"No crying in baseball...no fucking crying in baseball."
"The press liked the quip."
"There is crying in baseball."
"Having lost four World Series, I think I know that."
"I want to cry, but I think I'm too drained."
"It'd probably help. Jesus. I know what you've been through."
"What have I been through?"
Glavine tightened his hold. His breath blew softly, ruffling Maddux's hair as
the other pitcher lay with his head pillowed on Glavine's shoulder. "A lot."
"Just a little back pain."
"I know you're only trying to help. I know you're only trying to take some of
the pressure off me."
"It's just so damn frustrating. I know I can throw. I just
can't...can't...PLAY. I can't field. I can't hit."
"You hit pretty well today."
"Whatever. This just isn't right. I've never had to sit like this before. I
don't think I'm handling it very well."
"You're handling it as well as anyone."
"Right."
"Hey, when I broke a rib, I kept pitching. Sucked a lot for a while and the
press got all over me, but I didn't say what was wrong because I didn't
want opposing teams taking advantage of me. But I probably should've just
sat for a start."
"It worked out."
"This will work out, too."
"Do you know why?"
"Uh..."
"Because you are pitching as well as ever. You carry the rotation, not me."
"NHL2Night's on."
"Have to see if your Bruins won, I suppose."
"They won...I know they did." Sure enough, Bruins replays came up, showing the
victory, as well as the hit on Zednik.
"Ouch," Maddux commented, as the anchors talked about concussions and broken
noses. "Maybe it's a good thing you didn't play hockey."
"I do not want to talk about my lack of a hockey career again."
"Ok, ok."
They were quiet for a few minutes, watching the rundown of the playoff games.
Finally, Tom broke the silence. "I'll win tomorrow."
Greg rolled over to look at him directly. "I know you will. You always make up
for my screwups. Like last fall. During my winless streak, you didn't lose."
Tom was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry for teasing you in spring
training about giving up 10 runs."
"Why? It was kind of funny."
"Only with your weird sense of humor."
"You love it."
"I know."
Maddux leaned down and kissed him. Glavine sighed as their bodies pressed
together, mostly bare skin against bare skin. "I need sex to make me feel
better."
"You always need sex."
"Tommy..."
"That wasn't a complaint."
After NHL2Night, the late edition of Sportscenter came on. A major topic of
discussion was Greg Maddux's performance. But neither man noticed.