Sins Of The mother (Chapter-44)

Lukas knelt behind home plate again to receive another pitch from Timmy. He was truly surprised at how much stronger the little guy’s arm had gotten since June. What was even more surprising to Lukas was Brooke’s athleticism. She was standing near first base receiving throws from both Lukas and Timmy. Her movements were smooth and graceful, her hands quick, and her arm strong. If Lukas ever started a coed softball team, he knew exactly who his first pick would be.

He looked out into the outfield where Sierra was happily pedaling along on her bicycle. The day was unseasonably warm, nearly seventy degrees, making the recent snows seem like a distant memory.

Lukas winced as another fastball smacked the palm of his mitt. It was getting to the point where he would need to bring a proper catcher’s mitt if he was going to receive pitches from Timmy. He thought this would be a good time to take a break, so he motioned for Timmy to follow him to the dugout for a bottle of water. Brooke wandered into the outfield toward Sierra. Lukas sat down on the concrete bench in the dugout and pulled a bottle of water from a cooler they’d brought.

“Timmy, I think you’re right about being a pitcher for me next year. You’re really throwing the ball well, and it’ll only get better between now and next spring.”

“Thanks, Coach,” Timmy said, sitting down beside Lukas. “You really think so?”

“Sure do.” Lukas handed him a bottle of water.

“I can’t wait until next baseball season is here. The winter is so long. And this year it’ll be even longer since… well, you know.”

“I wanted to talk to you about that,” Lukas said. “How do you like staying with Ms. Clay?”

“I like it fine. She’s really nice. I have my own room and everything. And she just bought me a bike. It’s the first one I’ve ever had, and it’s cool.”

“It sounds like you’re doing great.”

“I guess so. But I miss my mom. I try to be strong like you asked me to but sometimes at night I get to thinking about her and I… I just start crying and can’t stop.” The boy dropped his head and his shoulders slumped.

“You are being strong Timmy, and I’m proud of you. It’ll get easier as time passes, I promise. You won’t ever forget your mom and you shouldn’t. I don’t want you to, and I know she wouldn’t want you to. Your mom would be proud of you, you know that, right?”

“You really think so?”

“I sure do. Listen, I was wondering what you’d think about the two of us spending more time together.”

“I’d like that a lot, Coach.”

“As a matter of fact. I was wondering whether you’d like to come and live with me.”

Timmy paused. Lukas searched his face for some clue as to what he was thinking. “You mean like all the time?”

“All the time. You’d just come live with me. Would you like that if I can work it out?”

“That’d be great. I’d love it. Would you be my dad? I’ve never had a dad.”

“I’d do my best.”

“But you’d still be my coach, too, right?”

“Sure would. Nothing would change except you would come and live at my house.”

“That would be awesome.” Lukas could see excitement building in Timmy’s eyes.

“There’s a lot involved. I have to file some papers in court, some lawyers and a judge will have to get involved, and it’ll take some time. But if you think you’d like to come stay with me, I’ll see what we can do. Okay?”

“Yes! I’d love it.”

Lukas and Timmy sat in the dugout talking over the possibilities of Timmy living with him and watched Brooke and Sierra play together in the outfield. Lukas marveled again at the resemblance. It was as though Sierra had been cloned from her mother.

“Ready to throw a little more?”

“Yes, sir.”

The two spent the next ten minutes with Timmy back on the mound. Brooke eventually meandered in from the outfield.

“Watch this one, Miss Brooke.” Timmy let go of one that Lukas really felt.

“Wow, Timmy. That’s great.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey, Timmy, do me a favor please,” Lukas asked.

“Sure.”

“Would you take my glove out with you and see if Sierra would like to play a little catch? Don’t throw the ball too hard to her.”

“Sure, Coach.” He looked at Brooke. “Can she catch?”

“I think she’ll surprise you, but like Lukas said, don’t throw it too hard. She’s only five.”

When Timmy was safely out of hearing distance, Lukas walked Brooke over to the dugout, and the two sat down on the bench. Lukas playfully grabbed her right arm and squeezed it.

“That’s some arm you’ve got there, Nolan Ryan,” he said. “I’m impressed.”

“Wait till you see me hit.”

Brooke picked up a baseball that was lying on the bench beside her and looked at it. “I played softball in high school. Made all-conference my junior and senior years. Played basketball, too.”

“A regular jock, huh? How are you, anyway? Holding up, okay?”

“I still have the occasional nightmare, and if Sierra gets out of my sight for more than a minute, I get panicky. But I’m trying to cope. Lukas, since our talk a few weeks ago I’ve gone back and examined a lot of things, too. I’ve learned a lot about me, both good and bad, and I owe a lot of that to you. I feel like I’ve changed, like I’ve grown. I feel like I’m a better mother, a better friend, a better daughter and a better cop.”

“You’ve done the same for me,” Lukas said. “I wake up in the morning with a different attitude these days.”

They started back toward the field. He glanced over at her. “You know,” he said, “our relationship was so complicated, or at least I thought it was. Now it seems easy. Where have you been all of my life?”

“My dad always said the best things are worth waiting for.”

“Your dad’s a smart man. Speaking of which.” He reached in his pocket, took out some papers and handed them to her.

“What’s this?” she said as she looked them over.

“It’s something I’m going to try to do.”

“Lukas, this says ‘Petition for Adoption.’ For Timmy? Are you sure?”

“I don’t know. How can I know until I try?”

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you? I admire you. Very few men would do something like this. Just be sure about it, for your sake and for his.”

Lukas allowed her words to sink in. “I know I can’t save them all, but I can save this one.”

Brooke looked out at Timmy and Sierra. Both seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. She turned to Lukas with watery eyes and said, “Actually, Timmy makes two. You already saved a little girl, and her mother will never forget it.”