Chapter 4
The game started off, as Patience was
regretting the fact she had opened her mouth and said that she used to catch.
Her knees were starting to bother her from sitting down or squatting down,
depending on who the batter was.
When they went back into their team dugout, Heather came up
to Patience. "You okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, my knees are just acting up." Patience said.
"I didn't know you had bad knees." Heather said.
"That's the price of being a catcher in high school where
people slide into your knees all the time." Patience said. "But, I don't believe
any of those times, I let a player get home." She added, smiling.
Heather smiled and then walked over to Paul. "Hey Paul, do we
have any Tylenol or something? Patience's knees are hurting her a little."
Heather said.
"I'm fine!" Patience said.
"I don't, someone here might." Paul said, as he turned to
face the team in the dugout. "Does anyone here have some Tylenol?" Paul asked.
"I have some out in my Escalade." Michael said, as he started
walking out.
"I don't want his Tylenol!" Patience called after him.
"Don't mind her." Heather called after Michael.
"Heather!" Patience said.
"Patty, it's just Tylenol!" Heather said.
Patience sat down and leaned up against the back of the
dugout. She really didn't feel like fighting right now with Heather about
Michael. Besides, Heather had started up a conversation with Paul since he
mentioned how great it was she was caring for her friend.
So, Patience just leaned back against the dugout and relaxed.
She closed her eyes and just sat there.
Or at least until Michael returned with the Tylenol. "I want
you to know I'm only taking this so Heather doesn't watch me like a hawk for the
rest of the game." Patience said, as Michael chuckled.
"I won't tell." Michael said, as he handed over the Tylenol
and Patience swallowed it. She then grabbed the cup of water she had grabbed
when she had come into the dugout and took a sip.
"So, why are you playing catcher if you have bad knees?"
Michael asked.
"Why do you swim if your ears keep slowing you down?"
Patience replied, not looking at him.
"I wear a cap, so my ears don't get in the way." Michael
replied, obviously hurt by what she had just said.
"No, I mean, why swim when something is going to slow you
down? You do it because you love the sport. You love the thrill of victory. You
love being there and contributing to whatever it is. You can't let just one
twinge of pain every once and awhile to stop you from doing something you love."
Patience said. "You can't let something so simple make you give up something you
love."
"Patience, you're up." Paul called, as Patience quickly got
up.
****************************************
Patience successfully avoided Michael for the rest of the
game. And, considering the positions they were playing in the game; that was
quite the feat.
She was still going to the party though. As much as she
didn't want to see Michael, she did want to have fun. If it meant having to hang
out in the same building as Michael Phelps, so be it!
Heather spent the rest of the game talking with Paul and
keeping a close eye on Patience. Heather seemed worried about her ever since
Patience admitted she had bad knees. But, she didn't want everyone else to worry
about her.
So, the drive home after the game was silent. Patience was
hoping and praying that she didn't run into Michael. Heather took that the
silence was because Patience was mad at her.
Heather didn't approach the subject until they were back in
the dorm room. "We don't have to go to the party." Heather said, as Patience
turned to her.
"How are we going to get you and Paul together if we don't
go?" Patience asked, carefully tying a glittery ribbon around her newly brushed
ponytail.
"I don't want you to put up with me just because of that."
Heather said.
It took Patience a few minutes to realize what Heather meant.
"Heather, I'm not mad at you. I'm not mad about the Tylenol at the game."
Patience said.
"Then why are you mad?" Heather asked.
"Because I have to put up with Phelps." Patience said.
"You guys seemed to be getting along at the game." Heather
said.
"I insulted his ears." Patience replied. "And then I actually
opened up to him."
"About what?" Heather asked, taking a seat on her bed.
"Sports." Patience said.
"He asked why you play with your knee problems?" Heather
asked.
"And then I insulted his ears." Patience replied.
"And I missed that?" Heather asked, as the two laughed.