Page 29 of Payoff Pitch
Harper’s face lights up. “A hundred-dollar bill. The most she’s ever given me. I can’t wait to buy candy with it.”
Bailey’s chin drops as her eyes meet mine in the mirror. “Wow. Your tooth fairy is way more generous than mine ever was. Maybe I should pull a tooth out.”
I grumble, “The tooth fairy may have had a little too much to drink that night and thought the hundred-dollar bill was a ten-dollar bill.”
Bailey giggles. “I guess drinking and tooth fairying don’t mix.”
I shake my head. “They certainly don’t.”
I notice Harper squirming. “Bug, did you go to the bathroom before we left?”
I can see her toothless grin in the rearview mirror. “Oh, yes. I forgot to ask you about the word of the day. It’s a hard one though so I had to write it down.” She reaches into her pocket and hands a piece of paper to Bailey.
Bailey reads it. “Abibliophobia. Hmm. I feel like I can figure this one out.” Her lips twist. “Phobia is fear and biblio has to do with books and reading. Is it a fear of books?”
I smile. “Close. It’s someone who’s afraid of running out of things to read.”
She harrumphs. She’s been enjoying the word of the day game as much as Harper has. “I never get them right. I take them home to Kam every day and she always knows.” She looks at Harper. “How about we add to your softball vocabulary today? Those are the words I know.”
Harper’s face lights up. “Yes! Maybe that can be my tradition on the days you’re with me.”
Bailey nods. “I like it.” She thinks for a moment. “Do you know what the payoff pitch is?”
Harper shakes her head. “No. Do you know, Daddy?”
“I do.”
“What is it?”
I answer, “It’s the pitch that’s thrown when you have a full count, three balls and two strikes. It’s the payoff because unless it’s a foul ball, it’s the big decision pitch. Will the batter strike out, get a hit, walk, or simply get out in the field of play?”
Bailey nods in agreement. “Yep. It’s the most exciting pitch. So many different ways things can go.”
I see the wheels turning in Harper’s head as she absorbs the phrase. I love the way her mind works.
We arrive at the campsite. Fallon was in charge of pre-ordering tents through the school. They’re supposedly set up for us already. We just have to bring everything that goes inside the tents.
I open the trunk to unpack and notice that Harper has a new sleeping bag. Bailey and Harper packed the car while I was on a business call this morning, so I didn’t notice it then.
I look down at her. “Did Mommy get you a new sleeping bag?”
Her face falls. “Umm…well…”
Bailey interrupts, “We bought it the other day when we went shopping for snacks. On the way, she said she needed a new sleeping bag, so we stopped at Target to get one.” Her eyes toggle between Harper and me. “I’m now thinking that I should have asked you first.”
I turn to Harper, not happy with my little girl right now. “That’s going to cost you a month of allowance.”
“But, Daddy—”
“Don’t argue, bug. You’re lucky it’s not worse. I know exactly what happened. Mommy and Daddy said no, so you took advantage of Bailey. That wasn’t nice. You owe her an apology.”
She drops her head. “Sorry, Bailey.”
“And?”
“My mommy and daddy told me I couldn’t get a new bag. I knew you’d say yes. I was wrong.”
Bailey mouths to me, “Sorry.”