The Paradise Island ballclub, with Mitch's emotions in a terrible funk, embarked on their next road trip. It proved to be a very tough trip, as they went three and six on the nine game trip, losing two of three in each city. Mitch was in a major slump offensively. He was depressed, lonely, and didn't know what to do. Making things worse, was that even though Alan could no longer chastize the players, he went along on the road trip for business purposes, and, with his piercing eyes, Mitch knew the glee that Alan felt in seeing him stumble. In reality, probably more so than ever, both Mitch's own personal future, and his future with the team, were as uncertain as could be. Mitch knew that while Alan technically didnt own the team anymore, due to the year to year contract the players had, a few words from Alan, would put Mitch out of a job, probably for good, as it was not likely at his age, that any team would want a declining right fielder.
Making matters worse was his situation with Naomi. Mitch knew he had things to work on, both for himself, and in his marriage. However, with his baseball tenure, and his whole life, so up in the air, the question for Mitch now, would be, would his wife stand by him, when the chips were down? In reality, while Naomi was approaching 40, she was still a big name actress, and it was likely she could still get parts in the movies. For Mitch, it wasnt known what he would do if retirement came, or were forced upon him. He had always assumed that he would do something, such as PR, or coach, with the team. With the way Alan felt about him, that was anything but a given.
When Mitch arrived home on Sunday night, Naomi was there. He wasnt quite sure how to react, after the way the previous homestand had gone. Mitch had three children, his wife, and a team of 25 teammates, and yet, he felt horribly alone. Naomi kept telling him she loved him, yet, her demeanor was critical, and unwelcome. The ultimate question would be, if the time came, and Mitch either voluntarially retired, or was forced out, would Naomi be there for him, as a support system, and, further, could he live with it, if baseball was over, Naomi was the sole major wage earner, and Mitch's future was cloudy and uncertain? Although Naomi and Mitch did make love that night when he arrived home, the whole interaction felt forced, and left Mitch feeling unhappy, and unsatisfied.
The next night, the Good Guys opened a homestand against the Giants. As the team took the field, Mitch, whose batting average was down into the 260's, with a lack of power, was booed as he took his position in the field. Kate Hudson was fantastic that night, shutting out the Giants, 4-0, but Mitch struck out four times, and was loudly booed, as he couldnt help but notice Alan sitting in his box seat, with a smirk on his face, as Mitch made his way back to the dugout. The next night, Gil Bellows beat the Giants, 3-1, firing a two hitter, but Mitch, still in a funk, struck out three more times, and was booed some more. On Wednesday, the Good Guys dropped a 4-3 decision, as Mitch could manage little more than a walk.
Thursday was an off day. Mitch tried to take his mind off his troubles both on field, and with Naomi, by going to the casino. Although the team was there, and everyone was superfically cordial, it was almost as if they wanted to keep their distance, for the security of their own jobs, in case Alan decided that Mitch's decline was his last with the team.
San Diego came to town on Friday night. Neve Campbell pitched well, and Mitch got two soft singles, with no ball hit with any authority, in a 4-2 win. After the fifth starter took a 5-0 loss on Saturday night, Kate Hudson went to the mound on a humid Sunday in front of a sellout. She was her usual stellar self, striking out fourteen, as the Good Guys hit three solo homers, but none by Mitch. The runs proved to be enough, however, in a 3-0 triumph.
The Dodgers visited Paradise in the homestand's last series, before the Good Guys went to the West Coast. Gil Bellows pitched well on Monday night, but left tied, 3-3, as the team committed an error in the ninth, and dropped the game, 4-3. Charlize Theron picked the team up on Tuesday night, allowing but one run into the eighth, as the team got five, in a 5-1 triumph. Neve Campbell went to the mound in front of a sellout, on a sunny Wednesday, in the homestand's last game, before the Good Guys headed to California the next night. She gave up three runs in six innings, and left tied, 3-3 after six. The Good Guys got two runs in the eighth, and Hilary Duff slammed the door, in a 5-3 Good Guy win, which completed a six and three homestand. On the field, everything seemed just fine, but off it, for Mitch, it was anything but.
Through all the troubles, Mitch tried to put on a brave face. He couldn't quite broach the subject with Naomi, of her feelings for him, the future, and where things stood. Mitch, for the first time in his life, with all his strength, realized the potential devastation for him, if he and Naomi were not on the same page. The reality was, that as Mitch's career as a washed up baseball player might well be coming to an end, Naomi's might well take off, if they decided to say "uncle", to baseball. As they lied in bed that night, Mitch, the fear inside of him, tried to gently broach the subject with the wife he loved for over 20 years.
