The Essence of Shade

by Deborah Jean Miller

  “Are you comfortable with your pitches?” asked Brent. “We need to make sure you’re in top form for the World Series.”

  “Yeah,” Tyler responded. “And I’m not nervous. Grandma always tells me to pray, so that’s what I do.”

  “Well, it’s working,” said Brent, as he considered Shade’s influence on Tyler’s life. “Just remember, react to things you can control, like the next pitch. Don’t worry about what you can’t control—the last pitch. And don’t get intimidated by tough hitters, no matter how big they are, or how talented they are. Stare them down. Show them you’re not afraid.”

  “Like David and Goliath?”

  “Yes, just like David and Goliath.”

  “Brent, do you think you’ll ever marry Adrianna?”

  Brent smiled at Tyler’s brashness. He had grown accustomed to his probing questions, a byproduct of their close relationship. “I don’t have plans. Why are you asking?”

  “Sometimes I think you’ll marry her, and you won’t have time for me. I always prayed you’d marry my grandma and be my grandpa.”

  Brent sighed. “Hey, buddy, I’ll always have time for you. No one can come between us. Remember what we talked about? I’m your legal guardian. I’m like your dad, but I don’t live with you.”

  Tyler’s face lit up, as he wrapped his arms around Brent. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, buddy,” said Brent, holding him tight. “You know I’ll always be here for you.”

  “Are you set with your travel plans?” asked Brent, when Shade answered the phone.

  “Yeah. It looks like I’ll arrive a few hours after you. It will feel strange not having Tyler with me.”

  “I’ll take good care of him.”

  “I know you will. You always do. Is Adrianna coming?”

  “No. It’s just me and the boys. Hey, once you get settled, why don’t you come over to the facility, and I can show you around?”

  After checking into her room, Shade studied the schedule. There were sixteen teams split into two brackets; eight International and eight from the United States. During the first five days, teams played one another within their bracket. Two winners within each bracket would advance to the Championship Game, and the International and U.S. winner of the Championship Game would advance to the World Series.

  She went down to the lobby to catch the next shuttle.

  “Hey lady,” said a familiar voice. “Fancy meeting you here. Are you settled in your room?”

  “Hi Victoria. Yes. I was getting ready to go to the International complex to meet Brent and Tyler. There’s a shuttle leaving in twenty minutes.”

  “Let me run up and get my purse. I’ll go with you.”

  “Grandma,” said Tyler, running with Cody toward Victoria and Shade. “Isn’t this place great? We get to sleep in a dormitory with Brent and the whole team.”

  “Wow. It sounds like fun,” said Shade, hugging him.

  “Your dad and Prudence can’t make it today,” Victoria told Cody. “Hey, don’t look so down. They’ll be here soon.”

  Brent joined them. He gave Shade a warm embrace and shook Victoria’s hand before giving them a tour of the facility.

  “Our schedule is full. We won’t get to spend much time together, but we’ll see you at the games,” said Brent. “How are the rooms at the hotel?”

  “Spacious and nice,” said Shade. “The hotel is close to a lot of restaurants and shops.”

  “And cool looking bars,” Victoria added. “I saw Roger Madison in the lobby of our hotel. Maybe we can get a bunch of parents together and go bar hopping.”

  “Sounds like I’ll be missing out on all the fun,” said Brent, with a cocky grin. “Well, I should get going. I need to get the team together. I’ll see you both at the game tomorrow.” Brent wrapped his arm around Shade and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Have a good night, you two.”

  “No kisses for me, Brent?” Victoria purred.

  Brent smiled and spoke over his shoulder as he walked away. “Later. Behave yourselves.”

  “You guys are something else,” said Victoria. “You claim there’s nothing going on, but you sure don’t act like it.”

  “As I’ve said before, we’re just dear friends.”

  “Yeah. Got it.”

  Brent’s team made it through the elimination rounds. They would square off against the Southeast Region in the U.S. Championship semi-finals. The winner of that game would play the International Champions in the grand finale—the World Series.

