Alex Hughes stepped off the Greyhound bus in front of the village hall. He gathered his green canvas duffel and his overflowing laundry bag as he looked at the clock atop the government building. It said 4:15. If he hurried, he could catch the end of the game.
He ran down to the St. Thomas campus, three blocks away. He hadn't seen her play all year, and didn't want to miss the opportunity today. Three hours earlier he had completed his last final exam of the spring semester at Western Indiana, and immediately hopped on a bus for Wilkes Grove.
His mother had been sending him newspaper articles about how well Colby had been doing. She led the conference in batting, and had become St. Thomas' starting centerfielder. On the bus, Alex looked at the program his mother sent. He saw she had chosen number 33, his number when he was on the St, Thomas baseball team. She was listed at 5'6". The picture of her with her brown hair braided and her green visor was cute. He loved her smile.
Arriving at the field, Alex saw that it was the top of the seventh with two out. St. Thomas was leading by a run, and their rivals, Wilkes Grove Community had runners at first and third. He saw Colby out in centerfield, pushing down her visor to keep the falling sun out of her eyes. Her white jersey had "Eagles" emblazoned in green script lettering, although some of it was covered by a big dirt stain. The jersey was a little loose, to conceal the little extra weight she carried. Her green shorts dangled loosely over a pair of white sliding pants, and her white socks with the fake green stirrup were pulled up to her knees. Alex couldn't take her eyes off of her.
Startled by the ping of aluminum, Alex saw the ball floating towards centerfield, a little Texas Leaguer. Colby raced in, slid, and had the ball skip under her glove. By the time the leftfielder backed her up, two runs had scored. Colby got up with a scowl, and went back to her position in centerfield.
The next batter struck out, and the St. Thomas girls ran to the bench. Colby didn't even look up into the stands to notice Alex there to cheer her on. She barely paid attention to the game when the coach told her to grab a bat and get into the on deck circle. Two batters had singled, one struck out, and now she was due up next. She saw Courtney Phillips walk, and then she heard her name announced.
"Now batting, number 33, Colby Hughes."
Digging in, she was ready to be the hero. The pitch came in, a drop ball, and Colby hacked. She knew she hacked. The ball was chopped to the pitcher who threw to the catcher to get the force out at home. The catcher then fired to first, barely nipping Colby. It was a double play and the game was over.
She threw her batting helmet into the bench, and started to throw her gloves, visor, and bats into her equipment bag. She didn't even listen to the coach and ran off the bench when the team was dismissed. Finding an elm tree, she threw her bag down and started to take off her cleats.
"Hey, sis. Rough game."
"I don't even want to talk about it."
"Hey, its okay. You'll get them next time."
"You don't get it, Alex. See that guy with the salt and pepper hair and the clipboard? He's an assistant coach at Pacific State. He could've been scouting me, for a scholarship."
Alex didn't even bother looking at the man with the clipboard. He was too engrossed looking at his sister, now shoeless. He loved the shape of her calves in the socks. The sliding pants clinging to her strong thighs and her shorts rode up her legs.
"Well, you can always come to Western Indiana."
"But, Pacific State, that's one of the elite teams. They're always in the Series. It's a little different than Hillbilly College, or wherever you go."
"I understand. But, really, it is not a hillbilly school. Its more of a redneck school. Anyway, do you have a hug for me?"
"That would explain your class rank being so high."
Colby fished some sandals out of her bag and threw them on the grass. She stood up, stepping into them. She wrapped her arms around Alex and placed her head on his shoulder. Then, she felt a poke in her stomach. She pushed Alex away.
"What the fuck!" she yelled as she pushed Alex away. Colby grabbed her equipment bag and ran to the parking lot. Alex, stunned, watched her get into her Ford Focus and drive away. He was too dumbstruck to move.
Then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Hey Alex, when did you blow into town?"
It was Courtney. She was the tall, blonde first baseman for the Eagles. She was listed at 5'9", but she was taller than that. Alex could look directly into her crystal blue eyes.
"Don't worry about her, she always takes losses tough."
"Yeah, but, it wasn't," Alex stammered. "You're probably right."
"Was she going to give you a ride home?"
"Yep. Looks like I am walking now."
"Don't be silly, Alex. I'll give you a ride."
"Thanks, Courtney."
They hopped into Courtney's red Mustang, and she put the top down.
"So, have you been working out? You look great!"
"No, I haven't worked out since I quit baseball last year."
"Really, it looks like you bulked up. Your biceps look great."
"I am still at my playing weight, 185, but I have lost muscle."
