The Third Personality: A Novel (5)

DAVIE, Florida - Tommy Mendelson, now a serious base-running threat - of all things - was fired up for today's anticipated massacre of West Broward Pony League would-be rival Everhart Construction.

True, he couldn't hit with quite as much deep-footed power as he once exhibited during his Porky days in Little League - oh, but could he ever fly around those bases now! There was no more of this having-to-slide-for-extra-bases nonsense, either, unless he happened to be stretching, say, a double into a triple. And while Tommy sometimes missed the glory he so long associated with (and felt) smashing towering fly balls, he now experienced an equal rush making dashing acrobatic catches out in left - and coming up throwing … (Something the girls his age seemed to appreciate, as well - hey-oh!)

Unfortunately, the only "girl" seated in the stands for today's game was a woman maybe in her middle-to-late 20s - which was pretty ancient by Pony League standards.

"Mendelson - I've got you batting third today instead of fourth," Tommy overheard the coach saying. He tended to space out his coach's pre-game pep talks sometimes.

"Mendelson?" the coach's voice repeated, after a pregnant pause. "Are you planning on joining us for today's game?"

"Um - yeh, coach," Tommy said, looking up.

"Wonderful," said the coach. Then he stood.

"So, now, team," he began in feigned gusto. "What's the good word today?"

"Beat Everhart Construction!" chanted the players in unison.

The coach now looked confused. "What? I couldn't hear you."

"Beat Everhart Construction!" the kids yelled again, louder.

Now the coach acted like a dork. "I'm sorry - what was that?" he asked - and he started dancing sideways, his hand to his ear.

"BEAT EVERHART CONSTRUCTION!" the players cheered hoarsely.


In the top of the fifth, Tommy strode up to the plate, preparing to bat for his third time in the game.

He'd struck out figuratively going for the seats his first time up (simply an expression - there were no "seats," nor were there as usual any fences, either), and he singled past third and scored in his second time at bat - no big deal. The game was a yawner, as predicted.