Unforgettable

Just as I am.
“I like it. Wonderful bit of Fenway history.” Jen tilted her head back and stared
at his familiar face, the face she’d never forgotten, and saw nothing else. Not the
park, not the buildings, not the other pedestrians.
“When you smile at me like that…” His voice was raspy as he leaned toward
her. She tilted her head back, waiting…and was rewarded. His kiss was strong
and exploring. And with his arms snugly around her, Jen’s world became rock
solid. Until…
“Hey, look at them go!”
“Save it for the KISS-CAM.”
“There’s a home run in sight, and the game hasn’t even started!”
The whistles came, hoots and hollers, too.
“Oh, my God,” said Jen, hiding herself against Doug’s chest.
His deep laughter was all she heard. “They’re just having fun—and they’re

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jealous of the luckiest guy around! But I like the idea of a KISS-CAM. Let the
whole world know.”
Jen shook her head, basking in her personal discovery. “I’d like to enjoy our own
world for a while longer.”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart. You call the shots.”
They entered the stadium holding hands, until Doug had to produce their tickets.
“Hmm…nice. I was too busy working to give it much thought, but we’re near
center field. We’ve got to climb, but we’ll have a good view.”
“Oh, look,” said Jen, pointing at the scoreboard. “Red Sox vs. Yankees. What
could be better than Boston against New York?” Jennifer grinned up at him. “My
brothers would have loved to be here.”
“And I’m glad to have you alone!”
They found their seats, not surprised to be surrounded by fans. “Looks like a
sold-out game,” said Jen.
“You can say that again, girlie,” commented the big man sitting next to her with
large cup of beer in hand. “And we’re gonna show those Yankees how baseball
is played in Boston.”
“I hope so,” she said, before turning toward Doug.
“Want to change seats with me?” Doug asked quietly. “That guy’s partying
already and the game hasn’t even started yet.”
Jen patted his hand. “He’s just enjoying the anticipation. Do you think a Riders’
game with quarterback Mike Brennan is a tea party?”
“Bad analogy, sweetheart. That Boston Tea Party was not a timid event.”
“Okay, okay,” she said with a groan. “But you get my meaning. And after all,
how many Yankee fans would travel here just for a regular game?”
His eyes opened wide. “Are you kidding? A lot. Take a look.”

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Jen began noting all the navy blue caps with New York’s signature white NY in
front. Yankee fans were scattered everywhere, including in the row in front of
theirs. Doug’s observation might have been accurate.
“New York and Boston are really not that far apart,” Doug said quietly.
For just a nanosecond, Jen’s stomach tightened. But distance was not an issue
now. In fact, maybe her tension was an automatic response.
“Point taken. New York is a fine place—to visit.”
His laughter was contagious. “From time to time, as needed?”
She nodded.
“Well, that’s progress.” His quick hug and kiss increased her confidence. Trips to
Broadway? She’d handle that.
No score by the end of the third.
“That’s what happens when two great teams play each other,” said Jen.
“Whatchu talking about, girlie? The Sox rule!” came the voice next to her.
“Not according to the scoreboard yet,” answered Jen, pointing at the Green
Monster. “Look!”
“Jus’ you wait, sister. Jus’ you wait.”
Jen turned her head toward Doug. “I think our neighbor is taking this game very
seriously. And starting to slur his words.”
“So is the guy right in front of us — the one with the New York cap. They’ve
been at each other the entire time.”
“I know. All I can say is, gedouddahere.” Doug laughed. “Exactly right. But
now, switch seats with me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You want to be my hero? You want to
take those slings and arrows for me?”

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Doug stood. “Move over, Ms. Slings and Arrows.”
Oh, life was good. She loved this guy. She loved his repartee, his humor, and his
intelligence. Had admired those traits years ago and fell hard. Maybe that’s
why…even when she’d dated others, she’d never given them a real chance.
Cheering and groaning came from the crowd as New York scored a run.
“The Sox aren’t ruling now,” came the voice from the bleacher below. The guy
stood up and glared at the man next to Doug, who wasted no time responding.
“Is that right? You’d better respect where you are. This is Boston!”
“Take it easy, guys,” said Doug. “It’s only the fourth. Anything can happen. It’s
still anybody’s game.”
The New York fan sat back down, and Jen turned to Doug. “I’m spoiled. At the
Riders’ home games, I’m always in a private box with the family. Now I’m out
and about with the real people. Whew!”
“And isn’t it fun?” He eye-rolled their neighbors.
New York got another hit and the fan stood up to cheer.
“Sit down, you’re blocking the view.”
“Whaddayou care? Your team sucks!”
The inning ended, and Boston was now at bat.
And then the magic happened for Beantown. One out. Three men on base, and
the next batter hit it hard and high into the stands. Jen figured the noise from the
crowd could be heard in the street. The three players on base ran home and
Boston had a two-run lead.
Jen’s neighbor was quick to strike. “And you said my team sucks? Ha! Can’t say
that now.”
Everything happened fast after that. The NY fan stood, his full cup of beer
spilling all over Jen, Doug and the Boston fan, who quickly rose with his fist

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raised. Doug stepped sideways, shoved both guys away and got punched in the
shoulder. “Someone call security!”
“Doug!” Jen cried, trying to pull him back. “Leave them alone. You’ll get hurt
more.” She turned toward new voices. “Oh, good. Security’s coming. And
they’re big.”
“We’re going quietly, boys,” one of the guards said. “This game’s over for you.”
Jen ignored the rest. “Doug, are you all right?”
“Didn’t feel a thing. But look at that. We’re famous.” He pointed at the big
screen where all the action had been covered. “Who needs a KISS-CAM?” He
took her in his arms and bestowed the biggest, sweetest, hungriest kiss…and
without hesitation, she responded like a thirsty woman stranded in the desert.
“Oh, my love,” she whispered. “As long as you’re all right.”
His hands lingered on her face, fingers gently tracing the contours of her jaw.
Blinking twice, he said, “I’ve never felt better.”
“Me, too.”
“Ah, Jen. I’ve dreamed of this.”
“You are such a romantic.”
His grin warmed her heart. “That I am. And now that I’ve got you in a tender
moment, here’s a question: how’d you like to go to New York with me next
weekend? I’ve got to work with the new lead for The Broken Circle  while she
figures out how to ‘make the part her own.”

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