Beth and I spent our religions version of Easter together at the cabin alone. The feast of Ostara was celebrated on the spring equinox, when the day and night is equal in length.
Ostara was a German goddess of the sun and fertility whose symbols were the rabbit and the egg. Both of us thought it was hilarious how Christianity had "borrowed" our festivals to gain converts.
Knowing we would be parted for a while dampened our spirits but we hoped the separation would be a short one. It was going to be hard to leave my friends even knowing that I would be able to visit sometimes. I would miss Beth the most but hopefully we'd be together again soon.
As a parting shot to my uncle "the weasel" we were moving everything except a few clothes a week before we left. On the day of the move the Salvation Army was picking up our furniture and everything else we didn't want.
We were calling him from our new house to tell him the old one was empty. This time he'd be the one holding the proverbial bag. The timing would be perfect too. We were letting him know several months before he had a buyer and he'd be the one who had to worry about renovations.
I made sure to give Beth something to remember me by. I think it worked. I know it would be a week before I could walk normally again!
Moving day was exciting but almost boring. The new house already had everything in it but us. I couldn't believe my new space. I had a large bedroom, living room, gym, kitchen, and best of all a huge bathroom with a whirlpool and a shower big enough for four.
I also splurged on a new TV and stereo. I got a good laugh when Al asked why I didn't get an 8-track player. He joined me when I explained my reasons. I almost wished I hadn't mentioned VHS, CD's or DVD's. It took me half an hour to explain them to him.
Dad showed up soon afterward and I gave him the tour. He made some nice comments about my taste that I appreciated but the more he saw the more worried he looked. Finally, we sat down at the kitchen table and he said "the place looks great son but it only makes what I'm going to ask you more important.
I should have been more direct when I asked you this before. I know you didn't lie to me but I'm not stupid enough to think I got even close to the whole story. With the move over I have more time to worry. This time I'll only ask one question and I want a complete answer.
What happened to you that added financial genius to your resume? We've always been proud of you and your brother. We feel we must have done something right because we couldn't imagine two finer sons but something has changed and it started months ago. You have both matured faster than possible but mostly it's you. I want the whole story this time".
I silently got up and as he watched I removed an unopened bottle of single barrel Woodford Reserve I had set aside for this occasion and two glasses from the cabinet. I dropped some ice in both and set one and the bottle in front of him.
He raised his eyebrow and said "I don't even want to know where you got this but I assume that you think I'll need it." I just nodded at the bottle and sat down. He opened and poured but didn't sample until I hit the part about dying.
When I reached the part where I woke up in 1969 he refilled his glass as I sampled my first taste of our favorite drink. When he thought I was done he started to say something but I halted him. He poured again and settled back down.
When I told him about Beth he drained his glass. The bottle was almost gone by then but I had never seen my father look so sober. I refilled my glass for the first time and had a taste as he began.
"I really don't know what to say. What you just told me has to be the most incredible thing I have ever heard and if it were anyone but you or Al I would have you committed as insane.
Since it is you and what you say doesn't surprise me in the least anyway I can't help but believe you. I hate to admit it but the most disturbing thing to me is that my youngest son is older than I am."
"Dad" I said, "I am still the son that my parents raised. All of my values came from you and mom. My biggest regret in life is that I didn't use the things you taught me. I'm glad I have the chance to use them now because I'll need both those lessons and you more than ever."
As he left he hugged me and parted saying "in case I forgot, I want to thank you for saving my life. It seems like it will be an interesting one and I'd hate to miss it. I didn't realize how much smoking affected my health, I feel better than I have in years.
I need to talk to your mother about what you've told me and I'm sure we can figure something out about Beth. I'll let you know as soon as I can." I hugged him again before he left and made sure he got back to the house. I needn't have bothered. I think he was walking better than I was.
After he left I called Beth to give her an update. Things were looking good on her end too. She had laid the groundwork by telling her aunt and uncle what our plans were. Since they knew the story they had agreed to support her decision.
She also gave me something to think about. "There have to be more people like us, Matt. Remember how we seemed to click as soon as we met? I think it will be like that with everybody like us. Be on the lookout and don't let a chance pass you by."
I only half-jokingly asked "what if this person or persons happen to be female?"
She just laughed "I'm not the jealous type as long as you save some for me. Besides, if things work out right I'll just be your sister. I'm sure we'll be very affectionate siblings!"
The day after we moved in I went to see my new baseball coach before my first practice. When he told me about the team I was on I was depressed. They were 0-8 whereas my old team was 9-0.
He informed me that I would have to earn my spot on the team by proving myself in practice and would probably start out as an outfielder. I admit I was a little mad but I smiled and said it wasn't a problem.
I knew my coach told him I was hitting .780 and already had 12 homers, 34 RBI's and no errors. My first impression was that he was an incompetent jerk. He put me in left field to start and showed no reaction when I demonstrated that I didn't really need to hit the cut-off man. I could hit home plate from where I stood.
When I got to the plate for batting practice I found out why they hadn't won a game. Every pitch that came close to the plate went over the fence. The pitcher was awful and like I said, I was angry! Finally, the coach decided he would throw me a few. He didn't fare any better and after the 5th or 6th one disappeared he relented.
He walked to the plate looking really mad. I thought he was going to go off on me but shocked the hell out of me by laughing.
He laughed until I thought he was going to faint while I stood there looking confused. When he recovered enough to talk he said "I'm sorry but I just couldn't help it. Frank (my old coach) and I have known each other for years.
I played in the minors with him. He told me that if I really pissed you off I'd be entertained and damned if he wasn't right! The one thing I want to know though is can you pitch? I know you're a helluva first baseman but we've got a pretty good one now. Our best pitcher plays a fine second but you just gave him a severe beating."
I told him I hadn't ever tried to pitch but I'd try. He handed me the ball and pointed to the mound. "Can you give me a minute?" I asked. He looked puzzled when he said sure, but smiled when I went over to the catcher.
I introduced myself and asked him what the signs were. Turns out the only signs were fastball and change-up. He looked skeptical but said he'd use the new ones I gave him too.
I knew the coach would send the best guy against me first so I shook several signs off until the catcher gave up and used one that I had given him. I didn't really know if it would work. I knew how in theory, but had never actually tried it and reading is a lot different than real life.
I must have read correctly because the first pitch was a curveball strike that the hitter just watched go by. The second pitch was a slider low and away that he waved at. The third pitch was a fastball that I threw almost as hard as I could. He never moved the bat.
The catcher jumped up yelling "Damn!" and pulled his glove off to rub his hand. I went over and apologized. "Sorry, I guess I got carried away."
He cracked up, saying "I'm the one who should be sorry. I was pretty rude to you. I didn't even give you my name. I'm Jeff" as he extended his hand to shake. "I'll have to get a new glove but it'll be worth it. We might even win some games now. We've been losing by scores like 12-11, 15-14, and crap like that."
Now it was my turn to smile. I pulled it back in when I noticed the pitcher I tore up next to me. I apologized to him too but he told me not to worry about it. The coach had warned him but he still tried as hard as he could. He asked me if I could show him and the other pitchers how to throw something besides fastballs and I promised to try.