Outfielder Tommy Knox is said to "own" pitcher Wayne Kerley because he always hits well when Wayne is on the mound. What the public doesn't know is that the two men have long been involved in a committed, loving relationship. They met and fell in love while playing in the minor leagues, but were called up to the majors and now play for opposing teams.<br><br>Tommy and Wayne have managed to stay together through twelve closeted years. Being on different teams means they have to spend most of the baseball season apart.<br><br>In the final year of his contract, Wayne considers retirement as his career begins to wind down. The thought of life without baseball seems nearly impossible, but he keeps his fears and dread to himself. Tommy still has two years left of his contract, and all the successes, defeats, and injuries that entails. Can the two reconcile their love of each other and the game?

Ownage

The good part of being in Philly is remaining in Tommy’s time zone. He’s got Arizona coming in for three games while we’re in Philly for the same, two nights, one day. I’m upbeat over our plans, anticipation already starting to fill the gap between us.


I pitch reasonably well, going seven innings while giving up just two runs. We win, and soon as I’m in the clubhouse, I check on Tommy’s game, then his stats. Not good. More strikeouts in a six-three loss. The cabin in the woods suddenly seems very far away.


Our forced separations are way past getting old, yet they always feel new, at least at first. Likely the result of our intensity when together. Just as we acclimate, we part, essentially starting over for the umpteenth time. I get some of that now, as off-balance as Tommy’s swing. I call him around midnight.


“Me, too,” he says with a sigh. “I could use some distraction, among other things. How’d you do? I didn’t check yet.”


Chapter 14