Broken Bases

by Nikki Pennington

  A doctor comes out into the waiting room, "Are you boys here for Shay Montero?"

  "Yes, sir," I say.

  He clears his throat. "I can't give you too much information, because you aren't of any relation to her, but it seems you're the only ones here. She has suffered a concussion, three broken ribs, and a minor head injury. She’s lucky because this could have been a lot worse. She is going to be fine, but it's going to be a rough road to recovery. The police should be here soon, do you gentlemen have any information as to how she got this way? She is still unconscious, so I haven't been able to ask her any questions."

  "No, sir. Her son called, that's how we knew to go to her house, beyond that we have no idea what happened. Thank you for the information and all your help." Jimmy says. He has always been better in an emergency.

  "Okay, thank you, boys. I'm sorry, I can't give you any more information. I'll send a nurse out when Ms. Montero wakes up."

  "Thank you, sir." I sigh and rub my hand through my hair.

  Jimmy takes a deep breath "At least she's okay, we can be thankful for that." I look at him, defeated, but nod.

  "Yeah, you're right. I'm just so pissed that Valerie showed up tonight and ruined such good night, and then it ended like this." She is hurt, and before it happened, she was mad at me. What if she would have died?"

  "It will all work out, Luke. She has a big heart, and maybe she will find it in her heart to forgive you for whatever happened."

  "I screwed up, Jimmy. I hung out with Shay one night, and then when I got home, I called Valerie over. I was hoping Val would help me forget Shay. I still had it set in my mind that I didn't deserve her, that I couldn't do the whole girlfriend with a kid thing. I didn't think anything should ever come from us being together because we are both heading in such opposite directions."

  "Man Luke, that's fucked up. If I were you, I would just be honest. At least if she doesn't forgive you, you will know you did all you could, and you will know you were nothing but honest with her."

  "You’re right Jimmy, thanks for the advice.”

  "And Luke, stay away from Valerie. That chick is insane, nothing but bad news. She hangs around hoping you will skip college and go straight to the big leagues. She's money hungry. I'm gonna go home and take a shower. I’ll stop by Tammy's and let her know what the doctor said and be back in a couple of hours."

  "Thanks man," I say as I slump down into the hospital chair.

  I have to get Shay to forgive me, I have to keep her and Ryder in my life, and I have to make sure I don't lose focus on ball. This is just the kind of situation I was trying to avoid, but there is no way I could ever abandon her now. If she doesn't forgive me right away hopefully, she will still let me spend some time with Ryder. That little boy needs someone in his life to look up to. I'm starting to realize; I want to be that person.

  My phone dings, and it’s a message from Valerie.

  Hey baby, I know you didn't mean to be so hateful with me earlier, call me and I'll swing by. I'll give you a little treat.

  I respond.

  This is over Valerie, stop contacting me. I don't know how many more ways I have to tell you it's done.

  No response, hopefully, she got the picture.

  Chapter TWENTY-ONE

  Shay

  I blink my eyes, and I'm staring at a stark white ceiling. Where am I? I look over and see that I'm hooked up to some machines. After some more looking around I realize I'm in the hospital. Oh my God, how did this happen? How did I get here? Where is Ryder? I start to panic. One of the machines starts going off with a consistent beep, and a nurse rushes in.

  "Sweetie, are you okay?"

  "How did I get here? What happened? Where is my son?" I cry out.

  "Hold on honey. I'll go grab a familiar face for you."

  A couple minutes later she walks back in with Luke.

  "What are you doing here?" I snap.

  "Shay, calm down. Let me explain."

  "The only thing I want anyone to explain to me is why I'm here, and where my son is. I don't want any bullshit explanations from you about you and your girlfriend, Luke."

  "Okay, okay, Shay. Ryder called Jimmy's phone. He wasn't saying much just, mama mama and crying. We rushed over and found you on the floor, not moving, and bleeding. Jimmy took Ryder to Tammy, and the ambulance brought you here."

  "I need to talk to him, Call Tammy, make sure he is okay." I cry out panicked.

