| Tommy ran into the garage where his dad spent most afternoons. Jeff & Ginger co-hosted a morning radio show playing swing music on the oldies station, WREQ. Jeff had found a love of working with wood after he retired from playing with the Indians. Tommy liked to tease him how it was all the years of holding a baseball bat that made him appreciate the feeling of wood in his hands. Jeff was making Ginger a rocking chair when Tommy came bursting in, "DAD!", he exclaimed. "What is it son?" Jeff saw the terrified look on Tommy's face, a face which mirrored his own. Tommy tried to calm down as he held out an envelope for his dad. "I got a letter from the Indians today." A lump formed in Jeff's throat, he recalled the feeling he got when he received a notice he was invited to go to Spring Training. "Well, son, are you going to open it or are we going to stand here wondering for the rest of the day?" Jeff chuckled trying to lighten the mood. Tommy tore the envelope open, handing the unread letter to Jeff. Tears formed in Jeff's eyes. "They want to give you a shot, Son. You got your chance!" Jeff's voice was barely audible but Tommy heard every word. Jeff grabbed his 22-year-old son in a tight embrace. "I have never been more proud of anyone in my life, Tom." ********* Tommy sat on the porch swing just holding the letter in his hand. Susan came walking out of the backdoor after finishing the dishes from the celebration dinner. "So, my little brother is going to the Majors, huh?" Tommy was so preoccupied with his thoughts he never heard her. "What are you doing out here, it is freezing?" Silence "Tommy? Are you ok?" Susan sat down next to him, noticing the tears in his eyes just waiting to fall down his cheek. "Susie, what if I blow it? What if I am no good & I embarass not only myself but Dad too?" Tommy looked at his sister with geniune fear. Susan put her arm around Tommy's shoulders "That is impossible. You want to know what I remember most about you growing up?" Tommy nodded. "I remember you eating, sleeping & breathing baseball from the very day you were born. You followed Dad around like a little shadow & moped around when he at away games. You were born to play baseball." "Suz, I am afraid that I will never be even ½ as good as Dad was," Tommy admitted. "Tommy, you have something that Dad wasn't lucky enough to have... DAD! Grandpa died before Dad got his shot, so he had no one to give him advice or to talk to about the scared feelings he had, feelings you are having now." Relief washed over Tommy as he realized how lucky he was to have his Dad by his side. Susan stood up & started to enter the house. "Tom, Dad could never be disappointed in you. How could he be if you try your best?" Tommy got up & hugged his sister, "Thanks, Suz, you have made me feel a lot better." He followed her into the house, closing the door & shutting off the porch light. |
| Tommy 1 |