The team had a magical season—Charlie pitched several no-hitters, and the few batters who managed to hit the ball rarely made it past Evan at first base. It was a dream time; nothing could stop them. The friendship that began on the field grew during the long weeks the team spent on the road.
But the magic didn’t carry into the playoffs. They only won the first game, and after the team lost, nothing in Evan’s life held much interest for him anymore. His brief marriage was a sham, at best, and try as he might to preserve it, he never quite managed to give his all to Meredith. He had given that to Charlie only to have it thrown back at him, discarded, and there was nothing left to give. He couldn’t even get mad at Meredith for hating him, if she did. He didn’t really blame her—he hated that
