by Syd Parker
“Coach Evans, this is our star pitcher, Kevin Carter.”
Coach Howard’s voice woke her from her reverie. Sawyer extended a hand to the wide-eyed young man and smiled when his firm, but sweaty palm clasped hers. “It’s a pleasure, Kevin. Heck of an arm you’ve got there.”
“Thanks, Ms. Sawyer.” Kevin stared at her, mouth agape, but not forgetting his manners. He recognized the woman immediately. She was a legend in the halls of Columbus. He could hear his mother’s admonition to use Ms. with her first name. “You’re Sawyer Evans, the Sawyer Evans.”
Sawyer chuckled easily, affording Kevin another smile. “Please, call me Coach.” From one pitcher to another, it was an honor to meet someone as uniquely talented as he was. A brief wave of sadness washed through her as she thought about the fact that his career would most likely continue beyond high school, and hers had come to a screeching halt. “And you’re the Kevin Carter.”
“Yes, Ms. Sawyer…I mean Coach.” Kevin shuffled his feet nervously, his face beaming. Of all the scouts who passed through the dugout, Sawyer was the one he admired most. Truth be told, it was because of Sawyer that he started throwing the change-up. He’d practiced the pitch so much he saw it in his dreams now. Nevertheless, there was something about it he couldn’t quite get down; something with the timing. “You’re the reason I started pitching. I always played right field before.”
“I know.” Sawyer had done her homework. She knew that the 6’2” incoming senior had played right field through Little League, then inexplicably in his freshman year of high school, had asked to pitch. It was an odd request – at least that’s how Coach Howard put it – which ended up being the best move Kevin could have made. His control was phenomenal, and his years hurling balls infield gave him the strength and accuracy that it took pitchers years to acquire. “I would have done the same thing if my fastball topped ninety miles an hour my freshman year.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kevin could barely choke out more than two words before his awe got the better of him. “Coach.” He knew she was way past scouting season, so the visit was obviously a social one. He bit back the disappointment. There were enough good schools recruiting him that it shouldn’t matter that his idol was not there to try to get him. “Are you in town long?”
“Depends.” Sawyer studied Kevin closely. She saw the resemblance to his mother right off the bat, but the blue eyes threw her off. They watched her, uncertainty mingled with something else, perhaps hope.
“On your coaching schedule?”
“Some on my coaching schedule.” Sawyer leaned on the dugout wall, her arms dangling over the side. Her eyes scanned the field and the horizon beyond. “I spent a lot of time here; more than anywhere else. Threw enough balls to fill Yankee stadium, I figure. Reckon you’ve thrown your fair share.”
Kevin followed her lead and let his elbows rest on the wall, a respectable distance from her. Coach Howard watched the two and shook his head. He’d seen Sawyer at work one too many times not to recognize the routine. She casually let her line go, tugged it just a few times to catch the attention of a passing player, waited for them to bite then jerked to set the hook and reeled them in, all before she broke a sweat, and they had any idea what had happened. He patted Sawyer’s shoulder. “Don’t keep him out too late. We’ve got early practice.”
Sawyer glanced sideways and smiled easily. “No worries, Coach. You know I have an early bedtime now.” She watched him walk away, and she couldn’t help but smile again. She had no idea how old Coach Howard was, but he had to be close to sixty. By the time she started high school, he’d already led the Devils to two state championships. He’d been half coach and half father to the girl whose dad wasn’t around as often as she would have liked. She loved and respected him as both. “Funny how you just settle into something, isn’t it?”
Kevin nodded, though he wasn’t sure exactly where Sawyer was going with her comment.
“Take you, for instance. You didn’t start out pitching, but here you are, almost like you were born for it. You’re a natural. This is where you belong. The mound…the mound is your playground. I wish I had half your talent.” Sawyer shook her head, not so much lamenting the fact that her skill was bred from hours of practice and not raw talent, but the fact that the one thing she loved more than life itself was almost her downfall. “Believe me, I’ve been around long enough to know when a person is destined for greatness or destined to burn out faster than a shooting star.”
