Second Chance at Bat, page 24
Hot Shot looked at Joe and Marge with a puzzled look.
"You're saying that somebody stole your truck from Bud's bar after Joey took you home, right?"
"Uh Huh." The man-child agreed.
"And somebody else was driving your truck when it was in the accident past the lake, right?" Joe was leading him down the path to the truth without Hot Shot knowing it.
"That's right." Hot Shot agreed again.
"So when the airbag went off, whose face did it inflate on?" Joe didn't take his eyes off of Hot Shot as the light bulb went on. "That's right Blake, whoever drove your truck into the telephone pole had the airbag go off in his face. The State Police is sending the airbag to the lab for testing and they need your DNA to rule you out as the driver that crashed and left the scene of the accident."
Joe let that sit for a minute while he and Marge pretended to type into his computer.
"Another thing Blake, you'll need to complete a Auto Theft report with the Reading Police Department in order to file a claim that your truck was stolen. You shouldn't, waste any time and go over there after you leave here. Also, the insurance company will want an examination under oath from you about what happened that night. They will talk to Joey too, I suspect."
"Why do they have to talk to Joey, Coach?" Hot Shot asked.
"Because he is your alibi witness. He can say when and where he picked you up. Oh by the way, they'll probably want your cell phone records as well."
"Why's that coach?"
Joe was reeling the kid in now for the catch. "So they can match the time of the call to the time you were at Bud's. I need you to sit here for a bit. Marge and I have to take care of something else in her office."
Hot Shot nodded his head without looking at Joe or Marge.
In Marge's office, Joe asked her first. "Whaddyathink Marge?"
"I think he's shitting his pants right now, excuse the expression." She replied.
"Let's give him some more time to sit in his own stink." Joe said. They talked about Joe's injury and how the agency was doing. Marge was doing a great job handling the upsurge in renewals and new business. Joe had funneled her some of his unused ballgame tickets and she was doling them out like presidential pardons. She talked about him doing radio spots and buying some cable air time. He listened intently and agreed. When the time came, they entered Joe's office to see a sweating and hunched over Hot Shot Hunter.
"Blake, here's the way I see it." Joe said as he sat on the edge of his desk almost in Hunter's lap. "You were drunk and didn't want to get pinched for being shit-faced. That could really screw up your career. A hot head and a drunk, nobody would want to touch that combo. You were smart enough to leave your keys in the truck and that explains why somebody didn't have to break in to it or defeat the ignition system, but you didn't count on this." Joe waved the baggie in his face. ''You DNA is all over that airbag and very soon the State Police will put two and two together. You think getting arrested for drunk driving was bad, wait till the Phillies hear about you getting arrested for a false police report and attempted theft by deception, which is a felony- since you called the claim into my office that is Wire Fraud, which is a federal offense." You had a chance to come clean, but you stuck to your story in front of witness. Joe said pointing to Marge who was now scowling at the chastised little boy in the behemoth body.
Joe was putting Hot Shot under a lot of duress. Some could argue that he had no place interrogating Hunter. Joe didn't like being lied to, especially by a kid that he coached since second grade. Howie knew Joe's plan and agreed 100%. He made it clear to Joe that Hot Shot needed to be taught a lesson.
"There's a simple way out of this Blake, but its not easy."
"What's that, coach?" Hot Shot was completely defeated now and was looking for any help he could get.
"First, you call the State Police and tell them the truth, that you were the driver." They will cite you for leaving the scene of an accident. You'll pay a fine and a couple of years from now, it will be off your driving and insurance record. Got that?"
Hot Shot said, "Yes sir."
"You are very lucky that you didn't make a Theft Report to Reading. I couldn't undo that if I wanted to."
"Something told me not to Coach, I think coming here ended up being the right decision."
"Next, you will sign this claim withdrawal form. Since Marge flagged this before it got reported to the carrier, it will stay in my file. Two pieces of paper, the claim and the claim withdrawal."
