I stared at the papers before me, dumbfounded . I squinted at all the tiny words all over the place, then looked up at Noah, confused at where to begin .
We were sitting in his room back at the house . His mom made the purchases and brought us back, telling us to start looking up wooden bats . What we found was shocking . We really underestimated the task .
Noah used his computer and printer at the desk in his room to print all applicable information . He was looking at the information at hand before decisively pointing at one article . "We'll start here . This will be rule number one of taking care of a wooden bat . 'Store your bat handle up . ' That's simple enough . " He looked at the bat in my hands, then looked around the room . "We've gotta make sure it stays in an upright position and out of the way so it doesn't get kicked or knocked around . " He got up and took the bat away from me and placed it properly between the desk and bed . "There . That's also a cool place away from humidity . " He sat back down .
AdvertisementI looked at my bat, a little sad that I couldn't hold it all the time .
"Next . " Noah read aloud . "Keep your bat clean with alcohol . Alcohol will keep dirt and dust off to ensure a great grip . Okay, we'll have to ask dad for that when he gets home for dinner . "
I nodded even though I didn't understand what kind of alcohol is used on bats . . .
"Keep your bat dent-free by using a piece of bone, or another wooden practice bat to rub out any misshapen sides . Uhhhh . " He glanced at the shoe box next to me . It held my first broken bat .
I scooter closer to it as if to guard it . I don't want to use it as a sharpening tool . It's worth a lot to me .
"Okay, okay . We'll ask dad about that one too then . " Noah rolled his eyes . "The rest is all about storing your bat properly and out of damp places and away from extreme temperatures . Nothing too hard . "
I opened my shoe box to examine my broken bat . I was glad Mrs . Atkins understood that I didn't want to get rid of it . She's definitely not anything like my mom so far, but that makes me even more upset . Why didn't I get a mom like her?
"You look like your dog died . " Noah laughed . "It's just a bat . Go put the box on the dresser if you want . "
I got up and placed the box on the dresser next to a few of his trophies and awards . Noah wouldn't understand that this bat felt like my lifeline to baseball . God only knows if I'll be able to hold a metal bat ever again .
"So we're going to need alcohol and something for when your bat dents . " Noah said thoughtfully . "Hmmm . We also need to get you a bag to hold it . But it can't get humid in there . Plus it has to be big enough for your glove . And we need to get you a helmet of your own . And maybe batting gloves . " His eyes sparkled . "I'll talk dad into taking us to O'Conners . It's a huge sports store that will set you up . "
I looked away uncomfortably .
"What is it?" Noah got closer to me .
I scrunched up my nose and shifted from foot to foot . "I've never actually played before, ya know . " It was hard to squeeze out such a long sentence . I felt winded and dizzy at my admittance, afraid Noah will get upset .
"Play?" Noah's eyebrows pulled together . "Play what?" His eyes widened with realization . "Wait . You've never played baseball before?"
Chapter end
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