The morning sun warmed the air and promised to become warmer still as the day wore on. It was 9 am on a Sunday in April.
That fifth week of the season we would take on the Viejas Chiefs. Widely regarded as one of the better teams in the league, they had a fearsome reputation for hitting, scoring a lot of runs and giving up few. They were expected to win at least their division if not the league championship.
Our team arrived on the field shortly before game time. We would occupy the bench along third base. For the time being we practiced. Infielders, including James, scooped out ground balls and threw them to first base. Those of us in the outfield played fly balls. Some were hit deep intentionally.
I had been out in center field for just a few moments when I had my first chance. I immediately knew it was deep and began back peddling. I had only backed up a few steps before catching the ball just in front of the fence.
Practice continued for about a half hour before the empires ordered the game to begin. Batting first, we went over to our bench while the Chiefs took their positions on the field.
Jimmy and I sat side by side. Both of us would formulate our impressions of the game.
My boyfriend, who could be quite analytical, voiced his thoughts several times. I said little.
By the final inning the Chiefs held a 10 -6 lead. We were threatening. Runners were at second and third but there were two outs. The game was riding on the shoulders of a guy named Kelso.
"He won the last game," jimmy remarked.
"I remember that."
"Look at the way they're shifting on him," he said.
"I can see that."
Things didn't turn out the way we wanted. A fly ball sent deep to right sent their outfielder trotting just a few steps to reach it. The ball landed in his glove held over his head. That ended the game on a somewhat bad note.
"There were so many times we shoule 'ave won that game," my boyfriend complained.
"You''re right."
Larry, our team shortstop and Sam, the right fielder, came by at that moment. They made us a foursome.
Richard Kelso was usually a loner. I had never seen him really go out of his way to make small talk with any one. He would chat if some one started the conversation.
Dark haired with brown eyes, he stood a lean five nine. His face bore a resemblance to Queer Eye's Kyan Douglas. To me that's not bad looking. In fact I'd say cute.
I was a little surprised to learn about his connection with my Jimmy
"I had a three some with him and another guy once when we were teens."
I looked at him.
"Who was the third guy?"
"Some kid he met at a gay and lesbian youth support group," he answered.
Richard made us a group of five just seconds after the words came from Jimmy's lips.
They greeted like two old friends who had not seen each other in a long time.
"Hey guy what's going on?"
"Not a lot," he replied.
James turned his head to me. "This is my boyfriend."
"How long have you guys been dating?"
"Just a couple of weeks," I replied.
It was well known that Larry and Sam were a couple. Walking on our right side, they held hands. After the initial greeting they seemed more interested in each other. That was fine with me.
Reaching the parked cars we parted. James and I had come to the game in his.