  The night before the semi-finals, Shade went alone to visit Tyler at the International complex.

  Tyler ran to meet her. “Grandma, we made it through.”

  “I know, honey. I’m so happy for the team. I’m not staying long. I know you have to get to bed early. Are you nervous?”

  “No. Whatever happens is meant to be.”

  She kissed the top of his head. She was proud of Tyler’s maturity and confidence, so much of it due to Brent’s influence.

  She spotted Brent walking toward her, his eyes lit with excitement.

  “Hey, what a great game today. The boys played their hearts out.” He looked around. “Where’s Victoria?”

  “Shopping. I wanted to stop by before tomorrow. To congratulate you and Tyler.” Her eyes hung on his. “Brent, I’m so proud of you.”

  Cody and Lucas ran over and pulled Tyler away. The three of them sat at a nearby table.

  Brent turned to her, his eyes seemed to be searching inside her soul. His face grew tense.

  “Is there something going on between you and Roger?” he asked.

  Her head tilted, her brows gathered. “No. Nothing. Why do you ask?”

  “I’ve seen him sitting with you every day,” he said, studying her. “I was curious.”

  “He’s not my type.” She wanted to tell him there would never be anyone but him, but she sucked in her words.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried. I want you and Tyler to be safe, and happy, that’s all.” He embraced her. His arms holding her tighter than usual.

  Tyler approached them. “Grandma, don’t forget to pray for us tomorrow.”

  “You know I’ll be praying, buddy. You’ve made it this far, and I’m so proud of you. Just do your best. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  On the ride back to the hotel, she thought about Brent’s demeanor. The way he held her, the look in his eyes. Something seemed to be bothering him. His comment about Roger felt odd. Was he jealous, or was he really concerned for their well-being? She prayed it was the latter.

  Arriving at the stadium the following day, Shade nabbed a seat away from Roger and Victoria and reveled in the solitude. Her stomach rose and fell, as she sat biting her fingernails. Tyler and Cody were warming up on the field, Tyler’s face set and determined as he reached back and fired warm-up balls into Cody’s mitt.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen,” said the announcer. “Welcome to the Little League U.S. Championship semi-finals. Great Lakes versus Southeast. Please stand for the National Anthem.”

  Tyler took the mound and assumed his pitching stance. He thought about Brent’s last words. “Don’t throw too hard. I know you have a seventy-five-mile per hour fastball, but you sometimes lose control. You need to be in command. Mix it up. Throw to different parts of the plate. Up. Down. In. Out. Keep them off balance.”

  Tyler said a quick prayer, took a deep breath and kicked his left leg high, delivering the first pitch down the middle for a strike. A rush of confidence swept over him. He let the second pitch fly with all the power he could muster. The ball soared past the batter’s face, causing Cody to leap upward to prevent it from reaching the bleachers. The next three pitches were out of the strike zone, and the batter didn’t chase. A walk. With a batter on first, Cody went out to the mound to talk to Tyler.

  “Hey. You’re overthrowing. Slow it down. Like the first pitch. Remember what Brent said.”

  Tyler took several deep breaths and focused on
Brent’s words. He threw the next pitch—a perfect pitch—right at the corner of the strike zone. Brent signaled to Tyler from the dugout to pay attention to the runner’s lead at first base. Tyler assumed his pitching stance then spun around and fired the ball to Lucas at first before the runner could make it back. “Out!” the umpire yelled.

  He struck out the next two batters and returned to the dugout, adrenaline pumping through his veins. “Good job, buddy,” said Brent, patting him on the back. “You settled down. How are you feeling?”

  “I feel good.”

  “Okay. Watch your control. Work the plate and don’t be afraid to use the changeup pitch. You’re doing good.”

  Brent’s team scored a home run in the bottom of the first inning off the bat of Lucas. Tyler pitched the next four innings like an ace, allowing only one hit and striking out seven.

  “How is your arm feeling?” asked Brent, after the fifth inning. “I can send you back out for the final inning, but your pitch count is at seventy. If you reach eighty-five pitches, or if I think you’re getting tired, I’m gonna take you out. We can’t be too careful with a one-to-nothing lead.”

