Page 77 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
I blush at Chrissy’s compliment. We chat for a little longer before I tell them I’ve got more things to do before the game. They’ll be there with me in the WAGs section, while my family is getting their own tickets.
I wish I had a jersey, but the custom jersey that Austin designed won’t be ready until tomorrow. I’m excited to wear the number twenty-six and match both Austin and Grace. Austin’s gear was ready hours after he signed his contract. He won’t let me see the design though.
Should I make a sign for Austin? For one thing, he’ll never have another MLB debut, these memories can’t be made twice.And shouldn’t the world know that he’s taken? Mom has the supplies to make one.
With the baby monitor in my pocket, I head downstairs to check the craft closet. After shuffling some things around I find a piece of poster board. The markers are in their usual drawer, and just below are pom-poms, glue and other scraps and tidbits. I gather them all up and carry them into the dining room.
“Watcha making?” Rob looks up from where he’s working on his homework.
“A sign, for Austin. Gotta let the whole stadium know that he’s mine.” I sound so juvenile saying that, like I’m marking my territory. But I also want Austin to know how proud I am of him.
“Please don’t make it all mushy and embarrassing.” Riley rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“You’re not even sitting with me in the family seating, so there’s no chance of me embarrassing you.” I roll my eyes at him and stick out my tongue; being the model big sister that I am. “And when have I ever done anything to embarrass you before?” I prop a hand on my hip and wait. Though my brothers have annoyed me at times, I honestly can’t think of any time when I’ve embarrassed them.
“Well, you did go and get pregnant before you got married.” Robert freezes after the words leave his mouth. His face turns white. “Sorry, Raegan. I shouldn’t have said that.” He ducks his head and stares at his schoolwork.
I pull out the chair next to him. “Rob?” I set a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry, Raegan. I know Grace doesn’t reflect on me. But it wasn’t cool, the weird looks other guys at church would give me once everyone knew you were pregnant.”
“I was pretty embarrassed myself. I knew better. I’ve felt guilt and shame over it for a while.” Walking into church before people knew had been one thing. It was like I was carrying aheavy secret. But after they knew… I’d wanted to slip in quietly, sit in the back, or just not go at all. “It wasn’t easy, walking into church, knowing that the consequence of my sin was on display. But I wouldn’t trade Grace for anything. And because of Grace, I understand God’s forgiveness and grace more than I did before.”
Ms. Rosa and her encouraging words come to mind. “Ms. Rosa told me three things to remember when I feel that guilt. Free. I am free from my sin, because of God. Because He has forgiven me. And because of that forgiveness, I’m filled with the Holy Spirit. Free. Forgiven. Filled.”
Robert looks up at me, a smile on his face. Riley watches thoughtfully from his spot on the other side of the table.
“I’m so sorry that you had to face dirty looks because of me.” I wrap an arm around Robert’s shoulder.
“I forgive you, Raegs. I know you didn’t do it on purpose, and it’s taught me some lessons. And I sure do like having Grace around. She’s a lot of fun.” He squeezes me back, but quickly extricates himself. I remind myself that most fourteen-year-old boys aren’t big into hugs, especially ones from their older sister.
Turning from my brothers I get back to my poster board project. I tilt my head, and eye the poster board, contemplating what it should say. A simple ‘congrats Austin’ isn’t good enough. And like the boys said, I don't want it to be too mushy. But I want it to have meaning, something he won’t easily forget. And ‘Austin, the man, the myth, the legend’ is absolutely dorky.
I lean back in my chair and buzz my lips.
“Can’t think of anything that isn’t embarrassing?” Riley smirks.
I fold my arms over my chest and glare at him. “No, I just don’t want it to be cheesy or dorky.”
Rob starts laughing, and Riley and I give him the stink eye. “I got it.” He wheezes out another laugh. “Don’t you wish your boyfriend played baseball like mine?” He says it like it’s a song,you know, the one about some guy's girlfriend not being as hot as you.
I laugh. But you know, the more I think about it. I think it could work. I tap my chin as I tilt my head to the side. The boys look at me like I’m crazy. “I like that one. I mean, it’s slightly cheesy,” I shrug my shoulders, “but it’s not like a crazy fan sign. Everyone will know he’s mine.”
The boys roll their eyes.
I know they each have a girl they're crushing on, and dating isn’t too far off for them, but at times they still act like girls are gross. “You’ll both be dating before long. Don’t laugh at me.”
Robert says nothing, but I can see that one corner of his mouth is lifting in a grin. But once he realizes that I’ve noticed the smile, his face morphs into a glare instead. “Go make your sign, Raeg.”
I chuckle, but don’t say a word.
Finely polished wood covers the walls surrounding the players' cubbies in the Lariat’s clubhouse. Leather sofas along with coffee tables accent the center of the room. No wonder every guy wants to be a major league baseball player.
I texted Austin the minute that I walked into the stadium, but he isn’t in here yet. With Grace on my hip, I stare into the clubhouse from where I stand in the family room, a cozy room with the same sofas along with fridges stocked with sodas and a coffee machine. There’s even a toy box in one corner, tempting me to set Grace down so she’ll stop pulling strands of hair from my braid.
Several wives or girlfriends have come by. They all look so much older than me. They wear the newest styles, and every single one has bleached-blonde hair. Though I feel small and plain next to them, I know there’s no comparison. It’s what’s on the inside that matters.
Finally, a door across the clubhouse opens. I figure it leads to the bathrooms or something. Austin steps out, his tan pants fitting him to perfection, accenting his strong thighs. His deep, red shirt makes his dark curls look even darker. Sadly, those luscious curls are a little shorter than they’d been the last time I’d seen him.
