“No, she doesn’t,” I say. “We’ll put them in storage until she’s ready. No child should have to make this type of decision. I’ll organize everything, hire packers, and you focus on getting back to Boston and getting Matty acclimated. It may be a good idea to get her started in some type of therapy or support group because I think she’s going to need to talk to someone who isn’t us.”
“You’d do that for her?”
I nod and pull him close. “Without a doubt. We’re going to be a family. It’s what family does for one another.”
“You know what this means, right?”
I look at him oddly. “No . . . ”
“Well, first it means the three of you need shirts with my name on the back, and second, it means that I’m going to have to ask Chase if I can marry his mom.”
“Hawk . . . ” My breath catches.
He smiles and brings my hand to his lips to kiss it. “Once things slow down and we’re in a routine that works for us, I’m going to ask you to marry me. You can count on it.”
Have you recovered from the thrilling All-Star game? We certainly haven’t because our Renegades are hot, hot, hot and about to get hotter with the return of Hawk Sinclair. We first reported he would only be out until the All-Star break, but he had a minor set-back and recovery took a bit longer. However, we’re happy to say, actually scream, HE’S BACK!!! Now before you get all excited about the starting rotation, Sinclair is going to do some relief work first before sliding back into his starting spot.
Right now, our Renegades are dropping bats at the plate and running those bases. We’re well above 500 and sitting comfy in second place, behind those Astros. With the return of Sinclair, we have a full roster and they’re all healthy!
GOSSIP WIRE
It was a nice surprise to hear about Travis Kidd, Ethan Davenport, Branch Singleton, Kayden Cross, Cooper Bailey, and their respective families flying out to support Sinclair and his Little League team. It’s rumored that the autograph session lasted four hours and raised over $3000 for the Sinclair Fields.
But . . . that’s not what you want to hear!
The biggest surprise of all and one we’ve been kept in the dark about is . . . Daisy Davenport is pregnant!
Now, we’re not talking a little pregnant. From what witnesses are saying, she’s ready to pop any day now. Our question here is, how did we not know?
One of our reporters ran into Shea, famed niece of our third basemen, and asked for her thoughts. Here’s what she had to say, “Oh, I think it’s great, but I’m not babysitting.”
So, there you have it. New Renegades will be here soon thanks to Saylor Blackwell-Kidd and Daisy Davenport.
And you know, as I write this . . . we haven’t seen Hadley Carter around lately either. Hmm . . . makes you wonder why she’s hiding as well.
Thirty-Three
Hawk
Behind my blackout curtains, I know the sun is up and blazing over the city. The heatwave blanketing New England has been relentless the past few days, with temperatures hovering close to a hundred and the more inland you are, the hotter it is. I can hear the television and from what I can gather, it’s a talk show, likely Sports Center or something similar. Chances are, Matty isn’t even watching whatever is airing. She’s mostly likely out on the balcony, with the sliding glass door open and letting the air conditioner cool off my neighborhood, reading last night’s game recap or watching the traffic down below.
Boston is a cultural shock for her. Each day, it’s a new adventure. Places and activities I’ve taken for granted, like twenty-four hour grocery stores, food delivery, and the harbor, are all new and fun things to explore. If we’re not at the ballpark, we’re walking, taking the train or driving somewhere she’s found on the map. Every place we go is a “must see” and the urgency to get there is like no other.
Not gonna lie, being an instant father is hard, especially in our situation. My parentage started off with telling her that her parents passed away, followed by having her pack her stuff because we had a flight to catch, and then welcoming her to her new home, all in one day. The timing couldn’t have been worse. I’m grateful for my friends more than ever through all of this. Ethan’s niece, Shea, has been visiting and she’s close in age to Matty. At Lowery Stadium, Shea wasted no time showing Matty where everything is, who they can sweet talk for free merchandise, and who to stay away from. Apparently, there’s a guard who Shea doesn’t like and insists on tormenting him whenever she’s in town. Saylor has also stepped in to help, despite being pregnant. She’s taken Matty shopping, to get her haircut and helped her pick out a comforter for her bedroom. Matty asked about painting, but I told her we weren’t staying here once Bellamy and Chase arrived, which happens to be today. The Mini Renegades finished their season and while they didn’t make the playoffs, not that we expected them to, it came down to a last inning base hit and the winning run scored. Still, I’m so proud of that team.
Of course, the thought of moving to a new place gave Matty something to do and once I gave her permission to log into the computer, she started house hunting and sending links to Bellamy to set up appointments. We’re currently scheduled to see an enormous house in Marblehead. It’s eight bedrooms, and nine and half baths. I asked Matty why we need something so big when it’s only the four of us and she said, “Because it has a pool and is on the ocean.” I’m still trying to figure out why we she thinks we need something so big, but I’m appeasing her, and we’ll drive the hour plus away from the city to look at it. Truth is, we really don’t need something huge. A five or six bedroom house will work. It gives us space to expand our family if we decide, there would be space for Bellamy to have an office if she chooses to go back to work, and it won’t be so large that we’ll feel lost or separated. Call me crazy, but I want to hear the kids screaming and making noise. I want our home to feel alive and vibrant. I don’t want something where the four of us can retreat into our own corner of the house and forget about each other.
My body screams that it’s time to get up. I stretch, rotate my shoulder and pop my hips before climbing out of bed and slipping into the silky pajama pants Bellamy insisted I buy. She said it’s one thing for Chase to see me in my boxers, but a whole other thing for Matty to see me in them. After I use the bathroom and wash the sleep away from my eyes, I make my way to the living room where everything I assumed earlier is taking place.
“Hey,” I say as I stand with one hand on the sliding glass door casing and the other on the wall.
“Morning, Hawk.”
Most of the time, I’m Hawk and I’m okay with it. I get why she does it and I plan to never ask her to change. Her entire life she’s known Brett as her dad, and as much as it pains me, it is what it is. When we’re in public though, she calls me dad or refers to me as such, and I cherish those moments.
“What did I say about leaving this door open with the air conditioner on?” I hate my tone the second the words come out of my mouth, but I have to be strict sometimes according to the therapist we’re seeing. Matty and I go together every other week, for nothing more than finding an even ground to co-exist on, and she goes alone, once a week to talk about her loss, the transition of moving, and living with someone who could be considered a complete stranger.
“You said to keep it shut, but I have a good reason.”