  “Let me pitch, Brent. Let me have the ball.”

  Tyler took the mound at the top of the sixth inning and struck out the first batter on six straight pitches. The next batter had a pop-up for the second out. He calculated his pitch count at eighty. The final batter came to the plate and hit a long fly ball to center field. Tyler watched in trepidation, as his teammate’s feet left the ground at the warning track, snatching the ball out of mid-air. The crowd exploded. The Great Lakes Edelweiss team had won the U.S. Championship title, advancing them to the World Series.

  Tyler searched the stadium and locked eyes with Shade. Only then did his game face transform. He managed a wide smile, tipping his hat to her before hugging his teammates and running toward Brent.

  Brent’s team took the traditional victory lap around the stadium holding the United States World Series Championship banner. The news media congregated on the field, snapping team photos and clamoring for an interview with Brent.

  “Think we can get a one-on-one interview with Tyler Lane?” the reporter asked Brent. “That kid threw quite a game.”

  “Sure. We’ll meet you in the Media Room in about thirty minutes.”

  Shade stood, looking on, as dampness coated her cheeks. Victoria came from behind, embracing her. Roger weaseled in between them for a group hug.

  After the game, Shade took the shuttle to the International Complex. It would be an early night for the team. Tomorrow was the big day, and Brent wanted everyone to get a good night’s rest.

  Tyler’s face lit up when he saw her. He ran and gave her a hug. “Grandma, we won the U.S. Championship. And the news guy interviewed me with Brent.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Tyler,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “You pitched a great game today.”

  Shade turned and embraced Brent. A lingering embrace. “All of your hard work has paid off. You must be so proud today. They couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “They’re a great team,” he said, pulling away. “It was an unbelievable win. I couldn’t be happier.”

  His eyes hung on her. She sensed he wanted to say something. She held his gaze in a curious stare. Silence.

  “Well, I’d better get the boys settled. I want to give them a talk about tomorrow. Unfortunately, Tyler can’t pitch, but he’ll play right field. So, what are you up to tonight?”

  “Victoria organized a celebration party at one of the local bars in town. I guess all the parents are going.”

  Brent leaned in and kissed her cheek, his hand lingering on the small of her back. “Have fun tonight. And be careful.”

  Back at the hotel, she reflected on Brent’s mood again. What was it? The way he studied her face. So serious. Reflective. Maybe he was thinking about the game tomorrow.

  The Golden Oldie bar swarmed with celebratory parents. Clanging beer mugs and raucous laughter penetrated the thin walls of the well-worn tavern, classic tunes blaring from the jukebox.

  “Shade, over here,” yelled Victoria, waving from across the room, beer sloshing over the rim of her glass.

  Shade pushed her way through the crowd, flinching when she saw Victoria up close. She wore a skin-tight, leopard print spandex skirt with a thin black tank top exposing the curves of her bra-less breasts.

  “I pictured a quiet venue with proper wine sipping clientele and classical music piped in,” said Shade. “This is like something right out of Animal House.”

  “Yeah, isn’t it great? Hey, how do I look?” asked Victoria, spinning around in her stilettos. “Jack’s here with Prudence. I’m hoping to upstage that hoity-toity snob with her Prada handbag. I never understood what Jack saw in her.”

  “Well,” said Shade, grappling for words. “You certainly are making a statement. I’m sure she’ll take notice.”

  “Hey, Roger,” Victoria yelled. “Over here.” She turned and whispered in Shade’s ear. “I think he’s got a thing for me, but he might have to hold back. His ex is here.”

  Shade grinned and excused herself after Roger approached. She ordered a Chardonnay and strolled the venue, mingling with the other parents. She planned to nurse one glass of wine and get back to the hotel at a decent hour.

  “Can I buy you a drink?” asked Roger, his hand resting on her back.

  “Thank you, but no. One’s enough for me.”

  “You look nice tonight,” he said, his eyes surfing her. “Wild place. Would you be interested in going somewhere a little quieter?”

