Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2017 00:46:10 +0000 From: Douglas DD Subject: Aiden Chapter 40 Welcome back. The i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Aiden Miller officially becomes the son of Phil Miller and Larry Miller Sanders. Life looks grand to young Aiden—after all, nobody could possibly have anything against this situation. Please give to the Nifty Archive to keep these unique stories coming. CHAPTER 40 AIDEN MILLER Aiden was dressed in his best clothes and he didn't like it one bit. He wore a long-sleeved yellow shirt and a blue and green clip-on necktie, a dark blue sport coat and a pair of khaki pants. His polished dress shoes had somehow managed to get a couple of scuff marks on them. He had refused to let his dads put the gunk into his hair that they made him use for Marty's wedding. While his hair had been carefully combed before leaving the house, it had a few issues when they arrived at the courthouse. Larry took Aiden to the men's room and tried to get some water on his hair to keep it in order. Aiden would have none of it, but he did stand still for a comb being run through his unruly blond mop. When Phil saw Larry and Aiden enter the courtroom, he tried to figure out how a boy's hair could look unkempt at the same time it looked like it had just been combed. They soon stood for Judge Moyer's entrance. He went over the morning schedule with those having hearings in Family Court. Because each hearing was confidential, everyone except those participating in the first hearing, was ushered into a large waiting room off of the courtroom. Aiden's hearing was the fourth one on the schedule. Aiden had a book with him, but he was so nervous, he played a game on his phone, instead of reading. Larry and Phil both understood. They tried to initiate conversation, but Aiden had been reticent all morning. That behavior didn't change until after the second hearing was called. "We're almost next," Aiden said, startling Phil, who had his nose in a book. Larry had a feeling Aiden would soon be breaking his silence and was casually observing his son's fingers moving across the screen of his phone. "It's close," Larry agreed. "That first meeting was long. I hope the next two aren't so long. I want to get it over with and go eat." "Long or short, we'll just have to wait them out," Phil said sagely. "What if Judge Moyer says you can't adopt me?" Aiden asked his dads for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Mrs. Polk assured us that the hearing is just a formality. Your adoption has been approved." "I wish Gordy could have come in here." "The waiting room is only for family members participating in a hearing, and their guardians," Larry reminded his son. "I wish Chase could have come." "Just calm down and remember that you're about to become our totally and completely official son," Larry said. "I know, but I want it now, and I want Gordy and Chase to be with me and see it." "Gordy will be in the courtroom as our guest." "I know, but it would be better if Chase could be here as our guest." "Life has its rules," Phil said. "I know, but sometimes they aren't fair." "Enough with the `I know, buts'", Larry said with a grin. "Start thinking of what you really know—that you're going to have a great family of your own." "I already do," Aiden said. "I have the bestest dads in the world and now they're going to have their i's dotted and their t's crossed." The third hearing was called. A social worker took two young girls with her into the courtroom. Aiden looked around the waiting room and at the kids, wondering why they were there. Many of them didn't look happy. He was certain that none of them were as happy as he was right then. And he was going to be even happier when his hearing was over. Mary Polk, their attorney, sat next to Larry and chatted with him. Aiden was sitting between Larry and Phil, which was right in his comfort zone. Phil was about to ask Aiden if he would mind switching places, but the father instinct that had been developing in him over the past eight plus months told him to keep his mouth shut and maintain the status quo. Aiden stuck his nose into his book, paying no attention to what Larry and the lawyer were talking about. Playing the game had kept him busy, but it didn't focus his mind the way a book did. It helped that "Super Fudge", the book he was reading, had a lot of funny parts to it. He could read it and smile. The book helped his happy nervousness more than the game did. When his name was finally called, Aiden felt his heart almost leap out