Page 32 of Love's Home Run

A few days later, Melissa stood in the kitchen of her parents’ restaurant, wondering what her life might have been like if she hadn’t grown up in the restaurant business. There were days when she loved working in the kitchen, and her soul was filled with satisfaction because she could do something she loved. And then, like today, she felt restless. Were all her days going to be spent cooking in this kitchen? Wasn’t there more to life? She’d tried to have more free time for other things, but inevitably, she ended up back here.

“Hey, are you alright?” her father asked her.

She looked at him and smiled. He was a man of medium height, with gray hair and enough of a tummy to look the role in his chef’s uniform of black-checked pants and white jacket. His brown eyes were all-seeing and filled with the soft love she knew he had for her.

“I’m wondering if I can get another day off each week. I’m missing out on so many interesting things all my friends are doing.”

His gray-eyed gaze, like hers, rested on her. “I know how busy we’ve been. Summer is the most important season for us. But we'll work it out as long as you’re not asking for Thursday through Sunday off. You already have Monday off. Want to make it a two-day rest and take off Tuesdays too?”

“That’s a help, I suppose,” Melissa answered unenthusiastically. “Mom has already agreed to let me take off after the kitchen closes Saturday night. Normally, I’d help with the clean-up, but if I can leave at ten, it gives me some time with my friends who might still be at Jake’s.”

Her father clapped a hand on her shoulder. “I appreciate your help, Melissa. After years of cooking together, we know what one another will do before it happens. That’s a big deal in a commercial kitchen.”

“I know how much you appreciate me, Dad. But everyone else in town seems to be pairing up, and I don’t want to miss my chance to create a family of my own.”

Her father clapped a hand to his mouth. “I had no idea. You’ve always been so determined to be your own woman, do things your way, and be on your own.”

“Please, Dad, don’t say anything to Mom about my reasons for wanting time off. She’ll have a wedding planned before I even get a chance to date. Maybe it’s my hormones talking, but I don’t want to miss out on having a life outside of Fins.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “My darling girl, I’ll cooperate however I can, but I can’t give you up in the kitchen on Friday or Saturday nights. Do you understand?”

Melissa nodded, knowing it was the truth. “Maybe next winter, we can do something about my schedule.”

“Maybe we can interview for a sous-chef to add to the mix.” Her father patted her on the back. “You’re right. Let’s not say too much to your mother, or she’ll worry about you and the business.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Feeling better, Melissa went to put on her jacket. Dirk was acting as if they hadn’t dated. Was she wasting her time hoping they had a chance of building a relationship?

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The next morning, Melissa drove next door to Ross’s house. This was the first day of his recovery at the rehabilitation center in Concord. As precious as time was to her, she was happy to chauffeur him there. Being with him and sharing companionship was easy.

It was satisfying being able to talk to Ross about anything. Even Dirk. She still didn’t know what was going on with him. Dirk had said he’d call, but he hadn’t.

“How are you feeling overall?” she asked Ross as he greeted her at the door. “You seem much more agile.”

“I’ve had other injuries before and have learned just to keep going, keep my mind off it,” he said. “I don’t have the pressure to get back into a game. The physical requirements and expectations for playing a professional sport can be difficult.”

She helped him to her car and stood aside as he carefully lifted his leg into the passenger side.

She shut the door, went around the car, and slid behind the wheel.

As she drove, she said to Ross, “You told me you always wanted to play baseball. I knew from a young age I wanted to cook with my father. So, I understand your willingness to do whatever it takes to make sure you have a speedy recovery.”

“Do you ever get tired of your job? My injuries forced me out of baseball, but I still miss it.”

“Funny you should ask that,” said Melissa. “I talked to my dad recently to see if I could have another day off because I’m missing out socially. He said yes, but I’m not sure what it would take to make me quit completely. It’s always been part of my life, even as a young child.”

“I get it,” said Ross. “It’s hard to strike a balance when you are successful at your job.”

Though the trip wouldn’t take long, Melissa enjoyed being out in the countryside. She loved seeing the stacked-stone walls and trees lining many of the back-country roads leading to the highway.

Concord, the capital of New Hampshire, was home to the State House, a gold-domed building completed in 1819. Melissa never tired of seeing it and being in the attractive New England town. It was home to many historic sites and was famous for their carriage making—Concord Coaches. It was this sort of history that drew people to the city. Melissa was no exception. After living in small-town Lilac Lake, it was a treat to go thereoccasionally.

Melissa pulled up in front of a red brick building that housed the physical rehabilitation center and two other medical offices. She got out of the car and went around to Ross’s side to help him inside.

“You don’t need to do this,” said Ross, but Melissa noticed he held onto her arm as he walked up the ramp to get inside.

At the door, she said, “I’ll wait outside in the car. I’ve got a book series going.”

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