Hope

Chapter Seven

Proverbs 31:8 (CEB) -- Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable

Alex playfully takes a swing of my bat that he snatched from its pocket. "You know, I kinda miss playing baseball," he admitted.

"Why did you stop? When did you stop?" I asked.

"I went out my freshman year but soon realized the time is commitment was too much. I needed to work over the summer. Baseball is the only thing I have quit in my life."

"I couldn't imagine life without softball. It's taught me so much about humility and teamwork."

"And you play so well," Alex said to me with a grin across his gorgeous face.

I shoulder bumped him. "Thanks for coming and watching today."

Alex nudged me back. "All the good boyfriends cheer on their girls. It's my duty," he said with a wink.

"Boyfriends should also carry their girl's bag," I said, trailing off with a smirk.

"Hand it over," Alex dared.

I laughed. "Just kidding, Alex." But he continued to try and wrestle it off my back. I kept protesting, holding his hands to stop his grabbing.

Alex paused and lifted my hand to his lips before he graced it with a gentle kiss. We gazed at each other before Alex kissed my lips and requested to continue home. "I'm tired of walking," he complained.

"Maybe if you didn't lose your car," I teased gently. Alex was home for maybe a week before he received his third speeding ticket of the year. His parents were furious and took the keys as punishment. It still makes me laugh.

"Fine. I'm going home without you," Alex stormed off with his nose in the air.

"Wait no!" I protested. "Come back, honey." Alex kept marching away and I jogged after him. "Please don't make your exhausted girlfriend put in more extraneous effort."

Alex dramatically sighed. "You are so lucky that I'm a kind, caring, thoughtful..."

"Humble too."

Alex and I laughed, and he moved to kiss me. "Hold up, player. Where is my bat?"

Alex looked down at his empty hands, then sprinted back in the direction we walked. I couldn't help but laugh as he scanned the sidewalk for the important equipment.

My parents were cooking in the kitchen when we walked through the front door. "What are you two up to?" my mom asked.

I answered, "Just chilling."

"Not in your bedroom!" my dad yelled as we walked past.

With a roll of my eyes, I raised my voice back, "Okaaaay." Alex and I plopped down on the couch instead. "You to watch anything special?"

Alex nodded. "I heard a Batman movie was on tonight?" he suggested.

I held back a groan. I'm not a fan of action movies, so I guess I won't be watching most of the movie. Alex found the channel, and I laid my head against his shoulder. I brought my feet up onto the cushion.

I really did try to enjoy the movie. But I have no Batman background, so I was lost. I resorted to scrolling through social media.

A few minutes later, Alex looked down at my hands. Amused, he asked, "Bored already?"

"Just a tad," I admitted.

"What's captured your attention?"

"Twitter."

Alex snatched my phone out of my hands. "Let's go through your photo album."

"What, why?" I sputtered, reaching to claim back my phone. "It's just pictures of myself."

"Exactly. Let's look."

I laughed, "Really? That's how we want to pass time?"

"My favorite thing to do."

"Look at pictures?"

"Look at you."

A tinge of pink washed over my cheeks. I leaned up and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Alex's free hand tilted my face upwards, and he kissed me back deeper.

Before we could start to make out, Alex pulled back. In a low voice, he muttered, "Parents, kitchen."

I sighed and settled back down. He turned the phone back on and scrolled through my albums. He laughed at the goofy pictures with Kaitlyn and Sam. To my embarrassment, he brought attention to my selfies. He passed by quotes and humorous screenshots, pausing a moment to react.

After a slew of Kaitlyn pictures, screenshots of her stupid faces, Alex sets my phone down on the arm rest. "What are you passionate about, Ryan?"

I looked up at my boyfriend. "Well, I love softball."

"Besides that."

I had to think before I could answer. Glancing at my phone, I thought of Kaitlyn and all she went to. She is my inspiration because of her strength, but I wish she hadn't suffered at the hands of Jake. Thinking of his name makes my blood boil.

"I think I'm passionate about domestic violence, especially towards women," I finally responded. "It was fortunate that Kaitlyn escaped when she did, but not all women are strong or lucky enough to do the same."

"So you want to put an end to the violence? Serve justice to the abusers?"

I shook my head. "I'd rather give a voice to those who cannot speak up themselves. I want them to feel brave and strong, gain back the identity they lost."

"You know what that sounds like to me?" Alex whispered, staring into my eyes. I shook my head. "It's your calling."

"But I don't know how to make a career out of it."

"Go to college. Take classes. Research. Find people to guide you."

A warm filling filled my body, and I felt something deep within my soul. Part of me wonders if this is for Alex, or if it's for my eyes opening to a plan for my future. Which Alex guided me towards.

Not knowing how else to convey my feelings, I melted into Alex's body as I kissed him. This time he didn't stop the touch, simply held me closer.

"Ryan," he muttered, "I think-"

A cough startled me back to reality. My mom and dad stood by the couch, looking bemused. I didn't have time to apologize before they scolded me, "Keep your feet off the furniture, Ryan."

I begrudgingly twisted to place my feet flat on the carpet. Dad glanced at the television as he said, "Batman? Really?" Alex shrugged uncomfortably. "Didn't peg you for a DC fan. If you want to kiss my daughter, you better be watching Marvel."

Mom nudged my dad. "Stop embarrassing Ryan. You know we don't care."

My dad winked at me. "I guess you are right." Alex used this as permission to grasp my hand, and I leaned up against his shoulder again.

Alex nodded at the remote. "You can change the channel if you want to join us."

Mom said down in the recliner while Dad took Alex's offer. He started to scroll through the channels while my mom asked me about the softball game.

I snuggled deeper into Alex's side and smiled when neither of my parents gave the action a second glance. He squeezed my hand, and we locked eyes. With a kiss on my forehead, we turned our attention towards the magical world of Harry Potter.

This is something I could do for the rest of the summer.