The Good Guys embarked on their next road trip. It did not start well, as in New York, the Mets paid them back for the sweep of the week before, by sweeping a three game series. Then, things turned around, as the Good Guys went to Atlanta, and swept three games from the sputtering Braves, before going to Houston, and winning two of three there. The team returned home, on a Sunday night, to begin a nine game homestand, against the midwest teams.
On the Thursday night before the road trip concluded, a vicious argument between Mitch and Naomi turned particularly ugly. Recently, when the couple had been arguing on the computer, Naomi had began leaving the conversation, without saying anything. She had done so again on that Thursday, and Mitch was livid, and sent her an e-mail saying that "perhaps it would be better if they weren't together anymore". Naomi became enraged, and sent him an e-mail in capital letters stating that they were finished, and that she was filing for divorce the next morning. Mitch was very upset, and went to manager Elmont Koehler, and requested permission to leave the trip early, to return home. Koehler, who knew Mitch's dedication to the team, agreed, and knew something very serious had occurred if Mitch was leaving a road trip early. Mitch could not get a flight back to Paradise until noon the next day, and landed in the late afternoon, in a heavy thunderstorm. He entered the apartment, and found no one there, and a stack of papers on the hall table, with PETITION FOR DIVORCE. Naomi V Mitch, on the first page. Naomi had gone to court that morning, filed for divorce, hired an attorney, packed her clothes, and left. Additionally, she had told Mitch that she had removed him from her instant message list, and placed him on ignore. In her words, she told him: "You wanted out, so now, you have what you want, and you can go straight to hell!" Mitch got into his car, and went to the hotel, which is the only place he figured Naomi could have gone. The front desk confirmed that she had taken a room, but told Mitch that she had left instructions not to put Mitch's calls through, and that she was not coming downstairs, and did not want him let upstairs to her room. Mitch left the hotel, and went home. He had a sleepless night that night. Of all their battles, this one seemed like the end.
Over that weekend, the team finished their road trip, and returned to Paradise. On Monday, they were scheduled to open a nine game homestand, against Pittsburgh. That evening, Naomi entered the clubhouse in dark glasses, and was approached by Mitch. "Can I talk to you please?" He began. "There is nothing to talk about, Mitchell, YOU told me you felt we shouldnt be together anymore, so I gave you what you wanted. I think it is all cut and dry, and there isnt anything else to say, except if we have to discuss our grown kids" Naomi said, matter of factly. She began to walk away, but Mitch touched her arm: "Oh, that's great, woman, after twenty four years, there isnt anything else to say? There is so much else to say, you cant even begin to imagine!" Mitch said, forcefully. Naomi was silent. "You really want us to be divorced? Thats what you want? You dont love me anymore, Naomi?" Mitch said. "Dont even, Mitchell. I have always loved you. I always have, and I probably always will, whether we are together or not. I have been with you since I'm eighteen years old. I have three grown children with you. You just dont toss that away so easily. When someone says to you after a quarter century together that "Perhaps it would be better if we werent together anymore", a person cant take that lightly. To me, you said the final words, so I gave you your wish. I'll find a place to live, and you wont have to be with me anymore" Naomi said. "I didnt mean it. I was angry. I'm sorry. I dont want a divorce" Mitch began. "Well, thats just fine and dandy, Mitchell, but unfortunately, while you have always thought that there was only you in his marriage, there are two of us, and when someone says that to me, I cant overlook it. You pushed me, and now I feel I have no recourse but divorce. I'll play out the season, and go on my way. As for you, you can do as you please" Naomi said, ending the conversation.
The Good Guys began their homestand that night. Gil Bellows started. He gave up two runs, and the Good Guys broke a 2-2 tie with an Ed Burns two run homer, as Hudson saved the day in the ninth, for a 4-2 win. Charlize Theron pitched the next night. She gave up one run in six innings. Paradise rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the eighth, to score five runs, for a 5-1 victory. Neve Campbell took the ball on Wednesday night. Neve gave up three runs, and the Good Guys broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the bottom of the ninth, for a 4-3 triumph.
