Bell Toptex Sky Diving Helmet

Chance Of A Lifetime

The game had gone to extra innings. No one dared go home, even on a chilly October work night such as this. The Chicago Cubs, that seemingly goat-cursed team, had ridden a nine game winning streak at the very end of the season to overtake the Saint Louis Cardinals and win the division. Now they were a heavy underdog at the cusp of appearing in the World Series for the first time in generations, battling a mighty Los Angeles Dodgers team that had run roughshod over the entire league all season long.

Antoine Caldwell, the star left fielder was striding to the plate with two outs in the 14th inning to a thunderous roar that shook the darkened Chicago sky. His face gave no indication of the tremendous gravity of the current situation, the Dodgers having scored one run in the top half of the inning to tie the game. His visage was as a stone, determined to weather the coming storm.

The speedy pinch runner Caesar Fernandez had just successfully stolen third base after advancing to second on Jerry Stone's bloop single, giving hope to the long suffering fans that endured the first two batters striking out unceremoniously to the Dodgers ace closer, "Cannon" Collins, who glared now at Caldwell as a lion eyeing his dinner. A rhythmic chant of "Aaaaaay-Ceeeee!" reverberated through the stadium, spilling out into the streets beyond the ballpark where thousands had gathered to witness firsthand this hopefully momentous occasion.

One of those fans was a certain Sean Thompson, thirty nine years along and more than a little consumed by the love of the game. He had vivid dreams of playing professionally while in his teens, though real life had caught up with him. He had taken the noble road and provided for his wife and children, though never giving up his love of the game. More than a few vendors had come to recognize his face among the thousands that had flowed through Wrigley Field's gates.

This night, Sean was with his two best friends, Mike Graziano and Pete Ostrowski, both adult miscreants in every sense of the word. Although good of heart, they continually walked the fine line between decent citizenship and downright boorishness. Neither one was married and continually dragged Sean, most of the time unaware of their intentions, into questionable situations that required Sean to explain in great detail to his wife Debbie.

She had been the anchor in his life that kept him grounded and content, allowing him to be a man but reminding him gently but firmly of how a man was supposed to behave, despite Mike and Pete's best efforts to contaminate him with adolescent behavior. Debbie had also bore him his two boys, Daniel and Chris of whom Sean was fiercely protective. He guided them with a firm but gentle hand, teaching them everything he knew about baseball and dreaming for the day when they would themselves would suit up for the Cubs. It was fortunate indeed that they shared their father's passion for the game. Glued to the television with rapt attention the boys never seemed to notice when their father and his friends appeared briefly, the camera focusing on Mike dancing on his seat without any rhythm to speak of.

Antoine Caldwell had indeed earned his pay thus far with his present at-bat. He had fouled off five pitches, two of by what means he was not even sure himself.

Three balls.

Two strikes.

Full count ladies and gentlemen.

By Scott A.Haynes - Aspiring writer and musician living in the beautiful Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Welcome to the nether regions of my psyche!

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