Chapter I: “Hustle”

Ball one (high and outside).

“Hey Dad, can I have some peanuts?”

“Sure, kiddo.  The next time the guy comes by, flag him down.”

Strike one (one and one).

“There he is.  Hey Mister!  Over here!”

The vendor winks at Luke, snatches a bag of nuts out of his tray and tosses it over eight rows of happy dads and sons for a perfect strike.

Fouled back (one and two).

“Jeter is in trouble now, kiddo.  He’s going to have to protect the plate and swing at anything close.  Pedro has a wicked curve ball.”

Low and away (two and two.  Good eye).

Dad senses it like a stray hair that tickles your ear.  Pedro retired eight years ago and he never paid the peanut vendor.  He knows.  But he silently begs God for just one more inning before he wakes up.

Thwack.  Jeter laces the two-two pitch up the alley with a classic inside-out swing.  It one-hops off the wall just to the right of 410′ sign.  Luke stands and cheers and spills his peanuts.  Jeter dives into second base head first just ahead of the throw (good hustle).

“Did you see the way he busted his butt right out of the box, kiddo?  No grandstanding, no posing for pictures, just hustle.  That’s how I want you to live, buddy, with grit and pride and class and…

The sky opens up with rain.  Jeter runs off the field into the dugout.  The wind howls and swirls around the stadium and the happy dads and sons run for cover.  The thunder sounds like…

His alarm clock.

He lays their silently staring at the ceiling.  The single tear traces his temple and tickles his ear.