Hot Shot signed the form, but had a question. "Who will pay for the damage to my truck?"
"You will Blake. If you had reported this correctly, the carrier would have covered you under your collision policy, but since you misrepresented the facts of the claim, you have to fix it yourself. You fucked with me and you don't get a do-over." Joe paused for a beat. "I said it wouldn't be easy." You can look at that truck in the parking lot of your apartment everyday and think about making better decisions."
"Yes sir." is all that Hot Shot could manage, but he was breathing easier now.
"Three things left, Blake. I have ended your insurance with the carrier as of today. I need you to sign the cancellation form. You'll get a partial refund in the mail. The DiNatale Insurance Agency no longer insures you."
Marge traded looks with Blake and he signed it without objection.
"Two, tell Joey that I won't be having dinner with him tomorrow night and I'll call him when I want to talk to him."
"Sure coach, what's the last thing?"
"You were smart enough not to get involved with drugs. Maybe you saw what it did to Joey or maybe it was because we both know that they test like crazy in the Pros and testing positive for illegal drugs would be a one way ticket to nowheresville-but Blake, you have to answer this question for yourself and not for me.
"What's that Coach?"
Joe was eye to eye with his star Little League pitcher of over a decade and his son's best friend. The former Little League coach and present day All-Star pitcher had been around both leagues now and saw one big flaw in Blake "Hot Shot" Hunter's unlimited potential. "Blake, right now, at this moment, is your life better or worse because of your drinking? Its a very simple and easy question to answer."
Blake blinked, wiped his eyes and left without a word.
Later that night, Carmine's was closed to the public for a private party, Joe and Howie watched the All-Star game with some friends. Clay told a captive audience about their experiences these last three months. The small crowd included most of the Bay Sox Phantasy Campers and their wives. Some of the Boyertown Expo players came to wish their bench-warmer well. A table of non-alcohol beers were set up for Joe and Howie's American League players and their Little League World Series kids, absent Hot Shot and Joey. Clay and Joe regaled them with stories of how they mowed through some of All-Stars from both leagues. When Ellis Long was introduced as the lone Phillies representative, Joe gushed about what a professional he was on and off the field. The announcers crowed about how unfortunate Average Joe's injury was and they wished him well. That is, of course, after two replays of the collision. Bruiser Lee was voted in but also missed the game. It had something to do with a broken nose and two black eyes. Joe winced in pain both times the slow motion replayed the collision. The network decided not to replay the brawl, understandable since there were many Little Leaguers watching. He was answering text messages from his fellow teammates. Watching the game here was something that Joe and Howie had down often when their kids and wives had better things to do. He looked around and felt very much at home with his extended baseball family here. He downed another scheduled painkiller and recalled his verbal jousting with Linda. Where were they headed?
Somethings don't change, he sighed. Doesn't matter that you just brought your Phillies from worst to first with a 17-2 record before the break and were a write-in selection for the All-Star game.
He was missing Joey but was content to be watching the game on TV with his best baseball friends, free wings and all the ginger ale he could drink.
xxxxx
Scene57
"Well I never expected you to show up. You keep surprising me D."
"Why's that Ellis? After going Oh for two with runners in scoring position on the national stage last night, I thought you might like to have some friendly company."
"Ouch D, you hurt me with your rapier-like wit, but I know that it doesn't hurt as bad as your boo-boo."
"You are correct sir. How was your red-eye back last night?"
"Oh, I got home just as the sun rose. How 'bout you?"
"We watched the game in my Uncle Carmine's bar last night. Terry Briggs and my Bay Sox teammates came up. All the kids I coached were there too. It was blast. Terry stayed overnight and gave me a ride to City Hall. SEPTA got me the rest of the way here. Terry is in the middle of a serious trial and can't make it, he gives his regards."