of his chest. He closed his book and surprised Phil by handing it to him. He held out his left hand and placed it into Phil's big strong right hand and then placed his right hand into Larry's left hand. He felt safe and ready as he walked into the courtroom, holding the hands of his dads. Aiden was starting to cherish his independence, but this was a moment when he wanted to show everybody that he was proud of having two dads who loved him. Judge Moyer welcomed the family into the courtroom. Mary Polk rose and told the judge that the family had close friends and family members to witness the proceeding. Judge Moyer nodded and instructed the bailiff to call them into the courtroom. The close friends were Gordon and his mother—but Aiden did not know who the family members were. He turned to see Flo Lansing and Gordon come in, and then his eyes lit up when he saw his Uncle Troy and his cousin Chase. He had no clue they would be there. "Uncle Troy and Chase are here," Aiden whispered excitedly. Phil patted the boy's head and nodded. Judge Moyer read his decision. Aiden thought he was using a lot of words when a simple "Yes" was all that was needed. When he was finished, Judge Moyer called Aiden, Phil, and Larry to the bench. About the only thing Aiden had understood in Judge Moyer's speech was that the adoption was approved. That was good enough for him. Judge Moyer came around the bench, which, unlike most courtrooms, was at floor level, and shook Aiden's hand. "Congratulations on your new family, young man," the judge said. "You couldn't ask for a better pair of fathers. And, you won't even have to change your name. You will still be Aiden Miller, a name I know you're proud of." "Thank you, Judge Moyer. I'm really happy." Aiden smiled when he heard the cheers and applause behind him. The judge smiled and nodded, indicating he was finished. The family turned and returned to the table to get Aiden's book and their jackets. Mary Polk shook their hands and then Aiden dashed to the back of the courtroom, getting hugs from his uncle and Gordy's mother. Those hugs were followed by fist bumps and friendly slugs on the arm by Gordy and Chase. His best friend and his cousin were obviously happy for Aiden. "I didn't know you were coming," Aiden said to Chase. "I didn't know until Friday," Chase told his cousin. "My dad didn't need to be in court and he got to take the day off today. So I got to skip school today to watch you become my cousin all over again." Aiden thought they would be going to the Centerville Café, but they headed to Parker's Steakhouse instead. "A special event needs a special lunch," Larry told Aiden. Aiden didn't care one way or the other, he liked them both, although he had never had lunch at Parker's. He wondered if Peter worked during lunch. It turned out that Peter was their waiter, which pleased Aiden. He showed the group to their reserved table. He mussed Aiden's hair, which ended any pretense of it being combed. "I hear you've got a new family," Peter said. "Nope. It's my same family, only with the i's dotted and the t's crossed," Aiden told him. Peter smiled and nodded as if he understood. "I don't usually work lunch," Peter told him, "but I couldn't miss a special occasion like this." Aiden ordered a burger and fries. While he didn't say anything, in his opinion the burgers were better at the Centerfield Café than at Parker's steakhouse. Fancy isn't always best, he thought. He chatted with Gordy and Chase while they ate. Their subject was everything from what they'd be doing when summer came, to baseball, to school, to soccer, with a good bit of silly preteen nonsense thrown in. Chase didn't seem at all bored or uncomfortable around the younger boys. In all of the noise around him, Aiden caught part of the conversation between his dads and his uncle Troy. He turned his attention to what they were saying. But, in the midst of Gordy and Chase's chatter, he could only pick up parts of the conversation. He heard his biological father's name being mentioned. He had also heard it when Judge Moyer had read his decision. He decided to ask what it was that the Judge had been talking about. "Aiden, I got a good joke for you," Chase said, breaking Aiden's concentration. Aiden held up his right hand to stop Chase and tapped Larry's shoulder with his left to get his attention. Chase could tell that Aiden was serious about something, so he held back. Larry turned his head in reaction to Aiden's tapping and gave him a look that said, "Don't bother me, I'm having a serious conversation." It was close to the