Cyn

"If you walk out right now you'll be telling me what your really love and it won't be me."

"If you loved me, you'd know this moment has been all I've dreamed of since I was old enough to swing a wiffle-ball bat."

Sharice heard enough.  Matt loved baseball more than her.  Why couldn't he support her for once?  She'd been to all his games at home and on the road.  In every hotel, while he was on the green sunny fields warming up, she found a piano - even when it meant going into a strange dingy bar , smelling stale smoke from long ago days. 

Now, after so much time she could prove to her family, those naysayers, that she played Carnegie Hall, the final proof of her recovery.  It was the moment she'd dreamed of since she was old enough to realize music was a beautiful gift.

What about her goals and dreams?  Matt had opportunity after opportunity to be selected for the All-Star team.  Sharice didn't have that luxury.  Playing Carnegie opportunities didn't come around every season.  It was a once in a lifetime shot.  Her mother never thought she'd be good enough, never thought Sharice's hand would heal and be strong enough to play the challenging runs of complex classical music pieces.

Matt picked up his lone, worn bag.  "This chance only comes about once in a lifetime for a guy like me.  I'm good, Sharice, without the steroids, without doping up.  I have to do this.  I've seen guys whose hands have been shattered by a speed ball.  I don't know when or if I'll have a second chance.  I wish you understood."

She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.  "I understand more than you know."