“Coach?” Kevin looked confused. He had a feeling Sawyer wasn’t talking about him or what was happening now. He recognized the forlorn look of someone who still held onto the past. He’d seen it in his mom’s eyes, though he never knew exactly why. Kevin did what he always did and tried to fix it. “Coach, you had the best change-up I’ve ever seen.”
“Had is the right word.” Sawyer’s self-deprecating laugh echoed through the empty dugout. “My one piece of advice to you is appreciate it while you have it. I don’t care what it is – pitching, your coach, your mom. Don’t take any of it for granted.” A dark look flashed in Sawyer’s eyes and disappeared just as quickly. “Have you decided where you’re going to play next year?”
“No, ma’am. I got offers from Wake Forest and Tennessee. Gwinnett wants me, and so do the Yankees.”
“Yankees, huh?” Sawyer pretended she did not know about the interest from New York. “That’s pretty impressive. Are you considering the draft?”
Kevin shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a pretty big decision.”
Sawyer could hear the pride in his tone. Kevin was right. It was a big deal for the Yankees to express interest in a player, especially someone in high school. It wasn’t unheard of for a pro team to draft a player that young. It happened. But Sawyer didn’t see Kevin as the type that could make the transition. He seemed naïve to the world that it would force him into. She didn’t believe in pushing someone into something that they weren’t ready for. “It’s a game changer.”
“I guess.” Kevin laughed nervously. “What would you do?”
Sawyer’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She fought the urge to tell him matter-of-fact to come to Delta. She knew she would have to let him make his own choice. “Follow my heart. If you shut your eyes, block out the noise, the interruptions, and the static, the voice you hear in between all of that, that’s the one you listen to.”
“That’s what my mom says. Follow my heart. It just means she wants me close to home.”
“I understand that.” Mentally, she calculated the time between Columbus and Delta State. It was roughly the same distance as it was to Wake Forest, but longer than the drive to Knoxville. She knew in the long run that more than distance mattered. There were some things you could spend your whole life running away from, but every step only brought you closer, and others, no matter how hard you tried to catch them, they were always out of reach. “I think your mom wants what is best for you – even if it means leaving home. It’s the motherly instinct that makes her selfish.” Sawyer’s eyes traveled the length of the fence and up the bleachers, finding Bellamy in the dwindling crowd. “Are you hungry?”
Kevin nodded enthusiastically. “Starving, actually.”
“Why don’t we see if your mom is up for supper? I’m pretty hungry myself.” Sawyer grabbed Kevin’s bat bag and cinched it over her shoulder, appreciating the feeling of comfort it brought. She led Kevin out of the dugout. She sensed someone watching her, and she looked up to catch Bellamy’s eyes on hers. Sawyer smiled quickly and waved in Bellamy’s direction before throwing a thumb in Kevin’s direction. Seconds later, she stopped several bleachers down from Bellamy. “Would you be interested in grabbing supper? I was going to grab something on the way back to my hotel, but I’d rather have the company.”
Bellamy hesitated before she saw the look on Kevin’s face, clearly indicating he wanted to have supper with Coach Evans. “I made a batch of fried chicken yesterday. There is no way Kevin and I will ever eat it all. How does supper a
t our house sound?” The words left Bellamy’s mouth before she could stop them. She waited for doubt to overwhelm her. Inviting a perfect stranger to her house was so unlike her. However, one glance in Sawyer’s eyes dispelled any doubts that crept in. “We’re just a couple of miles away.”
Kevin’s shoulders relaxed, and he hid the smile that threatened to spread from ear to ear. “Coach, I can ride with you. That way you don’t get lost.”
Sawyer searched Bellamy’s face for approval before she nodded yes. “Sounds good. I can’t recall the last time I had cold fried chicken.”
“Mom’s is the best.” Kevin sauntered behind Sawyer, feeling ten feet tall. Not only was he being courted by the likes of Wake Forest and Tennessee, but his gut told him that an offer from Delta might not be far behind. Even if it was just a social visit to her alma mater and nothing more, Kevin was having supper with his idol. Kevin didn’t subscribe to the notion that women couldn’t play baseball. He’d been homered on by enough girls that he knew talent wasn’t based on sex. Coach Evans was incredibly talented. It was only her lack of speed in comparison to her male peers that ended her baseball career.