  "Okay, I'll call her, Luke says. Just calm down, please." I nod, and Luke picks up the phone.

  I’m ashamed he’s here right now. I’m embarrassed that I want him to be here after everything he did to me, and I’m embarrassed that he got caught up in whatever this drama is that’s going on in my life right now.

  But I can’t think about all of that right now, I just want to know that my boy is okay.

  Tammy answers on the first ring, and he passes the phone off to me. After our conversation, I am feeling a little better. Ryder is fine, a little scared, but fine. I look at Luke and tell him thanks for everything, but I think it would be best if he left. He looks defeated, nods his head, and walks out the door.

  I stare up at the ceiling with tears in my eyes. What am I going to do? How did I get myself into this? I knew Luke was a bad idea, and I just didn't listen to myself. I let my heart overrule my head and look what happened. So many people are involved in this, that do not need to be involved. I created this huge mess. A quiet knock on the door startles me out of my thoughts.

  "Hey Shay, how are you feeling? "I Look over at the door, and there stands Jimmy.

  "Hey, Jimmy, I'm doing okay, given the circumstances, I suppose." He gives me a weak smile.

  "I wish you would have told me to turn around when we pulled into your driveway Shay. I had no idea what was waiting for you when I dropped you off. I'm a little upset with you for not filling me in."

  "I'm so sorry, Jimmy, I had already involved Luke, and I didn't want any more people involved. I just create messes wherever I go." I cry.

  "Shay, I know that you know that's not true. None of this is your fault. That asshole being the way he is, that's not your fault. He needs help. He needs to be arrested. You need to tell the police everything."

  I sigh and look at Jimmy, he and Luke are so concerned, sure I'm pissed at Luke, but that doesn't take away the fact that he was really concerned about my health and how I was doing. I have to appreciate that no matter how mad I am.

  "I'm going to tell the police everything, Jimmy, I have to. I can't risk something happening to me, or worse Ryder. I'm sure Gunner has skipped town though. He had to have known he took it too far this time, but I will tell them everything I know and everything that has happened. I promise." Jimmy gives me a small smile.

  "I'm glad Shay, and please know that I'm here for you. Please let me help you in any way that I can. Please just let me help. And if you decide to cut Luke out, don't cut him out of Ryder's life too. He loves that little boy just like I do." Tears well up in my eyes.

  "Thank you, Jimmy, thank you so much."

  He stays or a while longer just chatting with me and being there, and I finally tell him he should go home and get some rest. He tries to resist but ultimately stands up to leave.

  "Call me if you need anything, I'll be back tomorrow," He says before he leaves the room.

  As much trouble as I've brought into these guys’ lives, I sure do appreciate them being there for me. Who else would be here if they weren't?

  I sigh and lay my head back on the pillow. I hear some shouting in the hallway.

  "Where is she? She's my sister. I need to see her, let me in."

  A nurse runs to my door. "Can this crazy redhead come in for a visit?" She looks panicked.

  I laugh. "Yes, yes, she can. You heard the girl, she's my sister."

  The nurse rolls her eyes and walks away. Less than a minute later Emily comes barreling into the room.

  "WHAT THE HELL SHAY! What happened? Are you okay? Where is the
bastard?"

  "Calm down, Em, I'm fine. Calm down. I'll explain everything."

  I give her the rundown of everything that happened. She starts crying.

  "Shay, you cannot go back to the house. You and Ryder need to come stay with me. I have an extra room. Please come and stay with me. I'm so scared for you." I look at her lovingly. This girl has been there for me from the beginning.

  "I will come live with you Em. I'm too tired for this to keep happening. I have to think smart, and I have to do what is best for my boy."

  She smiles and takes my hand. "I will go get Tammy, and we will go get your stuff. I'll make sure no one is there when we go, and I'll move everything in before you get discharged. I don't want you to ever have to go back there." I smile at her with tears in my eyes.

  "Thank you, Em, for being the best friend anyone could ask for. Thank you for being there for my boy and me. I appreciate you and will never be able to repay you for all you do."

