{"id":1495,"date":"2015-07-21T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-21T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1495"},"modified":"2015-07-19T17:36:14","modified_gmt":"2015-07-19T21:36:14","slug":"advent-day-2-the-bachelor-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1495","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 2 – The Bachelor Party"},"content":{"rendered":"

So we\u2019re really going to Portland?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we\u2019re really going to Portland!\u201d Drew laughed as Schrodinger bounced excitedly around his feet. \u201cIn a limo, no less!\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never ridden in a limo!<\/em> The CrossCat jumped up on to one of the chairs on the porch, his tail swishing. Have you?<\/em><\/p>\n

The innocent question caught Drew by surprise, and he blinked. \u201cYes, a few times,\u201d he said after a moment, and Schrodinger turned to look at him. \u201cWe took one to my prom, for one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The last time he\u2019d sat in a limo, though, he had been dressed in a somber dark suit, bracketed by his aunt and uncle, saying goodbye to the rest of his family. Once again, he smelled Phoebe\u2019s perfume, felt her hand on his knee as she leaned towards him from the other seat, her soft voice promising him that she\u2019d always be there for him, that he was safe with her\u2026<\/p>\n

Drew?<\/em> Schrodinger\u2019s soft paw tapped on his leg, and he looked down at the CrossCat. Are you okay?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, just some old memories.\u201d Drew swallowed once, then smiled. \u201cNot all limo rides are good things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you want to talk about it? I\u2019m a good listener.<\/em> Schrodinger sat down next to him, still looking up with worried green eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today,\u201d Drew said, leaning down to stroke the CrossCat\u2019s soft head. \u201cIt was a long time ago, and today is a day for fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

I wish Jack could go with us,<\/em> Schrodinger said, still looking sad. He\u2019s a ring bearer too!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but the stadium is already bending the rules for you,\u201d Drew said, chuckling. \u201cBelieve it or not, there are still some places in this world that don\u2019t really believe in magic. Remember how Zoey reacted when she first came here? Most of the world is like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

How sad,<\/em> Schrodinger said. How very sad for them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Molly said, coming out onto the porch. \u201cBut think about it, Schrodinger. Would you want to stay here in Carter\u2019s Cove if the entire world was like it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The CrossCat wrinkled his nose at her. Of course I would. Because there is no way the entire world could be like the Cove.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d she asked him, slipping an arm around Drew.<\/p>\n

Because you guys aren\u2019t there,<\/em> Schrodinger said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. And you guys are part of what makes the Cove special.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t disagree with that,\u201d Drew said. \u201cI know that all CrossRoads Towns are unique, but Carter\u2019s Cove is special. It\u2019s very different from where I grew up.\u201d He looked down at Schrodinger. \u201cFor one thing, we didn\u2019t have very many magical creatures stay in town. Most of them were just passing through.\u201d He chuckled wryly. \u201cMy parents would have loved the Cove.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I never got a chance to meet them, but I can\u2019t wait to meet your aunt and uncle Thursday,\u201d Molly said. She was looking down the driveway at the limo that had just pulled in, so she didn\u2019t see the grimace that crossed quickly over Drew\u2019s face. He managed to get himself under control as she turned back, and kissed her gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll love them,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd they\u2019ll love you too.\u201d Then he hugged her and grabbed his old leather baseball glove. \u201cCome on, Schrodinger!\u201d<\/p>\n

The CrossCat paused to rub his head against Molly\u2019s hand quickly, and then ran down the steps to the waiting limo. A tall man in a very crisp black suit was waiting with the door open, and they both slid in to the cool interior, where not only Steve, Luke, Tom and Nathan were waiting for them, but to Drew\u2019s surprise, both Jacks were there.<\/p>\n

Jack! You got to come after all!<\/em> Schrodinger hopped up next to the big black hound\/shepherd mix, who gave him a big kiss. Drew ended up next to Jack Frost, who offered him a beer with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a different look,\u201d Drew said, accepting the beer and looking at the Spirit of Frost, who winked at him. Jack was outfitted, as all the guys were, with Portland Sea Dogs jerseys and ball caps, and blue jeans. The ball cap hid some but not all of his long blond hair, and he looked remarkably comfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just have one more stop,\u201d Luke said, handing Drew a jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou convinced Pavel to come?\u201d Drew shook his head, and pulled the jersey on. \u201cThis ought to be amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke winked at him. \u201cYou have NO idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember, Molly said if we get arrested, she\u2019s not coming to bail us out,\u201d Drew warned him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to get arrested!\u201d Tom assured him. \u201cScout\u2019s honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s disappointing,\u201d Jack said, and then shrugged when the others looked at him. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never been out with Pavel, have you?\u201d Drew said, chuckling. \u201cHe considers it a light night if he only gets arrested once.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big, burly pirate was waiting out on the pier near where his ship, the Heart\u2019s Desire<\/em>, was berthed, and Drew shook his head. Rather than forgo his normal attire, Pavel had paired his jersey and blue jeans with his customary knee-high polished boots, and instead of a baseball cap, he had his large black hat on his head. \u201cAhoy!\u201d he shouted, as he clambered in. \u201cAre we ready for a good time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drew looked around the interior of the limo and shook his head. \u201cI have a feeling this is going to be an epic afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

