Chapter 10: Trust Me

I felt like I was sleepwalking as I headed out for my run at six the next morning. Being early September, the temperature was comfortable for an early morning run. The forecast called for some morning showers and possible thunderstorms coming our way. That was confirmed from flashes I could see emanating in the western sky. By the time I returned to the house, I could begin to hear the rumbles that accompanied the lightning. I had no idea if the myth about taking a shower during a thunderstorm being dangerous was true or not, but I figured if I was quick, I would be in and out before the storm hit. Just as I stepped out of the shower a mere four minutes later, a quick flash and huge boom shook the house.

Indiana is located in the Midwest. We had always been accustomed to the frequent thunderstorms, numerous severe watches and warnings (thunderstorm and tornado), and had grown to accept them as another 'feature' of heartland living. Well, most of us had. My mother was not one of them.

Just about every time a bad thunderstorm passed through the area, she was good for a thirty minute diatribe swearing that she was going to apply for a job in California. Mentioning earthquakes to her would not endear that person to my mom's good graces. This morning was no exception.

She was pouring us both a cup of coffee as another flash, crack and boom sounded.

"Holy crap that was close!"

I couldn't help but smile. We were so far on the opposite ends of the spectrum where thunderstorms were concerned, it was ridiculous. Thunderstorms were exciting to me. I gave them the healthy respect they deserved, but loved to watch them build in the distance, mature and then wreak havoc as only a strong thunderstorm could. When I was younger, Mom and I would drive to areas affected by tornados, but for different reasons. She was trying to show me the impact these storms had on families and communities. I got that, I really did. Having a tornado pass within a close proximity to one's house was no bed of roses, but at the same time, I couldn't help but appreciate the unbelievably awesome power of nature that could take a piece of straw and stick it like an arrow into an oak tree.

Mom handed me my cup of coffee, her hand very slightly trembling. After the next flash and boom, she moved her chair just a little closer. If she didn't think it would be a little inappropriate, I believe she would have preferred my lap about now, but decorum was currently winning that battle. I decided I should try to be a decent son and help her take her mind off of the storm.

"Mom, can you take me to Oxford, Saturday?"

"Oxford? Ohio?"

"Yeah. I need to be there around two or so."

She took another sip of her coffee, clearly intrigued, but waited for me to continue.

"Am I getting the details anytime soon?"

I smiled at her, pleased I had won this round. Who knows who was keeping score or what the hell the game was, it was just fun when I could win a couple.

"I got a text from Doug Jenkins last night, the former scout I met at the batting cages last week. He said he would like me to come down to Oxford and take a little batting practice."

"Batting practice? Really? Where is this going?"

I shrugged. "I really have no idea. I met the guy once, he told me he was a former scout and here we are."

Mom took a couple of sips of her coffee. I couldn't help but notice her hands had stopped shaking, even though the storm had not passed completely. My plan to take her mind off the storm was apparently working.

"Would you rather have Tom go? I think I would be a little out of my element."

I hadn't considered this, really. Mr. B was like a father to me and this did seem like something he may appreciate more. But as I thought about it more, it would be one of those opportunities to spend a little time with mom, which would dwindle to nearly nothing as the school year progressed.

"Tom would be a good choice, but I would rather you go."

"Why? Don't you think Tom would be able to give you good advice?"

"Not really. What advice can he give me? It's not like I could sign a contract even if I wanted to. I have to graduate before I'm eligible to be signed."

"Then why are you going? What do you think they want?"

"I don't know, really. All I know is Doug Jenkins seems like a pretty straight-up guy. He seems trustworthy. I can't think of any scheme or scam he would be running against me. Besides, it's batting practice, what's not to love?"

Mom rolled her eyes in response.

"Just the two of us?"

"Not sure. I was thinking about asking Mike and Sparks, but neither of them are reliable right now."

"I don't know, Phil. I think in the long run, you would be better served having Tom there with you."

I thought about it for a bit. She could be right about having the guys there, but I was already starting to miss my mom and school had just started. Hell, it was only a half-hour drive or so. Maybe we could all go. Then again, Mike and Sparks had girlfriends, so they may not want come anyhow.

"I'd really like some time with you, Mom. I only really get to see you one day a week, now, and I don't want to give that up the first weekend we have. Besides, Mike and Sparks have girlfriends now, so they may be tied up anyhow."

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Christy? I guess so."

"You guess so?" She rolled her eyes. "Oh, aren't you just the romantic?"

I just wasn't used to the idea of having a girlfriend. I had better get used to it or I was sure to be without one again very soon.

"What about the three of us, me, you and Christy? You could get to know each other, and I'd have my own fan club for whatever it is that's going on. Hey, maybe we could go to Cincy and catch a baseball game?"

