to come through. I grip the ball tightly in my hand and see Trent’s name scribbled in black. My heart beats faster thinking of my first baseball memorabilia.

  When the team heads back to the dugout, I get the boys to their seats. We can see the entire field from our location. The bright green lush grass is highlighted as the sun begins to descend in front of us. I’m able to wave down a food server and get each of them a hotdog and drink. I don’t get anything for myself because I want to make sure I have enough money to get them something sweet at the end of the game.

  The game begins and the boys are intently watching every movement. I giggle as they lean in every time it's a full count pitch. My eyes keep wandering to Trent as he stands by second base. His dark glasses cover his brown eyes, but he is watching every move in front of him.

  During the sixth inning, Trent comes up to the plate to bat again. The Angels are down by three. Even though David and Joey think they can come back, I’m not so sure. I glance at Colby on third, and Roman on second. Trent swings twice and misses each time. The next pitch is a ball, but it’s the next swing that counts the most.

  As the pitcher rears back to throw the ball, I hold my breath and watch Trent take his stance, digging his feet deeper into the dirt. At the release, the white ball come toward Trent, I exhale, and he swings, causing a loud crack of the bat. The entire stadium stands as we all watch the ball sail high over the left field wall for a home run. The crowd erupts with me as Trent jogs around the base to his awaiting team by home plate.

  It’s his first home run of the season. There are tears in my eyes because I know he’s becoming stronger for himself and his daughter. I’m proud of him and this accomplishment. Nonetheless, it’ll still hurt when I finally tell him who I really am and I know I need to do that soon.

  ***

  KAELYN BEGGED ME all week to let her spend the night with one of her friends. I wasn’t going to let her, but she wore me down until I agreed. Granny is out playing BINGO with her friends and somehow, I’m the one sitting at home on a Friday night without any plans. My five-year-old daughter and seventy-five-year-old grandmother have plans, but not me.

  I thought about going to the grand opening of a winery since they sent me a pair of tickets, but going alone doesn’t sound like much fun. Asking any of the guys is out of the question. I doubt any of them would want to go. When we’ve gone out, they order beer or whiskey.

  Maybe I could ask Scarlett.

  She’s a friend, and I need a friend to go with me. Perfect reason to ask her. Before I can chicken out, I text her.

  Me: I have an extra ticket to a tasting for the grand opening of a winery tonight. Any chance you’re free and would like to come with me?

  Scarlett: What time? I’m not dressed fancy.

  Me: I could pick you up in 30-45 minutes? Doesn’t have to be fancy. Just not too casual.

  Scarlett: I can be ready in 45. Do you want to pick me up or give me the address?

  Me: I can pick you up, unless you prefer me not to?

  There’s a three-minute wait until she replies.

  Scarlett: You can pick me up. I’ll be ready in 45. Here’s my address.

  Me: Great. See you soon.

  I jump off the couch because I need to change and get ready. Anxiety riddles my bones and really, it shouldn’t. This isn’t a date. I’ve been to places with Scarlett before. Sort of. I’ve seen her at the gym, at a cafe, and at the art gallery. Sure, I never planned to most of the times and I never picked her up, but still.

  Scarlett’s house isn’t even out of the way. It’s practically on the way to the winery. I take a deep breath, adjust my grip on the steering wheel, and turn onto the road she lives on. Shaking the anxiety isn’t as easy as it should be. I pretty much know Scarlett. Tonight should be fun. The light in the living room is on, and thanks to her open blinds, I think I see movement inside. I park, get out, walk up to her front door and knock.

  After a moment, the door opens. I resist telling her she looks great in her black maxi dress and green cardigan. That is definitely a date-like comment.

  “Hey, are you ready to go?” I ask.

  “Sure. Am I too casual?”

  “Not at all. You look great.” Damn it. I wasn’t supposed to say that.

  She smiles, locks her door, and we walk to my car. I open the door for her before walking around to my side and getting back on the road.

  “Sorry for asking last minute. I wasn’t going to go, but then I ended up at home, the only one without plans.”

  “It’s fine. I was just flipping through the TV channels, trying to find something to watch. I don’t even know why I have cable. There’s nothing ever on.”

  “I don’t watch a lot of TV either. I’d rather do something than sit on the couch.”

  “I’m usually the same way, but I was pretty bored. I’m actually done with all my reports, which never happens, and I can’t find the charger for my e-reader or I would have read a book.”

  “It’s a good thing I asked you to come then. Are you a big fan of wine?”

  “I like to drink a glass here and there. I’m never sure what the whole deal is with the swirling, smelling, swishing, and spitting though. We won’t be doing that, right?”

  “We’ll be drinking mostly, but I’m not sure if you’d want to drink everything we taste. It always varies in how many they’ll want you to try, especially if it’s a grand opening like tonight.”