"Nai, this has to be said, because we both know this isnt good. I'm not doing well, things aren't going well. We all know that I can't keep producing at a high level every year, and that if this slump I'm in continues, that Alan may well get rid of me, and our lives are going to be so totally different. Honey, I dont care if you make a million a year, and I'm making $25,000. You know I dont have an ego, but I have to know, that we are on the same page. What happens to "us", when the cheering stops, and there is no more baseball?"
Naomi, who wanted to avoid that whole subject, due to her own insecurites, of what would happen to Mitch, and their marriage, and Mitch's life, if baseball was in fact over, just smiled, and gave an evasive answer that didn't help put Mitch at ease. What he needed to hear was:" None of that matters. I love you, and I married you for better or worse. Whatever happens with baseball,our careers, and whatever job you have, doesnt change my feelings about you." THOSE were the words that Mitch needed to hear, but what Naomi actually said was:" It may just be a slump, Alan has gotten this way before. We cant make any plans, or decide or discuss anything, until the end of the season, and we see what actually happens with your season, and our contracts" She then managed a small smile, which didnt at all make Mitch comfortable.
At that moment, Mitch felt a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from sadness, to fear, to rage. Those were NOT the words a man in trouble needed to hear from his wife of 20 years. At that moment, as Mitch lied there, he seriously wondered if the end of baseball would be the end of Naomi and him. It had happened once before, and he felt it could happen again. Naomi did add this, which also didnt make him comfortable:" Your slump is about you and only you. If you keep being depressed, and scared, and negative, you arent ever going to get out of it. I think you want me to feel sorry for you. As your wife, I know maybe I'm supposed to, but, I just cant, because as I said, I dont want to think negatively." She said. Mitch then looked Naomi straight in the eyes, and spoke in a very low, and infatic tone of voice:" Nai, I want you to listen to me, and to listen carefully. I have spent over 20 years loving this island, this team, baseball, and everything. We have had a pretty good life here, even in spite of all the problems. Now, we are facing a very uncertain future. At this point, I honestly dont give a shit about baseball, Alan, the team, or even tickling and feet. I can live without all that stuff, if I have to. What I need to know, and what must be a constant for me, is you. I am ready to pack it all in, and say fuck it, my tickling obsession, feet, ladder obsession, whatever. None of that matters. If I retain my girl, and my family is in tact, I figure, all the other things will fall into place. If I dont have you, and we aren't on the same page, nothing else matters. Our marriage is over, our family, and our children's lives as we know it. I am by no means threatening you, or saying I want to leave, or anything like that. I love you, I always have, and I always will. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but, I sense, you arent completely committed to me, and whatever happens, if the chips go down. If this happens, and you arent with me, or think less of me due to it, then we have a real, real problem." Mitch said, to silence from Naomi.
In the meantime, while it seemed utterly trivial considering the circumstances, the team held it's Saturday night tickle party, which Mitch and Naomi dutifully showed up to, and put on brave faces for. The featured lee, would be a pretty brunette, who was a member of the tickling chatroom, that the Good Guys belonged to, when at home. The slim brunette was tied hands and feet to the bed, in the middle of the fetish club, as second baseman Russell began the tickle on her neck with fingers, and the giggles began:HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! NO! Moving down, catcher Barney tickled the brunette on her underarms, down her sides, and in her ribs and belly with fingers, as more squeals erupted:HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! OMG SO TICKLISH! NOO! HEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHE! Then, third baseman Michael attacked the brunette on her hips, inner thighs, and knees, causing leg bucking. Finally, Mitch knew it was his turn, and proceeded to tickle the soft soles of the brunette's feet. He attacked her feet with fingers, feathers, and a vibrating electric massager over her soles and toes. The brunette went ballistic, wiggling her toes every which way, and squealing with nearly uncontrollable laughter:HHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHE! OMG PLEASE NO MORE! I GIVE UP! IAM SOOOOOO TICKLISH! NOOOOO! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! Finally, the tickle stopped, and the brunette was untied.
