Page 85 of Safe at Home

He looked at me, took a wind up, and threw a wicked curveball that I watched go in the catcher’s glove. Thanks for the welcome to the majors gift, I thought to myself. Bradley had only three pitches, but he excelled at all three of them. I had a feeling he would test me with his slider next. I knew he liked the outside corner of the strike zone, and I was ready for it. I swung my bat and hit the ball hard. I watched as it soured to the right and into the stands for a foul ball. Damn. I knew he wouldn’t give me that pitch again. His next pitch was a high fast ball that I watched soar by me. I was relieved when the umpire called it a ball. I was ready for his next pitch, the curve again. I put all of my energy into my hands holding the bat and squared it to the ball. I shocked myself when I made contact with the ball again. I swung through the pitch and watched as the ball flew straight towards my brother. I dropped my bat and began to run to first base. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the ball soared over Landon’s outstretched glove and over the wall. I pointed at my brother and then tried to run calmly around the bases. My heart was pounding so hard, and I felt like I was running on clouds. I couldn’t believe my first major league hit was a 3-run homerun. I hoped they would be able to get the ball back because I knew it would mean a lot to Molly.

When I got to home plate, I was excited to see a lot of the team there to greet me and congratulate me on my first hit, which tied the score. Johnston patted me on the back and said, “See, I told you that you should be out there. I’ll happily take my place as backup catcher again.”

I did play the rest of the game behind the plate and loved every minute of it. The first player to come up to bat when I was behind the plate was Landon's best friend on the team, Jake Wheeler, the right fielder for the Jaguars. He and I had hung out with Landon a few times together. He welcomed me to the majors and then groaned when he got struck out swinging.

The crowd amped me up, even their jeers and boos when Barnes and I worked together to strike out their two best hitters, Wheeler and third baseman, Zaine O'Neil. When Landon came up to bat, I gave him a huge grin from behind my mask.

“You suck, T. Stone,” Landon said as he got in his stance and brought his bat up over his shoulder. “But I fucking wish you were on my team.”

I had to laugh along with him. Two pitches later, I let out a groan as Landon hit a line drive off Barnes’s fastball. I watched as he stretched a double into a triple when there was a fielding error.

The next batter hit it hard and just past our third baseman, Lucas Chapman. He was able to retrieve the ball and throw it as fast as he could towards me as Landon slid into home. I caught the ball and touched him with my glove just as he touched the plate. We both lay on top of home plate next to each other and looked up at the umpire at the same time. The umpire crossed his arms, then brought them back out in a wide motion and yelled, “SAFE!”

There was grumbling from the visitor dugout, but I knew the call could have gone either way. Landon and I both got up from the ground and shared a hug.

We ended up winning the game in extra innings, thanks to a walk-off home run by Dallas Miller. It was an awesome first game that I would never forget.

While I was standing at my locker, I grabbed my phone and saw a bunch of missed text messages. I couldn’t be more shocked at the first text message, which was a picture message. It showed Molly holding one of our girls in her arms. She had on little noise-blocking headphones. Next to her was my mom, holding our other daughter, wearing the same headphones. Mom was wearing a Coyote jersey. Dad was taking the selfie and had the biggest smile on his face. I noticed that he was wearing a Jaguar jersey to support Landon. The message under the picture said: “Tyler Stone’s biggest fans!”

I was filled with emotion and had to sit down. I didn’t know how they got here in time for the game, but I was so glad they had been here to see it. I decided I had time before my shower to read the rest of the text messages that had come in during the duration of my game.

My everything: Hey #17, you single? BTW I love that your #17 for the girls’ birthday!

My everything: They need to bring you in. Johnston looks too nervous!

Carter: Let’s go #17! My new tattoo shop co-owners are watching with me, and they don't even like baseball! Do you remember Alec's little sister, Vera? She's watching with me, too….

My everything: Your mom is so cute! Every time it's the Coyote's turn to bat she puts on your jersey and every time it's the Jaguars she puts on Landon's! She's so proud of you both!

My everything: OMG OMG OMG You’re up to bat. Oh, Ty. OMG. I think I might be more nervous than you are.

Dad: You walked up to the plate like you’ve been doing this your whole life. You were born for this. Your mom and I are so glad we’re here to see this with your girls.

Montgomery: Fuck, man! You’re up to bat on your first call up! Look at you!

My everything: HOLY SHIT! My screaming just scared the girls! I’m crying again! And I swear - I’m not pregnant again! Just very happy for you!

Ivan: Felicidades! HOMERUN over your brother’s head! Good bat against Bradley! He’s a beast.

Cooper: FUCK YEAH!!!! Don’t ever come back down.

Mack: I knew you’d make it, Stone. I’m so proud of you. Nico says he wants to be you when he grows up.

Hayden: Bro, we are all watching at Fulton’s and can’t believe it. Actually, yes we can bc we know you. So glad we have the day off today to watch. Congrats, my friend!

Dominic: I love you, Stone. You’re going to make me so much money! JK! So proud of you! I'm also glad Molly was able to make it in time!

Montgomery: LET’S GO!!!! Meadow said to tell you that you looked like you enjoyed running the bases after that first homerun! I hope to join you soon!

Carter: You had to hit it right over L’s head, didn’t you?! So fucking proud of you! Vera said to tell you congrats, too. You may have made a baseball fan out of her!

Penelope: I’m so glad Molly was able to get there in time for this! Your parents are awesome, btw! They flew up here first and then flew down with her to help with the girls. I still can’t believe they lucked out with all direct flights! It was meant to be!

Evan Harris: Fuck, man. Now I’m going to have to get a new roommate when I was just getting to like you. You smashed it, man!

Ivan: I do NOT think your brother was safe at home, but it was a close call…

Mom: Oh honey! That hug you and your brother shared at the plate makes me the proudest mom ever. I love you both. I wish Carter was here with us.

---