Kendall
I've never been a baseball fan. Before today the only sport I'd ever watched was basketball, and that's because I was hooking up with one of the personal trainers for the Knicks. Sports never excited me until today. Watching Brody catch felt like I was experiencing Vincent van Gogh paint for the first time. The way Brody guarded the strike zone was crazy. His position makes him a part of every play in the game. When he'd throw the ball with such force and precision back to the pitcher, he made it look effortless and kept me entertained every inning.
When I wasn't watching Brody, I was watching Levi. He knows so much about baseball and he's an amazing coach. He balances instruction and discipline, while still nurturing these young boys. It's a side I've never seen of him before and it's hot. He's a sexy dad. A D.I.L.F. I know what you may be thinking but for me DILF stands for Dad I Love Fucking.
Watching Levi take such an interest in Brody's life reminds me of what I missed out on with my own dad. When I was younger I envied kids whose parents were active in their life. My dad was never around. I was lucky if I got to see him once every few years. He sent my mom money, though.
Once a year, usually around my birthday, my mom would get a thin white envelope in the mail with a check for five hundred thousand dollars. It was my father's way of contributing to my life. What he didn't realize was he was funding my absent mother's drug habit and alcoholism, leaving me to take care of myself in the penthouse suite he left her when he found out she was pregnant with me. I had every take-out menu within five blocks of my home memorized by the time I was ten. When my mother was home it was usually to sleep off the latest bender she went on, so I also knew how to get vomit stains out of carpet and cashmere by the time I was thirteen.
I never played sports, or participated in any activities at school. Once I tried sex and liked it, I never looked back. Sex I was good at. Sex made me happy. Sex made me feel loved. While I was sharing that intimate part of myself it gave me the comfort I so desperately needed.
Brody's life will be different. I see the way Levi looks at him and I know Brody feels it. His father loves him. His father will be there for him–always. He'll never go a day in his life wondering if there is anyone out there who loves him.
When the game ends and the team stops celebrating their win, the boys find their parents and one after another, everyone leaves to go home. I'm not sure what I'm expected to do here. Should I wait for Levi and Brody to congratulate them on the game or will that look suspicious to Brody? I guess I could leave and send Levi a text once I get in an Uber.
Just as I've decided that getting in an Uber is the best idea, two small arms wrap around my waist and Brody is squeezing me tight. I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him back. When I let go Levi is standing next to us and Brody is signing. I smile down at him, trying to look pleased but inwardly I'm frustrated. I have no idea what he's saying.
"He's thanking you for coming to his game," Levi signs and verbalizes at the same time.
"I should be the one thanking him. He was so fun to watch."
"You can talk to him like you'd talk to me. I'll sign for him."
Nervous, I look at Brody and say, "You were awesome. I loved watching you play."
Levi signs and then Brody blushes and signs back for Levi to translate.
"I'm okay, but I'm going to get better. Dad thinks I can play for the Dodgers one day. I'm a Yankees fan but Dad says there is no team better than the Dodgers."
"Your dad is a smart man."
Levi signs longer than I'd expect him to for a few short words, but then Brody runs over to the dugout and starts packing up the equipment.
"Thanks for coming to his game. He was really excited to play for you."
"I'm glad you told him I was coming."
"I figured it was better if I got ahead of the questions since he's seen you before and would have been suspicious if you were in the stands and I hadn't told him you'd be here."
"Smart thinking."
"Did you really enjoy the game?"
"Are you kidding? It was amazing. You guys slaughtered them and your son is a fantastic catcher. I liked seeing you two together."
"Yeah, he's one of the best in his division. He's already been featured in the local paper, but I'm not sure if that's solely because of his talent. He's good but there are so many good players nowadays. He was probably featured because he's a deaf player or because of me."
"Why would it be because of you? It's not like you paid them to write an article about him."
"Yeah, you're right." He looks down at his feet and kicks the dirt around.
"He's really good, Levi. It's amazing how in tune he is with the game."
"You know so many players look at him as if he has a disability and it's crazy. He's deaf and they're hearing. It's just another part of who they all are. So many players see he's deaf and mistake it for weakness, and it's the biggest mistake a player can make. If anything, being deaf is an advantage. Brody isn't distracted by the sounds and noises around him. He's able to focus on the game without the other players getting in his head."
Brody walks back over to us with his bag over one shoulder as he drags the equipment bag through the dirt with his other hand. Levi laughs. "Let me get that for you, buddy."
As soon as Brody's hand is free he starts signing fast and his face is animated with excitement.
"Do you have lunch plans? Brody insists you come back to our place for lunch."
Trying to hold back a smile I bite my lip and then answer. "Nope, no plans. I'd love to have lunch with you both."