In the Pirates Dougout
In my mind’s eye-
I’m 12. My version of celebrity crush is Jason Kendall-
the Pirates everyday catcher. The year is 1998.
I imagine he hears the banshee like screams that escape
my young lungs and throat when he steps up to bat.
I dream of sneaking into that dougout and meeting my hero.
In the midst of storms, it’s there I imagine hiding:
safe in my youth XL Pirates hoodie and whispering encouragement
between innings to battle weary teammates
In reality-
I’m 32. Using my boyfriend’s season pass to get
behind the scenes. When asked if I want to see
the dougout- I smile at the younger girl.
Sit between my friend and the ticket holder as we
snap selfies. He asks Lisa to snap a photo of us-
kisses me hard, a Valentine’s Day shot.
She tells him not to do the 48 hour breakup.
He tells her he believes in me as much as he does
in black and gold- like I believed in the 1998 team.
