Metcalf

Jeff sat on the front porch oiling a glove. He rubbed the leather with great care. Ginger stood looking out the front door watching Jeff slip his too-big hand into the too-small opening. He caressed the ball in his right hand before tossing it into the glove that was barely covering his left hand. �Jeff, what are you doing?� Ginger curiously asked.

�I am getting this ball glove ready for Nicky.�

Ginger knelt down next to Jeff. �He�s only 3 days old. I think you have a few years before you have to get it ready for a game��

Jeff looked up at his wife & try as he might he couldn�t stop the tear from rolling down his cheek.

Ginger reached over, taking her husband�s still gorgeous face in her hands, she wiped the tear with her thumb. �Would you like to tell me what has you so upset, Jeff?�

Jeff hung his head back down. He loved Ginger so much, but he could count only a handful of times he actually cried in front of her. �It seems like just yesterday I was out buying Tommy his first glove the day we brought him home from the hospital. Now, he�s all grown up with a family of his own. Where did all the years go, Ginger?�

Ginger placed her hand on Jeff�s shoulder. �It�s funny, but I was going through my hope chest the other night & I found a picture of us on that train so many years ago when we married & I can honestly say I am very happy with the way everything turned out. The years have been great to us, Jeff Metcalf.�

He nodded in agreement. �Do you think that Tommy & Sam are happy here in River Run?� Jeff asked.

�Of course, they are! Why are you asking all these questions?�

�Steve & Jane weren�t happy here & moved all the way to Chicago & took our granddaughter, Stephie, with them. I don�t want to lose our grandson too.� Jeff said with a shaky voice.

�There is a big difference, Jeff. Although Steven loves us a great deal, the only person he has ever been really close to is Hank. Remember how we used to joke that we had our first child for Hank?� Ginger laughed, as Jeff nodded, smiling. �Tommy could never be that far away from you. You are his best friend. And Nicky is going to be a part of that great bond too.� Ginger stood up & walked back into the house.

*********

�GIN-GER! They are here!!� Jeff screamed excitedly as the car pulled up next to the curb. He turned the door handle, as he opened the door he felt someone bound past him.

�Congratulations, Li�l Mutt!!� Charlie ran down the steps to Tommy & Sam. �Let me get a look at the littlest Mutt!�

�Good Lord, Charlie, do you think we might get a look at our grandson before you get your paws on him?� Jeff said, obviously annoyed.

Gina & Ginger were right behind Jeff, followed closely by Linda, Judy, Hank & Susan. �Sorry, Ginger, Charlie love babies so much!� Gina tried to explain her husband. �Charlie, come stay by me, then we hold baby after Jeff & Ginger.�

Charlie was peeking at the baby in Sam�s arm. �Huh? Oh! Ya, he sure is a beautiful baby. Looks just like Mutt did when Mrs. K let us finally get a peek at him.� Charlie reached over & shook Jeff�s hand. �You sure a very lucky to have such a fine grandson, Mut..er, Jeff.�

Jeff returned the handshake, smiling at Charlie Hailey. Gina & Ginger stared at each other, speechless. �Thank you, Charlie.�

Jeff walked up to Sam & Tommy with the ball glove in his hand. Sam started to hand Nicky over to his grandpa. �Here, son, I got this out for Nick� It�s a Jeff Metcalf.� Jeff gave the glove to Tommy then took Nicky from Sam. �Wow, Ginger, you have to look at him, he looks just like Tommy did when he was a baby.�

Ginger walked over to Jeff�s side. She looked at her grandson with his head full of dark hair; he stared back at her with dark blue eyes that Ginger suspected would turn into the most gorgeous mud-green color. Ginger reached out to Jeff as he handed her the baby.

He turned to Sam, �How are you doing, mama?� His arms outstretched to embrace her.

Sam walked right into his welcoming arms, �I am doing really good, Jeff, but thanks for asking.�

�Dad?� Tommy asked.

�Yes, Tommy?�

�There is something oddly familiar about this glove.�

Jeff chuckled. �I found it under a loose floorboard in your closet when I was putting some things in it for your mother.�

�I was so upset when I lost it. Remember how we looked everywhere? I hid it so Steve wouldn�t mess with it. You had to take me out to get a new one, but we couldn�t find a Jeff Metcalf. I was terribly heartbroken so you took a black marker & signed my new one. I am so glad you found it so Nick can have it when we coach little league.�

�We?�

�Of course �we� unless you don�t want to.�

Jeff hugged his son. �Of course I want to!!