When the game was over, Joe made sure to put his arm around my shoulders and smile his support. He leaned close and whispered, “She seems cool.”

“She is,” I told him.

Just then Sam came running up with a huge grin on her face. She grabbed me in a huge hug. “Did you see that grand slam?”

“A foot higher and it’d been over the back fence!”

Her eyes were twinkling as she let me go to extend her hand to my Dad. “Hi, I’m Samantha Green.”

“Bill Larson.” His voice sounded like crushing rocks. “You played a great game out there.”

“Thanks,” Sam said and turned to Mom...