The Road to L.A. (9 page)

              "Be home by no later than six o'clock for dinner, young lady," Lydia Cabrerra had instructed her 10-year-old daughter. 

She remembered being all-too-eager to escape from under her parent's supervision that Saturday morning.  They were strict now, but back then they had been unbearable for their highly-independent young daughter. 

After fleeing through the patio door, she had reached the old baseball field at the same time Jake was pulling up on his ten-speed.  The twins were mere yards away and quickened their pace when they spotted Carly and Jake. 

The old baseball field looked as though it hadn’t witnessed a game in years, which only added to its intrigue.  It consisted of a mundane patchwork of green grass and brown dirt.  Overgrown weeds had begun to dominate the ground which attested to the fact that the field rarely received any maintenance.  The weeds strewn wantonly about the infield had grown around the weathered and yellowed bases, which were covered in a thin film of chocolate-colored dust.  A worn wooden fence flanked one side of the deserted diamond, separating the expansive outfield from a row of residential backyards.   

“It looks pretty bad,” Jake had remarked. 

Aaron, being equally concerned, retorted, "Doesn’t look like it’s safe to play here.  Look at it.” 

After a few moments, Jake had concluded that they could make it work.  Jake's optimism and tenacity always brought forth action to get things done.  That day had been no exception. 

With that, Jake had grabbed his bat while Amanda sprinted to the pitcher's mound with a baseball in hand. Aaron followed Jake reluctantly, all the while mumbling that he would much rather be reading in his room that afternoon.  Even then it had been obvious that Aaron was made for educational endeavors, not athletic pursuits.  He was always the kid picked last in P.E. class while Amanda was the kid picked first.

              “Aaron, you’re catcher for now,” Jake informed the grumbling twin.

Aaron gritted his teeth and feigned a smile.  “No problem,” he lied.  He really wanted to know how long this torture would last.  Of course he'd play because he didn't want to displease Jake, the most popular kid in Clanton.  But he wouldn't enjoy it and would be counting down the seconds before it was all over.

Carly had been up for bat first and concentrated hard on getting her stance right.  She knew this wasn't a real game because they lacked the appropriate number of players, but she wanted to impress Jake and hit the ball hard her first swing.  The ball came hurtling toward her, and to her dismay she swung and missed.  However, she redeemed herself by hitting the ball during her second swing, although Amanda skillfully caught it before Carly could reach first base.  She cursed Amanda's athletic prowess and trudged dejectedly to the dugout.  Aaron was up next, and he proved to be the direct antithesis of his sister.  He swung the first time and almost spun all the way around, his feet tangling together and causing him to wobble shakily.  Meanwhile, he had lost his grip on the bat and it slid across the ground.   

              “I told you guys, I’m not good at sports!” Aaron yelled with as much embarrassment as frustration. 

              “Come on, Aaron,” Carly replied in an attempt to encourage him.  “Just try it again.  You still have two more tries.” 

              “You mean, two more times to look stupid!” Aaron threw his hands up in exasperation. 

              “Let’s do this!” Amanda yelled encouragingly.  She was becoming impatient and decided her brother needed some prodding. 

Aaron took the bat and swung.  He missed again.  Aaron turned to look at everyone and shot them an I-told-you-so expression.  Carly flashed him with a heartening grin and proffered, “Three times a charm?”  To that, he simply scoffed.

Aaron executed the final swing.  Carly let out a long disappointed groan as his effort went unrewarded.  With slumped shoulders, the twin retreated to the dugout.   Not having long to wait for his turn again, he groaned loudly when Jake called for him.  Aaron's stubbornness surfaced as he decided to remain affixed to the bench.   

              “I’m gonna drag him over here,” Jake grumbled, hands folded across his chest. 

“I think you should do it,” Amanda retorted playfully, tossing the baseball into the air and skillfully catching it with her other hand.  Carly decided she would attempt to coax the reluctant twin out of the dugout and sprinted to where Aaron was seated.   