The limo ride to the stadium was uneventful, and they piled out in front of it. While Tom gave instructions to the driver, Luke herded the rest of them, not towards the gate, but towards a side gate, where a single guard watched them warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you call Mike for me? He\u2019s expecting his cousin,\u201d Luke said, and the guard nodded, picking up his walkie-talkie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how you managed this?\u201d Drew said, and Luke winked at him. \u201cI didn\u2019t know your cousin worked here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cousin Mike, it turned out, was the head of security for the ball park. When he came down the stairs to meet them, Drew could tell he and Luke were related – they looked like twins, not cousins. \u201cNice to meet all of you!\u201d he said, shaking hands. \u201cWho\u2019s the lucky guy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Drew said, and Mike gave him a once-over, then grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you! Glad to see Molly found someone,\u201d he said, and Drew tried not to wince at the heartiness of his handshake. Then Mike turned to Luke. \u201cDid you bring it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Luke said, handing over a paper bag. \u201cAs promised.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smell Molly\u2019s cookies!<\/em> Jack said, wagging his tail.<\/p>\n

Me too!<\/em> Schrodinger chimed in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the price,\u201d Mike said. \u201cMolly\u2019s cookies are hard to come by out of the Cove, and I don\u2019t get back often enough.\u201d He passed the bag to the guard in the gate with a quiet word, then knelt down in front of the CrossCat and the dog. \u201cWe don\u2019t normally allow animals in the stadium, but you guys are special,\u201d he said, and pulled out two bandannas, printed with the Sea Dogs logo. \u201cAs long as you have these on, you\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thank you!<\/em> Schrodinger said, putting a paw on the man\u2019s hand. We appreciate it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes!<\/em> Jack agreed, giving Mike a kiss on the cheek. We do!<\/em><\/p>\n

The man laughed and said, \u201cAll right, folks, follow me. We\u2019ve got a special suite for you, and of course, as the groom, you get to throw out the first pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drew blinked. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes,\u201d Mike said, as he led them up the stairs and out along a walkway. Below them, the field stretched green and lush, with various people busy raking the infield dirt or drawing chalk lines along the edges. There were players tossing baseballs to each other and Tom had to lunge to grab Jack before he jumped over the rail.<\/p>\n

I promise, I just want to play catch too!<\/em> Jack howled mournfully, and the entire Sea Dogs team turned to look at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that\u2026?\u201d Drew\u2019s voice trailed off as one of the players began to walk over towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s on a rehab assignment,\u201d Mike said, as one of the biggest stars of the Red Sox, Big Papi himself, came over to meet them. Drew wasn\u2019t the only one in awe. In fact, only Jack Frost and Pavel seemed unaffected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the field!\u201d Big Papi said, shaking everyone\u2019s hand. Then he bent down to see Jack and Schrodinger. \u201cWhat have we here?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Schrodinger, and this is Jack<\/em>, the CrossCat said excitedly, standing up on his hind legs to put a paw on Big Papi\u2019s knee. We\u2019re huge fans!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you now?\u201d The big man laughed, apparently delighted to be talking to the CrossCat. \u201cAnd what, if you don\u2019t mind my asking, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a CrossCat,<\/em> Schrodinger said. I live in Carter\u2019s Cove now with Molly and Drew, but I was born along the Roads.<\/em><\/p>\n

Big Papi shook his head, a look of wonder on his face. \u201cYou know, I\u2019ve heard rumors of things like that, but I didn\u2019t know it was real,\u201d he said. \u201cI think, once this season is over, maybe I should come up to Carter\u2019s Cove and see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly can make you cookies!<\/em> Jack told him, wagging his tail. Molly makes the best cookies ever!<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed! You should come up for Christmas – that\u2019s the best time in the world to be in the Cove,<\/em> Schrodinger told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind,\u201d Big Papi said. \u201cSo you guys here to enjoy the game?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Drew\u2019s bachelor party,\u201d Mike said, indicating the groom, who flushed a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cBachelor party?\u201d Papi said, grinning. \u201cWho you want to pitch to, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou,\u201d Drew said instantly. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMind? Nah, it will be fun! You got a picture of the lucky lady?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drew pulled out his phone, and showed a picture of Molly in her element: a cup of tea in her hand, sitting on the porch outside the kitchen, looking at a cookbook.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty lady,\u201d Big Papi agreed. \u201cNow, I gotta get back to practice now, but I\u2019ll see you guys in a bit, okay? And I\u2019ll hit you a home run.\u201d With a final stroke of Schrodinger\u2019s head and a skritch behind Jack\u2019s ears, the designated hitter went back over to his teammates.<\/p>\n