same look that Aiden had given Chase. Unlike his cousin, Aiden ignored the look. "Daddy, I gotta ask you something. Please," Aiden pleaded. "Okay, but make it quick," Larry replied impatiently. "I can't. It's about what you guys are talking about and what Judge Moyer was talking about. It's about my...um...well, my father, I guess I'd call him," Aiden said with a hint of sadness. Aiden quickly got Larry's full attention. Larry put his arm around Aiden's shoulder. "Sorry, son, this is your day and here I was being selfish and cranky." "It's all good." "No, it's not, and I am sincerely sorry. That said, what do you want to know?" "What was Judge Moyer and you guys saying to each other. You know, about, um...my father." "First, think of him as your biological father." Sperm donor is probably more accurate, Larry thought, but he wasn't going there. "Okay." "The Judge ruled that your biological father, Keegan Miller, forfeits all of his rights as a parent. We were your legal guardians, but he ruled us your legal parents and you became our legal son." "Dotting the i's and crossing the t's." "Exactly. The next thing is something we were going to discuss with you after we got home—and we will discuss it sometime in the near future. Your biological father can apply to the court for visitation rights if he can satisfy the judge that he has his life in reasonable order." That thought made Aiden cringe. Larry knew exactly what his son's reaction meant. "The big key to that part of the ruling is that you have to approve any visit. In other words, if you don't want to see him, that's final. The judge can't overrule your decision." Aiden took a bite out of his burger and chewed while he thought about what his daddy had just told him. "What if you want me to go see him, but I don't want to?" he finally asked. "It doesn't matter. You have the final say. We can discuss it with you, but if you don't want to see your father, Keegan, nobody can force you to do it, not even your dad and me. It is your decision, entirely." After chewing another piece of his hamburger, Aiden placed his hand on top of Larry's arm. "Thank you for telling me. I hope I never see my biological father, because I don't like him." The gathering went back to eating and talking, and all three boys went back to being somewhat silly, albeit polite boys until they finished their lunches and their desserts. Aiden ordered a hot fudge sundae, and felt it was the perfect finish to his adoption lunch. As the group started out of the restaurant, Peter stopped Aiden and gave him a big hug. Aiden felt something being pushed into his hand, and he grabbed it. "Something special for you for being an awesome new son," the waiter whispered. "Happy adoption, and you be really good, you hear?" Aiden nodded. After they left the restaurant, Aiden took a look at what Peter had placed in his hand. He suspected it was money and he wasn't disappointed—he found a twenty-dollar bill, which he showed to Phil, who was the closer of his two dads. "Peter gave me this for my adoption," Aiden said. Phil's first reaction was to have Aiden return it, but he quickly understood that Peter would be hurt and insulted by having his generous gift returned. Instead he said, "Well, son, it looks like you will be writing a thank you note to the best waiter in Lewis County." "He's not only the best waiter in Lewis County," Aiden crowed, "he's the best waiter in the whole, entire state." When they arrived to where his Uncle Troy's car was parked, Aiden was surprised when Chase gave him a hug. "I know you were my cousin and everything because of Uncle Keegan, but now you're my cousin doubled. You're awesome cuz," Chase gushed. "Thanks, cuz," Aiden replied. Chase pushed up against Aiden just enough that Aiden could tell his older cousin was sporting a boner. The cousins grinned at each other and Chase opened the back door of the car. Chase knew what he was going to do when he and his dad hit the Interstate. He'd gotten away with jerking off in the backseat before, and he was certain he would be able to do it again. Only this time he planned to keep his dick in his pants and shove his hand deep into his pocket. It was a technique he'd learned from Hatcher for doing clandestine jerk offs. Gordy rode to Mayfield with Aiden in the backseat of Larry's Honda. They laughed and giggled with each other and talked to Larry and Phil during some serious moments. Aiden was flying high with his new status and both boys were happy they got to miss school for a day. Aiden was surprised when Larry turned onto the road that