Bellamy bowed her head shyly. She had been told a time or two that she was a good cook, but as with so many things, she doubted herself. “You won’t starve, at least.”
“I’m sure you’re just being modest.” Sawyer stopped at a dusty pickup truck and tossed Kevin’s bat bag in the open back end. “This is me.”
Bellamy nodded toward a newer model Camry. “I’m right there. See you at the house.”
Sawyer waved casually, her eyes tracking Bellamy’s fluid movements with what she hoped was well-disguised interest. Bellamy’s good looks would capture anyone’s interest, but it was the way she carried herself that held Sawyer’s gaze. She held her head and shoulders proudly and there were no stilted movements. It was as though she glided with each step, not quite human. Sawyer pulled her eyes away before it became awkward. She smiled at Kevin. “Come on, I’m famished, and your mom promised I wouldn’t starve.”
Chapter Two
Sawyer pulled in behind Bellamy’s car and shut off the engine. She and Kevin never stopped talking the entire drive home, which didn't amount to much more than five minutes. Nevertheless, in the span of five minutes, she learned that Kevin loved classical music, played a very mean violin, adored his mother, and aspired to become a sportscaster after a career in baseball, no matter how long it lasted. One thing was for sure, there wasn’t a lack of conversation between the two. The remaining few minutes they spent lamenting the Braves’ poor performance this year. If the ride had been longer, Sawyer was sure they would have filled them.
“I’ve got to shower.” Kevin hopped out, grabbed his bag and darted around the back yard.
Sawyer took several quick seconds to admire the home. It was a one and a half-story craftsman bungalow located on a small lot in Midtown, in the heart of the historic Weracoba-St. Elmo district. The landscaping was simple. There were huge oaks surrounding the house with beds of hostas at their feet, manicured evergreen bushes flanked the sizeable wrap-around porch, and a wide staircase beckoned visitors to sit a spell on the inviting porch swing. Sawyer imagined swinging lazily beneath the large ferns that adorned the expanse. Aside from the obvious charm, its proximity to Columbus High made it a perfect place to call home.
Sawyer followed Bellamy into the house. Inside, the same loving care had been given to the restoration. The rooms were larger than she expected, with ten-foot ceilings and large windows that brought a wonderful amount of natural light into the house. The front hallway led to a sizeable, but cozy living room with comfortable looking leather furnishings that were positioned around a large, white fireplace. There were floor-to-ceiling built-ins which, at a quick glance, led Sawyer to believe that Bellamy was very well-read. The living room spilled into a well-appointed kitchen, replete with a large granite island and updated appliances. A light shade of green covered all the walls and complimented the rich, dark tones of the wood floors.
Bellamy pulled a stool from the far wall of the kitchen and placed it near the island. “Have a seat. Kevin usually takes a while in the shower. Can I make you a drink? I’ve got tea and lemonade, or if you prefer, I can make something stronger.” Bellamy nodded toward a glass door adjoining the kitchen.
Sawyer followed her gaze and noted a large walk-in wine cellar. “Good lord, that’s quite a spread.” Sawyer was duly impressed. Wine wasn’t her first choice, but even she was awed by the size of the room. “Maybe we will have something to celebrate later.”
Bellamy eyed Sawyer cryptically, trying to read Sawyer’s mind. Sawyer’s eyes revealed nothing, and Bellamy shook off the misguided effort with a smile. “We might at that.”
“For now, I’ll have lemonade, if you don’t mind.” Sawyer watched Bellamy’s movements closely. She moved with efficiency, wasting little effort on unnecessary gestures. Everything from Bellamy’s haircut to her simple attire let Sawyer know that Bellamy didn’t appreciate wasted time or money. Sawyer bet she was methodical and calculated in every aspect of her life, which fascinated Sawyer. The only time that she did anything with routine was baseball and her camp. Everything else was left to chance, Sawyer chose to live her life as carefreely as possible. She took the lemonade that Bellamy set down in front of her and took a long swig, letting out a satisfied sigh. “That’s delicious.”