  “Well, I’ll just sip a few here and there, then.”

  “And if you find one you like, you can be one of the first few to buy a bottle. It should be fun though. I’ve been to some before, probably too many.” I chuckle. “I always leave with at least one bottle. I have more wine at home than I’ll ever drink.”

  “I’m a homebody. I mean, Macy drags me out sometimes, but at the end of the day, I’m too tired to club hop or whatever it’s called these days.”

  “I know what you mean. I feel too old for it, especially when I realize I like wine and going to wine tastings.”

  She giggles, making me smile. “Well, I guess we can be old friends together then.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Before long, we’ve arrived at the winery. I lead Scarlett in with a hand on her lower back. We take in the scene around us. People are being led to tables, people are behind a long bar as they get things ready, and as soon as we sit down, our glasses are being filled. It’s a busy place. Once everyone is seated and seems to have arrived, a man takes his place at the front of the room. He introduces himself, gives a brief history on what led to the opening of the winery, and launches into the tasting side of things.

  I can’t tell if Scarlett is enjoying herself or not. I lean over to whisper while the man begins to explain the process of making wine. “You’re going to know more about wine than you ever cared to know. Are you sure channel surfing isn’t more exciting?”

  She whispers back, “I sort
of feel like we’re watching on of those home shopping shows. I’m waiting for him to tell me how many easy payments it comes in.”

  I laugh. “Or how many minutes are left to get the best deal you’ll ever find. That actually happened once believe it or not.”

  “I believe you. I wonder if this guy was a history professor in a past life. I seem to recall the same monotone voice from my college days.”

  “My science professors were like that. Where did you go to college?”

  “I actually went up to Knoxville to University of Tennessee. Where did you go?”

  “A small university in Virginia. They had a good enough baseball team for it to be a decent choice for me.”

  “Did you declare a major? Or just take classes to play baseball?”

  “I declared. If my career goes south or after retirement, I’m practically set to coach. If it came to that, I’d love to coach high school baseball. What would your second choice be?”

  “Ah, well you may be surprised to learn I didn’t always want to be a social worker. I started out in nursing classes. I even thought of being a doctor, but on the weekends, I worked with a group sort of like Big Brothers-Big Sisters and I saw how hard the kids had it. It reminded me a lot of my childhood. That’s what made me change my major. I want to help kids get out of the system and find good homes.”

  “Either way you go, you have an admirable career.” I smile because she does.

  “I’m happy. I’m broke, but happy. I knew going into this I wouldn’t be rich, but at the end of the day, if I know I helped a child, I’m okay with it.” She pauses, taking a sip of the most recent wine. “Were you traded a lot before you came to Memphis?”

  “A handful of times, yeah. I’m hoping I can finish out here, but if not, hopefully I won’t be traded too many more times. I want things to stay rather stable for Kaelyn.”

  “You don’t seem ready to retire. I saw you playing the other day. You were all over the place. And congrats on the home run.”

  I grin, remembering how great it felt to finally hit one out of the park. “Thanks, it felt really good. How did Joey and David enjoy the game? Did they get all the autographs they wanted, like Colby’s?”

  She laughs and nods. “They did. They ate way too much junk food, but they had a blast. They both want to be baseball players when they get older. I thought taking them to the game would help keep them focused on their goals.”

  “You should bring them for a tour one day. I can get whoever their favorite player is to join us and we can show them around the park and facilities.”

  “Oh, Trent, you don’t have to go through that sort of trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble. You want to show them baseball and keep them focused, right? A tour would help. They could hang out at practice too, I’m sure. If you want to do it for them, say the word, and we’ll plan it.”

  “I would owe you one for sure if you can pull it off. David and Joey are still in a foster home and I’ve been trying to find someone to adopt them, but they’re older and it’s harder for kids that age. Everyone wants babies, but those boys are so good.”

  “You’ll find someone. If they’re as good as you say they are, then you’ll find a way to pull it off.

  “You seem sure of me.” She takes another sip and moves the conversation away from her job. “Now, you know a bit more about me and I still don’t know a lot of you. What’s your favorite drink besides wine?” She smirks, causing me to laugh.

  “You know tons about me. But my favorite drink would be sweet tea. Nothing beats that. What about you?”

  “I have a sick addiction to Dr. Pepper.”

  “What about food?”

  “It’s a tough call because I love a lot of food, but I think I could eat popcorn every single day without fail. Do you have a favorite food?”

  “I like everything and I’ll try anything.”

  “Okay, now the tough question. What is your favorite past time? And you can’t say baseball,” she tells me with a pointed look.

  “If I can’t say baseball, then does that mean I can’t say spending time with Kaelyn too? Not like normal everyday stuff, but I take her shopping and out to eat every so often. Or whatever else she wants to do.”