              “Come on, Aaron.  It's just a game.  Please.” 

She waited for a response, and when she got none, she continued. “At least you’re trying.  If you never even try you’ll never get better.” 

Aaron sighed and shifted in his seat, but he still said nothing to her. 

              “Just think of this as practice.”

              “I don't want to” Aaron finally snapped, annoyed that they were "forcing" him to do this.
Were they not yet convinced that he simply sucked at baseball? How much longer did he have to make a mockery of himself?
       

“If you do it one more time, you won't have to do it again,” Carly finally offered.   

Aaron turned to look at her. “Fine.  One more time and then I quit.” 

Carly smiled and quickly pulled him off the bench.  He took the bat from Jake’s outstretched hand and sighed mournfully before positioning himself.  Carly could tell Aaron was tense, for he was grasping the bat so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.  She held her breath as Jake pitched and Aaron swung with purposeful force. 

              “Strike!” Amanda bellowed.  

Carly yelled, “Come on, Aaron, you can do it!”

Jake pitched the ball for a second time. Again, Aaron’s attempt was unfruitful. 

              “Come on!” Jake yelled encouragingly.  “Watch the ball, Aaron!” 

He did as Jake told him and watched the ball.  Carly crossed her fingers and silently prayed for Aaron's sake that he'd succeed during this last attempt.  At the perfect moment he swung the bat.  The aluminum sounded as he hit the ball hard enough for it to go flying clear across to the opposite side of the field.  Everyone seemed arrested by its infinite flight and watched unmoving as it finally settled at the edge of the outfield by the wooden fence.  Amanda broke the stunned silence and marveled excitedly, “Wow, Aaron, that was amazing!”

              “Yeah, that was crazy,” Jake concurred.  He was in awe over what he had just witnessed.  

              “It’s a miracle!” Aaron shouted ecstatically as he ran to Jake.  “I’ve never hit the ball like that before!”  He felt absolutely buoyant and all doubts about his athletic prowess subsided for the moment.  He couldn't ever remember feeling this great. 
Maybe it's the field
, he wondered,
maybe it's magical
.  He wanted to laugh at himself for thinking that, yet he also wanted to laugh at how great the day was turning out to be.  Little did he know that his day was about to get even better.  A group of Jake's friends walked by just then and Jake motioned for them to approach.  Chad, being one of them, asked, "What are you guys doing?” 

              “Just practicing.  You guys wanna play a real game?  We need more people," Jake responded.   

Chad nodded in reply.  He suddenly took note of Aaron and denoted his disapproval of the twin's presence with a wrinkle of his nose.  Jake took notice of this and cut in defensively.   

              “He's cool.  Aaron can probably bat better than all of you.” 

Chad chuckled disbelievingly and replied, “We’ll see about that.  Let’s play.” 

              “Why did you tell him that?” Aaron asked in a worried tone when Chad was out of earshot.  “Now it’s like I have to prove I’m good, which I’m not.” 

Jake simply grinned and replied, “You worry too much.” 

Aaron usually appreciated Jake's easygoing nature, but not right now. 
So much for this just being practice
he grumbled to himself.  The male twin's annoyance continued to fester deep inside him for the first few minutes of the game.  Now the pressure to perform nagged at him and spurred his heart to pump at an unbelievably high rate, especially as the time neared for him to go up to bat.  Little did Aaron know that it was all for nothing.  In fact, to Aaron's immense relief and delight, Jake had been right.  The twin's good performance continued, which convinced him more and more that perhaps the field was magical after all.  The afternoon passed quickly as one game turned into three.  After the sun began its inevitable retreat to allow evening to creep in, Chad and the other boys left.  The remaining foursome sprawled out on the grass in the outfield and stared up at the darkening sky.   

              “Today was the best day," Aaron said happily.  He was still soaring on cloud nine. 

