“Did you ask him about it?”
“Yes, but he didn’t really tell me anything. He’s never liked Eric.”
“Maybe Rollin knows. Have you asked him?”
“No, but they’re so buddy buddy, he might not tell me.”
“Blood’s thicker than water. Ask him about it.”
Kyla joined them, ready to start class. “Ladies. I want to thank you for helping me. This is the first trial run of my summer teaching program.”
After Kyla’s class Corra ran across Rollin on her way to open the gift shop. “Rollin, I need to ask you something.”
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Sure, what’s up?”
“Why does Chris dislike Eric so much?”
“Why don’t you ask Chris?”
“I did. He won’t tell me.”
Rollin pursed his lips together and shook his head. “Corra, I’m sorry, but you’re gonna have to ask him. I can give you two reasons why I don’t like him.”
She rolled her eyes at Rollin. “How come I knew you’d say that? You guys stick together.”
“It’s not like that. You’re my sister, so I wouldn’t keep anything from you that I thought would hurt you. If something happened between them, I’m not aware of it.”
“Yeah, well I’m afraid they’re going to get into a fight one day. You should have seen the way they stared each other down the other day.”
“Chris is a grown-ass businessman, he’s not going to get into a fistfight with Eric.”
Corra nodded, thinking about the look on Chris’s face. “I certainly hope not.”
* * *
Sunday after church, Chris picked Jamie up and took him to his baseball game. He was excited about having some alone time with Jamie. So excited, he wore a matching baseball shirt and hat. Jamie had to be the coolest ten-year-old Chris had ever met. Katie stole his heart every time they were together, but today she chose to stay with her mother.
“Are you excited about today’s game?” Chris asked Jamie.
If Chris hadn’t glanced at him he never would have noticed Jamie nodding his head. He sat quietly in his white-and-blue uniform. His glove was nestled perfectly in his lap.
“How many more games do you have before the season’s over?”
“Three more. And, we might make it to the championship. If we win today, and next time.”
“What do you think your odds are?”
Jamie beamed. “Nobody can beat us. We only lost one game this season.”
“Impressive. Are you any good?”
“I’m the second best on the team. My friend Ronnie, he’s the best kid on our team. On any team.”
“Oh, man. Do you want to play baseball when you grow up?”
Jamie smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Haven’t given it much thought, huh?” Jamie started to fidget around in his seat like he’d put him on the spot.
“I’m gonna be a dog doctor,” he finally said.
“So you like dogs?”
“Yes, but my mom won’t let me have one right now. She said when I get older we can get a dog.”
He was ten. Chris wondered what Corra was waiting on. “A dog’s a lot of responsibility. Are you ready for that?”
“Yes. And my daddy said he’s gonna get me a dog.”
“He did?”
“Yes. He said I can keep it at his house. When I go over there I can play with it.”
“Have you been over to your daddy’s house?”
Jamie shook his head. “He don’t have a house yet.” The tone of his voice rose as he found a subject he wanted to talk about. “He comes over all the time and teaches me how to play baseball. He likes baseball just like you do.”
Chris glanced out the window as they pulled up to the ballpark. “Yeah, I’m sure he does.”
“Do you know my daddy?” Jamie asked.
“I do. We used to play baseball together a long time ago.” He put the car in Park and killed the engine. He smiled at Jamie. How could this bright kid be a product of Eric Hayden’s?
Chris sat in the stands and cheered like some proud papa. Jamie was good. He reminded Chris of himself when he was young and finding his footing in sports. By the sixth inning Chris noticed Jamie bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He was on second base looking to steal third, when something went wrong.
Slowly, Jamie leaned forward and collapsed over the plate. Chris jumped to his feet. The coaching staff rushed out to second base. Chris’s heartbeat raced as he took the bleachers two at a time until he reached the fence. Jamie sat up trying to catch his breath, with the help of his coach. Chris’s throat swelled with fear. An image of Corra who’d trusted the care of her baby to him flashed though his mind.