The guy I struck out was happy too. He shook my hand. "I'm Pete Nobles and I'm glad you're on our team instead of one of the others!" The coach called everyone together for introductions. It seems everybody but me had been in on the joke and thought it was hilarious.
I had to admit that they got me good. My first game with them was tomorrow and our joker of a coach had another one up his sleeve.
I would start on the bench and come in as a pinch-hitter when needed. I suppose it could be entertaining. I was pretty entertained myself when we met up with the audience.
I hadn't noticed the girls in my anger. Jeff and Pete's sisters were there and I had known them (once upon a time). I couldn't resist saying "hey guys, aren't you going to introduce me to the beautiful baseball groupies? I know I'm new but we're teammates aren't we?"
I got a couple of really pretty blushes out of the ladies and Pete cracked up. "These are our sisters. This is my pesky little sister Sue" he said, referring to a cute young blonde who stuck her tongue out at him "and this is Jeff's twin sister Paula" pointing at a truly stunning redhead.
I said "these two are your sisters? No wonder you guys are so homely, they got all the looks! If you aren't pulling my leg I know Paula's very lucky she's not an identical twin!"
The guys looked a little put out but the girls loved it. Paula was blushing so much her freckles were disappearing. "I'm kidding guys but you have to admit that these two are gorgeous! Can they talk or do they just walk around and look pretty? I haven't heard them say anything yet.
Pete and Jeff had caught on by now and Jeff said "actually, for sisters they're o.k. They play soccer and practice before us. We walk back and forth together.
The girls had recovered somewhat by now so I introduced myself. I had been afraid to talk to Paula before. I knew she was really nice and also very bright. She was so pretty that she had intimidated me back then.
I had also been either needed at home or fat. I was glad I didn't have those problems anymore because I was somehow even more attracted to her this time.
While musing about the differences I had an idea. "I just moved here yesterday and don't know anybody" I said "Do you think you could come over to my house on Saturday and hang out a while?"
Jeff was all for it but Pete said he promised his dad he'd go fishing with him this weekend so he wouldn't be able to make it. The girls were quiet so I turned to them "how about it? We've got a pool. Maybe we could go swimming or something.
"I had ulterior motives, having fond memories of Paula in a two piece. I had about worn my adolescent hand (and pecker) off thinking about her in it the first time around.
They brightened up and Paula said "I didn't realize you meant us too. I'd love to!" Sue was all for it too.
I looked at Paula and tried not to drool as I said in a serious tone "I'm really glad." I love the look of a red haired girl blushing.
Jeff interrupted with "AHEM! We're over here!"
I tore my eyes away and sheepishly said "OOPS! Sorry I forgot where I was for a minute" That got a laugh out of everyone but Paula, who was still blushing, but looking like she didn't mind the attention. I told them where I lived and they were shocked.
Pete said "that big place by the river? Are you rich or something?" I told them "or something. It's not all fun and games. Guess who gets to do the yard work and all the other stuff.
It's not going to be easy to take care of with my mom being laid up for a while." They asked what happened and I explained the situation. I was surprised that they were impressed with me taking care of her.
I told them to think about it. If it was one of their parents they'd do the same. I noticed Jeff and Paula exchanging a look before agreeing with my reasoning and wondered what was up.
The game went according to coach's script. He brought me in to pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth inning. The bases were loaded and the score was 14-11 with us on the wrong end.
The other team didn't know me so I got a nice fat fastball for the first pitch that I sent over the center field fence. They were even more confused when I stayed in to pitch the ninth. I threw 12 pitches and struck out the side. Two foul balls straight back were the only time they made contact.
The team was overjoyed after the game. You'd think they had won the World Series or something the way they acted instead of their first game. I was happy for them but I took the coach aside and explained my problem "Coach, I'm glad I can help the team but could you try to help me make it not so obvious?"
At his confused look I continued "I don't want a big rep. I know it sounds a little weird but it's a team sport and don't want to stand out that much. There are some good players on this team and I don't want any resentment. I also don't want to have the other team pitch around me. I can't help like that."
He looked surprised "Frank told me you were a team player. I knew he'd be right as usual. I feel a little bad about today, it was selfish of me. See, I don't get along with that teams' coach. He's always enjoyed running up the score and has no problems with his kids being nasty about it. I thought he needed a lesson."