"Wow, you really suck at this boyfriend stuff, don't you?" She snickered. "You want to take your brand new girlfriend and pair her up with your mom for a day?"

Again, I shrugged. "Typically, sure. That would be a disaster. But you aren't a typical mother."

"Do you think she's going to ask a few, uh, embarrassing questions about you?"

"Gawd, I hope not.

"Well, if she doesn't, I WILL!" She was CLEARLY enjoying this way too much.

"Ugggh. Okay, let me think about it a bit."

"Oh, Phil, come on. I would like to spend some time with you. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea. If you want to bring Christy along, I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

I grabbed mom's arm from behind her back, revealing her crossed fingers.

"Busted!"

"Okay, fine. I promise I will try to be on my best behavior," she giggled.

"All the sudden, my stomach doesn't feel so good."

"Don't be a drama queen. You'll live. Besides, you still have to convince Christy to spend the day with your mom."

I finished breakfast, dressed and was gathering my things when Mom blindsided me.

"Oh, Phil, I forgot to tell you. I'll be off Friday."

"Why?"

"Well, other than the fact I have time to burn, the general manager and program director have asked to meet with me Friday after lunch."

She had such a rotten poker face. The makings of a sly grin were forming on the edges of her mouth.

"Give it up. I know you have something to tell me."

Her eyes were suddenly drawn towards her bunny slippers. She looked like a caught schoolgirl confessing her crime.

"I, uh, think I may have gotten that promotion. I might be moved to mornings."

My book bag went flying as I grabbed my mom and swung her around.

"Please tell me you aren't kidding!"

She was smiling and giggling at the same time. I had lifted her by her sides and she was really ticklish.

"Put me down, you brute!" I complied. "Yes, it will be official Friday, from what Bill is telling me."

"That's great news! That means you'll be home in the afternoons now, right?"

"Right. I would work from three in the morning until one in the afternoon each day."

My smile faded as some of the other implications started to hit.

"Maria?"

"Isn't going anywhere. When I get home, I'm not going to feel like doing much of anything except maybe catching a nap. There will still be plenty for Maria to do. She's part of the family. I have no interest in seeing her leave."

"This is so exciting. I'll actually get to see you more than once-a-week!"

"Yeah, but now you won't be able to bring Christy home for a little afternoon loving."

She had to have noticed that my face drop a little.

"Oh! I did catch you in something, didn't I?"

"No, it's not that. Well, not entirely. I haven't brought Christy back here after school because she has cheerleading practice."

"Is there someone else, Phil? I know what I saw and it was a brief flash of disappointment about something. Give it up."

I looked at the clock and knew I was running behind. I was hoping I could put her off until we could talk later. As much as we shared, what could I possibly tell her about Jessica?

"There is something, Mom, but it's not what you think. Can you give me a little time to think about it and let you know? Someone is trusting me and I don't want to immediately violate that trust."

"Phil, you know I would never tell anyone. Why would I? I have no connection to most of your friends, particularly girls..." she cut herself off as she considered the direction she was heading, " ... unless it is something about someone I know."

Her wheels were really churning now. The investigative reporter part of her had begun to step forward.

"That's why I asked for a little time. I just need to think it over a bit. Maybe discuss it with the person in question."

She nodded her head as she began to understand.

"That's quite the quandary you have there, Phil. Potentially violate the trust of someone who has passed some rather personal information to you or go against the agreement we have to share everything. That's not a choice I would envy."

"Maybe you could give me a pass on this one."

"Maybe. But remember Phil, you are just now entering a stage in your life where things are going to change quickly and continually. I want to be there for you, no matter what it is you are facing."

I nodded my head as I found something interesting on my shoe to look at.

She lifted my chin to look into my eyes.

"I mean that sincerely, Phil. At the end of the day, it's the two of us. No matter what it is, I want to be there for you. If you start reserving things..."

"I get that, Mom, I really do. This is new to me, and kind of hard. I want to do the right thing for everyone, you and me foremost. But I need you to do the same for me, too. If there is something you are going through, I need you to be honest with me as well."

"That may be more difficult, Phil. I'm the adult here ... or at least I'm supposed to be. I have different things I go through as an adult that makes it difficult for me to share."

"Then it sounds like we are both in the same boat. We both have something to think about."

Mom nodded in agreement, and gave me a hug and a quick kiss.

Mike honked from the driveway, oblivious to the fact that mom's BMW was sitting in the garage.

"Let's talk more, tonight."

Mom was wearing her nice silk pajama set and I just couldn't let it go.

"Can you walk me to the front door?"

"Why? What's up?"

"Mike has no idea your home. If you give me a goodbye kiss and hug, it will drive him nuts!"