The Hitting Zone

Chapter 308 Dave’s Reaction

(Third-person perspective: Wayne)

"Why do we have to spend a Saturday night at O’Conners?" Dave sighed as they walked into the sports store. "We could have gone to the movies and out to dinner."

"We’ll bring dinner home and have a movie night in the living room instead." Wayne told his son. They moved through the aisles of sports clothing and athletic wear. Wayne led him to the baseball equipment area and started to look around.

"What is it that you’re looking for?" Dave couldn’t find a reason for why they had to be here tonight when they could have just came in the day time tomorrow.

Wayne spotted what he was looking for, but didn’t make a move towards it just yet. Instead, he faced his son and looked down at him. Wayne could still remember when Mary said she was pregnant...Zeke wasn’t even a one-year-old yet. Wayne was still trying to get used to being a father to his oldest son even though he was terrified of becoming his father. He damn near had a heart attack when the doctor told them it would be twins. In less than two years, he went from father of none to father of three.

"Dad?" Dave gave his father a funny look. "Why are you just looking at me? I don’t know what you came here for."

Wayne couldn’t imagine his boys going through what he had to as a kid. What Jake had to go through. What most children in the system had to go through. Abuse, both physically and psychologically. Insecurity; not knowing if anyone would ever want you. Neglect; no one reaching out to save you in their time of need. What if someone had treated his boys like Jake was treated by his mom? Wayne would probably blow a fuse. He might just snap.

"Daddddd?" Dave waved a hand in front of Wayne’s face. "Come on, I don’t want to be here all night."

Wayne came back to reality. His boys were safe. He married a wonderful woman who became a super-mom. Jake would be safe with them. They could provide the same love and care as birth parents. Birth parents that were wired normally and didn’t try to kill their kids, that is.

"We’re going to try and adopt Jake." Wayne looked his son in the eyes. "For good. To stay with our family, now and always."

Dave blinked. "Uh...Okay."

"Do you have any questions?"

"Shouldn’t you have told us all together?"

"Your mom and I decided to tell you one by one. That way we can answer any individual questions and concerns. If one of you aren’t okay with our decision, we-" Wayne abruptly stopped. What would they do? Just give up? That wouldn’t be right. But it also wouldn’t be good to force this on their kids.

"Dad?" Dave looked up at him. "What would you do if I wasn’t okay with it? Don’t just stop halfway."

Wayne felt the panic and anxiety grow. He took a deep breath and tried to look calm. "I would first ask why you feel that way to figure out how to address it."

A silence fell between them. They looked at one another, waiting.

"Well?" Wayne finally caved, and tried to figure out why Dave wouldn’t be okay with Jake joining the family.

"Well what?" Dave asked in a plain tone.

"Well what are your reasons for not being okay with him joining the family? Are you afraid we won’t have enough time for each of you individually? Is it his personality?"

Dave fought to hide his smile. "Who said I wasn’t okay with it?"

"Didn’t you just say it?" Wayne asked, exasperated with his son.

"I just said ’what if’. It’s not like I know what the others were thinking. If they objected, I just wanted to know how you’d deal with it." Dave shrugged. "And now I know."

Wayne’s face twitched. He fought the urge to hit Dave upside the head. "You brat." He shook his head before looking at him again. "So you’re really okay with it?"

Dave nodded. "I don’t see why not. Jake already feels like he’s one of us, don’t you think? He used to be super quiet and awkward, but now he makes all these funny facial expressions. Especially when Zeke is around." Dave rambled on. "And who knows, Jake could end up following our footsteps in being a pro baseball player. He’s pretty great at the plate for a freshman."

Wayne chuckled. "Follow your footsteps? You have to get there first." He glanced at the box he was looking to get.

Dave threw a fake pitch at his dad. "Who are you questioning?? I threw a perfect game!"

"You don’t want that to be your peak." Wayne walked over to the giant, heavy box. "Come help me carry this." He patted the box.

Dave’s eyes widen with surprise and delight. "No way! You’re going to get us this?!"

Wayne smiled at the look of pure happiness his son was showing. "I figured this can be an early birthday present. Something practical that can help you train and have fun."

Dave moved quickly and started to pick up one side of the box. "Yes! Perfect!" He glanced at another box further down and cooled down. "Should we get that box instead?"

The further box had a picture of a pitching machine. Something that could also be set up in the backyard.

Wayne shook his head and kept the smile. "Nah. It’s better if Jake has somewhere to go instead. Get him out more. For you and Kyle, it’s better if we keep you wild animals in the backyard."

"Dad! Rude!" Dave yelled out, but still couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Wayne patted the box that they were going to get. It held pitching practice equipment. A nice screen netting with targets and even promoted that he had a self-installed radar gun. "This might help you guys throughout the season and in the long run. Maybe Noah and Jake can give it a try too."

"Those shrimps? I think not." Dave lifted his side of the box and Wayne lifted the other. "Come on! Let’s get home. You’ll have to help me set it up before you go to work tomorrow."

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