Page 181 of Chasing Headlines
Misunderstood, maybe? So, I called. Our conversation lasted a whole two minutes, and the upshot was my Dad, a back office operations executive for the IML had just tossed his hat in the ring to run for president of the minor league association.
“You’ve been, in turn, naively annoying. Mildly amusing. And rather perfectly unsuspecting. But now you’re just trying my patience.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“Out with it, blondie. I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other. It’d be nauseating except watching that stick in the mud get all flustered around you is so much more entertaining than those soapy dramas on TV. Can’t get any of the orderlies to sneak in popcorn, though. They’re afraid I’ll break a crown. Idiots.”
“He doesn’t even like me. You’re either seeing things or you’re not taking your medication. Again.”
“I may be old but I’m not a fool. Deputy RBF isn’t either. Your brother’s a scout. Your father works for the IML and has some stake in the Carolina team. The one Cooper wanted to play for.”
“So he knows? I mean, it’s not like it’s super-secret or anything. I did tell you my family’s business is baseball.”
“I don't think he knows, but don't you think you should tell him? Feels important.”
I shrugged. “Is it? It's not like I'm involved. But why play Google detective? You could've just asked whatever you wanted to know about me.”
“I wasn’t looking intoyou. I wanted to do something for Cooper. Thought maybe some letters from a wide range of supporters would get him another look. I started with his first choice team and what an odd coincidence.”
“There’s nothing I can do. My dad doesn’t talk to me about these things. He acts like I don't exist when it comes to baseball. He and my brother go to games together and I'm always left at home. No baseball for Oliva. No baseball players, either.” Give me a break.
“Well, you’ve never struck me as so boring as to play by the rules. So don’t tell meyour fatheris keeping you from kissing that boy dumbstruck.”
“Coop's not . . . The only thing we have in common is baseball. And I still say he doesn’t even like me.”
“I’ve seen him walk you to your car.”
“It's the Director's policy. He has to.”
“He stops by to check on you. Called me out on my stonewalling tactics so you could get your interview. He was fussy after you two got stuck in that closet together. Not sure what you said to him, but he hadn't cried, you know. And afteryou left, he finally let some of it go. They've been small changes in the boy, but they're there.”
“I think you're imagining things.”
“That man doesn’t talk to anyone else. Except to badger the crap out of me, ruining my fun—which is how I know he cares. If he didn’t, he’d let me run out and play in traffic.”
“He grumps because he cares?” I stared up at the night sky. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter, now. I may as well give it up. Baseball. My plans. Everything I was working toward.”
“Oh Lord, and he callsmeoverly dramatic. What happened, you get a hangnail?”
“My dad’s on the ballot for president of the IML Minor Leagues. If elected, his term of office will begin in about a year. Which means goodbye to Liv’s dreams of being a scout.”
“I fail to see?—”
“He can tell every club not to hire me.”
“Sure. Fine. But would he do that to hisdaughter?”
“He would. ‘To protect me.’” Maddening. Controlling pain in my ass. Why couldn't he just be happy being the head of operations?
“Then I guess you and Cooper have something in common beyond baseball.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but all that came out was: “Uhhhh.”
“I want to play major league ball. No scout or team will touch me right now. But that'll change.Ijust have to find a way . . .”
“Look, I wanted to try and help him. But every time I tried, I managed to screw something up worse. This last run ended up with the coaches thinking we’re dating, and that my father would back me up on something. Ever. The whole thing’s bound to wind up a bigger mess—sooner rather than later. He doesn't need that.”
“So, you’re sparing him, is that it?”