They were on the Temple University campus. The largest cafeteria was set up for a luncheon. Ellis had been taking on Hunger and Homelessness the way he attacked fastballs. When he first came to Philly as a wide-eyed rookie, he volunteered at soup kitchens and that eye-opening experience started his career as a Philanthropist. Some athletes lend their name, time, and treasure to non-profits helping kids with rare diseases or other narrow focus charities. As the gangly First baseman became an Iconic figure, he felt the need to leverage himself as a change agent.
Ellis walked Joe around all the busy conversations. There had been morning break-out sessions where all the stakeholders in this battle were hammering out shared metrics that they would have to agree on. There was a palpable buzz on floor, almost like a nominating convention. "Just like a ball club, no one person can carry the team. It takes everybody to hit, run and play defense to win. "I found that I could have a much greater collective impact if I acted as the main cheerleader and catalyst for change. My little team handles the agenda, gathers consensus and mines the data for the shared vision. We also beat the drum in the media for all of the unsung heroes.
"Hey Billy, how you doing today?" Ellis asked the State Department of Corrections head honcho.
"Great Ellis-I see you are still having fun with the off-speed stuff." Billy winked at Joe.
"What's a brother have to do to get a little love around here." Ellis joshed back.
Billy replied," Since you got your buddy hurt and all, you were the only one representing last night. I don't know Ellis, no love here."
Ellis had said he was sorry to Joe for his off the mark throw as soon as Joe stopped seeing stars, but every fan said it was Ellis's fault on the play. Joe didn't see it that way. It was just an unfortunate bang-bang play.
"Well, Billy I still love you and if there is anything more we can do for you, let me know. You've got my number."
"Will do Ellis and heal up quick Joe, we need you out there on the mound."
When they were out of earshot. Ellis explained. " On any given day, hundreds of guys get released from both State and County prison onto the streets of Philadelphia. Without a job or place to lay their head, where do they go? On the streets. Many of them have psyche issues added on top of drug or alcohol addictions. That's a big hole to dig out of without some kind of assistance. We helped the State formulate a matching grant proposal with the Fed to create out-placement planning with the soon to be released inmates. You know Joe- little things like a State-issued ID card they could use to access benefits. Even a simple thing as making a phone call to a family member asking them to take the guy in for a second or a twelfth chance was huge. The numbers are encouraging as less inmates are on the streets. Its too early to say if there is an impact on recidivism rates, but think about a lessened burdened on the criminal justice system. What's that have to do with the Homeless or hungry? Once you see how Corrections, for example, is a stakeholder and we help them see themselves as a stakeholder only then can they have an impact on the outcome. Billy wasn't always my buddy-buddy, but after the Governor and I played Eighteen, Billy's beginning to see the light."
"How can I help, Ellis?"
"Joe, the suburbs have to pull their weight on this issue too. More and more people are losing their houses in this economy and have no place to go. With no savings and living paycheck to paycheck, families in suburban towns are coming into the city because of the access to benefits and a partially working infrastructure. It's better than no services whatsoever out there in the communities that refuse to acknowledge that homelessness does occur on their side of the city limits. We have to build awareness."
"Reading has the same issue with the rest of Berks County Ellis. Its the county seat."
Yes, but I think you can talk to the suburbs Joe. This "Average Joe" thing works well out in the burbs. I think people will respond to you. You are a businessman, a Rotarian, a Little League Coach, they will pay attention to you. You are more than just a pro athlete. Listen, Close your eyes, think about it and when you open them up, you will say yes."
Joe shook his head no. "Can we get started after the season Ellis? This is all so crazy right now, especially being on the DL."
"Before Ellis could answer, his personal assistant approached them and said. "Excuse me Mr. DiNatale, there is an FBI agent here to see you."
Joe and Ellis just stared at each other. Joe shrugged his shoulder. "Beats me. I have not the foggiest".
She lead Joe to a quiet alcove where a tall blond haired woman had her back turned to them. She was talking on a cell phone. Joe waited nervously. She was dressed in business attire and could have been an attorney. She finished the call and turned around. She was as tall as Joe and was of the same age. She looked familiar.
All business now. "Mr DiNatale?"
"Yes?" Joe replied.
