518 First A’s Game 2 (1/2)

We all got out of the car, and after making sure we had everything, we headed for the giant stadium.

\”Dad, can I see the tickets?\” Dave asked, peeking over his dad's shoulder.

\”Why?\” He asked.

\”I just want to know where we'll be sitting.\” Dave shrugged.

\”Shouldn't it be the outfield?\” Kyle asked.

\”Why would Dad park over here then?\” Dave asked. \”Dad would have parked near the gate for the outfield seating if we had those tickets.\”

Kyle brightened like a bulb. \”Dad! We aren't sitting in the outfield?\”

Noah groaned. \”There goes my chance to catch a homerun ball.\”

The twins didn't pay any attention to Noah and instead, kept hounding their dad about the tickets.

\”I don't have them.\” Mr. Atkins said simply, holding out two empty hands.

The twins immediately went to their mom and started pestering her.

\”Wayne, stop amping them up.\” She sighed. \”The tickets were left at the will call window so that's where we'll go. I don't know anything else.\”

The twins backed off and waited until we approached one of the ticket windows near the main entrance. Mr. Atkins spoke to them quietly and was soon handed a stack of tickets. He straightened up and smiled at us. \”Alright, let's head on in.\” He passed the tickets out, giving everyone two each.

I didn't think anything of it, until Noah started to do that bouncing thing again. He wasn't the only one. The twins were also hopping about. Even Zeke looked surprised.

I looked to their parents for help.

\”One ticket is for your seat.\” Mr. Atkins started to explain. \”The other ticket is for on-field access before the game. Jeremy thought it would make your first time more memorable.\”

Oh.

\”If he's trying to buy his way to our good graces...I can only welcome him with arms wide open.\” Dave proclaimed while looking at his tickets.

That comment made Noah calm down real quick. His smile disappeared and a frown took over. He looked up at his dad. \”And you accepted this? Is it really okay for him to try and win Jake's acceptance this way?\”

Mr. Atkins patted Noah on top of his head, pushing his hat down. \”When accepting gifts, you can't be so picky. He wanted to do something special for Jake so how could I say no and deny Jake this opportunity? Plus, he knew Jake wouldn't go without everyone so he planned it well. I don't think of this as 'buying forgiveness'. But more like trying to put in some effort and care to show his sincerity.\”

Noah looked at me. \”You're okay with this?\”

I shrugged. \”I think it's nice.\” Besides, seeing them happy makes me happy.

\”Let go already!\” Dave waved, pointing at the security line.

We followed his lead, going through the metal detectors and letting the security guards check Noah's bag.

There we saw a team in gray taking batting practice.

\”Houston Astros.\” Noah told me, whispering. \”They're division opponents.\”

We all had to stand back near the netting, roped off, but still only ten feet away from the pros. The twins were the fastest to whip out their phones and started to take pictures. Mrs. Atkins was a close third, taking out her phone and started to take pictures of us.

Noah posed willingly, pulling me into every shot.

\”Patterson!\”

\”Jeremy! Over here!\”

\”Patterson! Patterson!\”