Jordan (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #5) Read Free Page B

don’t want this divorce, Gemma, but I let her talk me into another appointment with that damn arbitrator. Did she tell you she wants to sell the vacation house?”
    “Sell? Heidi would never want to sell that house. She loves it. It’s the one place she went after Eden...well...she wouldn’t do it.”
    That’s exactly what I thought too. I don’t want to have to give up the vacation house, but Heidi deserves it more than I do. I’m quiet for a moment while I reflect over the day. We arrive at the restaurant, take a seat, and place our orders. Gemma has been watching me, waiting for me to say more.
    “I don’t know what to do. Doing what she says she needs is ruining me,” I confess.
    “I know it is, but I think my advice would be keep going to the appointments with her, but drag it out a bit. In between the appointments, work your magic. I know you have been calling and sending flowers, but that isn’t Heidi. That isn’t you either. How did you sweep her off her feet? That’s who she needs, Jordan. She needs to be reminded of the love you have for each other. Hers is buried so deep, she can’t find it.”
    “I’ll work on it. So, how long are you here for?” We definitely need a subject change. I can only handle so much of talking about this disaster.
    “Until I think Heidi doesn’t need me anymore. And you, too.” She smiles, reminding me that she’s here for me just as much as she is for her daughter.
    “It’ll be good to have you around. Is there enough room for you at her place?”
    “She’s sleeping on the couch. I’m not sure what she’ll think when Sam comes next week. We might have to get a hotel room.”
    “Why don’t y’all stay with me?” I offer. “I have the room.”
    “I’ll talk to Sam. I’m sure we can split the time between the two places. Plus, it’ll force Heidi to come out there. It might help her remind her of the good times with the four of us together.”
    “I don’t know if she would come. I think she hates the house, which is crazy, considering she wasn’t there long.”
    “It’s not the house. It’s what the house represents. Heidi has always wanted a family and she thought she finally had it all.” Gemma swipes the lone tear that has fallen onto her cheek. “It’s hard for her, Jordan, and I know it is for you too.”
    “Do you think she knows that? Because sometimes it feels like she thinks she was the only one who lost something. She shut down so fast, it was like my pain didn’t exist or matter.”
    “Oh, Jordan. I wish I had some great words of wisdom to tell you this is all going to go away, but it’s not. The pain is going to be there forever, but you learn to deal with it. You and Heidi have not processed it all. You need to be the strong one because when Heidi finally comes to terms with everything, she’ll need you. And only you.”
    “I’m not going anywhere.”
    Not until I’m convinced there’s no hope for us.
    The rest of dinner goes smoothly. Heidi is conveniently left out of the conversation. Gemma is like a mother to me, and I’m so happy to see her and have her here. Hopefully, she can talk some sense into Heidi.
     

     
    Most of us have a pregame ritual. Felix still throws a ball to his girlfriend/lucky charm. Blake searches the crowd for Sofia if she’s in the stands by the dugout. Hector absentmindedly fiddles with his necklace. We all usually do something. Before, I would search for Heidi in the stands and pat my chest over my heart twice with my gloved hand right before the national anthem is sung.
    Now, I don’t look into the crowd often. What’s the point? She’s not here. Sometimes I find myself still looking though. My ring seems to be burning a circle against my chest today, as an ever-present reminder of what I’ll be losing. The thought of having to take it off permanently makes bile rise up in the base of my throat.
    I shake my head as if that can clear my thoughts away. Thinking of Heidi when a game is about