Thursday was an off day. That morning, Mitch called Naomi on her cell phone. "Can we keep our counesling appointment today?" Were his first words. "Counesling? That is for people who want to work on their marriage. We're getting divorced, remember?" Naomi shot back. "Then can I meet you for lunch today, or dinner? I want to talk to you. Nai, please" Mitch said. "Please dont call me Nai. My name is Naomi. Nai is a pet name that I tolerated from the man I was married to for twenty four years. You cant butter me up and expect it to work, Mitchell, its too late" Naomi said. Mitch was silent. Then Naomi said. "Please. I know we have to communicate if it's something about the three beautiful lives we created together, but other than that, we have nothing to talk about" Naomi said, and ended the phone call. Mitch went to the casino, where he drank, and lost $1000. Things were looking grim.
Chicago came to town on Friday night. Rachel Leigh Cook started, and gave up four runs. The Good Guys could not recover, and lost, 4-1. Hayden pitched on Saturday night, and allowed three solo homers, and nothing else. The Good Guys, however, scored no runs, and fell, 3-0. Gil Bellows took the ball on Sunday, a sunny, dry, 88 degree day, in front of a sellout. The Good Guys scored five early runs on two homers, and Bellows cruised, to a 5-0 victory, to avoid the sweep.
St Louis entered Paradise on Monday, for the homestand's final series. Charlize pitched on Monday night, and allowed three runs in six innings, as the Good Guys exploded back from a 3-0 deficit with five runs in the eighth, for a 5-3 win. Neve Campbell took the ball on Tuesday night. She got lit up for six runs in five innings, as the Good Guys were defeated, 6-3. Rachel Leigh Cook was on the hill on Wednesday, a sunny, bright 90 degree day, in front of a sellout. Cook gave up one run in six innings. The game was tied,
1-1 until the eighth, when Ed Burns hit a solo homer. Hudson finished the game in the ninth, and the Good Guys had a 2-1 win, that completed a fine six and three homestand. In the meantime, the Mets and Phillies were continuing to struggle, and, after gaining no ground on the road trip, the team picked up four games in the standings on the homestand, and now trailed both New York and Philly by but one game, after being eleven games out just three weeks earlier. The team was in a pennant race.
On Wednesday night, Mitch went to the hotel, bribed a desk clerk $100 to get permission to go to Naomi's room, and then bought a dozen red roses. He knocked on the door, and Naomi answered, in a robe, and bare feet. "God, thats the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I miss that. These are for you. I love you" Mitch said. Naomi shook her head, and choked back tears. "No, I cant take those. You really have to go. We have to divorce" Naomi said, stoically. Mitch leaned over, and gave Naomi a long kiss on the lips, and she didnt try to pull away. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please let me in" Mitch said. Naomi stepped aside, and let Mitch into the room, where he put the flowers in a vase. "I hope you're not going to make me regret this" Naomi said, weakly, sinking into a chair. "Naomi, I'm so so sorry. I didnt mean it. I was so angry. I thought we were just going to go to bed mad, not talk for a day or two, and work it out like we always do. I lit the fuse, and then it exploded. Sometimes people say things they dont mean. I know in twenty four years, you've said sometimes that we shouldnt be together, and file for divorce, why was when I said it this time so different?" Mitch asked. "It's your whole lackadasical attitude toward our marriage. You think you know the reasons why I have it against you. It seems as those as long as we;re having sex, or youre tickling me, or I'm barefoot up the next ladder, or you're smelling my feet, that you think all is okay. I have sacrificed so much for you, to be on this island. I gave up my acting career. I've never regretted that, for one minute, because sacrifice is what you do for someone you love, and I love you, Mitchell, but if I ask you to do a few things for me, I'm a big bitch. I cant do that any more, Mitchell. Things need to change" Naomi said. "Okay, honey, I understand that. Tell me what needs to change, and I'll work on it, however long it takes. I promise. I've been miserable these last ten days. I dont want to be without you" Mitch implored. "Right now I cant think. Why dont you go home, and let me be for a while, and we'll talk while you're on the road." Naomi said. "What about the divorce petition?" Mitch asked. "I'll tell the attorney to withdraw it, for now" Naomi said. "Okay, I'll have to accept that answer." Mitch said. "I must love you too, Mitchell, and the love must be deeper than even I know. If I didnt, I wouldnt still be here, and we wouldnt be having this conversation. I would have been gone, long ago" Naomi said. "Will you come home the next time I'm home?" Mitch asked. "I'm going back to the apartment while youre away, so I dont have to pay for a room. As for what happens next, that will depend on what occurs while youre on the road" Naomi said. "Okay" Mitch said. "Why dont you go now, and let me think" Naomi said. "Okay, baby, you do all the thinking you need. I'll talk to you soon" Mitch said, leaving the room.
