Emily erupts in uncharacteristic rage. “Are you kidding me? No pinch hitter?”
The woman behind her spits on the ground. “MORON BITCH,” she screams at, presumably, the coach.
Robinson hits a foul immediately.
Every part of me that can clench clenches.
Robinson hits another miserable foul.
I unclench, because I can see where this is going. And it’s not to the World Series.
The Cubs pitcher lines up. Time slows. And then, the most beautiful sound rips through the stadium.
The crack of the bat.
I strain to see against the floodlights as the ball lists just inside the foul pole and into the stands.
It’s a home run. Lanzinella rounds the bases with Robinson right behind him. Damn if we are not up by two going into the top of the ninth.
I hug Emily and Gloria, screaming.
When we are done jumping up and down, I take out my phone and text Seth:
Molly: Bad night to have to hang out with a professional cub
Seth: Nope. We got this.
They do not got this.
They lose.
The stadium basically levitates. People are dancing in the aisles, hugging each other, throwing popcorn in the air. The sky lights up with the silver whorls and golden spiders of fireworks, and we all stop and gasp.
In the distance, you can see smaller, amateur fireworks going off—reds and greens and golds crackling like thunder, echoing off the mountains.
“God, it’s so beautiful,” I say to no one in particular.
My phone buzzes.
Seth: You were right about fireworks in LA. Magical.
I smile down at my screen.
“Shall we go celebrate at Izzie’s?” Gloria asks.
“Definitely,” I say. Izzie’s is a cute little bar right down the hill from the stadium in Echo Park. It’s close enough to walk to, and it’s our tradition to go there for cocktails after a game.
We slowly make our way behind the crowd seeping out of the stadium and into the parking lot. People are tailgating, dancing. The sky is still booming with fireworks. The air smells like sausage and peppers from the guys barbecuing on the sidewalk, selling hot dogs and cold beer to fans walking home.
I wonder if Seth is taking this in, the enchantment of my city on this warm fall night.
I take out my phone and reply to his last message.
Molly: They are pretty, aren’t they? Glad you could see them
Molly: And sorry for your loss:(
He replies immediately.
Seth: Can’t say it doesn’t hurt. But at least I’m best friends with Javier Ruiz now.
I laugh at the idea of Seth hanging out with an A-list celebrity. But I guess it’s no less absurd than Marian dating one.
I consider for a moment, and then decide fuck it.
Molly: Hey—emily and gloria and I are going to grab drinks at a bar nearby. want to come?
Molly: And of course marian, should she deign to fraternize with the enemy
Seth: Aww, thanks for the invite! Can’t though—we’re going back to the hotel on the friends and family bus to mourn.
Of course. It was stupid of me to suggest it. No one wants to hang out with the jubilant fans of the opposing team.
But I kind of thought he might want to hang out with me?
“What’s wrong?” Gloria asks.
I realize I’m staring glumly at my phone.
