I just noticed Sam is aging. I was looking at the lines around his eyes as he sat in the chair gently tearing strips off me, constructing a straw man so we could argue pointlessly into the night.
I never said Ben couldn't have faith.
You said it was Jacob's thing. Or maybe it's my thing. But why can't it be Ben's thing too?
Because Ben is..
Scary? Shallow? You don't like being labelled, categorized or marginalized, Bridget. What makes you think Ben would feel any different about what you're trying to do to him with this subject?
It's too late for Sam's difficult questions and I am busy looking at his caramel brown hair for grey.
What are you doing?
Admiring your face.
That's a mutual activity. Not too late for us to run away together.
Sam, I can't make you happy. I don't like it up the bum.
Me neither.
Ah. Pitcher?
Depends on the day, Princess.
You play all positions!
What sport is this?
Uh. Baseball. I think.
Can we change the subject, Bridget?
Yes. Where did you want to run away to, exactly?
You pick a place.
Hmmm..okay. My parents house, circa 1976. The kitchen appliances are avocado-green. I'm wearing a brown turtleneck and jeans with Scandinavian embroidered trim. I'm helping my sister bake cookies. It's already dark out. We're excited about Halloween the next week. There is snow on the ground already. I'm going to be Bugs Bunny. I had one of those epic flammable plastic masks and bag printed with a bunnyesque visage...
Sam's in stitches now and I'm not sure he's even listening. He's dissolved into hysterics.
It actually isn't funny. I could have burned. Not like everyone didn't smoke back then, on airplanes and at the bank and in movie theatres.
Did you plan on wearing your bunny suit everywhere?
Of COURSE. I was five.
Bridget, I think the highlight of each of my days is when you present to me the contents of your mind. But we should get back to my lecture.
You know, just because they sent Ben home with a temporary Jesus Freak stamp doesn't mean I have to change. I accept Ben the way he is, just like I do with everyone, even you.
Even though I'm a pitcher?
Now is the part where I break your heart and tell you all men are technically pitchers.
All of them?
Yeah, except Daniel. He'll always be a catcher.
I'm sure it should bother me that you even know these things but it seems perfectly normal.
I know everything, Sam. Quiz me.
How long until Ben returns to the Ben you know best?
Except that. Don't ask me that. It isn't fair.
