I couldn't believe it. Not only was Jeremy here, with his, I mean our, uncle. But, it was actually his bat that I used for my first official homerun. In a championship game. This was something out of a movie.
"How'd you know he was going to need another wood bat?" Noah asked suspiciously.
Jeremy looked a little uncomfortable. "I read...what had happened to him. And knowing...how it could be. I figured it out pretty quick."
"Wow. Congratulations." Noah said sarcastically. "You deserve a prize for actually caring about what happened to your own blood brother." He rolled his eyes.
"Noah." Mrs. Atkins sighed. "Just give him a chance."
"I rather not." Noah shrugged. "Wouldn't want to be as hurt as Jake."
"Noah James." Mrs. Atkins said, exasperated.
"No, it's okay." Jeremy stopped the scolding Noah was bound to receive. "I get it. I made a lot of mistakes." He looked at me and gave a weak smile. "Baby steps. Right?"
I blinked, not sure what to say.
"As soon as you broke your bat, Jeremy went jogging to the car." Jack spoke up for the first time since our court meeting. "We may have turned a blind eye to how you were raised, but we'll make up for it. Slowly, but surely."
"You have to be clear when speaking to children." Noah stated, squinting at the pair. "Do you want a relationship with Jake or not?"
Jeremy lips thinned as he looked straight into my eyes. "We don't have to be strangers. Dad wouldn't have wanted that." He glanced at Noah. "Dad also wouldn't have liked the way I had left you behind. That's my bad. That's all on me. I can't even blame that woman that gave birth to us." He took a deep breath in. "I've made a lot of mistakes, but it's never too late to make up for it. It just takes a lot of effort. And I'm willing."
I swallowed the lump in my throat, glancing to Mr. Atkins. He smiled at me and nodded. This is something he didn't get.
"Okay." I said in a whisper.
Jeremy let out the breath he was holding and smiled in relief. But it still looked like he was in pain.
"Alright, not bad." Noah nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "An improvement, I would say." He glanced at Jack. "And who are you supposed to be?"
Jack shifted uncomfortably. "I'm Jack Patterson. Their uncle."
"I know who you are." Noah rolled his eyes. "But who are you to Jake? If you're an uncle, then it's only by blood and not by actions. You take one brother, but not the other. Real great adulting there."
"Alright. That's enough out of you." Mrs. Atkins shook her head and pointed to the dugout. "Why don't you and Jake go get changed and get your bags. You still have to take the bus back after all."
Noah shrugged. "Okay. Come on, Jake." He tugged on my arm, and we left them behind. He lowered his voice. "Don't look back. That'll make them think you care."
I couldn't help but laugh at Noah's tough guy act. "Thanks Noah. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Noah grinned as we made our way to our stuff. "It's no biggie. This is what friends do. Besides, didn't you see how Dad and Zeke just let me say what I want? That means they aren't too convinced about that pair either. Mom probably sent us away so Mr. Cameron wouldn't think she doesn't discipline me."
I stopped in front of our bags and looked up at him. "Really, Noah. Thanks. You're so good at sarcastic replies and...I don't think I could get my point across without losing my cool." I lifted the bat I had used to hit the homerun. Jeremy's bat. "I'm still a little surprised that he thought of me."
"Like I said," Noah packed his bag. "There are worst people in the world. Those two may be neglectful and have an entirely different set of issues than you, but at most, they're just jerks."
I packed my own bag up, leaving the bat out, before slinging it onto my shoulder. "So, do you think it's a good or bad idea if I accept his apology?"
Noah looked be in the eyes. "Do whatever makes you happy. It's a gut feeling. I fight with my brothers all the time, but I couldn't imagine not talking to them for the rest of my life. Then again...my brother didn't leave me for dead." Noah frowned.
"He didn't purposely leave me for dead. How was he to know that she would try to kill me?" I rolled my eyes. "I'm just mad that he didn't even think to come back. To look for me. A simple, 'hey, how's it going'?"
Noah grinned. "Looks like you already had an answer. Those Dr. Moore visits are paying off." He mused. "Do you think I should become a therapist?"
"Maybe go see a therapist." Dave joked, joining us. "You guys ready to go? Everyone is heading for the bus."
"Yea, we're coming." He glanced to the group still out there. "We're going to get Zeke first."
"We are?" I asked.
"Don't you intend to return the bat?" Noah asked.
I turned red.
"I'll come too!" Dave said. "Last time, me and Kyle didn't get to really interact with him. I want to see what he's really like."
"You can't make judgements off a ten second interaction." Noah rolled his eyes, leading the way.
"Yea you can! That's why they say first impressions count." Dave argued.
I dragged my feet behind them, a little unwilling to return to the group.
We joined just as Mr. Cameron was saying his goodbyes. "I'll catch you all later. It was a great game." He waved. "Bye!" He walked away, phone in hand.
Noah nudged me, looking at the bat I was holding.
Knowing what I must do, I held it out to Jeremy. "Thanks for lending me this bat. It meant a lot. To me and the team." It allowed me to go up for another at-bat.
Jeremy didn't take his hands out of his pockets. "Go ahead and keep it. Yours is broken anyhow." He showed a small smile.
I gripped the bat. "Really?"
Jeremy's smiled became more pronounced. "Really. You hit a homerun with that bat. Your first, from what I heard. Hopefully it'll bring you more luck in the future."
Relieved, I hurried to put the bat away. Then I looked up at him. "Thank you."
"It's not a problem."
"Why don't I get a picture of you two together?" Mrs. Atkins asked, raising her phone. "Do you mind, Jake?"
I shrugged.
She raised her phone and opened the camera app. Then with her directions, Jeremy and I stood side by side. She snapped a few pictures before nodding in satisfaction. "Not bad."
"Hey, Mom! Can I get some with Jake too?" Noah asked, happy to join in. "We should have gotten some with the trophy. That would have been amazing."
Mrs. Atkins laughed. "We can do some at the banquet. But, I have plenty of pics of you two together."
Jack cleared his throat, interrupting the moment. "It's getting late. We should head on out." He looked at me. "Good game, Jake."
I nodded.
Jeremy nodded too. "It was cool to see you play." He looked at the Atkins boys. "All of you did well." He nodded again. "I have a couple of away games coming up, but if you need anything, you have my number." He turned away slowly, walking with Jack off the field.
"That was sooo awkward!" Dave burst out laughing.
Noah joined in. Mr. Atkins and Zeke almost rolled their eyes simultaneously at the pair of laughing. Meanwhile, Mrs. Atkins was watching Jeremy and Jack walking away. She was frowning and it kind of scared me.
"Let's get to the bus." Zeke suggested firmly. He looked at his parents. "We'll see you guys at home."
That snapped Mrs. Atkins out of her trance. "Yes. Yes, we'll see you boys at home. Drive safe, okay? And no pit stops. You still have school tomorrow."
"Yea, Mom." Dave and Noah chorused.