“Thank you. It’s my momma’s secret recipe.”
Sawyer’s eyes traveled the length of the kitchen again, noting that nothing save a coffee maker had residence on the pristine counters. Even the pitcher containing lemonade had been put away, the small ring of condensation from the pitcher had long been wiped up, and the towel returned to its proper place on the stove. She met Bellamy’s inquisitive glance and smiled sheepishly. “You have a lovely home, Bellamy.”
A relieved smile settled on Bellamy’s face. “Thank you. Kevin’s father and I bought the place when Kevin was still little. David wanted Kevin to grow up in a neighborhood, not be stuck in military housing like he was.”
“Military?” Sawyer studied Bellamy’s face as she spoke, trying to figure out the dynamic in their relationship. She hadn’t seen any signs of a man in the house, aside from a picture of a boy she surmised as Kevin, wearing a Little League jersey, propped on a man’s shoulders.
“David was an Army brat. He moved all over as a kid. We met in high school. When David enlisted, I traveled with him. It was fine until Kevin was born, then it got harder and harder to pick up every year and move. David was promoted to Command Sergeant Major at the Infantry School at Fort Benning. It was a great move for us. We were back home where we could raise Kevin around my family. We were able to buy a house. I thought things would...” Bellamy’s voice trailed off. “No sense bringing up the past.”
“Well, it’s a beautiful house, no matter. My folks live a few blocks over in Hilton Heights, but the house is nothing like this.” Sawyer wanted the rest of the story. She was intrigued by Bellamy Carter, as much as she didn’t want to be. If it followed Sawyer’s normal pattern, Bellamy would be unavailable, and would have no interest in women. That seemed to be the story of Sawyer’s dating career. She had a knack for falling for unavailable, straight women; a knack that both annoyed her and fueled her competitive side. She loved the chase. Loved the ability to turn any woman’s head, and relished the times she made a woman walk on the dark side, if even for a moment. As she returned Bellamy’s gaze, Sawyer knew she needed to hear the whole story. “You and David have done a wonderful job restoring it.”
Bellamy shot Sawyer a bemused smile. She knew exactly what Sawyer was fishing for. She didn't miss the use of the present tense in association with David’s name. “Kevin’s dad and I are no longer married.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” However, Sawyer wasn’t contrite. “Have you been divorced long?”
“Let’s see, almost thirteen years. Kevin was five when we split. It was very hard on Kevin. H
e loves his father. The months after his dad left were difficult. Kevin acted out. David tried to be a father to him despite our break-up, but I think Kevin resented him so much for leaving that he never really forgave him. After a while, David stopped trying.”
“David left you?” Sawyer tried to imagine a scenario where someone would choose to leave Bellamy. She was sweet, beautiful, though somewhat naïve – a blend that intrigued Sawyer very much. She tried to tamp down the delicious flutter that teased her stomach.
“Things were different after the war. David had two tours in Kuwait during Desert Storm. After his first deployment, I could see subtle changes in him. He was sullen and angry. He jumped at every sound. He had no patience with me. After the second tour, I tried to save him by having Kevin. I thought if we were a real family and I gave him a child it would help him be his old self.” Bellamy paused, not sure she should continue.
Sawyer reached across the island and cupped Bellamy’s hands in hers. “You don’t have to share this, Bellamy. This is your story, not mine. It was wrong of me to pry.”
Bellamy’s skin hummed at the mere touch of Sawyer’s hand. She searched Sawyer’s face. She saw no censure in her eyes. What she saw there made her feel more at ease than she had in years. Somehow Sawyer managed to make her feel comfortable in her own skin. Bellamy felt the need to lay herself bare to this woman she’d only just met; the rest of the story tumbled from her lips. “The breaking point came when his infantry unit didn’t get deployed a third time. After that, no matter how hard Kevin and I tried, we couldn’t save him. It was rough at the very end. David became abusive. At first, I didn’t worry. He didn’t touch me, only yelled. One night, we were fighting after Kevin fell asleep, and David raised his fist to hit me. When he saw me cower out of fear, he finally realized he couldn’t stay with me anymore. He moved out the next day.”