Rounding Third Read Online Free PDF

the feeling
that after Vietnam and four years away at Kent State where his father met his
mother, his father really didn’t feel much like going home, but having no place
else to go and his parents needing help with the farm he probably never
questioned his duty to return home. His father was like that. Quietly doing his
duty.
    When Bobby was about nine, his dad had
erected the basketball hoop and paved a section of the driveway into a
half-court. The games were too one-sided and after a while it was clear the son
was not enjoying the sport and dad stopped challenging him to after-dinner
games. Now his dad played Meg or shot baskets alone. Bobby would sometimes
shoot a few baskets or play Meg one-on-one, but he made it a point to never
have a basketball in hand when his father was around. Dad’s coaching
embarrassed him since he couldn’t perform as he was supposed to.
    The Wardell family really did have almost
forty acres. Part of the land was still in woods, and part was the large lawn
for the house, although in the tradition of a century ago: the lawn was at the
back and to one side, and the front of the house was almost on Route 303. They
grew nearly an acre of various crops--the section his mother called their
farmlette--corn, beans, tomatoes, and a large garden, plus several fruit trees
of various types--which provided lots of food for his mother to can come fall.
The excess produce they sold to Frank Greiner for his market. Eighty years ago,
Bobby’s great-grandfather had sold his produce through Frank’s father. Some
things never changed.
    Bobby and his mother were working in the field when his father
came out to them. “WTW?” he asked. Bobby’s father had a habit of saying
something his commanding officer used to say in Vietnam, Ready to roll? but before Megan could properly pronounce her Rs she had adopted her father’s
expression, which had become so routine a family joke it had been shortened to
its abbreviation.
    “Weady,” Mrs. Wardell answered then turned to her son. “Sure you
don’t want to come?”
    “Nah, I’ll stay here and finish clearing these weeds.”
    “Think of anything else we need?” his father asked him.
    Bobby shook his head. He had no desire to go to the lawn and
garden center. He wanted to be alone for a bit to try to think of what he might
say to Josh at Monday’s game. Since Josh had tried to talk to him, he wanted to
be able to have something to say in return instead of staring blankly the way
he had when Buff had spoken to him.
    As long as Bobby kept his body busy he could
think pleasant thoughts, but once the sun was down and the world got quiet, the
noise in his head started again and he would put himself through another
grueling workout until exhaustion overcame anxiety and he could sleep.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    5
     
    “Notice anything about this guy?” Bobby
turned to see Josh standing next to him just before the start of the next game.
Josh jerked his head towards the opposing pitcher.
        
“Like that his curve ball doesn’t curve?” Bobby answered. “You guys will shell
him out of there by the third inning.”
        
“Thanks,” Josh said as he started to walk away.
        
“Their second baseman and shortstop don’t talk to each other,” Bobby added.
        
Josh turned, smiled and nodded. 
    Bobby couldn’t help but admire the way Josh
moved on the field. Every move seemed natural. Even when Bobby was doing the
right thing on the field--like getting a run in-- it seemed to turn out wrong.
    With the mercy rule, it was over in five
innings. Final score: Hawks 14, Bears 0. The new line-up had Josh batting fifth
in recognition of his hitting in the first game. Josh had gone three-for-three
with two doubles, a single, and a walk. They trotted to the locker room to shower.
Although there were no assigned lockers, everyone always used the same one.
Josh’s was in the bank of lockers with the starters. Bobby’s was in