in the minors playing for a Double A team named the Lawton Catfish The crowd in front of them began to murmur and shuffle forward Logan who was tall enough to see over most of the crowd stood on his tiptoes Sure enough Jasper Holt had arrived People clapped Some cheered One woman yelled out Marry me Jasper Hey we’re just in time Logan heard Carter Cressman say from behind him He turned to see Carter and Gabe Santiago the remaining members of their group of close friends strolling over They held bottles of water in their hands Refreshments for all Gabe said passing out the beverages None for me Annie said I don’t want to spill any on my photo of Jasper 6
Logan rolled his eyes The line slowly began to move forward Logan was going to have Jasper sign a baseball he brought with him He reached inside his coat pocket and brought out the scuffed ball He wrapped his fingers around it fingering the stitching as if he was getting ready to pitch When they reached the front of the line and Logan was standing before the local celebrity he was uncharacteristically tongue tied Jasper sat at a long table looking up expectantly Uh hi Logan said Hey Jasper replied What’s your name pal I’m uh Logan 7
Can I sign that for you Logan Jasper nodded at the baseball in Logan’s hand Oh Yeah Please He handed over the baseball Jasper scribbled his name on it with a Sharpie So what position do you play Jasper asked him Pitcher Cool He handed the ball back to Logan Keep those batters guessing Thanks Annie shoved past Logan and slapped her photo onto the table Hi she said I’m a huge fan Jasper laughed 8
Logan waited while the rest of his friends had their items signed Then they stood together and snapped a photo with Jasper Holt on one of their phones As they walked back through the crowd of people still waiting for an autograph Logan spied someone they knew Hey there’s Sal he said Sal Horton was a large barrel-chested man with wispy hair a gray beard and a wide smile He owned the kids favorite shop in town Sal’s Used Sporting Goods Sal always had a knack for knowing just the thing to help Logan and his friends out when they were struggling at a sport Standing next to Sal was his son Patrick Patrick looked very much like his father but his beard was brown and he wore a pair of thick-framed glasses 9
