Out of Left Field: Marlee's Story by Barbara L. Clanton Page A

heart pounded in her chest and threatened to break free. She was mortified. She couldn’t believe she had actually said out loud what she hadn’t dared think. And to compound matters she couldn’t read Susie’s expression in the dark. Several long seconds ticked by and Marlee screamed in her head, Say something!
    Marlee put her hand over her mouth and stammered, “Oh, my God. I’m sorry.” She turned to flee.
    “Wait.” Susie reached out and grabbed her hand. Marlee was almost afraid to turn around, but Susie’s voice was soft. “Come here.” Susie started walking and Marlee let herself be led behind the shed. When they were out of view of the house, Susie stopped and let go of Marlee’s hand. Marlee backed up a step and felt the rough wood of the shed against her back. Susie moved closer. Within inches. They locked eyes. When neither of them made an effort to move away, Marlee instinctively leaned forward. Susie closed the gap in an instant. Their lips met. Lightly at first, tentatively. Marlee’s blood began to simmer and in a rush she threw her arms around the slightly taller girl’s neck and pulled her closer. Susie’s strong arms went around her waist. Blood rushed to Marlee’s face. She had never ever felt anything like this before. Definitely not with Bobby. She registered every inch of Susie’s hard yet soft body pressed against hers. She thrilled at the sensations whipping through her. Susie broke the kiss and pulled back. She stroked Marlee’s cheek, her forehead, her neck. Susie’s hand felt like home. Marlee surprised herself when she started crying.
    Susie laughed gently. “ Aay, mi vida , why are you crying?” She wiped each of Marlee’s tears away with her fingertips.
    Drowning in Susie’s eyes, Marlee smiled softly. “I don’t know. It’s...” She sighed. “It’s overwhelming.” She felt her chest squeeze tight. “I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure.”
    Susie stepped back and held both of Marlee’s hands in hers. “I wasn’t sure either. Remember when you said, ‘Nice grand slam’ in the high-five line? Dios, you were so cute. Your cheeks turned so red, I couldn’t help but smile inside.”
    Marlee smiled back and wiped at her eyes.
    “And last Friday when you grabbed my hand on the fence, I wanted to kiss you right there in the front yard, but, aaay, I had to wait to be sure. I mean, you had a boyfriend. That kind of threw me. And just so we’re clear on this, I’ve liked you ever since you threw that pitch at my head. Do you remember me smiling at you?”
    “Yeah. You were scary. I thought you were being evil.” Marlee laughed but she was shaking inside. And out.
    Susie kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Let’s go back inside. Somebody might notice we’re gone.”
    Marlee hoped she could stop shaking by the time they got back to the house.
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Deceit
     
     
    A LIGHT DUSTING of snow covered the Clarksonville Cougar softball field. Marlee pressed her nose against the glass of the gymnasium window, cell phone in hand. “We’re making up the game on Saturday.” Her breath fogged up the glass.
    Susie said, “Cool. I can’t believe it snowed today. It’s April, c’mon. Our practice got cancelled. Did you guys practice inside?”
    Marlee floated in the sound of Susie’s voice. Even over the crackly cell phone her voice was sweet. “Nah, they’re making everybody go home. And I’m just hanging in the dark gym waiting for Jeri to get her act together in the locker room. So, uh, do you maybe want to come to my game on Saturday?”
    “Yeah, sure. What time?”
    Marlee tried to stay cool, but she did a quiet little happy dance in the corner of the Clarksonville gymnasium. Susie was coming to see her. She did her best to keep her voice steady. “Coach said 2:00, but I’ll call you if it’s different.”
    “Cool. Marlee?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I can’t believe how much I want to see you.”
    “Oh, me too,” Marlee purred. “Talking