I can't afford to be hurt at this point in the season. It's not good for anybody.

And besides, when you love somebody, you mustn't listen to what they say. They say things to hurt you because they're afraid of being hurt themselves. You must look at their eyes...and feel their hearts!

Hi, I’m Jude Ryder Jamieson,” he began, extending his hand. I took it, shaking it. He held onto it when I tried to pull it back. “My mom left when I was thirteen. My dad’s serving a life sentence for killing a young kid. I spent the last five years in a boys’ home being bullied, beat, and abused by the kids, the staff, and even the goddamn dog. I sold drugs. I did drugs. I got arrested. A lot. I screwed a lot of faceless women.” He paused, sucking in a breath. “And then I met one whose face I couldn’t forget. I fell in love with her. I hurt her because I fell in love with her and was afraid she was going to leave me the way everyone else had.” He lifted his other hand, cradling mine between his. “I still love her.

I did center field for 15 years and I never took it for granted. It was a great run. I won't say I won't ever go out to center again, but it's Johnny's time now.

I already have the frame for it all ready at home.

It is weird. You know going in, that this isn't going to last. In a little while, we'll return to our teams and it'll be back to normal.