Lisa and I went back to have another drink. I was going to need a few more.
17
JAX
Fuck, these last twenty-four hours had been maybe the most stressful day in my entire life. Talking to Coach Criss, flying back to Los Angeles, and facing not just the owner of the team but most of the coaching staff as well had taken a heavy toll on me. The baggage I carried under my eyes was a testament to sitting in the airport and catching the first flight out, which landed a little over two hours before the coach’s retirement.
Was I ready for this?
I knew I should have called Kenny, but I wanted to wait until everything was buttoned down so I could surprise him.
It was a lot.
But it was over. All of it was over, and my head was still spinning. I couldn’t believe I had won. I was sure they would drop me and not pay me a single dome for the rest of my contract.
I drove my new rental car from Nashville like speed limits were just a suggestion. I had to make it back in time, or I would never forgive myself. Coach Criss meant that much to me. I had to see him off with good wishes and as much pomp and circumstance as I could manage.
By the time I hit the Kentucky state line, snow was starting to lightly fall from the sky. I drove faster, hoping to beat the threatening snowfall by the skin of my teeth. As I drove into town forty minutes later, it was really starting to fall. Kenny was losing his mind. But it was all going to be worth it – I knew it in my heart. All of the plans he had made for his dad’s farewell might have to move inside after the ceremony. But it was still going to be a day that Coach Criss would remember for the rest of his life.
I was glad to know that he was happy with the turn of events. I would make him prouder of me than he had ever been – and I would make sure to make his son even happier than possible. I was going to give him everything I had. I would not be apart from him again. I had made sure of that, and time would tell if I made the right decision or not.
I pulled into the school parking lot and saw the tent set up on the ball field where the stadium that would bear Coach’s name stood proudly. The pennants and banners we won were listed for the town to see as they came to our games on the large signs in the back. It had already begun. Shit! Maybe they were trying to beat the snow as much as I was. A large crowd had gathered. I took a deep breath and turned the car off before slamming my door and sprinting towards the field.
Coach was shaking the principal’s hand. Was I too late?
I sprinted down the galley towards the small stage that had been set up on the home plate. I saw my mom standing there with Kenny’s mother. I was glad that they had become friends so long ago when we needed anyone to show us some compassion. Hopefully, I could give something back to the town that had lifted us up when we were at our lowest.
Lisa pointed at me as I hurried past the crowd and walked up to the stage.
“Right on time.” Principal Woodenhall said into the microphone. “We’re just beginning.”
I climbed the stage and stood by them. I looked out and found Kenny staring at me, a perplexed, if a bit pissy, look on his face. I should have texted him. No, I should have called him. But if I had… I wanted it to be a surprise. Maybe that had been a mistake.
“Coach Harry Criss has been the head coach of our state champion baseball team for the last thirty-five years, and that’s a long time to be traveling the state – sometimes the country – with a bunch of hoodlums in your charge. Before we start doling out the award and all the surprises, I thought we might have a speech from the man of the hour himself. You can see how well-loved Harry is. There are not many towns that would have a turnout like this for a retiring coach or teacher during what looks to be a blizzard barreling toward us. But here you all are to help us celebrate the man, the myth, and the legend himself. I present to you the man who’s about to discover what boredom really is – Coach Harry Criss.”
The crowd applauded as Woodenhall stepped aside and Coach stepped up to the microphone. He raised his hands in the air for the crowd to stop clapping. We shared not like being the center of attention in common.
“Alright… Thank you. Honestly…” He raised his hands again. “I’m not dying, people, just retiring. Thank you for the nice applause. It really does mean a lot to me that so many of you have come out to see me off as I begin the next adventure. Just so you know, the next adventure is whatever and wherever my wife decides she wants to go. She has stood by my side for all of these years as baseball took over most of my time. I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for her.”
“That’s right!” Some lady called out from the crowd.
“Let’s give my wife a hand. She’s taken care of this team almost as much as I have.” The crowd cheered, and Coach smiled broadly as he gestured to his wife and blew her a kiss.
“Baseball was a calling to me. When I realized early on in my college career that there was no way I would be going pro – I decided to get a degree in teaching and physical education. It was the best decision I ever made. The second best decision was coming here to Hardin, Kentucky, for my first job as head coach. We didn’t win the pennant that year or any kind of championship, but I started building a team that I was proud of. Young men that cared as much about the sport as I did came and went as the years passed. It wasn’t too long before we won our first state championship. A feat that I have been told is a record for this school. Seventeen state championships are more than any other school in the state. I hope and pray that this school continues to support our amazing kids that make this game so exciting to watch. All of you come out and cheer for the boys as they leave it all out there on the field. I have appreciated that for thirty-five years, and it’s a hard thing to leave behind.”
Coach looked over at me and nodded. I gave him the thumbs up, and he smiled.
“I’m happy to say that this legacy will be carried on by someone I’m very proud of. It’s my hope that you’ll support the new coach as you did me. This team has been my life for over three decades, and I can’t wait to sit right there on those bleachers and watch this team keep being the best in the state. I know there’s a plaque that needs to be given to me, and then we can all get out of this cold and go inside and have some drinks and food that my son thinks I know nothing about. Thank you, Kenny. I am…” Coach choked up for a second and pointed at Kenny, who blushed in the cold air. “I am so proud of you and have loved having you teaching beside me for my last year here. It’s meant a lot to me, and I hope you know how proud I am of you and how excited I am that you get to live your happy ever’s as a part of the legacy you were a part of, whether you knew it or not. You are the best of us, Son. And I am blessed to have such a family as mine. Thank you all, and let’s get this over with so we can warm up. I’m freezing.”
Kenny wiped tears from his eyes, and the look on his face was so confused I had to stop myself from laughing. He had no idea what his dad was talking about. Coach smiled at me.
“I’m also proud to present a son of Hardin and a man who has been much like a son to me, especially because of how close he was to my own. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to your new head coach, World Series winner – Jax Mason.” Coach grinned and applauded loudly. The look on Kenny’s face as his jaw dropped in disbelief was worth any kind of anger he may have had. I chose him, and now he knew it.
I waved as the crowd looked completely confused. I stepped up to the microphone and held up my hands. The crowd grew quiet quickly. Kenny stepped to the front of the crowd and looked up at me.
I smiled at him, trying to get him to understand what I had chosen – him above all else in my life.
“Thanks, Coach. I’m… I’m happy to be here with you today.” I tried to sound as normal as possible, but I hated any kind of public speaking, and I felt like my stomach was about to rip up through my mouth. I glanced over at Coach Criss and took a deep breath. “You have meant more to me than I could…” I took a second and wiped the tears forming in my eyes with the back of my hand before they could turn into icicles. “You were there for me at the hardest time in my life, and you stepped up. You took me under your wing and embraced me as a part of your family. When I lost my dad, I thought…” I glanced over at my mom, who scrunched up her face with emotion. Kenny’s mom put her arm around her and pulled her close. “I didn’t know what to do. But I had this amazing boyfriend at the time, and yes – I said, boyfriend. News at eleven.” I tried to joke, but everyone’s face had gone slack at my words. “Kenny Criss and I found each other at the right time, and because of the love we shared… well, still share, you, Coach… without a thought, embraced mom and me as a part of your family. I can’t thank you enough for that.”
