| The Metcalfs: August 1988 |
| Tommy always looked forward to the Metcalf family reunion. It was a great opportunity to see all the relatives that lived away from River Run, Ohio. Tommy had lived here his whole life and aside from traveling around with the Cleveland Indians playing ball, he had no desire to ever leave. It was the eighties and everywhere else in the world everyone was caught up in fast paced lives, too busy to stop & talk to their neighbors. �Good Morning, Mr. Dawbrick,� Tommy waved to his elderly neighbor before bending down to grab his River Run Courier. Tommy exchanged a few pleasantries with the retired innkeeper before walking back inside his home. The phone rang as he started to sit down in his chair. �Metcalfs,� Tommy answered before the second ring so it wouldn�t disturb the still sleeping Sam & Nick. �Morning, Son.� �Good morning, Dad.� �I thought if you & Nicky weren�t busy this morning we could get a practice in before the big game tomorrow,� Jeff asked. Tommy wanted to remind his dad that it was supposed to be a friendly game against the Shillibs that they played every year at the reunion. He knew that would be pointless, nothing was ever friendly when it involved Jeff Metcalf & Arthur Shillib. Tommy wanted to also remind Jeff that the Metcalfs have only lost that game once in all the years they have played it. This was again pointless. He instead said, �how about if we pick you up in an hour?� �Perfect!� exclaimed Jeff. �I already called Charlie & he is meeting us there at nine. Hank, Steve & Joey will be there too. I tried calling your sister, to get Brad there, but all I got was Susan�s answering contraption.� �I talked to Brad last night & he said he would be there at 9:30, he had to do something beforehand. What is Mom doing today?� Tommy asked. Jeff sighed. �Your mother is already at the market getting everything she needs to make this the most wonderful reunion we�ve ever had. She likes to out do herself every year.� Tommy laughed. He was privy to something most of America who loved �The Aunt Ginny Show� never knew, Ginger was somewhat klutzy and although almost everything she prepares turns out fabulous it takes her more work than she ever lets anyone believe. �Please tell her Sam will be over sometime this afternoon to give her a hand. I will be there in a bit to pick you up, Dad.� �Okay, Tom, see you shortly.� Tommy took the steps two at a time, reaching the top in no time. He cracked the door to his 4-year-old son�s room. Walking in he looked at how peaceful Nick looked. Tommy sat on the edge of the bed, gently stirring his son from sleep. �Hey, Slugger, we need to get moving. We are going to the park to throw some balls with Papa Jeff.� The instant Nick heard his grandfather�s name he was wide-awake. �I love Papa Jeff.� He jumped out of bed reaching for his glove and ball cap. Tommy smiled, �Whoa, slow down Slugger, I know you love Papa Jeff but you still have to get dressed before you go see him.� *~*~*~*~*~* �Hailey, if you strike out one more time, you�ll be sitting on the bench during the game tomorrow.� Jeff stated, only half joking. �Maybe if you got a real pitcher in here, Mutt. Correct me if I am wrong but they never paid you to pitch did they? Where is our Pitcher?� Tommy chimed in trying to keep peace. �Brad should be here any minute� Speak of the devil.� Tommy spotted, his sister Susan�s husband, Bradley Keller running towards them. �Sorry I�m late, did I miss anything?� Brad asked. Jeff tossed Brad the ball, as he exited the pitcher�s mound. �Not a thing, Hailey couldn�t hit a baseball to save Gina�s life.� Jeff chuckled. Charlie started waving the bat in Jeff�s direction. �Don�t start with me, Mutt. I can sit out this game. Then that will leave you one player short. Shillib will gladly take the forfeit with a big smile on his smarmy mug.� The vision sent shivers down Jeff�s spine. He held just as much contempt for Arthur Shillib as he did when �Artie� was briefly engaged to Ginger. He also knew Shillib was still bitter about losing his trophy. They were barely able to conceal it when they had these �friendly� family games. The thought of losing to Shillib, even if it was to forfeit was intolerable. He�d rather play nice with Charlie Hailey. �You are right, Charlie, I never was a great pitcher,� Jeff said through clenched teeth, flashing that perfect smile so convincingly. �Alright, Brad�s here, so let�s play some ball,� Jeff shouted. |