The Hitting Zone
chapter-321

I was eager to share the answers Zeke gave me with Noah, but it had to wait until after practice. Drew spent the whole two hours with me, helping me stretch and do some light drills before giving me a massage. At the end of practice, he suggested that I take another ice bath, drink lots of water, and keep stretching so I don't stay stiff.

"Just keep moving." Drew patted my shoulder as the Atkins came over to collect me after practice. "Stay hydrated. This will be good for you in the long run. You're starting to build muscle, but you should put on a little at a time. Next time you guys go to weight lift, I'll have your coach tell me so I can help you out."

"Thanks Drew." I smiled a little. Drew may be like a drill sergeant sometimes, but he really considers what's best for my body so it's hard to truly hate him.

Drew waved us off and we left for the car. In the car, I didn't find it appropriate to tell Noah because the twins and Zeke were there, and although they already knew, it just didn't seem right. Besides, I didn't know if Zeke told the twins that he was going to tell me what they were hiding. I wonder if other families are this complicated when it comes to secrets. With just me and my mom, it wasn't hard to keep a secret. I kept mine, and she kept hers.

At home, we went our separate ways to shower and get the grime off. After lunch I got my chance to talk with Noah alone in our room.

"So Zeke told you that Mom was looking for your father?" Noah look dismayed just like I'm sure I did.

"Yea, but he said she didn't really want to." I defended his mom so he wouldn't get unnecessarily mad at her.

"If she didn't want to, then she shouldn't have done it to begin with." Noah frowned. "What if she had really found him? Would you have to go back?"

I shook my head. "Zeke said she didn't find him. And he said it's not like they'll put me with him right away." I tilted my head. "Zeke said something like maybe it wasn't her idea to look. I see Dr. Moore tomorrow and want to ask him if it was him. Or Mr. Duncan."

Noah's frown deepened. "They can't just do that without telling you, can they?"

I shrugged. "It's their job? I told your dad that you can come tomorrow."

Noah's complexion turned for the better. "Great!" He paced around the room. "I've got quite a few questions for this so called therapist. What does he think he's doing, trying to pull you away from us?"

I felt like laughing to myself, as I watched Noah talk smack about Dr. Moore. Even though the threat of the adults finding my father was looming over me, I felt like everything would be okay with Noah around to help me.

***

Wednesday, I participated in practice with the team instead of being alone with Drew. That didn't stop him from helping me stretch and giving me a massage afterwards, and then lecturing me on staying hydrated again. Thursday we would play another league game in the evening at Quincy High School, which allowed Mr. Atkins to make an appointment with Dr. Moore after lunch.

Walking into the office, I felt better than any other time before. After Zeke came clean with the hunt for my dad, I didn't have to fear the unknown of what may upset me. Yea, I wasn't too keen with their search, but thinking about it...it's not like my father wanted me to begin with. He left without looking back. No visits. No calls. No cards.

"Jake. Noah. Good to see you boys." Dr. Moore greeted us from behind his desk. "Take a seat anywhere you like." He looked to Mr. Atkins, who had entered last. "Good to see you as well, Wayne. How goes things?"

"Not so great doc." Noah answered for his dad, throwing everyone for loop, including me. I didn't think he would go on the offensive right off the bat. "I have a bone to pick with you." He walked up to the desk, ignoring Dr. Moore's suggestion of picking a seat.

"Noah James." Mr. Atkins scolded. He closed the door behind him and walked up to his son.

"Don't start with me Dad." Noah glanced back at him. "You're at the top of the list. What do you think you're doing by hiding things from Jake and me? Are we not a family? Or is it because we're the youngest, that we get left out?"

Mr. Atkins was taken aback. "What? What are you talking about?"

Dr. Moore pushed his glasses further upon his nose. "Seems like we already have a topic picked out today. Jake, I assume you know what Noah's talking about already?"

I nodded.

"Okay then, why don't we all take our seats and we can begin. Noah, you look like you have a lot on your mind so we'll let you take the lead today."

Mr. Atkins sat on the single chair, while I sat on the couch. Noah was the only one that remained standing, and he didn't look like he would sit any time soon. Instead, he continued his attack, eyes on his father. "You told Zeke and the twins, but didn't dare to tell us even though it concerns Jake?"

"I'm not liking your tone, Noah. Sit down and we'll have a proper conversation. You making accusations without explaining isn't helping." Mr. Atkins warned him.

"Oh? Now you want to have a proper conversation? What about when you guys decided to go look for Jake's dad? You didn't have a proper conversation with us then." Noah wasn't calming down, but instead, he was getting louder and more aggressive. Even I was surprised how much anger he had, especially since I wasn't this upset.

I worriedly look at Dr. Moore for help. I didn't want Noah to fight with his dad because of me.

Dr. Moore caught my look of distress and intervened. "Noah, the way you're responding to us now shows that you wouldn't have been able to handle the decision. We know how close you and Jake are, and how you both don't want to be separated by Jake's dad. Can you try putting yourself into your parents shoes? Would you want to upset your kids for, what turned out to be, no reason? We didn't find his dad. Jake isn't going anywhere."

Noah swing his head back to Dr. Moore. "How would you know how I would react? It's too late to find out. You already made a decision without asking Jake, looked for his father, then my brothers found out before us. In my eyes, this feels like a conspiracy to get rid of Jake as quickly and quietly as possible. Why don't you put yourself in my shoes?"

My eyes widened. I didn't think about that at all. Wouldn't it be chaotic if they did find him and he did want me back? I'd be caught by surprise and there wouldn't be too much time to react. Zeke tried comforting me by saying that he wouldn't get custody of me immediately, but wouldn't it be inevitable if he wanted me again. Would I have to move? Would Noah and I still get a chance to hang out and be friends and teammates?

Dr. Moore nodded, as if understanding where Noah was coming from. "Good point. We didn't consider your feelings in that way. I'm sorry. But attacking your father with the baseless allegations isn't right either. It was my idea to ask your mom to take a look. She was going down south with Zeke already, so I figured it'd be a good idea if she had a look around to see where and how Jake grew up."

"It wasn't completely baseless." Noah mumbled, cooling off after finding out that Dr. Moore was the mastermind. "I'm still upset that the twins knew before us. It'd be okay if it was just Zeke since he was there. But why did the twins know?"

Dr. Moore gestured to the couch. "Why don't you sit down now with Jake and we can ask your father. Being angry won't always find you answers, and being hostile doesn't create a good environment to ask questions."

Noah took a deep breath before sitting next to me on the couch. "Okay, Dad, the floor is yours. I want to know why the twins knew before us and why you even bribed them with the strike zone equipment."