A face in the crowd

 

Jamie remembered last summer when she finally got up the nerve to talk to James. It was during the last baseball game. And he was in her English class. Oh, it seemed ages ago. She went off to the University and he said he was going out west to Arizona to be on a minor league team. 

"Why did you wait so long," he asked deep into the night. "I would have talked to you long before now."

"Well, why didn't you," she argued back. Funny they'd both been shy at school. They'd watched everyone go through beginnings and ending, food fights, make-ups, breakups, and even Prom was a war in the parking lot. But they'd said nothing to each other.

Of course, they knew the other existed. Oh, she'd even fallen on him once while waiting in line at the water fountain. It was the most exciting yet excruciating thing she'd ever gone through. And he'd just looked back at her in shock with water dripping down his face.

They were just little kids then, or so she said that night. They'd had a good laugh. He recalled the time he had to pick her up off the floor at Bio Lab. Evidently, blood made her sick.

"Um, I just have kind of a weak stomach, I guess." Of course, he'd finished her chili dog out at the food truck the next time they met up. He could when food contests if he'd wanted.

Honestly, it wasn't a conventional beginning. They weren't really dating. It was just by chance they'd be at the city pool at the same time. She wasn't sure she was ready for him to see her in a bikini and he looked to be ashamed of his pale abs. Somehow they could spend the day together. Walk miles in the neighborhood just going from fast food lane to the park. Yes, it was the best time of her life. And it was only last summer.

He said he would write, but he never did. She called him once, but he sounded like he was at a party. Finally, at Christmas, he texted MERRY CHRISTMAS. She texted back later HAPPY NEW YEAR.

No way, would they ever get THE GO-GETTER AWARD. Why didn't she have a nerve? How could he be so oblivious? Honestly, she didn't even want to go to the ballpark by high school this year. In fact, she was walking to the library. But who was waiting by the practice fence?

"I didn't think you'd-" Jamie puffed a frown.

"I'm not really cut out for the minor leagues," James shook his head, no. "Sorry, I'm not much at writing, either. It makes my fingers hurt."

Jamie looked away as if she didn't care. She hugged herself as if she had better things to do.

"I'm working at my uncle's auto repair," he told her.

"Then why aren't you there?"

"I..I just thought you might-"

"Might what?"

"I dunno." He shrugged.

"You're such a dummy," she shook her head. Maybe she was talking about herself as she drew almost a duckface as she looked up at him. She hugged him. Happy he wasn't playing baseball.