Playing Jason Motte
It was long after church during the game that Carrie-Bri, Joe, and Rose were arguing over what kind of car Rose should buy next. She had her thoughts set on an Audi. Carrie, however, had strong opinions about women driving said car.
“Rose, women should never own Audis. Women who own Audis clawed their way to the top. They wear burgundy nail polish, wedding rings they bought themselves and wear on the other hand, they smoke cigars, wear business suits, and … look like Hilary Clinton.”
Rose remained unconvinced.
“Rose, you are ruining your image.”
“What image? I drive a Fiat 500.”
Anyway, on that note, under threatening rain, El Oso escorted the two oldest and the youngest Snicketts ladies to Forest Park at the World’s Fair Pavilion. An attendant almost let us into VIP parking.
“You could pass as Jason, you know,” he laughed, pointing at El Oso. “Except he’s already here.”
A sign of things to come. We were attending the Jason Motte Cornhole Challenge Strike Out Cancer charity event. Pappy’s BBQ and live music led things off. When Jacob walked off to grab a plate of pulled pork, he knocked over Jason Motte’s daughter, flat on her rump, a toddler in pigtails and red bows. She was not bothered. Team Fredbird passed our table. A tall blonde noticed El Oso.
“You look a lot like Jason Motte.”
The Cornhole Challenge had begun. The whole tribe was present, every Cardinal except Yadi, Martinez, Peralta, Tavaras, Neshek, and Ellis. Even Matheny made a brief VIP appearance.
“Hey, Motte!” someone waved to El Oso.
He waved back.
“What?” we laughed at him. “Has that been happening a lot?”
He nodded, “People just keep saying, ‘Motte?’ ‘Motte?’ And I tell them, ‘No, I’m El Oso.’”
For what started out as some potentially grumpy Cardinals – I’m thinking Holliday and Carpenter – not so wild about the idea of tossing beanbags filled with dried corn across a rocky parking lot, they were the last ones on the court towards the end of the night. I wouldn’t know though. We didn’t participate. I think that would have been one beanbag too embarrassing for Carrie to handle.