  I start to feel a little tired and feel myself drifting off to sleep. Emily stands up, kisses my head, and says she will see me tomorrow. That's the last thing I remember before I drift off to a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter TWENTY-TWO

  Luke

  I pull into the driveway, pissed off. I slam the truck door, then slam the door to the house. "Whoa, stop right there, Luke, what is going on?" Rosa is standing at the kitchen counter drying her hands.

  "I screwed up Rosa. I screwed up bad."

  "Come in and have a seat and tell me all about it, she says. I'll heat you some dinner."

  I sit down at the table and explain everything to Rosa. I tell her about Shay, Ryder, and what is going on in her life. I tell her about what she has gone through and what happened tonight. And finally, I tell her what I did with Valerie when I should have been worrying about what kind of person Shay would think I was if she found out.

  Rosa sighs, "baby, you screwed up. I think after she is feeling better and you explain yourself, you will feel better. You can't make her want to stay in your life, but you can be honest, and at the end of the day, that makes you a good man. No one is perfect, and you’re still growing up. You have made mistakes, but you’re not a bad person. It will probably take her some time, especially after all she has been through, but you can't push her. Just be there for her as much as she will let you. That's all you can do right now. Be there for her and hope for the best." She pulls me into a tight hug. And I cry into her shoulder.

  I know Rosa is right, but it doesn't make me feel any better right now. I just want Shay to know how sorry I am, and how much I want to be in their lives. I know I need to give her time, but it's so damn hard when all I want to do is hold her right now.

  This is tearing me apart. This must be karma coming for me for all the shitty things I have done to girls in my life. I was naive to think that I had grown up. You can't do that overnight; it takes a series of events for that to happen.

  Shay and Ryder make me want to be a better man. They make me want to grow up, they make me want to get all those scouts to the ball field, and they make me want to get into college, so I can talk them into coming with me.

  I eat the food Rosa made for me and head upstairs for a shower. I want to go back up to the hospital, but I know Shay doesn't want me there. I decide to send her a text instead.

  I know you don't want me up at the hospital, but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about you. We have a lot to talk about when you’re feeling better, and whether or not you want me to be, I'm here for you and Ryder. Please don't shut me completely out.

  I sigh and lay back in bed and surprisingly fall quickly to sleep.

  The next morning when I wake up there is no response from Shay. I'm bummed, but I'm not surprised. I call Jimmy to find out how she is doing. I know she will still talk to him. He tells me she is doing good and should be getting released in the next couple of days. He also tells me she and Ryder are going to move in with Emily. This takes a huge weight off my shoulders. I had been dreading her getting released, worried she was going to go right back home.

  Gunner is on the run, but I'm glad she told the police everything. I wish she were telling me these things that she is telling Jimmy, but at least I'm able to find out what's going on and how she is doing.

  There is a ball game tonight, and I have to make sure I still stay focused on ball too, especially now that I'm trying to move a whole family with me wherever I end up.

  Coach called me today to let me know there would be scouts here from Atlanta and Pittsburgh. I need to make sure I bring my A-game. Right before I head out to the game, Jimmy texts me to let me know Emily is bringing Ryder. I'm excited to get the chance to see him, and in turn, I play one of the best games of my life.

  After the game coach pulls me aside to tell me all the scouts were impressed with my performance. In other words, I'm going to have my choice to further my education or go pro. This is excellent news. Now I just need Shay to forgive me and go with me.

  Chapter TWENTY-THREE

  Shay

  I wake up the next morning, and the doctor says he is going to let me go home. I am under strict orders to stay on bed rest for at least another week. This is going to put a serious damper on my money saving, but I know I need to get healthy for Ryder and me. He comes up to the hospital with Emily to pick me up. I am so happy to see my boy, and he is so happy to see me.

  He starts to jump up on me, and Em says, "Oh no Ryder, remember what we talked about."

  "Oh yeah, sorry, mama."

  "It's okay baby, it’s going to take some getting used to."

