The Hitting Zone
chapter-531

After Zeke's departure for his run, Mr. Atkins dragged the twins to the office to start paying for their summer activities. Mrs. Atkins started to clear off the table as Noah and I went back upstairs to change out of our pajamas.

"Are you sure you don't want to do any camps?" I asked Noah. "You don't have to miss out because of me."

Noah sighed as we reached our room. "It's fine. It's not because of you. I don't usually do camps. I've always done summer ball. Last year, I only did the high school summer camp." He put his head in the closet to look for clothes.

"But you can do something new...?" I suggested.

He pulled out sweatpants and a clean shirt. "I am! Zeke said we can go to the Stanford camp with him. That's new! Kind of cool too." He headed for the door. "I'll go get dressed in the bathroom. You can change here." He left.

Noah seemed fine with the lack of summer plans now, but I knew he really wanted to play travel ball. I don't know how his friendships with the other freshmen fell apart, but it sure wasn't pretty. Even now, they were still holding a grudge.

I changed into sweats and a t-shirt and started to get socks and shoes on when Noah came back to the room.

"Ya know...we could do a summer class like Mom said." Noah spoke up while getting his socks and shoes on. "I wouldn't mind getting ahead in Spanish. Or science."

That didn't sound like Noah. I made eye contact with him.

"I don't want you to feel bored around the house." Noah told me when he caught my look. "I can take a summer class with you if you really want to."

I shook my head. "It's not like I want to. I don't have any interest in doing so." Besides...the only subject I like is math and the twins didn't want me to get ahead of them. "I wouldn't mind going to The Cages everyday. And you can help me with my fielding and running." I agreed with him when he told his parents that's what we would do.

"Hmmm." He thought about it, but there really wasn't much we could come up with. Since I've lived with them in February, their whole family revolved around baseball.

If Noah didn't have a falling out with his friends, we would probably be on the travel team for the summer and would have a packed schedule. I wish there was a way that I could help him.

While waiting for Zeke's return, we watched some Sunday baseball on tv in the living room. Mrs. Atkins had already left to go show her clients some houses. Meanwhile, Mr. Atkins was stuck with the twins in the office, going over their summer plans and paying for what they could for now. They were still at it when Zeke got home from his jog.

Zeke stopped by the living room to check on us. "You two ready?"

Noah nodded without taking his eyes off the tv. "Yea."

"Go get your bags in the car, I'll be down in a minute." Zeke left to go up the stairs.

Noah turned the tv off with a sigh. "Just as the game was getting good." He put the remote up and went to the garage.

I followed silently. We put our bags in the car and got in. Him in the front and me in the back.

"This feels a little depressing." Noah muttered. "No games for the foreseeable future. That's so long. I don't know how the twins can do it. What's so great about camps anyways?"

I shrugged. "Why don't you ask Zeke? Did he do some?"

Noah nodded.

Zeke returned with his keys, got in, and started the car.

"Zeke, what do the twins see in baseball camps?" Noah asked. "I feel like playing in games is better. Real experience."

Zeke glanced at him before focusing on driving. "Experience is important, but so is training. You have to work on your skills. For pitching, there's a lot that goes into it besides speed and accuracy." He paused. "For us, it's slightly different. Depending on the camp you go to. You know how Coach did the camp last year: drills and then scrimmages. He's focused on putting together a team. While these other camps are just focused on evaluating you and helping you improve. You'll feel the difference when you do the Stanford camp. It won't be like a tryout."

Noah turned back to look at me. "Are you sure you don't want to go find one to do? I'm sure we'll still be roommates."

"I feel safer being home." I told him. Honestly, the main reason I was comfortable going to the Stanford camp was because I've been there before. The coach was nice. The players too. And Zeke would be there. That was a trifecta.

"Alright." Noah shrugged. He looked up at Zeke. "Hey, can we have ice cream before we bat? It's gotten so warm."

Zeke lifted an eyebrow. "Do you have the money?"

Noah made a sad face. "You wouldn't buy your baby brothers some ice cream on this warm, beautiful Sunday?"

"So not only do I buy the tokens, but I have to buy the sweets too?"

"Yes!"

"No."

"But, Zeke..."

"It's one or the other." He glanced at Noah. "And, you eat enough junk food as it is."

"But I always work it off!" Noah protested.

"I'm not buying you guys ice cream." Zeke refused.

We arrived at our destination, grabbing our bags as we got out of the car. Noah stared at the cafe as we walked by on our way to the back, where The Cages were.

Zeke paid for the tokens and carried them to the cages outside, sticking with us. We three took turns in each cage going at a leisurely pace.

"How's the new bat?" Zeke asked me when it was Noah's turn to bat. We had gone through every cage by now, and I was hesitant to do another round.

I held the wooden bat in both hands. I slightly lifted it. Jeremy's bat was well loved, but was marked up from being used. "I like it." I paused for a second before adding, "I'm kind of scared that I'll break it." My track record wasn't good. I've broken two bats in a span of just a few months.

"We can take a look at the others inside." Zeke told me. "Check out how much a used one is versus a new one."

I frowned at the thought of spending money on something I already have.

"It doesn't hurt to look." Noah said, rejoining us. He must have overheard. "Besides, we're technically saving Mom and Dad some money by not going anywhere this summer. They might be willing to pitch in for some new gear." He held out his hands to show off his batting gloves. "I could use a new pair too. We should definitely look around." He glanced up at Zeke. "With ice cream, right?"

Zeke sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's not even that hot." It was actually a very cool and pleasant day in May.

"Ice cream can be enjoyed in any weather." Noah said.

"We can't look at the gear while eating ice cream." Zeke refused.

"Ice cream after then!" Noah said, taking off his gloves. "You said so! No take backs!" He packed his bag the fastest before heading inside without us.

Zeke just shook his head. "Noah..." He looked down at me. "At least with you around, he's been more responsible. C'mon, let's go look at the bats." We packed our bags up, putting away the bats and helmets in them, before heading inside too.