Page 25 of Coach Me
I told myself that whether Miles came to sit with me or not, I was going to enjoy this game—all by myself. I didn’t invite Reagan, and when Jensen offered to try to get someone to pick up her shift for today, I told her not to worry about it.
With much reflection on my predicament over this week, I’ve decided that while I may not exactly be afraid to be alone, I don’t know who I am well enough to even know my own company.
My whole family goes on and on about how I’m the one sibling everyone likes. The “angel sister,” as Reagan says, but after the said reflection, all I can see in those comments is that I’m the boring one, the one who hides behind her siblings' personalities. Not to mention the one who’s too reliant on her siblings.
All week, I worked on a list of things I want to work on this year. I’m sure I’ll add more stuff to it, but for now it’s a start. I want to try to venture out by myself more, or at least without my siblings. Have a day where I don’t say no to myself and find a hobby I enjoy. I also want to try to be a little more spontaneous and do more things that scare me—i.e., coming to this game even if that means I’ll be completely by myself.
Plopping my butt in my seat, I exhale any anxieties I’m harboring about my new plan. This will be good for me. I’ve allowed myself to be a supporting character long enough. It’s time I actually be my own main character—now just to figure out what that role even is.
“Lucie!” Miles hollers as he hops up each stair to get to me while Callie trails behind him.
He looks so much like his dad with his deep brown eyes and dark curly hair. The faint freckles on his nose and cheeks must come from his mom, but when Miles gives me a smile, it’s all I can do not to see a smaller, happier version of Dex.
“Hey, Miles! You coming to hang out with me?” I ask with a smile.
“Yes!” Miles jumps and plops down into the seat next to me. “How are your turtles? Did you bring them with you?”
My smile comes with a small chuckle. “Sorry, no turtles at Blues Stadium, I fear that might be a rule. But they’re good. I've been looking forward to hearing all about what you’ve been doing this week. I heard there was quite the shutout at the last game.”
Miles’s eyes go wide. “Oh, Lucie, you missed it! It was so cool! Dad said he’s played a couple of games like that too, but I don’t remember.”
I definitely do.
Callie chuckles as she ruffles his hair. “Alright, before you get on a classic Callie ramble with Lucie, I’m going to get to my spot. You’re good here?”
Miles looks from me to Callie. “Yes, I’m good. I’ll miss you a little bit, but I want to sit with Lucie for the game.”
Callie and I both chuckle at that. “I want to sit with you too, Miles, but if you change your mind and want to see Callie or your dad, let me know.”
Miles bobs his head up and down with a sharp nod. “Okay, I don’t think I will but maybe.”
I chuckle. “Either way is fine. I like you sitting with me, but I can’t read your mind, so if you want to leave, I promise it’s okay.”
“Boy, I wish I could read people’s minds,” Callie says. “Or maybe not, I’d rather not know if Will ever wants me to actually stop talking.”
“Something tells me that’s not what he’s thinking, but?—”
“I never want you to stop talking, Callie,” Miles cuts me off, not wanting to miss his opportunity.
“I know, bud, and you’re the best for it.” Callie squats in front of Miles and holds up her hand for a high five. “You gonna behave?”
“Always.” Miles smacks his little hand against Callie’s. “I’ll see you after the game?”
“Find you after, Hotshot.” Callie turns to me next. “I’m still working on our other little thing by the way. Someone’s being stubborn.”
“I’m not holding my breath, Cals, don’t worry about it.” I’ve got my new plan and new motivations—whether I work for Dex or not.
Callie stands back up with a shrug. “Eh, I’ll waste my breath until he caves.”
“Go to work.” I shoo her off with a wave of my hand, and Miles laughs.
“Yeah, go to work, Callie,” Miles mocks, but when he sees Callie’s jaw drop, he adds, “That way I can start missing you!”
Callie’s lips turn up for a smile. “Yeah, yeah, you two have fun!”
With Callie now headed to her spot, I adjust in my seat to face Miles. “So, tell me all about the games I missed.”
Miles beams. “Okay, but it’s a lot so you need to pay attention. Beck and Mateo had three double plays.Three, Lucie. Then Tripp did a bunch of bunts last game, which I think are really cool. It’s almost like a trick because you could never tell when he was going to do it again.”