went to his house. "Hey, daddy, Gordy's in the car. You forgot to take him home." "I didn't forget," Larry said. Aiden looked at Gordy. "Do you know where's he's going?" Right away he realized he'd asked a stupid question. "He's going to your house, doofus," Gordy giggled. "Something weird is going on," Aiden observed. "Dad or daddy, why are we taking Gordy home with us?" "Because he's a lost puppy dog," Phil replied, which set Gordy off into a fit of laughter. "What's going on, Gordy?" "It's a secret," Gordy said between giggles. Aiden knew nobody was going to tell him anything, so he stared out of the window on his side as the car crossed the Mayfield dam. When they passed the entrance to Mayfield Lake State Park he wasn't looking in the direction of the park entrance and failed to see the familiar pickup truck parked just off the road. As Larry turned into the driveway, Aiden noticed that Phil's pickup was gone. Since they had purchased the Odyssey, Phil had been parking the pickup in a carport next to the garage. "Dad, where's your truck?" His question was answered almost instantly when it pulled into the driveway beside them. Two young men got out of the truck. Aiden recognized them as Scott and Connor, who had played for his dads when they were in high school. They were now coaching the Mayfield 11-and-under travel team. They were Gordy's coaches; Gordy decided to stay in the background to see how things played out. "Hey, coaches," Scott called out as everyone piled out of the car. He looked down at Aiden and stuck out his fist. "Congrats on your new dads, kid." Aiden grinned and bumped Scott's fist. While he had met Scott and Connor, he didn't know them very well. "Thanks...um...Coach," Aiden said, knowing he shouldn't be calling adults by their first name, especially if they were coaches. The fact that Connor and Scott were the same age as Marty and Rich didn't matter to him—he would call them by their first name with their permission only. "You can call me Scott, at least until you play for me. I've heard you're a pretty good ballplayer, so that could be next year." Connor and Larry had met at the back of the truck and opened the tailgate. The truck had a canopy and Aiden couldn't see inside. He watched as they unloaded a brand new bicycle. "Who's that for?" Aiden asked, once again knowing he'd asked a stupid question. "Three guesses," Gordy told him, "and I don't count." "Is that my bike?" "Aiden for the smartest kid in our class, you can sure be dumb sometimes." Aiden walked over to the bike and started stroking the shiny red paint. His hand moved to the seat, and he lovingly rubbed it. "Wow," he uttered quietly. Nobody moved or said a word. They stood in a tableau and absorbed the quiet awe emanating from the little blond boy. "This is so much the best day ever in my life." He gave Phil a tight hug. "Thank you, dad." He then hugged Larry. "Thank you, daddy." Tears of happiness were streaming down the young boy's face. Larry and Phil had picked out that particular bike because Aiden had admired it during one of their visits to Centralia when he was daydreaming about having a bicycle and dropping very obvious hints on the subject. Two more bikes were unloaded. Aiden recognized one of them as Gordy's, which he had ridden a few times. The other one was Scott's. "Let's take that beauty out for a quick spin so we can fine-tune our adjustments. The bike salesman did everything by guesswork." "I don't have a helmet," Aiden protested. "I know my dads will make me wear a helmet." "We brought Gordon's spare," Connor said. "He said you've worn it before." Aiden looked at Gordy. "You knew about this all the time," he accused his best friend. Gordy's smile said it all. Aiden walked over to Gordy and have him a big hug, not caring what anybody thought. Some things were simply more important than fist bumps. "We'll take you into Centralia soon so you can pick out your own helmet," Larry told him. "Well, let's test your bike out on the new path," Scott said. "I think a ride to the state park is in order." Within minutes, Aiden was on his new piece of transportation. Scott led the way across the road, with Aiden and Gordy following. They rode to the park and traveled over every park road and bike trail at least twice. Aiden led the trio back to the house. Aiden said that the bicycle fit him almost perfectly—they just needed to raise the seat a little, which Connor took care of. Phil had set chocolate chip cookies and fruit juice out on the dining room table. The snacks were gobbled up quickly. "Is the bike kind of like