  We gather up my things and head out. I'm not going to lie, I'm glad to be going somewhere that isn't that small country home on the dirt road. I am feeling a little paranoid because Gunner still hasn't been found, but it gives me a little relief that the police have him on their radar.

  When we get to Emily's and get inside, I start to cry. I'm so exhausted, so worn down, so thankful for everyone's help, but also still feeling like such an inconvenience.

  I have to get myself back to normal, so that I can get Ryder and me our own place. I've been taking high school courses online, and I'm hoping I will still be able to get some kind of a scholarship that way. I still need to have a good chunk of money saved up for us to get out of here, though.

  My phone chimes, and I see it's another text from Luke. I really should respond, make sure he knows that I'm serious about whatever was happening between us is done. But I just don't feel up to it yet. I don't have time to decide whether I trust him or not. I have had enough bad males in my life. I think he is a good person, and I obviously care about him, but I don't think a relationship between the two of us was ever really going to work out.

  "Is that Luke?" Em asks.

  I nod, and she sighs. "The guy is human, Shay, you should at least talk to him. He really cares about you. You should have seen him at the hospital."

  "I don't have time for things like this Em, I have to get me and Ryder out of this place before Gunner decided to come back. I have to get back to work, and I have to find a car and drive off and never look back. Having a boyfriend was never part of my plan anyway."

  "You don't get to choose when and if you fall in love with someone Shay, no matter how much you push him away you all are still going to love each other. Eventually you will find your way back to each other. I just want you to be happy, and I've never seen you happier than when you were giving him a chance. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes."

  "Obviously your crazy if you think I'm in love with Luke, Em. He's a guy I've hung out with a couple times and kissed a handful of times. What happened is done. I'm tired, I'm going to lay down." I sigh, and I head towards my room.

  I don't feel like arguing with her over my happiness right now. I actually feel like I've gotten some rest when I wake up a couple hours later.

  I hear laughing and talking coming from the kitchen I get dressed and head out. Tammy, Jimmy, Emily, and Ryder are all out at the
kitchen table laughing and eating. I smile and think about how lucky I am to have these people and try not to think about the fact that the only one missing is Luke. And the reason he isn't here is because I'm too stubborn to give him a chance to explain himself. Everybody looks up and smiles and I join them at the table.

  "Hey everyone, I wish someone would have woken me up. I would have enjoyed spending some time with you all."

  "We just got here." Jimmy said. "It's movie night tonight." I smile, this sounds like the perfect night.

  I snuggle up on the couch with my boy and we all pop in a movie. I hear Jimmy's phone go off a few times, and I can't help but wonder if it's Luke, because I still have not responded to him. I want to ask Jimmy, but I also don't want anyone to think I care. I have to think about me and Ryder, and I just don't see Luke fitting into that. I hear my phone go off in the other room, so I get up to check it out. It's another text from Luke.

  I know you just don't want to talk to me right now, and I respect that, but I just want to know you’re okay I'm tired of getting the answer from someone else. I know you wouldn't tell anyone if you weren't okay anyway. So please just let me hear it coming from you Shay. Please. Are you okay? Are you going to be okay?

  I sigh. I respond back to him that I'm fine, I'll be fine. and I'd appreciate if he gave me some space. If I need someone, I know he is there. Then I thank him for everything he’s done for me. I'm hoping this will work to keep him off my back, it’s hard to forget him when he keeps texting me about my well-being. It's hard to tell myself we're better off without him when he won't leave me be.

  Chapter TWENTY-FOUR

  Shay

  I sigh as I pull my purse up over my shoulder. I stopped at home to grab a shower before I go to Tammy's to pick up Ryder. I want to surprise him with some ice cream, but I didn't want to smell like the diner before we went.

  I put my key in the lock, it seems to go in easier than usual, but I don't pay any mind to it. I throw my clothes on the bathroom floor and hop in, just thankful to feel the hot water on my skin. This was a rough day and I'm just ready for a weekend off with my boy. Em had to work a double tonight so she won't be home for a few more hours.