The previous Saturday night, Mitch paid a dom $100 for a professional tickle session, as he did not feel like taking part in the tickle party with the team, due to his situation. Mitch was tied hands and feet to the bed, in a private room. The dom began the tickle on Mitch's neck with fingers, as his head shifted, and the laughter began:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHA! Working down, the dom attacked Mitch on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, with her long nails, as he howled:HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Moving down, the dom tickled Mitch on his hips, inner thighs, and knees, causing his legs to buck:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Finally, she positioned herself at his feet, and attacked him with fingers, feathers, and an electric toothbrush on his feet and toes. Mitch went ballistic, howling with laughter:HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHA! OMG PLEASE NO MORE! NOOO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAA! Finally, the tickle ended, and Mitch was untied.
That Thursday night, Mitch took a cab to the airport, to catch the team flight to Pittsburgh. On the way to the airport, he rang Naomi's cell phone. She answered in an exasperated manner. "What?" "I just called to say I'm thinking about you, and I love you" Mitch said. "If you love me, then you will respect my wishes, and give me space. Please dont call me every day. I need to think, and if you're talking to me all the time, I cant clear my head." Naomi said. "Okay, I wont, I'm sorry. Can I please call you one time on the trip, just to talk?" Mitch asked. Naomi sighed. "One time, Mitchell, from Chicago, on Tuesday night, after the game, but please dont pressure me, and please dont call any more than that. I'll give in on that point, but nothing else, okay?" Naomi said. "Okay, I understand, I'll talk to you Tuesday, take care of yourself" Mitch said. "Goodnight, Mitchell" Naomi said, hanging up the cell phone.
So, the homestand had began with a bang, with Naomi's divorce filing, and ended with some ray of hope, that it was not the end of the star couple's quarter century union. Now came a ten day road trip for the Good Guys. Would Mitch and Naomi stay together, or fall apart? That answer to come in the continuing story of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
On the Thursday night before the road trip concluded, a vicious argument between Mitch and Naomi turned particularly ugly. Recently, when the couple had been arguing on the computer, Naomi had began leaving the conversation, without saying anything. She had done so again on that Thursday, and Mitch was livid, and sent her an e-mail saying that "perhaps it would be better if they weren't together anymore". Naomi became enraged, and sent him an e-mail in capital letters stating that they were finished, and that she was filing for divorce the next morning. Mitch was very upset, and went to manager Elmont Koehler, and requested permission to leave the trip early, to return home. Koehler, who knew Mitch's dedication to the team, agreed, and knew something very serious had occurred if Mitch was leaving a road trip early. Mitch could not get a flight back to Paradise until noon the next day, and landed in the late afternoon, in a heavy thunderstorm. He entered the apartment, and found no one there, and a stack of papers on the hall table, with PETITION FOR DIVORCE. Naomi V Mitch, on the first page. Naomi had gone to court that morning, filed for divorce, hired an attorney, packed her clothes, and left. Additionally, she had told Mitch that she had removed him from her instant message list, and placed him on ignore. In her words, she told him: "You wanted out, so now, you have what you want, and you can go straight to hell!" Mitch got into his car, and went to the hotel, which is the only place he figured Naomi could have gone. The front desk confirmed that she had taken a room, but told Mitch that she had left instructions not to put Mitch's calls through, and that she was not coming downstairs, and did not want him let upstairs to her room. Mitch left the hotel, and went home. He had a sleepless night that night. Of all their battles, this one seemed like the end.
