The Hitting Zone

Chapter 1214: V4 ch62 July (1)

Our summer started to gain some structure as we started to workout more. Dave and Noah would do bullpen sessions. Dave and I would do our online math class. Grampa prepared every breakfast and lunch, and joined us on car rides so Noah and I could practice driving. We started going to the cages every day again; either for a little or a lot. Alisha and Kaylee would come join us for games in the arcade or convince us to spend some time at the mall. We occasionally went to Alisha’s pool or the movies or bowling with Grampa.

We also didn’t forget to keep up with Kyle’s starts which was every five or six days a part. There was also Zeke doing his summer collegiate league, getting work in and calling us every now and then to check in. Mom and Dad debated whether to visit either of them or even both at the same time, but there was still a lot in the air. Like the NTIS. National Team Identification Series. It was getting to be less than a month away.

Mid-July, Dad officially gave the decision. "We won’t be able to visit Zeke’s summer team. I already talked it over with him and he doesn’t mind." He looked around the dinner table to see if anyone had any disagreements.

"What does this mean for Kyle?" Dave asked.

"As of right now, we don’t have any plans to visit." Dad continued. "But there might be an opportunity after the NTIS like late August. Or maybe a weekend in September."

"Uh..." Dave looked uncertained. "Won’t I be headed for college after we watch Jake and Noah’s thing?"

"Thanks for including me." Noah cracked his knuckles. "Hopefully I get the good news soon."

"You’ll have to make some decisions on your own, Dave." Dad told him. "As of right now, we should be planning a roadtrip to take your car out east with what you’ll need for college. We’ll meet the boys and your mom in North Carolina and be the ones to pick them up from the airport."

"What about Grampa?" Noah looked to the old man across from him, next to Dave.

"I’ll be staying home." Grampa answered matter-of-factly. "I’m not very suitable to travel. The trip to Omaha really affirmed that for me. I’ll save my energy for the real important games."

"And the local ones." Noah added.

"And the local ones, of course." He affirmed.

"So, if I’m going to college right after North Carolina, doesn’t that mean the trunk will be packed with my stuff?" Dave asked.

"You can put the third row down." Dad told him. "Without Grampa, you and the two boys can squeeze in the middle row for the short drives around the area. I doubt we’ll have much driving to do anyways."

"When should we leave?" Dave asked, pulling out his phone.

"We’ll work that out tonight in the office." Dad said. "We’ll plan out some stops after discussing how long we can drive each day. Make some reservations. Book the flights for the others." He shifted his gaze to Noah and me. "I also wanted to talk about the Stanford camp. You boys will have to pass on that opportunity this year."

"Awe, man." Noah groaned. "I’ve been telling everyone I was going for sure." He sighed.

"We’re just a bit too pressed for time." Mom reached out to pat his hand on the table. "But we do think you boys will be able to do your normal high school camp after the trip to North Carolina."

"It’s okay. I know what’s the most important." Noah gave her a smile to show her that he was fine.

"Another thing on our to do list when we get back is car shopping." Dad brought up. "After Dave leaves here with his car, we’ll be down to your mom’s car and Grampa’s truck. And as much as I like her having to drive me around, I think it’s time we looking for something dependable. So keep eyes open for used cars for sale in the neighborhood and on your drives. I would prefer it to be a mid-size suv or bigger."

"Would this potentially be mine or Jake’s car in the future?" Noah asked, eyes sparkling.

"Either or. We’ll see what we get and who will need what in the future." Dad said.

Later that night, Dad and Dave knocked out some of their trip planning. They would leave the last day in July, making stops in Flagstaff, Amarillo, Little Rock, Nashville, and then they’ll be in North Carolina the day before we arrived. Dad also booked our flights and the hotel; things were in motion.

Not just for us either. The very next morning, we had come back from our run and Kaylie was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a freshly made omelette. I knew. Instinctively. She had gotten bad news...and ran away.

I looked to Noah.

He gave my shoulder a squeeze before sitting down across from Kaylee. "You’re up early."

"My parents informed us that they’re putting in their two weeks notice at work today." She cut up the omelette weakly like the eggs had more strength than her hands. "We leave on the last day of July."

"Hey, same here." Dave sat beside her. "I’ll be going even further than you."

She glanced at him. "But you get to come back."

"Who says you can’t come back?" Noah scoffed. "Your sister? Your parents? In two years, you’re 18 and can go anywhere you want."

"Anywhere but the past. How things used to be." She sighed and placed her knife and fork down. "I’m just feeling nostalgic. Lethargic. Melancholic."

"Are you studying for the SAT?" Dave let out a laugh.

"Yea. I am. Actually." She answered. "I have nothing but time lately." She stretched out her arms, one clearly skinnier than the other. "It’s hard to not just pick up a bat and start swinging. But I know. It’s still heavy."

"Here ya go, boys." Grampa shuffled in from the kitchen, placing a platter of bagel sandwiches in the center. "Hot from the microwave."

Noah’s lips twitched. "We get premade food reheated, but she gets a freshly cooked omelette? I feel like there’s a little bit of bias here."

"Jake’s not complaining so why are you?" Dave asked.

Noah looked to me as I had already bitten into the sandwich.

I gave a small shrug and mumbled while covering my mouth. "I’m hungry. I didn’t eat before the run."

Kaylee pushed her plate towards Noah. "Here. Take it. I’m not that hungry anyways."

Noah pushed it back. "You better eat it. Or you’ll offend Gramps. I’m just joking with him anyways. His meal prepping has been good."

Kaylee looked up at Grampa.

Grampa smiled and waved his hand casually. "Eat it or don’t. Don’t worry about me. Cooking a few meals is all I can do so I do what I can."

She picked up her fork and started to stab at a few pieces. "I’ll eat. It looks better than anything my parents have ever made."

We let Kaylee make her disparaging remarks about her parents and her sister and her situation. No one tried to argue with her or even try to intentionally cheer her up. We knew how she felt and there would be no stopping it. For now.