As soon as I step into the hotel, I immediately feel the void from Daisy not being with me. She was supposed to meet me here, and as I see all the other wives and girlfriends of the players in town, it makes me question myself on how I got so deep so fast. She’s just another girl – that’s what I keep telling myself, at least – just another girl who can be easily replaced.
I’m lost in my thoughts until I hear the screeching of a three-year old calling out my name. I bend down in time to scoop my littlest BoRe fan up into my arms and she wraps hers tightly around my neck. Shea is, without a doubt, the best medicine to cure a broken heart. Her innocence and views on the world around her are so pure and light-hearted. Just don’t take away her stuffed Boar. She’ll cut you deep if you touch that.
My mom squeezes into my side, knowing I’m not going to put Shea down until I have to and then barely steps away so I can hug my dad.
“Where’s Shana?”
“On the phone with Mike,” my mom says with a slight sigh. Red flags go up instantly and I make a note to ask her about it later. Mike has been gone an awfully long time and it’s not like he’s Special Forces so I’m not sure why he hasn’t come home yet.
“Unc, you play today?”
“I do. Shall we go to the ball park?”
“I ready, see,” she says, pointing to her BoRe shirt and hat. In true Shea fashion, she is decked out from head to toe in BoRe gear, including her socks.
“We’re going to meet you there,” Mom says, as she kisses me on the cheek and reaches for Shea. “We are going to do a little sightseeing before everything starts tonight and give you some time to spend with your girlfriend.” I don’t correct her, even though I know I should. This isn’t the time, and definitely not the place, considering reporters are lurking around.
I reluctantly hand Shea over and tell my parents I’ll see them later as I make my way to my room. And since I don’t care to run into my ex-girlfriend, I catch the first player shuttle available to the park; at least there I can hide.
The lights are on at the Great American Ball Park and the sea of red is all around. It’s a good thing it’s a color I like. The comradery is what makes this event fun and while we’re trying to win, we’re also easily impressed with how far the long ball can be hit.
I have no chance of winning, not with the likes of Albert Pujols in the line-up. The man is a freaking monster despite his age. I’ve heard a few of the wives refer to him as fine wine, although I’m pretty sure they’re not talking about his batting average. Singleton has a chance to win though, and I’d like to make it to the second round if possible.
Families are all sitting in the same section. It’s funny to watch the mothers of rival teams chat like they’re old pals from a knitting club. Tomorrow it will be American League vs National League – the line will be drawn in the sand. The winning league will have a home field advantage when it comes to the World Series. For the longest time the AL dominated the All-Star game, until recently when the NL started making a comeback.
Spotting my parents is easy because Shea is standing on my dad’s legs cheering and likely blocking the people behind them. I tried to get them front row seats, but I’m still a “nobody” and destined to stay that way unless I get my batting average under control. The only thing going for me right now is my defense. Don’t hit the ball my way if you’re planning on making it to first, because chances are it won’t happen.
Noticeably absent from their seats are Daisy and John. I’m trying not to let it piss me off but it does. I went out of my way to pay for their trip and she hasn’t even bothered to bring him. This is his one opportunity to see an All-Star game and she’s making him watch it from home.
It’s a good thing I left my phone in the clubhouse because right now I’d tweet her, not text, and ask her why she bailed like this. This week was about her grandfather, not us. If I was willing to put everything aside to make sure he had a good time, so should she. Hell, I’m not even the one who lied and built a mountain of deception. That’s all her. I’m just the one that doesn’t want to put up with her bullshit drama.