A Season of Daring Greatly by Ellen Emerson White

Author:Ellen Emerson White
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-12-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Once the first live interview started, the GMs mostly held forth, while she sat there like a decorative plant, wearing a hat with a silly-looking dog on it. She started to slip it off her head, but Mr. Brayton looked alarmed, and she remembered that her presence here was very much about merchandising.

There was a lot of talk about the historical significance of the game, and she contributed the requisite “Yes, it was a very exciting evening” sorts of remarks when it seemed to be indicated.

“So,” the sports network host said heartily. “You had a few hiccups out there tonight, Jill.”

Really? That was his take on the game? “I was trying to heighten the drama,” she said. “Everyone likes a redemption story.”

“You have a reputation for excellent command,” he said. “What happened?”

Well, someone wasn’t a fan, was he? “Just one of those nights, I guess,” she said. “I’m hoping for better results next time.” Although, all things being equal, she could live with no hits and no runs, any day of the week.

“Do you think it’s possible that you’re simply not going to be able to compete at this level?” he asked.

If people were hate-watching this, he was giving them a lot of material. “It probably makes sense to try one or two more starts, before I throw in the towel,” she said.

“Yes, but—” he said.

“We’ll have to see what happens,” she said. Was it always going to be like this? Because it was very tiresome. “In the meantime, the team won, and that’s what matters in the end, right?”

Both GMs were already jumping in to defend the results of her—admittedly rocky—start, but it was a relief when the interview ended. Right after that, the tablecloth with the ESPN logo was removed, and replaced by one that featured MLB Network—and she had to go through the same song and dance again. And then again, with another network. And another. And another.

When the television interviews were finally over, there were still so many people waiting for autographs, that it was going to seem really rude if she did nothing but wave and disappear into the dugout.

She glanced at Jeremiah, who nodded, with one quick tap on his watch, to indicate that they would be on the clock. So, she walked over to the railing where a rambunctious crowd was holding things for her to sign, and taking photos with so many unexpected flashes that she could barely see well enough to be able to tell exactly where—or what—she was autographing.

“Hi,” she said. “Thanks for coming out tonight. We really appreciate it.”

Once again, it was too crowded for her to make it at all personal. Just swift encounters, where she signed her name, and added her uniform number—and then tried not to smear the fresh autographs when she handed the items back to the people who thrust them at her.

Off to one side, Jeremiah gave her a small “wrap it up” signal with his right hand.

“I’m sorry, but they need me

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.