Step Mom

~~Step Mom

The grass was slightly wet from last night’s storm,
A typical scene for mid-April,
There was a makeshift Comerica Park constructed in their backyard
 From orange cones and pillows as bases.

She knew he liked baseball
Though he wasn’t very good according to his dad,
But it was an attempt none the less.

She handed him the bat as he accepted it in silence.
Her feet distanced only 15 feet from him when
She tossed the ball.

It hesitated as it left her fingers,
He focused in and took a swing-
Miss.

A flush of embarrassment struck his face.
He wasn’t used to this.
“Nice try”.

He looked up:
She tossed again.
Miss, but closer this time.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

“Aw buddy so close, I know you’ll get it next time I’m so proud of you”.
Maybe a bit much,
But she wasn’t used to this either.

She tossed the ball, carefully calculating to aim at the perfect spot.
The bat wobbled in his arms as it connected
To the ball with a smack.

She looked at him:
He lit up as a smile spread onto his face.
“That was awesome!” she encouraged.

And to that
He looked up at her
 and said

“Thanks,
      Mom”
And suddenly

The prefix of ‘step’
Ceased to exist.