"My name is Marsha O'Shea, I am a Special Agent with the FBI." She flashed her credentials at him. No smiles here.
She continued, "Your college roommate told me why you dropped out of Penn State, I have only one question for you."
"College? Roommate? What? What are you talking about?" Joe stammered.
"When you left, how come you didn't say good-bye to me?" She said sternly.
Joe stared at her and as he recognized her, her stern gaze turned into an impish smile. God she was still drop dead gorgeous. Joe thought. "Marsha Drummond, you're married now?
"Was D. I was married. He wanted to settle down and have a family, but he said I was having too much fun playing cops and robbers for his taste."
It all came back to him in a flash. "I am sorry for you and I am sorry about not saying good-bye. I went home right after I met you and only came back once to clean out my dorm and withdraw from school. It was a busy time, I had a lot on my mind."
"Well D, you left quite an impression on me and when I heard from the fraternity that you quit school, I had to find out why. I guess I was a detective even back then. Had to get the facts." She was not angry at him and was just happy to get re-acquainted. "Since you don't make public appearances, I thought I would take a chance and see if you remembered me."
"You said you were going to be an FBI agent and I didn't doubt that for a minute. Congratulations and yes I would have liked to have gotten to know you better, but all that changed when I found out my girl friend was pregnant. I got married before Christmas and was a teenage father before the school year ended." He said.
Just then Ellis boomed over the sound system. "Will everyone please take their seats now."
"You haven't done so bad for yourself either D. I didn't make the connection with you when your Little Leaguers went to the World Series, but you own a flourishing Insurance agency and well, the last couple of months haven't been too bad either I guess."
Joe blushed and asked, "Can you stay for lunch, I'm sure that Ellis can find a seat for VERY special FBI Agent."
"No Joe, Gotta go. Here's my card, give me a call when you can. I would love to catch up with you." With that, she turned to leave.
"I should have." He said.
She stopped and looked at him with a cocked head. "Should have what?"
"Should have kissed you when I had the chance Marsha."
She smiled and nodded.
Joe returned to the Dias to a questioning Ellis Long. "What was all that about?"
"She wanted to know why you chase so many pitches in the dirt when you are down in the count." Joe deadpanned. "No, this story will have to wait for our next trip to the Coast, I promise you, its a good one."
Joe listened to the speeches and applauded where appropriate. His mind was on his past and on his future at the same time and those wanderings weren't about throwing a no-seamer or Food Banks. He promised Ellis that once the season was over, he would join The Ellis Long Homeless and Hunger Project. This was a righteous use of his new-found celebrity.
Billy gave him a ride to the train station and instead of heading back to Reading, he hopped on an Acela going North to Penn Station in New York City. His post-it on the refrigerator at home said that he was going to New York for a check-up. When he arrived at the Player's Hotel, he saw that Janice had her back to him as he entered the coffee shop. He sat at his regular table and waited for her to recognize him. What a surprise this would be. He wanted to tell her everything and finally end the businessman from Reading routine. He packed an overnighter and would check in after they talked. He was scheduled to see the Physiatrist in the morning. She looked good and he wasn't sure where the conversation would lead, but he wanted so much to connect with her.
She spotted him and turned quickly back to what she was doing. The shop was almost empty as the evening dinner crowd had yet to materialize. She came back to his table with a glass of ice water and a frosty expression.
Before Joe could process it, Janice was on him like white on rice. "Well if it isn't Average Joe." She said in a loud and exaggerated Queens accent. "Wait a minute, what are you doing here. Its the All-Star break." She pretended to act confused. Joe tried to interject. She raised her volume up and now everybody stopped to gawk. "You looking to start a fight with somebody else? The Phillies aren't back in town until sometime in late August. What is that?- more insurance classes, that's right. That's your cover story right. You're here taking insurance classes. Here you go, Average Joe, this one's for you." The full glass of water in her hand was now empty and Joe's face, suit coat, shirt and tie were dripping wet.
