Whistlestop Read Free

wrong.”
    Lynn kissed him lightly. “You know,
we’re both overthinking this whole thing. I’m sure Brad is right,
and Jeremy just needs an outlet for his energy. Suddenly, we’ve
talked ourselves into believing Jeremy is losing his mind over a
little mess.”
    “ You’re right as always.
How about we get everyone ready and go out for breakfast? Then
Jeremy and I can go to see Brad’s team.”
     

Chapter 2

    As soon as Jerry pulled his car into
the parking at the ballpark, he knew it was a mistake. He
remembered what happened two years ago very clearly. Brad was an
ogre as a coach, pushing heavy discipline on the six-year-old boys,
and there was no reason to believe anything would have changed. He
could also see the change in his son as they walked toward the
field. Jeremy had been lively and joking around at breakfast less
than an hour ago, and now he was somber and reserved, hardly
speaking or making eye contact. The two climbed into the stands
where the parents of both teams were chatting and rooting for their
children.
    The teams could not have been more
different. Brad’s team was tightly regimented and went through
their practice without humor or the mistakes so common to
eight-year-old athletes. Other than their physical size, it looked
like a semi-pro team about to take on a bunch of grade-schoolers.
Jerry waved when Brad caught his gaze, but Brad only smiled
slightly and went back to his work. Jerry left Jeremy in the stands
and went to the concession stand to get a couple of sodas and some
nachos. When he returned, Jeremy was sitting with his head down,
looking at his feet. He seemed frozen in place. “What’s wrong,
Son?”
    “ They keep staring at me,
Dad. It’s freaking me out. Can we go now?”
    “ You’re exaggerating,
Jeremy. No one is staring . . .” his voice trailed off as he looked
at the field. Each of the boys on Brad’s team was staring at them
with abject hatred and disgust in their eyes. He glanced over at
Brad who was laughing.
    “ Do you remember now?”
whispered the same voice from his dream. Jerry looked around, but
there was no one else nearby.
    “ Let’s get out of here,
Jeremy,” he said, pulling his son up and heading down the
stands.
    “ Thank you, Daddy. Those
boys are not nice.”
    “ We don’t really know them
and shouldn’t judge others,” he replied as he pulled Jeremy toward
their car. He unlocked the door and his son climbed inside. After
closing the door, he turned and found Brad Lincoln standing inches
away.
    “ I thought Jeremy was going
to join the team, Jerry?” he smiled, though his eyes did
not.
    “ Sorry, boss, but he’s not
feeling well, and frankly, neither am I. I think we both got food
poisoning or something at breakfast.”
    “ I’m sorry to hear that,”
Brad replied. He put his hand on the car door and quickly pulled it
back. “What’s going on with your car? It feels like ice.” He put
his hand to his mouth and blew on it to warm his
fingers.
    “ What’s that smell?” Jeremy
said from inside.
    “ Yeah, what is that? It
almost smells like cordite or gunpowder,” Jerry added.
    Brad chuckled and replied, “It’s
probably me. I took the boys to the gun range this morning. It’s
important that a boy knows how to protect himself, right, Jeremy?
You never know what kind of kook you’re going to run
into.”
    “ Yes, sir,” Jeremy
replied.
    “ I’ll see you on Monday,
boss.”
    “ Okay, I’m sorry it didn’t
work out with the team. I’d like to invite your family out for
dinner this week. What do you think?”
    “ Sounds like fun, Brad. Let
me check with Lynn.”
    “ Of course, I think if
Jeremy got to know the boys on the team, he’d change his tune. I
know we can get a little carried away at game time. No hard
feelings, okay Jeremy?”
    “ No sir.”
    “ Good luck with your game,
Brad.”
    Brad smiled broadly and replied, “Luck
is for suckers, Jerry.” He turned and walked away.
    Jerry hurried and got in the