Walk-Off by Derek Jeter

Author:Derek Jeter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Published: 2023-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Okay, let’s have it, old man.” His mom stood at his bedroom door, looking across the room at Derek, who lay on his back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing,” Derek said, feeling shaky.

“Don’t give me that. Come on, who’re you kidding? It’s me here.” She gave him a long look, waiting for an answer.

“What?” Derek finally said.

“Since when do you provoke your sister all afternoon and evening?”

“Me?”

“You know you were, Derek. Luckily, Sharlee’s in a good mood today. She didn’t seem to notice. But you can’t hide from me or your dad. So, what’s up?”

“Aw, I blew all my money playing video games,” he admitted.

“Well, why’d you do that?”

“I don’t know. It was so fun while I was playing, but then it felt… empty. And when I came outside and saw the cages across the street, I wished I’d spent it on that instead.”

“Well, video games are fun because they take our attention away from whatever’s bothering us,” his mom said. “Of course, in the end, we can’t run away from challenges. We have to deal with them.”

“And then I’m getting into the car, and Sharlee’s like, ‘Oh, we saw all these beautiful houses…’ ”

“You making fun of your sister now?”

“No, Mom. But it’s just so irritating,” he blurted out. “She’s so into moving away from here and stuff…”

“And so are your father and I,” she finished for him. “Seems to me you’re the only one who’s not excited.”

“Why do we have to move? Don’t you guys like it here?”

“We like it very much,” she replied. “But you’ve got to admit, old man, it’s gotten smaller as you kids have gotten bigger. Plus your dad really does need a home office.”

Derek turned over in bed so he was facing away from her.

“Look, old man, life is change,” she went on, coming over and sitting down beside him. “Every day there’s a new and different challenge. Things change even when we like them the way they are.”

“Mm-hmm,” said Derek, not committing one way or the other.

“You’ve changed too, in case you haven’t noticed. You’re really getting to be a young man. Am I supposed to complain because you’re not going to be my little boy anymore?”

“Aw, Mom,” he said. “I’m sorry I’ve been cranky.”

“Well, maybe that’s why I call you ‘old man.’ ”

He laughed along with her. “But really, Mom. It’s not just about moving. It’s like… well, Vijay’s all into the video game scene like a bunch of my other friends. And he’s not into baseball anymore… and Dave moved away, and soon I won’t even be at Saint Augustine…”

“It’s a lot to deal with,” said his mom. “But life doesn’t get any easier. So you have to get stronger and tougher and wiser all the time, so you can deal with all those changes and challenges.”

She put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, old man. You can do it. And we’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

She stood back up.

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