an adoption present?" Aiden asked his dads. "That's exactly what it is," Larry told him. "It's a reminder of what a special day this is." "I can't wait to ride with my friends. Can I ride it to school? Or to practice?" The questions went tumbling out of the nine-year-old. "We'll answer the questions later. As you no doubt know, there will be..." "...rules," Aiden finished. "There's always rules, but that's okay, because I have my own bicycle." After they finished their snacks, Connor backed his car out of the side of the garage the Honda was usually parked in. Scott clambered in and they took off down the road, waving goodbye as they went. Phil took Gordy home in the Accord. Of course, Aiden went along for the ride. He was learning how important the love of a very best friend was, and was happy that Gordy had been a part of his very special day. That night there was no question where Aiden was going to sleep. The i's were dotted and the t's were crossed, but one more thing had to be done to make everything official. He needed to sleep with his dads the first night so that their bed would be flooded with fatherly love and with his love for his official dads. He and Horace slept in between the two dads, soaking in the love overflowing around them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The man sat at the bar enjoying a schooner of beer. The Giants game was playing on the televisions situated around the tavern, but he wasn't paying much attention to it. The game didn't interest him, but the lady sitting three stools away from him did. He'd caught her attention and she flashed him a smile, which he returned. He'd learned some things during his time in the Bay Area. The cost of living in San Francisco was far beyond his means. He worked at hanging sheetrock, something he was good at and it paid well when there was work. But, the work wasn't real steady, and he would sometimes lose his job when booze or drugs had him missing work too much. While he lived in a fleabag apartment in Oakland with two other guys, he preferred taking his social life to Frisco. In his mind, the women were better looking on the west side of the Bay. A customer got up from one of the barstools next to the lone woman and the woman beckoned Keegan over. He grabbed his beer and took the seat. He ordered a pitcher from the bartender and introduced himself. "My name's Keegan," he said. "Keegan Miller." She told him her name was Carla, but didn't give a last name. The pitcher arrived and the bartender refilled their schooners. They had barely gotten started talking when a table opened up, which they quickly laid claim to. They chatted for a while. Carla said she was a nurse's assistant in a nursing home. Keegan said he was a drifter, doing construction work to pay the bills. "So you have no family?" Carla asked him. "My mom lives in Arizona, I think. I dunno, I lost track. And my old man is a drunk and left us when I was a kid. I got no clue where he is—probably dead is my guess." Keegan knew exactly where his father as well as his mother were, but he wanted to make his life seem shittier than it actually was. "So, no woman in your life I take it?" "I got married once. We had a daughter, Kendra." "Ah, a married man with a kid. I like it. Most of the good looking men in this town seem to be gay. How old is she?" "She's like in high school now, I think. Maybe even graduated." Carla gave Keegan a surprised look. "You think? You mean you don't know?" "I haven't seen her in years. Her mom's a Grade A bitch—she got a fuckin' restraining order against me." "It's a shame a girl can't see her father," Carla said as she topped off her schooner. "No shit. I found out I got a son from some gal I lived with for a few months. Didn't even know it until about a year ago. The kid's like seven or eight. Little blondie with freckles. A cutie, like his dad," Keegan grinned. "Do you see him much?" "Nah, he lives in Seattle with his mom. She seems to have boyfriends at every street corner. Things were getting a bit tight there, so I thought I'd check out a different part of the country." "What's his name?" "Hell if I know. I mean I knew it, but I don't remember it. I told his mom he wasn't mine, but she had me tested when I was kinda wasted. Turns out he's mine. Don't know why she wanted a test—it's not like I have any money for paying child support, even if I wanted to, which I don't." Carla pulled her phone out of a pocket and checked the time. "Shit, I better get going, I gotta be up way early in the morning," she lied. "Maybe we can hook up sometime." "I