Jason and Lana had exchanged cell numbers and he called her on Thursday around 4:00.
"Hi, Lana."
"Hi, Jason. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks. You?"
"Good too."
"What are you up to?" Jason asked.
"Just studying with Carey."
"I'm sorry."
"About what? My studying with Carey?" she asked with a cute giggle in her voice.
"I think I missed wishing you happy birthday on Tuesday."
"Oh, yeah. Thanks. But how did you know?" Lana asked.
"From your file at the infirmary," Jason offered.
"Oh, what else do you know about me from my file?" Lana asked, again with the cute little giggle.
"Nothing much else," Jason fibbed.
"Well, thanks. It wasn't much of a birthday, really. My parents and brother called and Carey got me cupcakes from a bakery. That was nice."
"That's why I'm calling, other than to say hi. I wanted to make it up to you. Are you free later?"
"I've more studying but not too much. Why?"
"You like baseball?"
"Yeah. I do."
"I have tickets to the minor league team in Trenton. It's opening day game tonight at seven o'clock. You want to go?"
"Sure, but what's the temperature going to be like?"
"It could be in the low sixties by game time. You should dress somewhat warmly."
"Okay. Sounds like fun. I can make it if I keep at my work," Lana claimed.
"Great. I'm borrowing Mark's car again. I'm going to have to buy a cheap car from the money I'm making at the infirmary," Jason stated.
"Yeah. He might not like you borrowing his all the time," Lana agreed.
"We better leave at 6:15. We can grab something to eat there. Can you be ready by then?"
"Sure," Lana said.
"Okay, see you then."
Jason picked her up at the appointed time and followed the directions Mark had given him to the field. They were through the gate and seated by 6:45. The seats were great, right behind the home team's dugout. They could have sat anywhere they wanted because not too many people were there, though some were still filing in.
Jason asked her what she wanted to eat. He left her there for a few minutes while he went to get them food and drinks. Lana zipped up her jacket and was glad she wore the sweater underneath. The temperature was dropping quickly as it got dark. It was still early spring and though the days were getting into the seventies, the nights could dip into the low sixties to fifties.
Lana watched the pre-game practice until Jason returned with the food. One hotdog for her and two for him. He had nachos too and Cokes. They were both hungry and polished off the food just as the game was starting.
The Trenton Thunder was playing the team from Harrisburg. The Thunder, a minor league organization for the Yankees, had a great record of sending quality players to the Yankees. The talent had allowed them to be very competitive among minor league teams and they had a great winning history, including the previous year.
Harrisburg jumped out early and took a two run lead into the bottom of the third. The Thunder's pitcher had settled down after the rocky first but the offense had yet to contribute. That changed in the third when the clean-up batter with two on hit a homerun to right-center to put the Thunder up three to two. The score remained that way until the sixth when the Harrisburg team got a solo homer to tie the game.
It was still dropping temperature-wise and Lana leaned against Jason for warmth and to block the slight breeze. They got hot chocolate in the sixth inning and that helped warm them inside. Lana was cheering every good play by the Thunder like Jason and he felt she was having a good time. She was good company too.
"You enjoying this?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's a good game. Little cold but not too bad," she said, with a smile but a little shiver too.
Jason realized her small frame probably couldn't handle the cold as well as he could. He put his finished hot chocolate down and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Lana wished the damn armrest wasn't in the way because it prevented her from really snuggling close to him.
The Thunder scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to take a five to three lead. Both teams had relief pitchers in and were playing hard despite the temperature. In the top of the eighth Lana spoke up.
"I could use the bathroom," she said.
Mark had used these tickets many times before and told Jason of a bathroom down the far end of the bleachers. He said if it wasn't crowded that bathroom was hardly ever used.
"Okay. I could go too. I'll take you there," Jason offered.
"Great," Lana said.
They walked hand in hand to the bathroom. Neither had gloves and they were keeping their hands in their jacket pockets. Jason's were fairly warm, Lana's were like ice.
"You're cold, huh?" Jason asked as they walked.
"A little," Lana said bravely. "The hot chocolate helped."
"You want to leave?"
"No. I'm okay, really. It's a good game. We shouldn't leave yet."
"Okay, but tell me if you are too cold," Jason stated.
"Sure. Where are we going?" Lana asked. "Aren't there bathrooms back closer to our seats?"
"Yeah, but these are probably more private and cleaner," Jason offered.
"More private? What do you have in mind?" Lana asked jokingly.
"Nothing," Jason tried to say innocently, but his smile suggested otherwise.