  “No, thank you. I don’t plan on staying long. I’d like to get to bed early tonight.”

  Shade heard Victoria’s voice roar, as the sound of “Shake Your Tail Feather” rocked the tavern.

  “Oh my God!” Victoria shouted. “This is my favorite song. Everybody, let’s dance,” she said, throwing her arms up and sashaying about. The crowd converged on the dance floor, a contortion of pulsating bodies and awkward movements. Victoria egged them on, singing into her beer bottle, testing the capacity of her lungs.

  To Shade’s astonishment, Victoria leaped onto a Formica-topped table, performing the Watusi. A crowd gathered around, clapping and shaking their tail feathers.

  “Okay, everybody, do the twist,” shouted Victoria. She crunched low, shimmying from side to side, head thrown back, mouth agape. While rotating her body, she hoisted one leg high, causing the table to teeter. Victoria’s arms flailed, grabbing at air in a desperate attempt to catch her balance. It was too late. She plunged. A chair flew, as she crashed onto the floor—her legs splayed in a mangled heap. Like a leopard caught in a snare. Roger rushed over to inspect the damage. Victoria winced in pain.

  “Oh boy, this doesn’t look good,” said Roger. “We’d better call 911.”

  They released Victoria from the hospital sporting a cast on her right foot, stopping below the knee. A fractured tibia. Shade and Roger remained with her, arriving at the hotel after midnight. Shade stayed with Victoria after Roger left.

  “So, I think you made quite an impression on Prudence,” said Shade, grinning.

  Victoria discharged a long sigh. “I’m such an ass. Cody will be so embarrassed.”

  Shade had never known Victoria to cry, but huge teardrops meandered down her face. “Hey,” said Shade, putting her arms around her shoulders. “We all make stupid mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Tomorrow’s another day so hold your head high and make the best of it.”

  “It’s just that I’m always making stupid mistakes. Always trying to be the center of attention.” She grabbed a tissue and honked into it. “I was born a mistake. At least that’s what my parents told me. They never wanted me. It seems like I’ve spent my entire life trying to get someone to notice me, but no one ever does.” Her chin dropped to her chest. She was clearly still drunk. “And I’m not a good mother. I’m a train wreck. Now look at me. I’ll be out of work for months, and Jack
has been no help in the parenting department.”

  “Hey, things will work out.” Shade cupped Victoria’s cheek with her hand. “And I can help with Cody. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll come get you tomorrow, and we’ll go to the game together.”

  “Thanks, Shade. You’re so sensible. I wish I were more like you.”

  “Things aren’t always what they seem, Victoria. Everyone has issues, including me. Now get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Roger and Shade escorted Victoria to the game. She hobbled to her seat on crutches. Shade went to the dugout before the game to see Tyler and Brent.

  “I’m praying for you, buddy. What position are you playing today?”

  “Right field. Is Victoria going to be okay? I heard she broke her leg.”

  “Yes, she’ll be okay.”

  Brent spotted Shade and walked over as Tyler ran onto the field. “Hey, I heard about Victoria. Were you there?”

  “Yeah. Roger and I stayed with her at the hospital until after midnight. Long night.”

  “Cody is pretty upset. I think he’s embarrassed. It must have been quite a party. What time did you get back to your room?”

  “About 2 a.m. I planned on getting to bed early, but it didn’t work out that way.”

  The loud speaker cracked and screeched, announcing the start of the World Series. “I’d better get going,” said Brent. “Wish us luck.”

  “I’ll do better than that. I’ll pray.”

  Brent smiled and returned to the dugout, gathering the boys for a pep talk.

  Great Lakes Edelweiss was up against Japan in the World Series. Brent wished Tyler could pitch, but he was out of the rotation.

  Japan hammered the Edelweiss team. The final score was 12-5. Tyler managed two fantastic plays in the outfield and got a double. Cody hit a home run and a double and threw out a runner trying to steal second base. But it wasn’t enough. The World Series championship went to the International team.