The Hitting Zone

After a few more words, Jeremy left and I went back inside the room. Zeke was sitting up the whole time until I entered the room and closed the door behind me. I lightly walked to my side of the bed I shared with Noah and placed the bat against the wall.

The next morning, Noah woke me up to ask about the sudden appearance of the bat. After explaining where it came from, he frowned.

"I didn't...get you anything." He rubbed the back of his neck like he was stressed.

I shrugged. "I don't need anything."

"Jake's too easy to please." Rhys laughed as he put his socks and shoes on. "Besides, birthdays aren't about the gifts. It's just a celebration."

I smiled. "Yesterday was the best birthday I ever had."

Noah wasn't convinced. "I have until Thursday to come up with something."

"What's happening Thursday?" Rhys asked.

Noah explained. "Our friend Alisha is throwing a Halloween party, which will now be a party for Jake's birthday. Do you want to come?"

Rhys laughed. "Uh. I think it's a little inappropriate for me to show up to a high school party. I'll pass, thanks."

Noah looked at him, skeptical. "You came to my party though..."

"We have plans to go to a teammate's party on Halloween." Zeke spoke up. He looked at me. "Did you want us there?"

"Nah!" Noah answered. "You guys live your college life."

Zeke didn't pay him any attention and continued to look at me.

I answered him. "It's okay." I'll know a lot of people there, plus with Noah around, I was never alone.

Mom came knocking at our door to announce that we were going to go sightseeing before the game tonight. She had to rent a SUV for all of us to fit comfortably and made Dad the designated driver while she gave him the directions.

It never occurred to me how much there was to see and do in the nation's capital. Every stop we made, Mom took pictures of all of us until our cheeks hurt. There were a few stops that we could only see from the car due to limited time. All of us were worn out before we even got to the stadium for game four.

It was a great game though and I'm glad we made it. Conner and Parker got along with Zeke and Rhys. Noah gave commentary about the game, telling me what was done well and what could have been done instead. I didn't know if it was because my lack of knowledge, but sometimes I felt like he could be a coach already. The A's beat down the Nationals 8-1, tying up the series. Jeremy and Maberry were both hot, getting multiple hits and accounting for most of the runs scored and driven in.

Unfortunately, after such a long day, I fell asleep before Jeremy made it to the hotel. I woke up to a surprise he left though: another bat.

"Is he just going to give you a bat a day?" Noah laughed, looking at one of the bats. "This one is also used so it must be from last night's game."

"I think...he gave this one because it means something to him." I took the bat back and placed it with my bag. "These are bats that were used by Jeremy in the World Series. From games where he played well. And I got to see it too."

I guarded the bats the entire way back to the airport, only giving them up to Dad when it came time to board the plane.

"I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing that the game five will be over by the time we land." Noah grumbled as we waited to board.

"It'll be like ripping off a bandaid." Dave sighed. "Some suspense though. Will they take the lead in the series? Or give it up?"

Noah pursed his lips. "At least they have to go to game six. No shut out here."

The trip back went much smoother. Noah had the headphones already plugged into my phone and we waited to board last. I kept my eyes closed until falling asleep. Dad woke me up as we started the descent.

Noah was turning on his phone to check the score just as we touched down on the runway. Dad gave him a look but it was no use. Noah's attention was all on the A's. He grinned immediately. "They won! We have the lead in the series! One more to go!" He pumped his fist.

The A's had another blowout win, 7-1. Maberry and Jeremy did it again. They're a good combo. Plus, the pitching has really stepped up this past weekend, holding the Nationals to one run a game. The A's potentially winning the World Series is all the boys could talk about on our way back home.

We dropped Rhys and Zeke off first, sending them straight to their dormitory a couple hours before dinner. The goodbyes were getting easier knowing that we would probably see them again soon.

By the time we got home, it was time for dinner. Dad drove us through a drive-thru and we ordered freely. Mom didn't even say anything when Noah put in an order for some chocolate chip cookies. We got back to the house, took everything inside, then settled at the dining room table.

Halfway through dinner, Mom disappeared to the kitchen, then came back with a small circular cake in hand. Fifteen candles were lit after she placed it in front of me. Dad turned off the lights and the singing started. I was incredibly shy as the family of four sung 'happy birthday'.

"Make a wish!" Noah yelled after they finished singing.

I stared at the small flames. A wish...I didn't have any wishes in mind. This was everything I ever wanted. I glanced at Noah, helpless.

"Wish for the A's to win the World Series." He whispered.

Dad slapped the back of his head lightly. "Don't tell Jake what to wish for." He smiled at me. "Make a wish for you."

I thought about it before blowing out the candles.

"What did you choose?" Noah asked.

Dave snorted. "If he says, then it won't come true."

I laughed as they argued over the legitimacy of birthday wishes. I wouldn't tell them just in case, but I wished for things to stay like this. A happy family. A warm home. Food on the table every day. There's nothing else I need.

The A's traveled back to Oakland Sunday night. I only knew this because Jeremy called me before his plane took off. Even though they had Monday off, they wanted to be back to look over film and prepare for Tuesday's game six. Jeremy also told me that he had another bat for me.

I laughed. "At this rate, you really are going to give me a bat every game."

He chuckled. "Only for the World Series games. At most, there should be four. For four wins. Enough to win the series. I don't want to give you any bats that have lost a game."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "You're as baseball crazy as Noah."

He laughed. "You're heading there too. Its addicting, isn't it?"

I thought it over. "Yea...it is."