You and Molly should invite him to the wedding<\/em>, Schrodinger told Drew, who laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if the Sox would let him drop everything to come to a wedding,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s the middle of the season!\u201d<\/p>\n

I bet they\u2019d let him<\/em>! Schrodinger turned back to the field, watching everything going on.<\/p>\n

Mike led them up to the luxury boxes, showed them where everything was, and then said to Drew, \u201cSo, you ready for this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes,\u201d Drew said. \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d He looked down at Schrodinger and Jack. \u201cYou two going to come help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes!<\/em> Schrodinger said.<\/p>\n

Of course!<\/em> Jack agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd no chasing the ball,\u201d Drew said sternly to the dog, who wagged his tail enthusiastically. \u201cWe\u2019ll get a ball you can chase at home, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

In the meantime, the field had emptied, even as the stands filled. The fact that Big Papi was playing had shot attendance through the roof, of course, and Drew couldn\u2019t blame any of them. Mike led the three of them back down the steps and out onto the edge of the field, where he stopped next to a young man in a Sea Dogs jacket, holding a microphone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Drew,\u201d Mike said, introducing him. \u201cHe\u2019s our groom-to-be, so he gets to throw out the first pitch. Papi\u2019s offered to catch him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLucky man,\u201d the announcer said, not really looking at Drew. He was staring at his clipboard. \u201cWe\u2019ll call your name as soon as they finish\u2026\u201d He looked up and trailed off. \u201cWhat are those?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Schrodinger and Jack,\u201d Mike said, winking at Drew and handing the announcer a piece of paper. \u201cWe have special dispensation for them to be on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I introducing all of them?\u201d the announcer said doubtfully.<\/p>\n

Why wouldn\u2019t you?<\/em> Schrodinger asked curiously, and the announcer blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get used to it,\u201d Drew assured him. \u201cTrust me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d The announcer shook his head, and then shrugged. \u201cAnyways, we\u2019ll call you as soon as they finish the national anthem.\u201d As if waiting for his words, the first strains of \u201cThe Star-Spangled Banner\u201d began to play through the speakers, and they all turned to the scoreboard.<\/p>\n

The last notes faded away, and the announcer brought the microphone up to his mouth. \u201cLadies and gentlemen, welcome to the ball park!\u201d He walked out on to the green grass, and the crowd cheered. \u201cThis is a special occasion today – we have a groom here, celebrating his upcoming wedding! And who else would he throw the first pitch to but Big Papi!\u201d<\/p>\n

Big Papi bounded out of the dugout, waving to the crowd and grinning widely. He settled in behind home plate, punching his mitt to show he was ready.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s bring your hands together to welcome Drew and his friends Schrodinger and Jack, who are going to throw out the first pitch! Come on out, Drew!\u201d<\/p>\n

Drew ran on to the field, flanked by the CrossCat and the hound, feeling like he was ten years old again. The field shrank, becoming the one that he\u2019d pitched on all through grade school. If he turned his head, he could see where his parents, grandparents, sister and other relatives had sat, cheering them on as they\u2019d won the State Championship. They hadn\u2019t made it past that, but it had been a sweet win.<\/p>\n

He stepped onto the rubber and accepted the ball from the announcer, who then backed away. Big Papi nodded at him, and shouted, \u201cCome on, Drew! Throw a strike!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ball went true, streaking into the glove as if it were magnetically attracted, and the crowd went wild. Big Papi met them halfway to home plate and handed Drew back the ball. \u201cYou should be playing with us, you got an arm like that!\u201d the slugger said, chuckling. \u201cYou think of a career change?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t leave the Cove,\u201d Drew said, accepting the ball. \u201cBut thanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck, man,\u201d Big Papi said. \u201cI hope you have a great time tonight, and a wonderful wedding.\u201d He knelt down and stroked both Schrodinger and Jack. \u201cYou give me good luck too, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Definitely!<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Big Papi laughed again.<\/p>\n

It was a good game – Big Papi was as good as his word, and shot not one, but two homeruns in the win. Mike delivered one of them to Drew as they headed down the stairs after the game – it was signed by every player, and Drew thanked him effusively.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy wedding, man,\u201d Mike said, shaking his hand. \u201cMolly\u2019s a great catch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now,\u201d Pavel added, clapping Drew on the shoulder, \u201cthe night really begins.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So we\u2019re really going to Portland? \u201cYes, we\u2019re really going to Portland!\u201d Drew laughed as Schrodinger bounced excitedly around his feet. \u201cIn a limo, no less!\u201d I\u2019ve never ridden in a limo! The CrossCat jumped up on to one of the chairs on the porch, his tail swishing. Have you? The innocent question caught Drew …<\/p>\n

>>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[61],"class_list":["post-1495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1495"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1496,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495\/revisions\/1496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}