I told him I understood and could even agree with that. Some people did need a reality check now and then. He gave me another strange look "reality check?" Oops, I'd have to remember my slang.
I tried to play it off "You know, like a wake-up call? Welcome back to reality?" He gave a chuckle "I'll have to remember that one" He shook his head and walked away.
As soon as I got home mom caught me before I went to my place and asked me to come into the kitchen. Dad was there and they had news for me. Mom did the honors "here's the deal" she explained "we've talked to Beth's guardians and it's all set." I guess I looked too happy because she added "but" I thought I was in trouble until she finished with "you'll need to lose the gym.
There should be two bedrooms over there even if you only use one. The other thing is I expect the two of you to show up here on a regular basis. We both think Beth is a wonderful girl and hope she's happy here.
She'll be moving in next weekend." I thanked them both profusely and promised to move my equipment to a room in the garage and set the bed back up before then.
I spent the next couple of days working around the house. I got the yard and pool in shape and finished the final touches on my decorating job. I thought it turned out really well even if it was done cheaply. I hoped Beth would like it. It wasn't a typical kids' room to be sure.
Looking at it when I was done I was surprised to realize that if I hadn't been married in my twenties my place could well have resembled this. The first thing I had done was place my shrine in the corner of the living room.
Saturday morning I was nervous but everything was planned meticulously. My parents were away for the weekend for some time alone before my moms' surgery and Al was hanging out with some friends from his old school so I had the place to myself.
I had a cooler by the pool stocked with drinks and even had some sandwiches and snacks ready at my place. I was reminded why I missed the 70's when my guests showed up.
Paula and Sue were both wearing halters and short cut-offs. I could see the bikinis under their tops and was glad they preferred two piece suits (I know I did!).
I had to re-evaluate my opinion of Sue. She may have been a year younger than Paula, but she had a fine body. From the size of her breasts I could tell she was going to be a 38D by the time she was a sophomore.
Paula on the other hand was smaller version of Beth. She had a really cute face (freckles and all), light red hair and a narrow waist with a flat stomach. I couldn't tell how large her breasts were.
I could tell they were there but probably weren't quite a handful yet. I could however, tell that she had a nice tight muscular ass that I hoped I could use for leverage someday soon.
I gave them the nickel tour of the house and they seemed impressed which embarrassed me somewhat. In my first pass through this life they had been much better off than we had.
I knew they lived in a subdivision right next to the trailer park I had lived in. I had an inferiority complex about that then and didn't make many friends that didn't live in tin boxes.
I was going to make it a point to have the most of the same friends I had before included in my circle.
I kept one secret in my tour. Jeff asked "where's your room, has it been declared a disaster area and quarantined or something?" I told them I had been banished to the garage and I'd show them my jail later. I got some strange looks but nobody bit yet.
I saved the pool for last. I think they were expecting the standard above ground five-foot deep setup, but when they saw the Olympic sized in-ground 12 ft deep pool and hot tub their chins hit the ground.
Jeff said "I knew this place was big, but wow! I didn't know this was here!
Sue piped in with "you guys must be rich!"
I tried to put that thought to rest for good by explaining that my dad worked a 40 hour job and before she found out about needing surgery my mom worked in a factory.
I told them that they just made some really good investments that paid off enough to buy the place. I don't think they believed me but they were too polite to argue about it. I showed them where they could change. The cabana was new and well worth the space it consumed.
It had separate dressing rooms and a common lounge area. Both sides had benches, towel cabinets and a shower.
The girls came out first and dove in before I got a good look at their bodies but the skin I saw made me glad that my trunks had extra support to hold junior down.
I jumped in right after they did hoping the cold water would help my discomfort but even though the heater was off the sun had already warmed it to a comfortable temperature.
It was quite some time before we were all worn out enough for a break but finally we had had enough and decided to use the loungers for a while. I got my first good look at the ladies then.
Sue got out as I was drying off and looked just as I had pictured her. She could pass for fifteen already. I didn't look long though because Paula got out next and she was exquisite.
When I looked at her it was lust at first sight. She didn't notice me staring slack-jawed at her because she was drying her hair and had her eyes closed.
As she was drying the rest of her amazing body she said "I have to make sure I keep you as a friend. I want to go out for the swim team when I get to junior high and this is a lot a better than trying to practice in a crowded public pool."