Chapter 10 - The Home FieldSix months later.
Spring had arrived in full bloom, covering the Westfield High baseball field in lush green grass and warm sunlight.
The stands were packed for the championship game of the middle school travel league. Arthur Mercer sat on the top row, wearing a team cap and chatting happily with the other parents.
Sloane stood near the dugout fence, wearing a navy blue team shirt with PORTER printed across the back. Her face was bright, relaxed, and glowing with happiness.
I stood in the dugout, wearing my varsity coaching uniform, holding the lineup card.
“Coach!” Theo ran up from the field, his cleats crunching in the dirt. He was wearing his jersey, his pants stained with grass, and his trusty, worn leather glove on his left hand.
“Lineup’s set, Theo,” I said, handing him his helmet. “You’re batting third.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Theo said casually, pulling the helmet over his head before running out to the batter's box.
The word echoed in my chest—Dad.
Over the past six months, everything had changed. Brendan had officially stepped back, agreeing to a modified custody agreement that allowed Theo to stay settled in Westfield without fear of constant relocation threats. Sloane and I had bought a small, comfortable home near the school with a big backyard where Theo and I built a batting cage.
We were a family now—built not on wealth or status, but on quiet rides home, shared meals, and showing up when it mattered most.
The umpire called out, “Play ball!”
Theo stepped into the batter’s box, digging his cleats into the dirt. He took a deep breath, adjusted his grip on the bat, and looked out at the pitcher.
I looked over at Sloane by the dugout fence. She caught my eye and blew me a quiet kiss, her smile radiant in the spring sunshine.
I smiled back, turning my attention to the field as the pitch was thrown.
May you like
CRACK.
The ball flew high and long into the blue sky, carrying all the way to the outfield fence—a perfect hit, born from steady hands, a worn glove, and a home field where he finally belonged.
