Alibi Junior High (18 page)

“Ladies and gentleman, will you please rise for the playing of our national anthem.”

I stand and glance down the aisle. Frank, Pogo, and Albert are joking about something. Annie has her arm draped across Andy’s back, and Jenny and Renee are quietly talking. Who knows what they’re plotting.

When the music starts everyone grows serious and turns their attention to the flag flying out in centerfield.

I watch the flag, suddenly overcome with emotion. I keep my eyes focused on it, willing myself not to cry; that would be so embarrassing.

I remember waking up in that hospital bed, Jenny by my side; she was crying. There were all these wires and tubes snaking out
of my body, feeding into machines that beeped and hummed. I didn’t know where I was at first and I jumped, full of panic and alarm.

Jenny reached out and calmed me down. She sat by my side all day long and every day after that.

Something about all those wires and tubes…I began to think of them as a fence between my old life with my dad and my new life with Jenny. A wall that would remain long after the doctors removed them.

In the early days of my recovery, Jenny made me a promise that she’d get us tickets for next season’s opening day. She said I’d walk into that stadium feeling one hundred percent again. I remember doubting her that day. I was convinced I’d never feel better, but it turned out she was right.

The last six months have been some of the best of my life. I have Aunt Jenny, Renee, and lots of friends. I even managed to hang a few things on my bedroom wall: a nice painting Renee made for me while I was in the hospital and a couple of baseball posters.

The crowd cheers, the anthem’s over. Andy reaches over and gives me a light punch on the arm.

“And now taking the field, it’s your World Champion New York Mets!”

The players run onto the field, scattering in different directions, stopping at their positions. First base first, left field last. I
listen to everyone cheering around me, cheering louder than I’ve ever heard before. I clap my hands together as hard as I possibly can and cheer right along with them.

I love the sound of the crowd and being a part of it.

I love baseball.