Boys of Summer

Early March, three weeks before Opening DayWHAT JANIE NOLAN knew about baseball could be summed up in three words: zip, zero and zilch. She'd never liked sports of any kind, being far too focused on what her family called her "causes" to much care if some guy hit a ball with a stick farther than some other guy hit a ball with a stick.So the fact that she'd ended up running a sports memorabilia shop called Round The Bases, which was primarily focused on Louisville's Major League Baseball team, the Slammers, made as much sense as if she'd decided to become a stripper.And even with her very early-in-the-alphabet cup size, she'd probablystillhave had a better shot at a pole-dancing career than of preventing her brother's store from going under while he served in the military.Aside from Janie's blood, sweat and tears, there was only one thing keeping the shop afloat, and that was the elderly man sitting across from her on the lawn of Bluegrass Retirement Village. Her personal walking baseball encyclopedia."You oughta be able to get six hundred for that," Edgar Smith said, rubbing his jaw as he eyed the framed, autographed game picture in his hand. "86 Mets, game seven over the Red Sox. With the certificate of authenticity, six minimum, maybe seven."Nodding, Janie jotted a note in her small, spiral notebook, which was already filled with information the man had provided. He'd been an absolute godsend. Without Mr. Smith's input, she would probably have sold her brother's 2004 autographed Red Sox ball for ten bucks to some kid on a Little League team. "You're my guardian angel," she said, squeezing Mr. Smith's age-spotted hand before putting the picture in her bag."Hands off, girlie, he's mine. Wouldn't want to have to arm wrestle m'own granddaughter for a man."Grinning, Janie eyed her grandmother, Anne Nolan, who sat beside Edgar on the blanket. Tart and spry at seventy-eight, Grandma Anne was her closest ally, and her only family other than her brother. Even if Janie didn't love the depth of character she'd always found in the elderly, she would have spent every minute she could here just to enjoy her grandmother's company."I'm not a man stealer," Janie replied, lifting her brow. Man "repeller" would be more accurate, given her romantic track record. Three words would sum that up, too: zip, zero and zilch. The last time she'd dated anyone seriously was before she'd taken over the store, so she was going on a three-year-long dry spell when it came to sexual experiences. Unless vibrators, rich chocolate ice cream from her friend Babe's shop or the number of times she'd watched the Brad Pitt bare butt scene inTroycounted."Unlike Mary Moseby. Sheisa man stealer," Grandma said."I think she hid my uppers so I couldn't go to the races last week."Janie didn't ask why Mrs. Moseby was swiping another elderly woman's dentures. And why her grandmother -- who'd moved into the retirement community after a heart attack two years ago -- was attending horse races. Sometimes she was better off not knowing."I should be going," Janie murmured, glancing at her watch. She wished she didn't have to leave. The three of them were enjoying their Sunday afternoon picnic on this lovely early spring day, talking about family and the latest scandal among the amorous elderly. And baseball. Always baseball.All around them, families visited with their loved ones, kids darting around catching butterflies or playing tag while the adults chatted. It was a ritual, and Janie loved it. If life hadn't interfered, she would have been working at this place full-time rather than just volunteering on Sundays. But life, in the form of her ex-sister-in-law Beth,hadinterfered. When she'd walked out on Janie's brother Tom, Beth had done more than break Tom's heart. She'd thrown Janie's life a curve, too. Literally.Grandma Anne frowned. "You sure you have to go, honey?""Yes. Tomorrow's the start of anoLeto, Julie Elizabeth is the author of 'Boys of Summer ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373792689 and ISBN 0373792689.