TJM26

Ginger got into her car to go over & pick up her mother-in-law, Anne Metcalf Kahn. Anne was doing well for her 77 years, especially when you consider her bout with Polio. Anne lived with her husband Al in a single level home. It was the home that Mike & Emma Sloan Kahn bought when the first married, but once they had their daughter Hailey Michele they quickly outgrew the house. Al & Anne were getting on in years & no longer could manage the stairs of their home, so they traded dwellings with Mike & Emma. The
switch suited everyone.

As Ginger sat waiting at a stop sign, she spotted Jeff carrying in a box from a U-Haul trailer parked outside of Steve's old house.. Before she had a chance to react a petite girl with dark brown hair wearing shorts & a halter top bounded out of the house & as she passed Jeff on her way in she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. He seemed to blush when she continued to walk towards the trailer. Well that lousy two-timer, Ginger thought. I can't believe you would cheat on me with a girl, yes girl, who is obviously younger than your own daughter. & you would humiliate me by setting up your love nest not more than 2 blocks from our own home. The more Ginger thought about this the more angry she got. She wasn't prepared to confront Jeff & his little floozie right now, mostly because she didn't want to upset Tommy right before his big game. But after Tommy's game tomorrow was a different story. Ginger looked into the rearview mirror, wiped the tears from her slightly wrinkled face. Ginger still looked great, her body was still trim & aside from a few lines around her eyes & gray hairs, she still looked like she did when she was 25 married Jeff Metcalf on a train to Kansas.

**********

"Thanks, again for everything, Jeff. I would have never been able to pull this off without you." Sam couldn't believe that a month ago she was so star-struck by Jeff Metcalf & now she felt a closeness to him that was far better than admiring from afar. " I hope Tommy is okay with this!"

"If his moping around the house this past week was any indication then I know he will love the surprise. I personally can't wait until the surprise is all in the open. I hate not being totally truthful with Ginger, although I am sure she doesn't suspect a thing." Jeff was proud that he was able to pull off a surprise without his wife finding out.

Soon Judy arrived & brought sandwiches from Brandstaetters. She was really impressed with Sam's interview with Shawn Gigler. "It was a great piece with some heart, you humanized him instead of just giving his statistics. I feel like I know a little bit about his personality after reading your piece." Judy gave her no nonsense opinion to Sam. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jeff grinning. "What are you smiling at, Slugger?"

Jeff looked from Judy to Sam & then back to Judy, "Oh nothing, I just like watching you two ladies talk shop that's all. It's not very often that a ballplayer gets to see this side of the sport.

Judy grabbed up her papers to head back to her office. "It was nice to meet you Sam. I want the piece on the season opener on my desk tomorrow night." She then nudged Jeff on her way out the door. "& that is former ballplayer, Slugger. Better watch out there is a new Metcalf in uniform now." Judy smiled at a griining Jeff. She disappeared out the door.

Jeff liked the sounds of a new Metcalf in uniform.