don't think so. I mean, you have a son and just go off and leave him? And you don't even know his name? Give me a break. That's not the kind of guy I'm looking for, even for a one-night stand. I got some scruples." She stood up, turned her back to Keegan, and left the bar. "Bitch," Keegan muttered. Then he thought of his son, whatever his name was. The bitch was right about one thing. Maybe he should go back to Seattle and find the little bastard. He knew the boy's mother had money coming in from work and probably some from welfare. They might be worth something to me, he thought. If nothing else, I'd have a place to sleep along with some pussy. It would be better than living with two loser addicts. Keegan finished his beer and headed out to the street. He lit a cigarette and walked to the BART station. I'll work a couple of weeks to get enough money for a ticket to Seattle, he thought. The women in this city are all cunts anyway. It's time for me to head home and get to know my son. He flipped his cigarette into the street and climbed on the train. For the life of him he still couldn't remember his son's name. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The day after Aiden's adoption was made official, the Knights played the Kentburg Cougars. The Knights had won their first matchup 13-12. That had been the game where Aiden swung his bat for the game-winning hit. They had an easier time of it for the Tuesday game, beating the Cougars 11-4. Larry and Phil were impressed by the amount of improvement shown by the Knights since the season started. Even though Coach Hallion was new to coaching, he worked hard with the kids. He also asked Larry and Phil a lot of questions about coaching and fundamentals. Larry recommended a couple of good books on coaching baseball to young kids, which Coach Hallion had obviously studied. Aiden didn't pitch in that game, but he did have two hits, including an RBI double. That night Marty called. Aiden knew Marty had had a night game on Monday, and he was going to call him Tuesday evening, but his big bro beat him to the punch. "Congrats on your new official dads," Marty said. "Having two of them has to be great." In a sense, Marty had two dads, his biological father and George Bednarzyk, the man who raised him through his high school years. Marty and his father had resolved the differences created by their alcoholism and had since developed a solid father-son relationship. "They're the best," Aiden said. "Congrats on winning your game and getting three hits. I had two hits today, but you played more innings." Aiden had checked the WSU baseball website that morning and placed Marty's statistics into his spreadsheet. "True, but that doesn't keep me from having to pay off a pizza bet with you." "I can't wait. I want to see you bad." "Even more than you want pizza?" Marty chuckled. "I can get pizza anytime. But I hardly ever get to see you." "Aiden, you are the sweetest little bro a guy could ask for." Marty could almost see Aiden glow through the phone. "You got the playoffs coming soon," Aiden said. "Yep—we're going to the Pac-12 playoffs, then to the NCAA Regionals and then, I hope, to the Super Regionals..." "...and then to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska!" Aiden shouted out gleefully. "Well, it all starts next week." "Go Cougars!" The talk shifted to how school was going, how the Knights were faring in the Park League, and what kind of trouble Aiden and his friends were getting into. "We don't get into trouble," Aiden said. "We're good kids." "I know you are, but it's the duty of a big bro to yank his little bro's chain on occasion." "Well, Muddy could quit taking his pecker out of his pants. He's always got to show us when he's horny and has a boner." Marty couldn't be real critical of Muddy. The behavior was familiar, although he waited until he was in middle school before masturbating in school, on the team buses, in the shower room, and anywhere else he could get away with it. That night, Aiden jerked off thinking of Marty being naked and rubbing his gigantic erection all over him (at least Aiden assumed Marty's cock was gigantic—after all, what else could it be?). His dry cum was very satisfactory. