Senses 03 - Love Comes Home (DA) (MM) (11 page)

“What is that?” Davey asked inhaling deeply.

“Chocolate cake from Hasper’s,” Tom said.

Greg’s stomach rumbled. That was the premier bakery in town, and they made the best cake on earth. Tom cut and placed pieces on plates, then passed them all around. Sophia came around and sat next to Davey, explaining where the cake was and guiding him so Davey could eat. She was a godsend. Greg sat next to Tom.

“This was a great idea,” Gordy commented.

“It was. The water’s cold as hell, but the air is warm and it’s nice to be outside,” Greg said, and the adults laughed before getting down to eating.

By the time they were done, clouds had begun rolling in across the lake. Tom packed up the last of the food, then hauled things back to the car. The others packed up as well, and just before everyone got into the cars, the first drops of rain began to fall.

“If you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes—it’ll change,” Greg quipped. Living this close to the lake, the weather could be dicey. The big lake could generate storms even on an otherwise clear day. There were times when driving ten minutes from the lake could raise the temperature twenty degrees and be the difference between rain and sun.

“Any ideas?” Tom asked.

“Let’s go back to my house. If it’s not raining there, we can have a beer on the deck. Otherwise, you’re welcome to hang out if you like,” Greg offered. He hadn’t really planned beyond their picnic.

Tom drove to the house and parked in the driveway. The rain was little more than a drizzle, but by the time they got inside, it began coming down harder. Tom brought in the basket and put the leftover food in Greg’s refrigerator. Once everything was put away, Greg got a couple of beers and they settled on the sofa. Davey was in his room listening to another book, so they had the place mostly to themselves.

“The quiet is nice,” Greg said softly.

“Yes. Sometimes it gets to be a bit much, though,” Tom said.

“Don’t you have a million friends?” Greg asked.

“I have friends in New York, but….” Tom shrugged. “I have friends here, but it isn’t the same as having someone in your life.” He shifted. “However, I can tell you it’s better to be alone than with the wrong person, and I’ve spent enough time with the wrong guy that I should know.” Tom placed his bottle on the coffee table without drinking. He then took the bottle from Greg’s hand and set it next to his. Tom leaned closer, sliding a hand around Greg’s neck, drawing them close.

Tom was an amazing kisser: firm, authoritative, and tender at the same time. There was no doubt about it, and Greg loved every second. He kissed back and felt Tom press him against the cushions. He resisted for a few seconds and then gave Tom control.

“I saw you watching me today,” Tom said.

“Yeah, I was watching you,” Greg admitted.

“I was watching you too,” Tom said, sliding his hand under Greg’s shirt. “You’re a handsome man.” Somehow Greg doubted that. He’d never thought of himself as handsome. But he wasn’t going to argue, not now. Greg wound his arms around Tom’s neck and held on as Tom kissed him once again.

“We can’t do this,” Greg said after a few minutes. He sat up and listened for Davey, but heard nothing.

“He’s listening to a book.”

Greg nodded. He knew that, but it didn’t seem right to be making out on the sofa while Davey was in the next room.

“You’re allowed to enjoy yourself,” Tom said. “I know the past few weeks have been hard, but you don’t need to make things harder on yourself.” Tom moved closer. He wrapped an arm around him, but didn’t push. “It’s okay to be happy. You didn’t do anything to cause Davey’s blindness.”

“The doctors said they believe it’s a genetic abnormality,” Greg said. “Which means he got part of whatever is wrong with him from me.”

Tom scoffed and Greg scowled. “Look, we all inherit things from our parents. Some hit the genetic lottery with good looks, brains, and athletic ability, and others don’t. But I can guarantee that Davey does not blame you, so you don’t need to blame yourself.

Greg shook his head. “Joyce and I got along like cats and dogs for most of the time we were together. I should have known the mixture of our DNA would result in some….” He couldn’t find the word right away.

“The mixture of your DNA created Davey. He’s a great kid. So he’s blind. There are worse things.” Tom shifted closer and simply hugged him. “Do you think of Davey as flawed in some way?”

