406 Birthday Dinner (1/2)

The bus ride back to school was filled with happiness and excitement. We defeated another good team in a close battle.

"Settle down." Coach commanded as we got closer to our school. He was standing up as the bus moved and gripped a seat to keep his balance. "It was a good win today, boys."

The team got a little rowdy again. But with a glare from Coach, the team zipped it.

"I shouldn't have to tell you that the season is coming to the end. Only six games left and four are league. Most importantly, two are against Servite. We face them on Thursday." Coach continued.

I reflected on the game I saw with Zeke and Noah. Golden West at Servite.

"I definitely shouldn't have to tell you that we can't afford another loss." Coach went on. "Our record is second to Golden West. They beat Servite just a few days ago. So not only do we have to win the rest of our games, but we should also beat Golden West with multiple runs. We have to be sure that if we end up with tied records, we'll beat them in run differential."

I was slightly confused, but I got the gist of it. Win. That's all he's demanding from us. No more losses and there won't be any problems.

"Garret, we won't be using you on the mound." Coach announced, drawing some protest from the team. "Listen. Garret is a lefty. Alex Sanchez is also a lefty. Sanchez has completed the mandated rest days for pitchers so there's a good chance he'll be used against us." He looked directly at Garret. "I would like you to throw batting practice this week. Two days. That's all we have to get accustomed to a fast left-handed pitcher."

Garret looked a little reluctant, but he conceded. "Okay, but it's not like I throw exactly like him. I throw a cutter as a specialty, but he has a curve."

"And a slider." Zeke added. He looked at Garret. "You don't have to try hard to throw those pitches. Just show it a few times so we batter's know what to expect."

"Okay, I can show it. Just not as proficient as his." Garret nodded. Then his eyes narrowed. "Who's going to pitch on Thursday then?"

"Me!" Kyle jumped up.

"Sit down!" Coach hollered.

Kyle immediately sat down.

Coach shook his head is exasperation. "How are you going to be pitching if you get hurt when standing in a moving bus." But you're standing, Coach...

Kyle grinned, focused on what he was saying. "So I'm pitching?"

"You'll get the start." Coach nodded, but then took a look around. "That doesn't mean the rest of you have the day off. Be ready to go, no matter what."

"Kelvin!" Dave called out. "What was my pitch count today? Can I play on Thursday??"

"You twat." Kyle tried to push Dave off their seat.

"Sorry, Dave." I heard Kelvin say. "You finished with 77 pitches today. Just enough to require a three day rest. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can't pitch against Servite on Thursday."

"Ah, man." Dave groaned and slouched in his seat.

"Ok, enough fooling around." Coach commanded. "Tomorrow, after class, we'll start the preparation for facing Servite. You'll get in groups of four to face Garret. All pitchers will be working in the pen for the next two days." He glanced out the window. "Looks like we're back. Go home, do your homework and get some rest."

The bus pulled into our school parking lot and let us out near the field. I followed the Atkins to the car and we loaded it up. Zeke, surprisingly, wasn't trying to make us walk home even though the twins had given him a hard time for his birthday.

Noah explained why as we sat in the very backseat. "It's because we're going out for dinner. It's his birthday so Mom and Dad will let him pick his favorite restaurant. There wouldn't be enough time if we were forced to walk home."

Sure enough, as soon as we got home, Mrs. Atkins rushed all of us to take showers and put on something nice that didn't involve athletic wear. I grabbed jeans and a polo shirt before going to the bathroom.

The other boys had the same idea with jeans and some kind of button up top.

Once all of us were ready, we piled into the car and went to some fancy restaurant that passed out cloth napkins. The twins used this opportunity to order steak, but Mrs. Atkins was quick to make sure they also ordered a side of vegetables. When I ordered a bowl of soup, she did the same for me, except I was ordered to get a baked potato too.

"You have to keep the calorie count up." Mrs. Atkins told me as the waitress left our table. "You've grown so much these past two months, but you're still lacking behind."

I scratched my cheek, feeling a little shy at her concern.

"Yea, Jake. If you grow taller, I'm sure you can hit even more homeruns than Zeke." Noah told me happily as he munched on a breadstick.

I glanced towards Zeke. I coughed. "Uh, I don't know...Zeke is way taller than me. I don't think I can grow that much even over a course of a few years."

"Such a pessimist." Noah rolled his eyes. "I'm serious here. You have a good eye and a good swing. You're not even using an aluminum bat which would help your power problem."

I gulped.

"I'm going to the restroom." Zeke stood up. "Noah."

"What?" Noah asked.

Zeke tilted his head.

Noah sighed and stood up. "Guess I'll go too."

That's weird, I thought to myself as they both left the table.

"Jake." Dave whispered, leaning towards me. "Here. Take this."