Victory
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Friday, October 27, brought the victorious win of the Cardinals in the World Series. St. Louis seemed to surge in shouts and fireworks that grand cold night. And the celebrating would continued for several days.
Meanwhile, before the game had commenced, Rose had come to the office that same morning with plans for a Nacho Libre party the same evening. Collette knew that OLeif would participate in watching the film. But Collette also knew that she would not be able to tear herself away from the game, despite the fact that she only truly became a baseball fan during play-offs.
There also came news that day of cousin Linus – 16 years old. While at ball practice, he had noticed several strangers walking around the ball field, perusing. He later discovered that they were scouts when he received a letter in the mail requesting that he attend a special gathering at Mizzou in the upcoming weeks. It was reported that they had said he was the most promising young pitcher they had seen in a long time. And while he would be at Mizzou, there would be scouts from all over the country, watching. Collette was so proud. Uncle Mo and Aunt Petunia, needless to say, were wild with delight. Collette hoped that Linus made the big leagues one day. How he loved baseball.
And since Saturday was free in the early afternoon, OLeif and Collette took a drive downtown, through Forest Park and around the stadium. There was no doubt about it – Collette had been struck with baseball fever.
Later, Collette convinced Mom to take the kids to the Cardinal’s parade the next day, though Mom needed little convincing. Grandma Combs, Uncle Mo, and Aunt Petunia would also be in attendance. Uncle Mom and Aunt Petunia had even been outside the stadium during the last game and entered the stadium with the rest of the fans once the victory had been taken. It was a neat thing to see a whole city in ecstatics.
Elizabeth and Carrie-Bri, who had been on Laclede’s Landing for a concert, exited right as the fireworks began to light up the night sky.
“So everyone comes crashing out of the bars at the same time, screaming their heads off,” Carrie told them later, “giving everyone hugs. We ran for it.”
The rest of Saturday, Collette relaxed a little and watched Over the Hedge with Frances back at the house while OLeif went up with Joe, Rose, Augustus, Susie, and Molly to paint the youth building cinnamon red, orange, and brown. There was some Steak ‘n Shake for dinner where Collette astounded herself by ordering a salad.
This likely stemmed from Judah asking her Friday morning, “So has Baby Silverspoon been eating his vegetables?”
She munched it down the best she could, tomatoes, cumbers, and all and let Dad finish what she could not.
The evening ended with a stop at the coffeehouse for most of the painting crew and Collette. Iwo and Strawberry showed up later for some mochas with Strawberry’s younger brother and his pal. Izzy was happily strumming his new double base with the rest of the Flint River band. And Iwo and OLeif laughed over all kinds of things, keeping Strawberry in little fits of constant laughter herself.