  “How adorable. You light up every time you talk about her. It’s sweet.”

  “I can’t help it; she’s my girl. It helps that she’s amazing, too. Do want the whole family package one day?”

  “Yes,” she answers solemnly. “I do. I would’ve thought that by now I would have been married, but obviously I’m not. I’m almost thirty. I hope to settle down by the time I’m thirty-five. If not, then I’ll buy my first cat,” she jokes.

  “It’ll happen. What did you tell me? Everything will happen when it should? You should remember your own advice.”

  “Hey, no using my own advice against me.” She tries and fails to suppress her smile. “Plus, sometimes it’s easier to give advice than to listen. Nonetheless, you’re right and I know it in my head, but my heart is impatient at times. Especially around the holidays. Those are the worst for me. This last year has been horrible. My brother would at least come over for food and this past year was the first one where I was completely alone.” She glances down at the table and then back up at me with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to drag down the party.”

  “It’s fine. The holidays are supposed to be the best times of the year, but it can be the worse, too. I get it.”

  “So,” she says, dragging out the word. “Which wine is your favorite so far? I like this blush looking one with a name I can’t pronounce.” She laughs.

  “I was torn between that one and this dark red one. Did you try it or skip this one?”

  Scarlett reaches out, takes my glass, and proceeds to take a sip. She shakes her head as she hands it back to me. “That’s too strong for me. I’m a lightweight. I’ll just stick with the blush one. Thank you for letting me try it.”

  “You’re welcome. How would you rate your experience? Sometimes, they’ll pass around cards or send a follow up email in case they need to alter things once they officially open. Should we mention the time traveling monotone history professor?”

  “Ha, yes, we should. I’ve had a great evening, Trent. I’m really glad you asked me to come. Thank you from saving me from a boring night and making this fun.” Her smile is bright and happy, and I can’t help but return it with one of my own. It has been a great night.

  “You make it easy.” She really does. “Thanks for coming and saving me from being the dad whose little girl has better plans than he does.”

  “Always. It’s what friends are for, right?”

  “Right.”

  We spend a few minutes filling out the questionnaire that gets passed out before we head out. A comfortable silence fills the air around us as I drive her home. It’s nice to get out of the house and spend time with another adult. Someone other than my grandmother or my teammates. I walk her to her door to make sure she safely gets from my car into her house.

  “Thanks again, Scarlett.”

  She smiles. “Thanks to you, too.”

  “I’ll see you around.” As she pushes the door open to her house, I head back to my car. I falter in my steps. Did I just go out on a date? Scarlett is safely in her house when I begin to back out of her driveway.

  That wasn’t a date, right?

  ***

  “UM...OKAY…” MACY looks at me as if I’m growing a third eye on my forehead. “You drank two glasses of wine as if you’re doing shots off a hot twenty-one-year-old male. Care to share with me what has you in a pickle?”

  I take two deep breaths and wait for the wine to take effect. “I went out on a date. Well, I think it was date, but it wasn’t supposed to be a date. It was supposed to be two adult friends going to a wine tasting, because he can’t date me and I definitely can’t date him.” My mouth is running and words are coming out, but I know none of it makes sense to Macy because she’s still staring a
t me.

  “Okay,” she drags the word out. “Now, let’s talk like we’re big girls and explain to me what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “I hate when you talk to me like I’m a baby,” I scold her.

  “I hate when you ramble. So, explain it to me.” She sits back and sips her wine.

  I look around the wine bar and see there aren’t too many people here tonight. I’m thankful there aren’t more people because I feel like I’m losing my mind. I have lost my mind.

  “I went out with someone.”

  “I got that part,” Macy states. “Is he married? Is that the reason he can’t date you?”

  “Well, he’s a widow,” I explain.

  Macy tilts her as if she trying to solve a math problem and squints her eyes. After a second, she sits up straighter, and her eyes widen. “No. No way. Tell me what I’m thinking is wrong.”

  I slowly shake my head. “I don’t know what the hell happened. We kept running into each other and then we exchanged numbers and then bam. He texted me Friday and asked me to this wine tasting. I didn’t think of it as a date, but then I was there and we were talking and—”

  “Bam, you’re dating Trent Baker,” she cuts me off and finishes my thought. “Need I remind you of who he is?”

  “No.” I stop talking when the waiter comes back and refills my glass. I’m glad I came in a cab because at this rate, I’ll finish the whole bottle in no time. “I know who Trent is and this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  Macy sips her wine and glares at me over the rim. “Scarlett, listen to me and please understand I’m telling you this because I love you. This is a mistake. A massive, nuclear bomb mistake. I know you’re name hasn’t been in any of the media yet for Dominic, but his sentencing is coming up fast. Your name could come up then. What will you tell Trent? He’s already slated to talk at the sentencing. Are you?”