The Hitting Zone

We didn't eat first since we both recently had some oatmeal. We went directly to the cages and Zeke started me low.

"We'll go at your pace."

I looked up at him. "You're going to stick with me?"

"I wouldn't leave you on your own." Zeke gave my shoulder a small pat. "Get your helmet on and go first. Do both sides."

I eagerly put on my helmet and got my bat out. I left my bag with Zeke and went inside the cage. I put the coin in and got to work. Hitting it back towards the machine like I used to. It was like hitting a reset button on myself. I did my left side first subconsciously, then my right. Even though it was slow, I could tell my right side was losing something off the edge. I frowned as I came out.

"Feeling alright?" Zeke asked.

I started to shake my head, but then realized he might be asking because I was just sick this morning. "Yea, I'm fine. Just feeling a difference. I only bat left in games and I think my right side is...neglected."

Zeke nodded thoughtfully. "I can't say I know the feeling. Let me go in and try."

"Try to bat both ways?" I asked.

"I should be able to do it at this speed." Zeke went in with confidence. He did his normal right side first. Then from the lefty side.

He came out. "Is it an awkward feeling? Like using a spoon with the wrong hand?"

I shook my head. "No. That's what you guys feel because you don't normally practice your non-dominant side. It's like...if I was going to face Garret as a righty...I think I would struggle."

"Hmmm. It might be a good idea to get the twins to face you on the right side a little more often. Start incorporating it into games again. Don't forget that it can be useful in the future. You have an advantage; don't give it up."

I nodded, understanding. We spent the next two hours hitting in the cages and talking about our swings. Zeke knew a lot about hitting for distance and having the strength to do so. He also told me about their own weightlifting coach and how I should focus more on my core and hips. Arm strength was catching up. We eventually ate some pizza in the snackbar area and then headed home.

He pulled into the driveway but didn't get out.

I stopped myself from getting out of the car. "You're not coming in?"

Zeke shook his head, smiling. "No way. Gotta beat the rush hour traffic and get back to school. Might go meet up with some of the guys before dinner and hit the gym."

"Oh. Okay." I opened the door, remembered my bag, and turned to wave. "Thanks for today. I had fun."

"Me too." Zeke told me. "I needed it just as much as you."

I closed the door and he pulled back out of the drive. After a final wave, I headed for the front door. As soon as I opened it, Mom was striding out of the office.

"You're back!" She watched as I closed the front door behind me, then squinted. "Zeke already left?"

I nodded. I had a feeling that Zeke wasn't just avoiding traffic. But that's what I told Mom. "He said he had to beat rush hour traffic. Gym with his teammates..." I shrugged.

Mom sighed and held her forehead. "This kid. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed college so much on him. He's probably overworked and stressed."

"We can check on him this weekend." Dad came out of the office, overhearing Mom's worries. "We have that tournament for the boys in the area. We go early on Friday after their practice, maybe see the end of Zeke's game if possible."

"Should we split up this weekend? You go to the boys tournament? And I'll watch Zeke's?" Mom tapped her cheek, thinking.

"Let's play it by ear." Dad suggested. "The tournament is close to Stanford so maybe there'll be room to work something out. We'll have to wait and see what time the first game will be Saturday, but we definitely can see Zeke Friday night."

As the two discussed, I went to the garage to drop off my bag. Back inside the house, Mom's eyes were drawn back to me. "Jake, did Zeke feed you? Do you want me to make some snacks before dinner?"

I shook my head. "We ate. Just recently so I'm not hungry at all."

"It wasn't all junk food, right?"

I hesitated, thinking of my pizza and coke.

"It's normally okay every once in awhile but your stomach won't feel good like that." She started to lecture me. I patiently accepted it. Mom concluded after a five minute rant. "We're going to do a lot of veggies tonight. I need to go to the store." She looked at me. "Come with?"

I nodded. Anything to make her happy and forget about me eating junk food.

Mom went to grab her purse while Dad went back to the office. Mom and I got into her car.

"Where was Grampa?" I asked, thinking that he didn't show up to save me from the lecture.

"He went to that senior center." Mom told me as she drove us. "It's good for him. I'm glad he's getting out and making friends in the community. Him and my mom, your gramma, didn't do much back in Washington. They had each other."

"Is Grampa going to come with us this weekend?" I asked another question. It was going to be a big tournament.

"I'm not sure. We'll have to ask him at dinner." Mom tapped the steering wheel. "We'll have to know to decide how many rooms to get. Though...he doesn't really like long drives."

"When Jeremy took us to see Zeke play with Grampa, I noticed that the drive tired him out." I commented. "I don't think he'll come."

"If you really want him there, he would go. I know it."

I smiled. "Yea, I know too. But I don't want him to go through too much hassle. There's still a lot of home games he can go to."

She nodded. "How is Jeremy? Have you two been in touch?"

I nodded slowly. "We text occasionally. A little less now that he has practice and spring training games."

We talked a little more about Jeremy. Rose. Zeke. Then she asked about my classes, school, and making friends. How everyone was treating me. I was a little drained, but I didn't want Mom to worry. We talked as we shopped. She didn't forget to emphasize what kind of foods were healthy and what I should be eating more.

By the time we were done and got home, it was evening time. The family car was in the driveway.

"Looks like the boys are home." Mom remarked. "When you get inside, make sure to send them out to help get the groceries."

I nodded. I grabbed two bags to carry inside.

"Jake!?" I heard Noah before seeing him. He bolted out of the living room and rushed me. "You've been gone forever!"

I held up the bags. "We went to the store. Mom said to come outside to help."

"Yea. Sure." He waved my comments off and followed me to the kitchen. I wanted to place down the bags. "You'll never guess who our first opponent is on Saturday!"

I set the bags on the counter and shrugged. "Is it one of the teams we played last year?"

"Yep! Absolutely!" Noah's eyes were practically sparkling. He was eager.

I took a guess. "University Prep?"

"YES!" Noah shook me, excited. "Redemption game! Let's go!"

I smiled. Noah wanted revenge. Me too. I was better than last year. I won't be hitless this time around.

"The only bad news is that the game starts at 8am."

"8 in the morning?!?" My jaw dropped. "Is that even legal?"

Noah laughed and slapped my shoulder. "Come on. It's not that bad. It's just like going to school. You'll be fine."

I sent a glare in his direction.

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