n

n

n

nI still heard the three of them get up and get ready in the morning, but I kept my eyes clothes and my breathing steady.

n

"You better be first in the garage.

" Noah stated while slapping my bedding.

nI groaned and rolled over.

n

"That's some form of acknowledgment.

" Dave laughed.

nThe three continued to make noise for another minute or two before it became dead silent. I took advantage and slept another half hour before stretching and forcing myself to get up. I brushed my teeth and changed into workout shorts and an old shirt of Kyle's. He had passed on all of his clothes that no longer fit into mine and Noah's section last night.

nDownstairs, Mom and Grampa were both hard at work in the kitchen. I paused in the doorway and listened to them talking about Kyle.

n

"He's 18, Mary. He's an adult whether you like it or not.

" Grampa sighed.

n

"I know, I know. But, he's just barely 18. He's never been so far for so long. What if something happens and he needs us?

" Mom's face was scrunched up in distress, clearly expressing her fear in letting Kyle go off alone.

n

"Then you go. When he needs. If he needs it.

" Grampa said.

"Come on. This isn't your first time letting him or any of the boys go off alone. You've prepared them well. They've done those baseball camps on their own. They know how to take care of themselves.

"

n

"Do they really?

" Mom sighed. She glanced my way and caught sight of me.

"Jake, you're up. We're just getting started on breakfast. Want some fruit first?

"

n

"I'll take a banana please.

" I got closer and met her half way, taking the banana she got me.

"The boys went on a run and we're going to do some lifting in the garage.

"

n

"Okay, but don't let them go on for too long.

" Mom told me.

"I want to help Kyle pack his car before he and Wayne leave this afternoon. And not just his clothes and baseball bag. He should take some clean sheets in case his host family doesn't provide them. Maybe his pillow. Definitely a blanket or even his comforter.

" Mom threw out ideas as I ate my banana.

n

"I think it's better if you write down some of these suggestions.

" Grampa interrupted.

"Don't forget that Wayne needs to pack for this short road trip plus the weather in Omaha. Could be a mixed bag.

"

nMom stopped what she was doing and left the kitchen.

"You're right. We should be looking at the weather. The Midwest is more prone to thunderstorms than we are.

" I watched her go into the office where I presumed Dad was working on the tickets.

nI threw my banana peel in the trash.

"I'm going to the garage before they get back.

"

n

"Smart move.

" Grampa laughed.

nIn the garage, I tied my shoelaces and started with jumping jacks. I wanted to work up a sweat before they got here so I didn't look like too much of a slacker. It worked too.

nNoah came up the driveway first, slowing down to a jog. He picked up a clean hand towel from the shelf and wiped his face and hands.

"Damn, it's warming up.

" He looked at me as I kept going and nodded.

"Good work. You've got to stay in shape even if you don't like cardio. Especially with you representing the region.

"

n

"When will. You. Know?

" I asked without stopping. It was already decided I was to represent the Northwest team, but Noah was still on the edge. I'd like to think he's the best fielder I know, but maybe I'm biased.

n

"Not till July.

" Noah waved me off.

"Don't even think about worrying.

"

nKyle came sprinting up the driveway, a little more red in the face than Noah was. He put his hands on his head and took some deep breaths.

nNoah laid down a yoga mat and got to work on doing his crunches to start his ab workout. I stopped my jumping jacks and followed Noah's lead.

nDave showed up as I sat down.

"Dang it, you guys. I thought we agreed on a steady pace.

" He put his hands on his knees and glared up at Kyle.

n

"I wasn't the first to split off.

" Kyle shrugged.

nDave looked to Noah.

nNoah stopped what he was doing.

"Well that was my steady pace. It's not my fault we have different opinions on what is steady.

"

n

"I should have stayed in bed.

" Dave groaned. He dropped to the floor and went straight into push-ups.

nKyle squatted and tilted his head.

"Hey, before you do that, why don't we have a handstand competition? See where we're at.

"

nDave plopped onto the ground with a groan.

"Now you tell me.

" He looked at Kyle.

"Are we timing it? Or just head to head?

"

n

"Both. We'll go at the same time but still get an accurate time of where we're at.

" He looked towards me and Noah.

nI jumped up.

"I'll go get my phone.

" I ran into the house, up the stairs, and into our room. I grabbed my phone and started to run back.

n

"Hey, hey, hey. What's the rush?

" Mom asked, coming out of the office as I came down the stairs.

n

"They need the stopwatch app off the phone.

" I told her while waving it in my hand.

n

"They need to take a shower.

" Mom put a hand to her head and went back inside the office.

nI went back to the garage where the twins had taken over the two yoga mats and were talking whether to do it straight up or closer to the wall in case they fell.

n

"You have to play it safe.

" Dave said.

"You're legit about to go play baseball for a living. Don't mess that up with a handstand.

"

n

"I'm not dumb enough to do it until I get hurt or fall and hurt myself that way.

" Kyle rolled his eyes.

"We do it without cheats. Straight up. Bending knees and legs are okay, but as soon as anything other than hands touch the ground. It's over.

"

nNoah and I stood a couple feet away, watching them agree on the rules and prep themselves. Noah did a countdown and the twins got themselves upside down. I hit start on the stopwatch and observed.

n

"Fuck. It's been too long.

" Dave huffed.

n

"Shut up. You're going to mess up the results.

" Kyle struggled to say.

nSeconds finally turned into a minute. Their form was ugly and their arms were shaking. But they held on until a minute twenty. Dave fell first. Kyle didn't last much longer, maybe an extra five seconds.

n

"Jesus. Christ.

" Dave huffed and puffed as he laid out on the garage floor.

nKyle was the same way.

"My shoulders are burning.

"

n

"My forearms feel so tight.

" Dave added.

n

"I didn't realize how much that challenged my fingers.

" Kyle raised his arm and stared at the back of his pitching hand.

"I could probably last longer against a wall.

"

n

"Me too.

"

nI cringed a little as I saw them sweat and lay on the mats. Definitely can't be used now. But also.

"Oh yea…Mom wanted you guys to shower sooner than later.

" I looked pointedly at Kyle.

"And you have to start loading the car.

" I scratched my cheek.

"She was working on a list of things you may need to bring. Just in case.

"

nKyle was the first to get up.

"Alright. I'm going to go shower first. You guys can go eat without me.

"

n

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