52 O’Conners (1/2)

At dinner, Noah reminded his dad that they needed to stop at O'Conners after dinner to get me some equipment. Right after, the twins jumped in and said they needed stuff as well so the whole family decided to go.

I vaguely remember Noah mentioning O'Conners before as a sports store or something. But when we got there, I realized it was so much more. There was daily athletic wear, specific practice clothes, cleats and equipment for all kinds of sports. Mrs. Atkins went to look at their regular clothes for women. Zeke didn't say where he was going. Then the twins ran off claiming they wanted to look at cleats.

Noah and Mr. Atkins stuck with me, and started with looking at baseball pants. Mr. Atkins was quick to pick the right sizes and throw them in the cart. We passed some baseball t-shirts and he grabbed a few of those as well.

”Anything you like in particular, just go ahead and throw it in the cart.” He told me as he picked up some long socks.

I looked at Noah and mumbled, ”Alcohol.”

Mr. Atkins froze.

Noah nodded. ”Yea Dad. We need alcohol for his bat to keep it clean. And maybe some other piece of wood to keep the dents out of his bat.”

Mr. Atkins sighed with relief. ”Oh. You guys mean rubbing alcohol. You had me worried for a second there.” He patted his chest. ”I thought my heart almost stopped.”

I looked curiously at Noah.

Noah grinned. ”He thought we wanted real alcohol. To drink.”

I shook my head immediately. Alcohol made my mom really crazy sometimes. Or it would make her pass out and then extra angry when she woke up. I didn't want anything to do with that crap.

”No need to be so adamant.” Mr. Atkins gave me a light smile. ”So tell me about your wooden bat. Do you like it?”

I nodded. Very much.

”Is it harder to hit the baseball?”

”No way, Dad. He still hits it perfectly.” Noah answered.

But I disagreed and nodded. They both looked at me. I cleared my throat and coughed out. ”Doesn't go as far.”