Junior Year Box Set

Mom and Cassidy had already gone in to love-up their namesakes. I came in to find the two of them putting ribbons in the cubs’ hair. The cubs put up with it, and I had to shake my head at how cute they looked. It was hard to believe that they would grow up into such big cats.

The vet came out and handed me a bill. I just got my debit card out and paid it.

We were soon joined by people from Busch Gardens, the US Fish and Wildlife official, and someone from the Mexican government. They made a big deal of making sure I wasn’t selling the cubs to the park. I had to certify that they were being donated.

Jeff captured the exchange. Mom and Cassidy handed over their little bundles, and the cubs made loud ‘rah’ roars as if they knew what was happening. Poor Cassidy had played tour guide and spent the most time with the cubs. She had tears running down her face as she handed hers over. I think my mom was there to make sure I didn’t back out of it.

When the cubs were loaded into pet carriers, a woman from Busch Gardens pulled me aside.

“Thank you for donating the tigers,” she said and handed me a legal-sized envelope. “Inside, you’ll find direct contact information so you can get updates on the girls. Busch Gardens can’t pay you anything, but as a show of our appreciation, you’ll find inside lifetime VIP passes for access to the park. I hope you take advantage of them. If you let us know ahead of time that you’re coming, we’ll get you behind-the-scenes access.”

“Do you know what type of tiger they are?” I asked.

“They’re Siberian or Amur tigers. The last census that was done estimates there are only 360 of them left in the wild. Stumbling upon two healthy females is a great find. We’ll do everything we can to make sure they’re well taken care of.”

As they drove off, I pulled Cassidy to me and gave her a hug.

“I promise we’ll go see them,” I assured her.

She gave me a fierce hug back, and the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. I was glad she’d spent time with them.

◊◊◊

Tonight’s game against Mexico rated the better stadium, and the game had been sold out for several weeks before the tournament. Caryn had come through by wrangling tickets for all my security, family, and friends who were still here. Team USA had an allotment of tickets, and we made sure that the families of boys playing tonight got them. The other families understood.

They’d also moved the game back an hour so it would be shown in prime time across Central and South America. The only places it was being shown in the States were on a couple Spanish-speaking stations that carried programming from south of the border. I admit it, I did watch some of the telenovelas. The women were all good-looking, and it gave me an opportunity to practice my Spanish. I would stick to that story if anyone asked.

We were up first, and right from the start, it was clear we were facing their best pitcher. He mowed us down with three strikeouts. Luke started for us, and they put a run across in the first inning. The score stayed 1–0 until the top of the third when we hit a solo home run to tie the game.

In the bottom of the third, they loaded the bases. Coach Kingwood had seen enough and brought in Daz to do his job as our middle reliever. He gave up a run on a fielder’s choice but struck out the next two batters to get us out of the inning.

Coach Kingwood looked down the bench, and his eyes locked on me.

“Go warm up. If Daz gets into trouble, I may want to use you. I want to save our best for Cuba,” he said.

I jogged out to the bullpen with that ringing endorsement bouncing around in my head. Patrick was in the bullpen and smiled when he saw they’d sent me out.

“They must really be in trouble if they think you can help,” he teased.

“I heard that Coach liked what he saw from your replacement. He’s thinking of starting him in the Gold Medal Game,” I shot back.

“I might believe you if he gets a hit,” he complained.

Patrick was one of our bats at the bottom of the order that couldn’t seem to get it going.

“I know there isn’t much time, but if you want, we can go to the batting cage for the next three days. We’ll see if we can figure it out,” I offered.

“At this point, I would try anything.”

I loosened up. In the bottom of the eighth, Daz was tiring. I looked at Patrick, and we decided I needed to get serious about getting ready. Daz got lucky, and his defense saved him with the first batter, but he promptly walked the second. Coach Kingwood trotted out to the mound. Since I was the only one warming up, I figured he wanted me to come into the game.