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Knights had a Thursday game, which was rained out. Coach Hallion told the team he would let them know the make-up date as soon as he learned what it was. On Saturday, the Knights were able to get a practice in. Attendance was optional, but every player except Luke and Jared, who had family obligations, was there. After practice the team went to Collin's house for his birthday party. He had turned eleven on Wednesday, but Saturday was party day. Gordy and Rusty had also been invited to the party. They practiced the same time as the Knights on one of the adjoining fields in the Mayfield baseball complex. An eleven-and-under game was being played on the third field. The afternoon would see games on all of the fields. Aiden enjoyed himself at Collin's party. The weather was still a bit damp, but the boys were able to kick a soccer ball around the backyard for a while. The hotdogs and chips, along with birthday cake and ice cream, were the highlight of the party, of course. On Sunday, Aiden watched the Yard Goats, Phil's sixteen-and-under travel team, win its first game of the season by a 5-2 score. They were part of the Mayfield Baseball Club, which traced its beginnings to the Go to State Club that had been started ten years ago by Mayfield Middle School players. The league rule for batboys on the field was that they had to be ten or older, so Aiden sat next to Sammy and Jeffrey's mother, who was keeping the official scorebook. Aiden started asking questions on how to keep score. Phil usually used two boys off of one of the middle school teams to be his batboys, so Sammy didn't have a regular batboy position like he did with the Mustangs. By the end of the game, Aiden was keeping the scorebook with Mrs. Bednarzyk keeping a watchful eye on his work. Aiden also learned that the Knight's rainout would be played a week from Tuesday, which was the day after Memorial Day. The Knights also had games scheduled on Monday and Thursday of the coming week. Coach Hallion informed Aiden that he would be the starting pitcher for the Thursday game. Monday's game was on the middle school softball field against the Meadow Park Royals, the team Nolan Moyer played for. The Knights had won the first meeting 10-9. Judge Moyer and his wife, Marcie, sat with Larry in the bleachers behind home plate. "Aiden looks like he's having fun," Judge Moyer observed. "He's been in a good mood since you made his adoption official. Even though everybody assured him the adoption was as good as done, he had a small measure of doubt. He wanted the i's dotted and..." "...the t's crossed," Judge Moyer finished. "Yep. Plus, he loves playing baseball, and that adds a gigantic measure of fun for him." "He and Nolan certainly have that love in common," Marcie observed. "Get a hit, Nolan," Judge Moyer shouted as his son strode to the plate. Aiden, who was playing third, looked over to the source of that shout with a look on his face that said, "He's not getting one through this part of the infield." Larry knew that look—it was the focus and intensity Marty kept pounding into Aiden. As it turned out, Aiden's challenge played out as if he'd scripted it. Nolan swung wildly at the first pitch to him, causing his father to moan quietly. "Keep your eyes on the ball and don't swing at pitches out of the zone," he muttered. "Paul has come a long way since the season started," Marcie said, referring to her husband. "I tend to get a little bit excited," Paul Moyer confessed. "But my good wife quiets me down in a hurry." "He still says the same thing," his wife laughed, "but now he's much more subdued about it." The next pitch was high and Nolan took it for a ball. He swung at the following pitch and hit a hard grounder to Aiden at third. Aiden dropped the anchor, his glove to the ground. He came up with the ball, his right arm taking the ball out of his glove almost instantly, and he fired a bullet to first to nip Nolan, who was a speedy runner. "Damn, that was a big league play," Paul said. "A great play for a nine-year- old and anybody on up in age." "Great play, Aiden," Larry yelled. Like Paul Moyer, he and Phil knew that Aiden had made a first class fielding play followed by a great throw. Their son might be one of the smaller boys in the field, but he had a great combination of sound fielding fundamentals and a rifle for an arm. After the game, Aiden was pleased when Judge Moyer and Nolan came over and stopped to talk to him and Larry—Phil was away coaching a game. "You can talk to us now because you're not our judge any more, right?" Aiden asked the judge. "Exactly," Judge Moyer answered with a smile. But, the smile that caught Aiden's attention was the one being flashed by Nolan. For some reason, Aiden couldn't take his eyes off of it—he found himself smiling in return. "Your dad let me get adopted by my dads," Aiden informed Nolan. "He's a good judge." "I