Greg thought for a second.

“He’s not, any more than we’re flawed for being gay. Not being able to see is part of who he is. I know it’s recent, but you have to help him understand and accept that.”

“But how?” Greg asked.

“By accepting it yourself and acting like it’s no big deal. Treat him the way you always did. He isn’t made of glass and isn’t going to break. So let him find his way. You did today, and he had a ball playing in the water with Howard.” Tom slowly leaned in closer. “And I’ll say it again: it’s okay for you to be happy too.”

Greg thought Tom was going to kiss him, but he stopped.

“Do I make you happy?”

Greg curled his lips upward. “Yes,” he whispered, and Tom kissed him.

T
OM
LOADED
two of the bases, balls, and a couple of bats into the trunk of the BMW. It was gorgeous outside, with no hint of the rain they’d had the day before. He’d debated taking one of the other cars, but the sedan worked best for what he had to carry, so he’d decided to take that. He drove over to the park and began unloading the equipment. One of the diamonds was in use, but the other was free, so he walked over and began setting up and checking out the bases. Tom plugged in the bases, which seemed to be functioning well. He’d gotten the balls charged, too, and they seemed to be working. With everything ready, he waited for the others to arrive.

Greg pulled in a few minutes later. He and Davey got out of the car, obviously a bit excited. It was great to see. Tom also watched the way Greg kept glancing at him. Tom had stayed at Greg’s until well into the evening and then he’d gone home. He’d been half hoping for an invitation to stay longer, but Greg had hesitated, and Tom hadn’t wanted to push. He understood that Greg wanted to be careful, and Tom was realizing that by taking time, he wasn’t repeating the mistakes he’d made in the past. Even though just the sight of Greg made his heart beat faster and even now he wanted to take Greg in his arms, kiss him for all he was worth and then slowly strip him down, lay him across the hood of his car, and….

“I’m ready,” Davey called, pulling Tom’s thoughts back to where they should be.

Tom blinked a few times. “You certainly are,” he said, sharing a smile with Greg. He walked over and placed a ball in Davey’s hand.

“It’s about the size of a softball,” Davey said, turning the ball in his hand. Tom activated the ball, and it began to beep.

“In this game, the pitcher and catcher are on your team, and they are sighted. There aren’t any strikes. There are six people on a team,” Tom explained. “Today we aren’t going to play a game or anything. I thought we’d try hitting and running toward the bases, okay?”

“Yeah,” Davey said excitedly. “Is Uncle Howard here?”

“Not yet,” Greg said, but as he answered a car pulled in, and after a few seconds, Howard got out of the car and then Token jumped out, taking his place at Howard’s side. Sophia got out of the backseat, and Gordy came around and guided Howard to where they waited.

“Tom was just explaining things,” Davey said as they approached. He held out the ball, and Tom took it, then placed it in Howard’s hands.

Tom went over what they would be doing. “Greg is going to pitch, and he’ll say ‘ready’ and then ‘pitch’ as he releases the ball. He wants you to hit it, because he’s on your team, so he’ll be gentle and do his best to place the ball in the right position. I’m going to catch. If you get a hit, the bases will activate and buzz.” Tom guided Davey to the home base and let him feel it. Gordy did the same for Howard. Then he activated the other base, and Davey ran toward it. When he reached the base, he held on to it, grinning back at them. Tom activated the other base, and Davey ran toward that one. Greg caught him and whirled Davey around.

Howard was more reticent, and they spent a while activating the bases and letting Davey and Howard run between them so they could get the feel for the ground. “Normally we’d play on a flat field instead of a diamond. I’m close to permission to use the soccer field at the high school. The game only has three bases, so it doesn’t fit a regular baseball diamond, but I’ll work that out. For now, let’s have some fun.”

“Can I bat?” Davey asked, ready to jump out of his skin.

