494 Memories of Dad (2/2)

It was almost like watching a movie. I couldn't help but cry as I imagined a man swinging a baby around, walking the baby up and down the street to get the crying to stop, and just thinking how attached he was to the baby me. Maybe it was more like a dream.

”Do you have a picture of him?” I asked after Jeremy couldn't come up with anymore memories.

”Uncle Jack has pictures of them growing up. Some pictures of him playing baseball can be found online.” He took a deep breath and slowly let it go. ”There isn't any of us together. Him and me. Him and you. If anything, she would have it.”

”She doesn't.” I mumbled, before yawning. All the emotional digesting had made me tired. I slowly got up and looked at Mr. Atkins.

He smiled warmly. ”Go ahead and take a nap, Jake, if you're feeling tired. I'm sure Noah will wake you up when he gets home.”

I nodded and left the phone with him, not even bothering to say goodbye to Jeremy. I felt a need to thank him, but I held back. It was polite to thank him for his time, but Jeremy didn't deserve my politeness. I trudged up to the room I shared with Noah, collapsed on my bed, and knocked out.

It wasn't until dinner time that Noah woke me, studying every micromovement I made as I got up. I rubbed the gunk out of my eyes. ”You're back? How was practice with Zeke?”

”It was good.” He blinked. ”Made me happy. Then slightly sad. Tomorrow will be our last game with him, ya know?”

Oh. I patted his shoulder. ”You can't say that for sure just yet. There might be a chance at the higher levels.”

Noah laughed, brushing my hand off him. ”Yea, I know.” He lowered his voice. ”I just want to cherish this just in case it's our last. I want to go out as winners.”

”We will.” I assured him.

”Well, look at you!” He examined me, up and down. ”I thought I was going to wake up and console a depressed kid that needed some coddling. Are we doing role reversal right now?”

I cracked a smile. ”Only if you need it. I'm okay, really. Your dad and I had a good talk. I got some answers about my own dad too.”

”From Jeremy? Did he come back or something?”

I shook my head. ”We just spoke over the phone.”

”Oh.” He looked unsure. ”Just about your dad?”

”That's all I wanted to know. For now.” I shrugged. ”I won't write him completely off just yet. Maybe keep my distance. I don't know what he wants from this. I didn't ask.”

Noah grinned, threw an arm around my shoulders, and proceeded to drag me out of the room, down the hall, then down the stairs. ”You've come a long way, Jake. Three months ago, you wouldn't say a peep and didn't know a dimes worth about baseball.” He laughed. ”Now we're about to be starters on a championship team and you talk up a storm. Things are looking up!”

I chuckled.