know. He's a good dad, too, most of the time," Nolan flashed a glance over at his father. "I think that's called damning with faint praise," Judge Moyer told Larry. "I get the same treatment," Larry laughed. "Do you know what they're talking about?" Nolan asked Aiden. "Nope—they're talking like adults and don't make much sense. I'm in fourth grade," Aiden told Nolan with one of his instant changes of subject. "Me, too, but I'm ten already." "I won't be ten until September." Nolan gave Aiden a friendly punch on his shoulder. "That was a great play you made on me. I thought I had a hit for sure." "Coach Hallion and my dads have been teaching me good, fundies," Aiden said, referring to his fielding fundamentals. "It's weird that you have two dads. But, I think it's a good weird. My dad said you got lucky to have them as your dads." "That's what I think. They're the best ever." "You guys have a good team," Nolan said. "So do you. Both of our games were close." "My mom and dad and my brother and I are going to see the Mariners next weekend. We're spending the whole weekend in Seattle." "My daddy says we'll be seeing the Mariners after school is out." "It would be cool if we could see them together." Nolan surprised Aiden. They hardly knew each other, but already Nolan wanted to do something with him. Aiden wanted to figure out a way for them to become better friends. He knew that wouldn't be easy, since they lived in different towns. But he found himself liking Nolan a lot and wanted to know him better. The two fourth graders bumped fists and followed their dads into their respective cars. After school on Thursday, Aiden worked on his focus and finding his zone, so he would be ready to pitch his best. It was impossible to do that during school. Larry picked him up at Lakeview as soon as the school day was over. When they got home, Aiden went into the multi-purpose room, which had now become a focusing room for him. He sat on his recliner (at least at that moment in time) and looked out of the window at the lake. It was time for him to focus and get into a zone. Larry observed his son from a distance. He knew that at nine years old, he could never just sit and think—hell, the boy was probably practicing a form of meditation. When he played ball as a preteen, Larry simply went out and played. Aiden, on the other hand, was taking things to a higher level. Larry knew that Marty had a lot to do with Aiden's ability to rein in his thinking, but he also had noticed when Aiden first moved in with them that the boy was capable of quiet concentration. Aiden finally got up and went to his bedroom, where he changed into his uniform. He gathered up his bat bag and his gym bag and headed downstairs for the ride to the baseball complex. They stopped to pick up Mason, first. Mason bumped Aiden's fist, but said nothing—even the immature boy knew enough not to bother Aiden when he started going into his zone. Phil arrived at the complex just after Larry. They grabbed a pair of folding captain's chairs out of the trunk and set them up outside of the first base out-of-play line. "Did you see who was sitting up in the bleachers?" Larry asked Phil. "If you mean did I see Coach Estes, the answer is yes." Coach Estes had been the Knights' coach to start the season. "So was Ross Astor." Ross Astor was Peter Astor's father. Peter had been suspended from Mayfield Middle School for three days and suspended for four days from the middle school basketball team because of his bullying of Aiden and others. Peter's father wouldn't let him participate in middle school sports, and took him to Kentburg to play in their recreation program. Their house in Mayfield was currently up for sale. "I'm certain we don't rank real high on their Christmas card lists," Phil chuckled. "Well, at least they weren't sitting together," Larry observed. "That could be nothing but trouble." "I wonder what they're doing here?" Larry shrugged his shoulders and looked over to the bleachers. "Hmm, I hate to say this, but those two seemed to have just found each other." "Trouble," Phil stated. "I think we should fold up our comfortable chairs and take a seat in the bleachers." "I agree. This is like riding herd on the student body at a football game." "Their presence probably means nothing, but it helps to be on the prepared side." They carried their chairs back to Larry's car, and then found a seat in the bleachers, pointedly ignoring the two men in the top row sitting directly behind home plate, ready to watch the Mayfield Knights play the Clark Pass Mountaineers. Next: June.