Over that weekend, the team finished their road trip, and returned to Paradise. On Monday, they were scheduled to open a nine game homestand, against Pittsburgh. That evening, Naomi entered the clubhouse in dark glasses, and was approached by Mitch. "Can I talk to you please?" He began. "There is nothing to talk about, Mitchell, YOU told me you felt we shouldnt be together anymore, so I gave you what you wanted. I think it is all cut and dry, and there isnt anything else to say, except if we have to discuss our grown kids" Naomi said, matter of factly. She began to walk away, but Mitch touched her arm: "Oh, that's great, woman, after twenty four years, there isnt anything else to say? There is so much else to say, you cant even begin to imagine!" Mitch said, forcefully. Naomi was silent. "You really want us to be divorced? Thats what you want? You dont love me anymore, Naomi?" Mitch said. "Dont even, Mitchell. I have always loved you. I always have, and I probably always will, whether we are together or not. I have been with you since I'm eighteen years old. I have three grown children with you. You just dont toss that away so easily. When someone says to you after a quarter century together that "Perhaps it would be better if we werent together anymore", a person cant take that lightly. To me, you said the final words, so I gave you your wish. I'll find a place to live, and you wont have to be with me anymore" Naomi said. "I didnt mean it. I was angry. I'm sorry. I dont want a divorce" Mitch began. "Well, thats just fine and dandy, Mitchell, but unfortunately, while you have always thought that there was only you in his marriage, there are two of us, and when someone says that to me, I cant overlook it. You pushed me, and now I feel I have no recourse but divorce. I'll play out the season, and go on my way. As for you, you can do as you please" Naomi said, ending the conversation.
The Good Guys began their homestand that night. Gil Bellows started. He gave up two runs, and the Good Guys broke a 2-2 tie with an Ed Burns two run homer, as Hudson saved the day in the ninth, for a 4-2 win. Charlize Theron pitched the next night. She gave up one run in six innings. Paradise rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the eighth, to score five runs, for a 5-1 victory. Neve Campbell took the ball on Wednesday night. Neve gave up three runs, and the Good Guys broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the bottom of the ninth, for a 4-3 triumph.
Thursday was an off day. That morning, Mitch called Naomi on her cell phone. "Can we keep our counesling appointment today?" Were his first words. "Counesling? That is for people who want to work on their marriage. We're getting divorced, remember?" Naomi shot back. "Then can I meet you for lunch today, or dinner? I want to talk to you. Nai, please" Mitch said. "Please dont call me Nai. My name is Naomi. Nai is a pet name that I tolerated from the man I was married to for twenty four years. You cant butter me up and expect it to work, Mitchell, its too late" Naomi said. Mitch was silent. Then Naomi said. "Please. I know we have to communicate if it's something about the three beautiful lives we created together, but other than that, we have nothing to talk about" Naomi said, and ended the phone call. Mitch went to the casino, where he drank, and lost $1000. Things were looking grim.
Chicago came to town on Friday night. Rachel Leigh Cook started, and gave up four runs. The Good Guys could not recover, and lost, 4-1. Hayden pitched on Saturday night, and allowed three solo homers, and nothing else. The Good Guys, however, scored no runs, and fell, 3-0. Gil Bellows took the ball on Sunday, a sunny, dry, 88 degree day, in front of a sellout. The Good Guys scored five early runs on two homers, and Bellows cruised, to a 5-0 victory, to avoid the sweep.
St Louis entered Paradise on Monday, for the homestand's final series. Charlize pitched on Monday night, and allowed three runs in six innings, as the Good Guys exploded back from a 3-0 deficit with five runs in the eighth, for a 5-3 win. Neve Campbell took the ball on Tuesday night. She got lit up for six runs in five innings, as the Good Guys were defeated, 6-3. Rachel Leigh Cook was on the hill on Wednesday, a sunny, bright 90 degree day, in front of a sellout. Cook gave up one run in six innings. The game was tied,
1-1 until the eighth, when Ed Burns hit a solo homer. Hudson finished the game in the ninth, and the Good Guys had a 2-1 win, that completed a fine six and three homestand. In the meantime, the Mets and Phillies were continuing to struggle, and, after gaining no ground on the road trip, the team picked up four games in the standings on the homestand, and now trailed both New York and Philly by but one game, after being eleven games out just three weeks earlier. The team was in a pennant race.