While things were going fine for the team on the field, Mitch stood at the party that night, drinking alcohol, within himself, contemplating his uncertain future. At that point, it was seriously not known what would happen with baseball, as his life could look very different the following year. Even more disheartening, was his uncertainity over Naomi, due to her reaction. He began to wonder if he had wasted his time for 20 years with her. Mitch was not a happy man, but the story hadn't yet been written, because if Naomi came around, nothing else mattered. If she didn't, his life, and the lives of his three children with her, would be potentially turned upside down. It was very uncertain, unhappy times for Mitch, and he didnt know what was going to happen next. What actually would? Stay tuned for the continuing story of the Tickle Team from Paradise Island.
The End
Making matters worse was his situation with Naomi. Mitch knew he had things to work on, both for himself, and in his marriage. However, with his baseball tenure, and his whole life, so up in the air, the question for Mitch now, would be, would his wife stand by him, when the chips were down? In reality, while Naomi was approaching 40, she was still a big name actress, and it was likely she could still get parts in the movies. For Mitch, it wasnt known what he would do if retirement came, or were forced upon him. He had always assumed that he would do something, such as PR, or coach, with the team. With the way Alan felt about him, that was anything but a given.
When Mitch arrived home on Sunday night, Naomi was there. He wasnt quite sure how to react, after the way the previous homestand had gone. Mitch had three children, his wife, and a team of 25 teammates, and yet, he felt horribly alone. Naomi kept telling him she loved him, yet, her demeanor was critical, and unwelcome. The ultimate question would be, if the time came, and Mitch either voluntarially retired, or was forced out, would Naomi be there for him, as a support system, and, further, could he live with it, if baseball was over, Naomi was the sole major wage earner, and Mitch's future was cloudy and uncertain? Although Naomi and Mitch did make love that night when he arrived home, the whole interaction felt forced, and left Mitch feeling unhappy, and unsatisfied.
The next night, the Good Guys opened a homestand against the Giants. As the team took the field, Mitch, whose batting average was down into the 260's, with a lack of power, was booed as he took his position in the field. Kate Hudson was fantastic that night, shutting out the Giants, 4-0, but Mitch struck out four times, and was loudly booed, as he couldnt help but notice Alan sitting in his box seat, with a smirk on his face, as Mitch made his way back to the dugout. The next night, Gil Bellows beat the Giants, 3-1, firing a two hitter, but Mitch, still in a funk, struck out three more times, and was booed some more. On Wednesday, the Good Guys dropped a 4-3 decision, as Mitch could manage little more than a walk.
Thursday was an off day. Mitch tried to take his mind off his troubles both on field, and with Naomi, by going to the casino. Although the team was there, and everyone was superfically cordial, it was almost as if they wanted to keep their distance, for the security of their own jobs, in case Alan decided that Mitch's decline was his last with the team.
San Diego came to town on Friday night. Neve Campbell pitched well, and Mitch got two soft singles, with no ball hit with any authority, in a 4-2 win. After the fifth starter took a 5-0 loss on Saturday night, Kate Hudson went to the mound on a humid Sunday in front of a sellout. She was her usual stellar self, striking out fourteen, as the Good Guys hit three solo homers, but none by Mitch. The runs proved to be enough, however, in a 3-0 triumph.
The Dodgers visited Paradise in the homestand's last series, before the Good Guys went to the West Coast. Gil Bellows pitched well on Monday night, but left tied, 3-3, as the team committed an error in the ninth, and dropped the game, 4-3. Charlize Theron picked the team up on Tuesday night, allowing but one run into the eighth, as the team got five, in a 5-1 triumph. Neve Campbell went to the mound in front of a sellout, on a sunny Wednesday, in the homestand's last game, before the Good Guys headed to California the next night. She gave up three runs in six innings, and left tied, 3-3 after six. The Good Guys got two runs in the eighth, and Hilary Duff slammed the door, in a 5-3 Good Guy win, which completed a six and three homestand. On the field, everything seemed just fine, but off it, for Mitch, it was anything but.
Through all the troubles, Mitch tried to put on a brave face. He couldn't quite broach the subject with Naomi, of her feelings for him, the future, and where things stood. Mitch, for the first time in his life, with all his strength, realized the potential devastation for him, if he and Naomi were not on the same page. The reality was, that as Mitch's career as a washed up baseball player might well be coming to an end, Naomi's might well take off, if they decided to say "uncle", to baseball. As they lied in bed that night, Mitch, the fear inside of him, tried to gently broach the subject with the wife he loved for over 20 years.
"Nai, this has to be said, because we both know this isnt good. I'm not doing well, things aren't going well. We all know that I can't keep producing at a high level every year, and that if this slump I'm in continues, that Alan may well get rid of me, and our lives are going to be so totally different. Honey, I dont care if you make a million a year, and I'm making $25,000. You know I dont have an ego, but I have to know, that we are on the same page. What happens to "us", when the cheering stops, and there is no more baseball?"