              “Yeah," Carly answered, too tired to expound.  Although, she wholeheartedly agreed with Aaron.  It had been one of those days that she could only describe as magical.  She wasn't too tired to break off a piece of Jake's chocolate bar after he handed it to her. 

              “Guys, let’s be friends forever.  No matter what happens,” Jake said earnestly. 

They all looked at each other and smiled as a silent vow of eternal friendship passed between them.   

              “Friends forever,” the foursome affirmed in a monotone. 

Just then, Lydia’s voice disturbed the magical calm of that August evening.  Carly groaned aloud and said, “I gotta go, guys.  I’m probably in big trouble.  I was supposed to be home for dinner.”  She stood up and added, “I’ll probably be grounded for a week.  But that’s okay because I had so much fun today.” 

              “Hey, if you’re grounded we’ll come see you,” Amanda offered. 

              “Yeah,” Jake agreed, grinning, “we’ll come rescue you.” 

She could still remember how Jake's vow had made her feel so uplifted, and she had raced home in a giddy mood - even though she knew she was destined for punishment.  Seated in Chad's truck now, she smiled broadly at the memories and wished she could relive them.  She spoke up and asked Chad to drop her off at the Corner of Preston and Lemmonwood.  After saying her goodbyes to the teenage boys and watching them drive off, she stood alone at the familiar intersection.  The baseball field was not far from here.  She glanced at the sky and noted it had darkened dramatically since leaving the high school stadium.  Deciding she needed to hurry and get to the field before the rain started, she broke out into a light sprint, then a brisk walk.  She thought back to Jake’s angry countenance and resumed her sprint, desperate to get there.  She could already feel the light sprinkle of rain dotting her face, arms, and bare legs.  Finally arriving at the field, she scanned the area and was disappointed when she saw no one.  She reminded herself, though, that Jake could be in the dugout.  It was impossible to see inside it from here, and she would need to get closer.  Sprinting across the infield, she stopped just short of the dugout.  She smiled with relief, yet her heart also quickened its pace.  Jake was alone inside, sitting on the bench and leaning his head against the concrete wall.  Spurred on by a deep sense of concern, she started forward and entered.  She tried to remain silent so as not to startle him, but he immediately felt her presence.  Turning his head, he looked at her.  She immediately saw the hurt in his eyes.  It was unmistakable, and it stung her heart.   

              “What do you want, Carly?” Jake asked.  His voice was filled with apathy and it startled her because it simply didn't fit his usual nature.

              “I just wanted to see if you’re okay.”

              “Do I look okay?” he snapped. 

Carly felt her cheeks flush, and she turned to look away.  His mean attitude was extremely hurtful.  He noticed the wounded expression on her face and said softly, “I’m sorry.” 

He motioned for her to sit next to him.

              “Come here,” he demanded. 

She did as she was told and walked over to him.  But before she could sit down next to him, he reached out with both hands and grabbed hold of her waist, forcing her to stand before him.  Without so much as a single word being uttered between the both of them, Jake rested his forehead on her taut stomach.  She placed her hands on the back of his head and began stroking her fingers through his long hair. 

              “Why does my dad have to be like that?” he asked.  He paused briefly before resuming. “I don't even know if he really loves me.”  His voice faltered and he tightened his grip on her waist as if fearing she would back away from him.  He suddenly realized that he needed her...badly.  She was a shoulder to cry on, his only shoulder.  

Jake took a deep breath and continued.  “No matter what I do, it’ll never be good enough for him.  Every time I look at him I know exactly what he's thinking."   

He looked up at her then, and she looked back at him, waiting patiently for him to continue.

              “He thinks I’m a failure.  That I'm a bad son and not at all what he envisioned.  That I'm going to fall short of all his expectations and hopes and dreams.  I'm pretty much useless to him, Carly." 

              “Jake,” she responded in a soothing voice, “you have no idea how talented you are.  Do you know how many people in this town would kill to be in your shoes?  They look at you and see this golden boy who can do anything.  You are not a failure, by any means.”