I try not to choke at the thought of this.
“I thought you were a Dodgers fan,” I say.
“I can be bought.”
We arrive at the merchandise store, crammed wall-to-wall with Dodgers paraphernalia.
“Anything you want, Marks,” I say. “On me.”
She takes her time perusing this and that, showily checking the price tags and declaring things like, “No, no, not expensive enough.”
I stand sheepishly in my mustard-covered Cubs jersey, watching people eye me with hostility, confusion, and mirth.
She finally comes to me with her selections: a hoodie (“it might get cold later—this is the desert!”), a jersey (“this color looks great on me”), a baseball cap (“it’s too bright out”), four key chains (“for my cousins in Iowa”) and two T-shirts: one a men’s large and one a women’s small.
“One for you and one for me.”
“Molly, I’m not wearing a Dodgers shirt.”
“Yes you are. It’s your punishment for pouring beer all over me.”
“An accident.”
“It’s not the intent, it’s the harm.”
“I’m literally sitting with the families of the team. As the guest of the star outfielder.”
“Well, explain to them that you’re being gallant.”
I sigh. I suppose I can wear the shirt backward and inside out.
I take her selections to the register and proffer my credit card to the tune of $473.12.
“So,” I say as I hand her the bulging bag. “How are you?”
“Me? Fine, fine. You know. Writer’s life. Just type, type, typing away. And you?”
“I’mgreat.Thankssomuch for asking.”
“Are you being sarcastic?”
“No, enthusiastic. You wouldn’t be familiar.”
I’m trying to be casual, but I feel awkward. What do you say to a person who has flatly stated they don’t want to speak to you? Has she forgotten?
“Well, um, we should probably go change,” I say. “It was nice to see you.”
She furrows her brow. “You aren’t going to invite me down to see Marian?”
I furrow my brow back. “You don’t…likeMarian.”
“But I likeyou,” she says, stopping my heart.
She seems taken aback that she said that—like it just slipped out.
It still robs me of breath.
“Uh, well. We’re in section H, row thirty-one, by the aisle. The ones wearing Cubs shirts and getting booed. Come say hi if you want.”
