Dr. Shanfield removed my shoe for me and demonstrated how the boot goes on. He carefully strapped my leg in and then helped me to my feet. "Now, this doesn't mean you can stop icing your leg and just pretend everything is fine. This is to prevent future problems from arising. Wear it when you go out for at least the next week. If you have time, come see me next week." He looked to Zeke. "Make sure he puts ice on at least twenty minutes every couple of hours. Rest is important and elevate the leg whenever he's sleeping or watching TV."
"I understand." Zeke nodded. He looked at me. "Try to walk with the boot."
I obeyed and tried to move around the room with my leg bundled up. It was like a removable cast. But...doable. My leg still hurt and was super sore. I gave Zeke a thumbs up sign.
"When can he return to baseball activities?" Zeke asked.
Dr. Shanfield shrugged. "Everyone heals differently. Especially a severe bruise like this. Like I said, try to visit me next week. And in this upcoming week, try not to do anything strenuous. If going upstairs make your leg hurt, then sleep on the couch. A kid like you is still growing, so take care of yourself."
"Thank you. I understand." Zeke told him. "I appreciate you seeing us on such short notice."
"It's no problem. The A's are excited to have Jeremy join the team. We've got to keep the star happy." The doctor laughed. "If there's anything else, this is my card. You can call any time if you have questions or concerns or if your condition changes dramatically."
Zeke accepted the business card. He grabbed my shoe and we followed Francine out.
I waved back to the doctor. "Thanks." I felt overwhelming relief that nothing was seriously wrong. At least I can still go to the Stanford camp with Noah and Zeke. Rhys might even go. I can probably even practice against his slider again.
"You kids be safe." Francine opened the door to the waiting room and sent us off with a smile.
"Jake!" Noah hurried to me and checked me out. He saw the boot. "Oh no! Did you break something?!? What are we going to do??"
Zeke gave him a small smack on the head. "It's just for precaution. Nothing broken. And we aren't going to do anything but let him rest."
Noah bent his knee and started to hop around. "Ow! Oh gosh! My leg! I need to rest too!"
"You're not getting out of training that easily." Zeke threw my shoe at Noah, hitting him in the back.
"I'm glad everything is okay. Good for you." Jack Maberry was still present. He came over and held out his hand. "I heard from Rhys and Noah, that you're Jeremy's little brother. It's good to finally meet you."
I let him shake my hand and quickly let go.
The man looked me up and down. "You look a lot like him."
I didn't know what to say to that.
"So what?" Noah stopped fooling around and got serious.
"Nothing." Maberry shrugged. "Just surprised how close your looks are." He paused. "You guys going to the game now?"
Rhys nodded. "Yea, will probably meet up with Jeremy on the field."
"You guys want to give me a ride?" Maberry grinned. "I was just going to jog over, but I've wasted some time sitting in this waiting room."
"As long as you don't mind sitting in the back." Noah smirked.
"Do you not want my autograph anymore?" Maberry feigned being offended.
"Noah..." Zeke said in a warning tone.
"It's fine. I don't mind." Maberry told Zeke. "I'm actually used to sitting in the backseat when getting an Uber or Lyft."
Zeke looked down at me. "Ready?"
I nodded. Then proceeded to wobble out of the doctor's office. The rest of them followed me, but after a few steps of them just staying right behind me, I paused. I glanced back at the four of them. "Can...you guys...walk in front of me?" I asked. I was starting to get anxious with them behind me.
Rhys laughed. "Sure. Zeke, you have the keys, lead the way." Rhys and Zeke went first. Then Maberry.
"I'll just walk beside you." Noah told me. "You don't look so steady with that boot thing on. I'm scared you'll fall."
I nodded. "Thanks."
At the car, Rhys and Zeke got in the front, while Noah and I had to squish in the back with Maberry. Well...Noah had to squish. He was the only one of us that could fit in the middle of the middle seat. He didn't mind though. He pulled out his phone and started to snap selfies with Maberry and even got Rhys to do a group shot from the very front.
Maberry was surprisingly mellow for a professional athlete. He answered all of Noah's questions about his injury and return. He also didn't mind the pictures and autographed a few of Noah's gear.
We arrived at the stadium, still early and got a good parking spot. Zeke helped me out of the car and we gathered outside of the car.
"I'll take you guys to the player's entrance." Maberry smiled. "Maybe even get a glimpse of the club room. It's cooler than watching the other team warm up."
Noah looked at me. As did Zeke and Rhys.
"Sure." I nodded. I glanced at Noah. "Should we let Rose know?"
"I'll text her." Noah pulled out his phone.
Maberry took the lead, taking us to the ticket window to still pick up our tickets and field passes before taking us to a much more conspicuous entrance. Instead of the tall gate, it was a door with its own private security guard. Maberry slowly moved through the hallways that held offices with closed doors.
Noah's eyes lit up. "These must be for the general manger, scouts, and executives. So cool."
Maberry laughed up front. "Yea, normally they would be in their offices because it's game day, but now it's also July 4th. They like to celebrate with their families too." He took us down an elevator to below ground level.
I wiped the sweat from the corner of my head.
Zeke noticed. "Feeling tired?"
I nodded, bending over to itch inside the boot. "It feels heavier than it looks." The boot probably only weighed three pounds, but it felt like twenty after walking through the parking lot.
"How does the bruise feel though?" He asked.
I shrugged. "The same. Just throbbing. Pain."
Zeke frowned. "Maybe we shouldn't have come."
"It's fine." I replied. "I just...want to sit down."
Maberry led us out of the elevator and down a walkway. "No worries. You can rest in the club room. It's very comfortable." He stopped outside a set of double doors. "Let me go inside first to make sure it's alright with the guys who are still in here." He disappeared.
Noah nudged me. "This is pretty crazy, right?"
I shrugged. This wasn't 'crazy' to me anymore. It started to feel like the norm. Constantly going to mlb games and meeting big stars.
The double doors burst open. "Jake?!" Jeremy showed up, decked out in his uniform. He looked down at my leg. "Are you alright??"
His yelling was slightly annoying, but it still warmed me on the inside. He cared just as much as Zeke or Noah. He was my brother too.
I showed him a small smile. "Just a bruise."