“Sure,” Tom said. He went to get a bat while Greg helped Davey into a helmet, and then Tom got him into position while Greg took one of the balls. “You’re supposed to be twenty feet away,” Tom told him. Greg got into position, and Tom put on a glove and got into position behind Davey. “Home plate is right in front of you. Remember that your dad is on your team, so no one is trying to fool you.”

“Go, Davey!” Sophia cried from where she sat with Token on the bottom row of the bleachers.

“Ready,” Greg said and drew back his arm. “Pitch.” He threw the ball, and it beeped as it got closer.

Davey swung and missed.

Tom caught the ball and threw it back. “That was your dad’s fault,” he said and helped Davey get back on place. “Keep your ear on the ball. It may take a few attempts, but don’t worry about it.” Tom got back into position.

 “You can do it, Davey!” Sophia yelled.

“Ready…. pitch,” Greg said.

Davey swung and missed.

“Listen for it,” Tom said. “You’re used to seeing the ball, and that’s what you’re trying to do. So use the sound to visualize it.” He took the bat from Davey’s hands, getting another idea. “Maybe we’re moving too fast. Your dad and I are going to throw the ball back and forth.” He motioned for Gordy to bring Howard closer. “Just listen to the ball as we throw it. You can follow it by the sound and learn to recognize it as it approaches.”

Davey began to fidget.

“You learned to hit before you lost your sight, didn’t you?” Howard asked Davey.

“Yeah,” he answered.

“Then be patient. You’ll be slugging that ball before you know it,” Howard said, placing his hands on Davey’s shoulders.

“Say ‘ready, pitch’ just like you did when you were throwing to Davey,” Tom said, and Greg nodded.

He threw, and Tom caught it. Back and forth the ball went, with Greg saying, “Ready… pitch,” over and over again.

“Do you hear it, Davey?” Howard asked. “You can tell when it’s getting close.”

“I can almost see it coming,” Davey said.

“Good.” Tom stood up and threw the ball to Greg. “Try to bat again, and this time use all your senses to try to make contact.”

Howard moved away with Gordy’s help, and Tom got Davey in place.

“Ready… pitch,” Greg said and threw the ball.

Davey swung and missed. Tom caught it and threw it back.

“Try again, only swing to the sound of the ball rather than what your dad says. Use the sound the ball makes and then hit it.” Tom got into position, and Greg threw the ball. Davey swung and connected, sending the ball past the base and rolling into the outfield.

“I did it,” Davey whooped and then dropped the bat and ran for the buzzing base. He reached it with another whoop. Tom activated the other base, and Davey ran over to it, yelling as reached it, “Dad, I hit the ball.”

“You certainly did,” Greg said.

“You try, Uncle Howard,” Davey said.

Howard agreed, and Gordy helped him stand in the batter’s box. Then he showed Howard how to hold the bat and swing. They pitched a few balls, and Howard eventually connected, sending the ball rolling along the third base line. Sophia yelled for Howard to run, and he ran to the base and then walked to the other base when Tom activated it.

“I think this is for the young,” Howard said. “Token and I will be the mascots.”

They got Davey into position, and Greg pitched some more balls. Some were strikes, but Davey got in some solid hits. The skills he’d had from Little League were transferring slowly to the new game.

“What’s this?” a man asked, walking over from the other field, holding out his hand as he approached Tom. “Peter Crawford. I’m the coach of the Tigers.”

“Tom Spangler,” Tom said, shaking hands. “It’s beep baseball,” he said.

“It looks… different,” he said. “I’ve been watching you and can’t quite figure it out.”

Greg came in from the pitching area and guided Davey over. Tom saw Peter’s eyes widen when the realization dawned on him.

“He’s blind.” His mouth hung open, and he looked at the bases.

Tom placed a ball in his hand. “Everything is designed to make noise. There are a number of differences from traditional baseball, but the idea is largely the same. We just got the equipment and we were working with Davey here. He played Little League until his sight faded.”

“It looks rather easy,” Peter said.

“That’s because you can see the ball. Hitters and fielders are blind. Catchers and pitchers are sighted. I dare say it isn’t as easy as it looks.”