On Wednesday night, Mitch went to the hotel, bribed a desk clerk $100 to get permission to go to Naomi's room, and then bought a dozen red roses. He knocked on the door, and Naomi answered, in a robe, and bare feet. "God, thats the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I miss that. These are for you. I love you" Mitch said. Naomi shook her head, and choked back tears. "No, I cant take those. You really have to go. We have to divorce" Naomi said, stoically. Mitch leaned over, and gave Naomi a long kiss on the lips, and she didnt try to pull away. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please let me in" Mitch said. Naomi stepped aside, and let Mitch into the room, where he put the flowers in a vase. "I hope you're not going to make me regret this" Naomi said, weakly, sinking into a chair. "Naomi, I'm so so sorry. I didnt mean it. I was so angry. I thought we were just going to go to bed mad, not talk for a day or two, and work it out like we always do. I lit the fuse, and then it exploded. Sometimes people say things they dont mean. I know in twenty four years, you've said sometimes that we shouldnt be together, and file for divorce, why was when I said it this time so different?" Mitch asked. "It's your whole lackadasical attitude toward our marriage. You think you know the reasons why I have it against you. It seems as those as long as we;re having sex, or youre tickling me, or I'm barefoot up the next ladder, or you're smelling my feet, that you think all is okay. I have sacrificed so much for you, to be on this island. I gave up my acting career. I've never regretted that, for one minute, because sacrifice is what you do for someone you love, and I love you, Mitchell, but if I ask you to do a few things for me, I'm a big bitch. I cant do that any more, Mitchell. Things need to change" Naomi said. "Okay, honey, I understand that. Tell me what needs to change, and I'll work on it, however long it takes. I promise. I've been miserable these last ten days. I dont want to be without you" Mitch implored. "Right now I cant think. Why dont you go home, and let me be for a while, and we'll talk while you're on the road." Naomi said. "What about the divorce petition?" Mitch asked. "I'll tell the attorney to withdraw it, for now" Naomi said. "Okay, I'll have to accept that answer." Mitch said. "I must love you too, Mitchell, and the love must be deeper than even I know. If I didnt, I wouldnt still be here, and we wouldnt be having this conversation. I would have been gone, long ago" Naomi said. "Will you come home the next time I'm home?" Mitch asked. "I'm going back to the apartment while youre away, so I dont have to pay for a room. As for what happens next, that will depend on what occurs while youre on the road" Naomi said. "Okay" Mitch said. "Why dont you go now, and let me think" Naomi said. "Okay, baby, you do all the thinking you need. I'll talk to you soon" Mitch said, leaving the room.
The previous Saturday night, Mitch paid a dom $100 for a professional tickle session, as he did not feel like taking part in the tickle party with the team, due to his situation. Mitch was tied hands and feet to the bed, in a private room. The dom began the tickle on Mitch's neck with fingers, as his head shifted, and the laughter began:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHA! Working down, the dom attacked Mitch on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, with her long nails, as he howled:HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Moving down, the dom tickled Mitch on his hips, inner thighs, and knees, causing his legs to buck:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Finally, she positioned herself at his feet, and attacked him with fingers, feathers, and an electric toothbrush on his feet and toes. Mitch went ballistic, howling with laughter:HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHA! OMG PLEASE NO MORE! NOOO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAA! Finally, the tickle ended, and Mitch was untied.
That Thursday night, Mitch took a cab to the airport, to catch the team flight to Pittsburgh. On the way to the airport, he rang Naomi's cell phone. She answered in an exasperated manner. "What?" "I just called to say I'm thinking about you, and I love you" Mitch said. "If you love me, then you will respect my wishes, and give me space. Please dont call me every day. I need to think, and if you're talking to me all the time, I cant clear my head." Naomi said. "Okay, I wont, I'm sorry. Can I please call you one time on the trip, just to talk?" Mitch asked. Naomi sighed. "One time, Mitchell, from Chicago, on Tuesday night, after the game, but please dont pressure me, and please dont call any more than that. I'll give in on that point, but nothing else, okay?" Naomi said. "Okay, I understand, I'll talk to you Tuesday, take care of yourself" Mitch said. "Goodnight, Mitchell" Naomi said, hanging up the cell phone.
So, the homestand had began with a bang, with Naomi's divorce filing, and ended with some ray of hope, that it was not the end of the star couple's quarter century union. Now came a ten day road trip for the Good Guys. Would Mitch and Naomi stay together, or fall apart? That answer to come in the continuing story of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
That came out of nowhere and turned things completely upside down for the Good Guys and for Mitch and Naomi. This fan can't believe what just happened but it sure turned up the suspense by several factors of 10. This is quite possibly one of the best ones in a while. I look forward to the next one.
