275 Decision 3 (2/2)
”Would it be so bad if we didn't find his dad?” Mr. Atkins asked through the phone, surprising the two in the office. ”I mean, Jake is just getting better and he likes being with us...” He trailed off.
Mrs. Atkins looked at Dr. Moore for help. She wanted to agree with her husband, but didn't want to look like a selfish woman in front of her foster son's psychologist.
Dr. Moore sighed. ”I can't say for sure. Maybe he's a wonderful man, a potential great father.”
”But he could be the opposite.” Mr. Atkins countered.
”I see where Noah gets it from.” Dr. Moore looked at the phone as if trying to see Mr. Atkins. ”This isn't for us to decide. Even less so for me. I work with the state to help troubled children. I can't overstepped my boundaries and declare you both to be his official guardians for the rest of his life. You would have to take that up with Doug. Even then, you would need Jake's father to sign away his parental rights. His mother already had his forcibly removed so-”
”Wait. Are we really talking about this?” Mrs. Atkins interrupted. ”Wayne. Let's talk more about this when I get home. We need to go at this rationally.”
Mr. Atkins hummed in agreement.
***
(Jake's POV)
At practice, Coach and Zeke held a team meeting before warmups to announce his sudden trip to Southern California. The team was stunned into silence and listened on as Zeke explained that he would miss tomorrow's game in order to take midterms.
”Tomorrow's game won't have a true starter as well.” Coach declared after Zeke's speech. ”We'll be doing a bullpen game in preparation for next Saturday's double header. That means each relief should do about an inning as long as they don't give up any runs. We'll start off with James, then Theo, Ryan, Tyler, and Matt will all join in. Bryce too if we can.”
”What about me?” Brian, a sophomore, stood up. ”We hardly get any pitching opportunity with Garret and the twins around so...”
Coach looked at him. ”You'll be in right field.” He looked around. ”Garret in left and Mahki in center. We have a lot to work around with.” He nodded towards Julian in the back. ”Wilson has a bruised foot from yesterday's hit by pitch. He'll rest tomorrow so Sean will be on first. Jason on third. Jake on second and Noah at short.”
The team started to get a little more life as tomorrow's lineup was already announced.
”Listen up.” Coach raised his voice and the team quieted down. ”Zeke's trip won't be a distraction. Tomorrow isn't a league game, but I want us to treat as one. That means going hard, working at the plate, and diving for ground balls. Let's take this practice as serious as if we were training for the championship.”