up in hartford-part 2

up in hartford-part 2

fiction
edward w pritchard

The thing about Drexel's male friends, thought Wiley sitting at the batting cages, was one of them could walk in with his leg newly cut off and the others wouldn't be concerned or curious enough to comment.

Lars the outfielder over in national league had said him and his wife of 12 years were divorcing and other than Wiley no one had said anything or thought to console him. Lars was having a lot of trouble with his hitting and this was the last thing he needed. Wiley had talked to Lars who desperately needed to talk for about ten minutes as the others batted on the 80 mile per hour lane. It was now Lars turn at the plate but he took Wiley's card and said he wanted to come in next week for a hair cut and to talk. Wiley's business continued to expand here in the new town and that was why. Lars was coming from three States away to get a haircut.

None of Drexel's friends were gay bashers. One, Carl, an ox like, large white pinch hitter, however was insensitive in general and annoying to Wiley who had trouble liking the guy, a long time friend of Wiley's partner Drexel. The main reason Wiley had preferred not to come today was because of Carl. Wiley had only come to this get together, of Drexel's old friends here in Hartford; as the only way to get Drexel to come and to get Drexel out of the house.

Carl had been razing Drexel about his hitting in the batting cage. Both of Drexel's elbows were shot and it hurt him just to raise his arms and would for the rest of his life. Now Carl was teasing Drexel about his low score at the boxing. There was a boxing machine, a game of sorts, to measure how hard a person stuck a punching bag. It was electronic, cost 75 cents a hit, and then recorded the score electronically on a board in order for the last ten punches. Drexel was last of the six baseball friends and his name was behind a few girls names who must have gone earlier. Carl the best of the last ten had hit at 726 per something and it was near the all time record at 739. Carl was saying a few things against Drexel and a few of the others but mostly against Drexel.

Wiley was very busy anymore with setting up the new beauty boutique business here in Hartford. Most days he worked 12 or more hours and did not just take appointments but let people walk in which made for a chaotic and hectic day. He had not been doing his cardio workout and was putting on weight again. He was doing his rubber band work-out so unfortunately the weight went to muscle because he put on muscle easily through the chest and arms and had been fighting it since he was 12 years old. More than anything Wiley wanted to be petite and slim. Now he was close to 180 pounds again, at six feet tall and although he wore a lot of pinks and reds he was starting to look like an athlete and he didn't like it.

Each of the baseball players wore a red glove when they hit the punching bag, which they shared and exchanged. Carl was teasing at Drexel and Wiley who was sitting at a small table got up quickly in anger and hit the bag very hard cutting in front of the line. The electronic scoreboard recorded 766.

Carl who was 6'4" 235 was insulted and challenged Wiley to do it again. The owner of the batting cage came over and forbid Wiley to hit again. He had heard the thump from when Wiley punched and was afraid his expensive machine would be broken.

After agreeing to pay for any damages Carl bet Wiley he couldn't hit over 750 again. Without jumping into the machine this time, using only his arm and shoulder Wiley hit 755 and Carl shut up.

Wiley spent the next 40 minutes until he was able to go home talking to Lars about Lars feelings concerning his wife wanting the divorce and in return Wiley ask Lars to call Drexel once in a while just to talk.

End