Naomi, who wanted to avoid that whole subject, due to her own insecurites, of what would happen to Mitch, and their marriage, and Mitch's life, if baseball was in fact over, just smiled, and gave an evasive answer that didn't help put Mitch at ease. What he needed to hear was:" None of that matters. I love you, and I married you for better or worse. Whatever happens with baseball,our careers, and whatever job you have, doesnt change my feelings about you." THOSE were the words that Mitch needed to hear, but what Naomi actually said was:" It may just be a slump, Alan has gotten this way before. We cant make any plans, or decide or discuss anything, until the end of the season, and we see what actually happens with your season, and our contracts" She then managed a small smile, which didnt at all make Mitch comfortable.
At that moment, Mitch felt a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from sadness, to fear, to rage. Those were NOT the words a man in trouble needed to hear from his wife of 20 years. At that moment, as Mitch lied there, he seriously wondered if the end of baseball would be the end of Naomi and him. It had happened once before, and he felt it could happen again. Naomi did add this, which also didnt make him comfortable:" Your slump is about you and only you. If you keep being depressed, and scared, and negative, you arent ever going to get out of it. I think you want me to feel sorry for you. As your wife, I know maybe I'm supposed to, but, I just cant, because as I said, I dont want to think negatively." She said. Mitch then looked Naomi straight in the eyes, and spoke in a very low, and infatic tone of voice:" Nai, I want you to listen to me, and to listen carefully. I have spent over 20 years loving this island, this team, baseball, and everything. We have had a pretty good life here, even in spite of all the problems. Now, we are facing a very uncertain future. At this point, I honestly dont give a shit about baseball, Alan, the team, or even tickling and feet. I can live without all that stuff, if I have to. What I need to know, and what must be a constant for me, is you. I am ready to pack it all in, and say fuck it, my tickling obsession, feet, ladder obsession, whatever. None of that matters. If I retain my girl, and my family is in tact, I figure, all the other things will fall into place. If I dont have you, and we aren't on the same page, nothing else matters. Our marriage is over, our family, and our children's lives as we know it. I am by no means threatening you, or saying I want to leave, or anything like that. I love you, I always have, and I always will. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but, I sense, you arent completely committed to me, and whatever happens, if the chips go down. If this happens, and you arent with me, or think less of me due to it, then we have a real, real problem." Mitch said, to silence from Naomi.
In the meantime, while it seemed utterly trivial considering the circumstances, the team held it's Saturday night tickle party, which Mitch and Naomi dutifully showed up to, and put on brave faces for. The featured lee, would be a pretty brunette, who was a member of the tickling chatroom, that the Good Guys belonged to, when at home. The slim brunette was tied hands and feet to the bed, in the middle of the fetish club, as second baseman Russell began the tickle on her neck with fingers, and the giggles began:HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! NO! Moving down, catcher Barney tickled the brunette on her underarms, down her sides, and in her ribs and belly with fingers, as more squeals erupted:HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! OMG SO TICKLISH! NOO! HEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHE! Then, third baseman Michael attacked the brunette on her hips, inner thighs, and knees, causing leg bucking. Finally, Mitch knew it was his turn, and proceeded to tickle the soft soles of the brunette's feet. He attacked her feet with fingers, feathers, and a vibrating electric massager over her soles and toes. The brunette went ballistic, wiggling her toes every which way, and squealing with nearly uncontrollable laughter:HHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHE! OMG PLEASE NO MORE! I GIVE UP! IAM SOOOOOO TICKLISH! NOOOOO! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! Finally, the tickle stopped, and the brunette was untied.
While things were going fine for the team on the field, Mitch stood at the party that night, drinking alcohol, within himself, contemplating his uncertain future. At that point, it was seriously not known what would happen with baseball, as his life could look very different the following year. Even more disheartening, was his uncertainity over Naomi, due to her reaction. He began to wonder if he had wasted his time for 20 years with her. Mitch was not a happy man, but the story hadn't yet been written, because if Naomi came around, nothing else mattered. If she didn't, his life, and the lives of his three children with her, would be potentially turned upside down. It was very uncertain, unhappy times for Mitch, and he didnt know what was going to happen next. What actually would? Stay tuned for the continuing story of the Tickle Team from Paradise Island.
The End
