10. Cat

10

CAT

As soon as I cut the engine of my car, I could hear the plays being called out across the soccer fields. Just the sound of an adult game brought a light smile to my cheeks. It'd been a while since I heard a softball game in person, having been too embarrassed by my career's rapid decline to show my face at a game.

But now, as I crossed the dewy grass toward New Winford's rec league, I felt a deep sense of longing; the kind I had refused to let myself feel because I knew it would be impossible to stay away.

I followed the sound of the game across the empty soccer field. Taking in a deep breath, I felt the cool morning air fill my lungs. The summer air was quickly turning to an early fall chill. I couldn't remember the last time I was home for the leaves to change.

As I got closer to the field, where a gaggle of women was already an inning into their game, I smoothed the top of my hair which was drawn back into a tight ponytail.

I'd debated coming here for a while now. The last thing I wanted was to corner Cleo, which is why I decided not to drop by the bookstore. But here, they could leave easily after spitting in my face.

I wasn't sure how they would feel after all of these years. But I had a feeling they would want to help me, even if their better judgment said not to.

The bleachers were empty, except for one woman who sat with a crochet hook and a ball of yarn as she watched who I could only presume was her partner. Turning her head to examine what stranger was approaching, the woman offered a polite smile as she turned back to the game.

Nodding toward her, I slid into a spot near the top of the small set of seats. Only three rows tall, it was easy to climb up to the third row.

I needed a decent vantage point to find Cleo here. As I settled onto the cold, slightly damp metal, my eyes worked quickly to find them. Thanks to social media, I wasn't completely clueless as to how they would look now. Honestly, they hadn't changed much at all… at least not in the pictures.

The first place I checked was the infield, knowing that Cleo was our star catcher back in high school. But none of the players within the diamond looked like them. I swallowed hard. What if they aren't here?

But just as the thought crossed my mind, my eyes settled on Cleo. Their hair was in a loose bun, tucked into a baseball cap that matched their bright blue jersey. A lump grew in my throat as I met their gaze.

Even from here, their blue eyes were as clear as the water in Bali. But they looked away fast; it was a clear tell that they knew exactly who I was. They stood up straight as the shock set in.

I was almost certain that rumors of my arrival to New Winford had already spread but they must not have believed it.

From the bleachers, I saw their mouth move as they talked to the person crouched next to them. Their eyes darted to me, widening when they saw who I was.

But the game wasn't going to stop and both Cleo and their friend got into position as the pitcher wound up for a new pitch. I watched as the neon yellow ball hurtled toward home plate. Taking in deep breath, the batter swung as the ball approached.

A crack rang out across the field as the player took off toward first base.

Unfortunately for them, the swing had sent the ball flying right toward Cleo who was already positioned underneath it.

The glove clapped around the ball as it landed in Cleo's palm.

"Out." The umpire called from behind the plate.

With the inning apparently over, the blue-jerseys ran toward the dugout. No one moved faster than Cleo. Are they going to try to avoid me?