Yesterday was Josh's first off-day at home. As it was a cloudy day, I woke up and started to research museums we might visit. The Baltimore Aquarium is supposed to be amazing, but it was almost $30 a person, which lowered the amazement factor considerably and subsequently my desire to go there. I thought then of the Smithsonian: D.C. is only 30 min away and the Smithsonian is free. When Josh woke up, I suggested it to him. He thought it sounded like a good idea.
"We can take the Metro," he said, "and not have to pay $20 on parking downtown."
I started to research Metro stops, times, and fares. In the meantime, I checked the news and was unhappily reminded of the swine flu. Ugh! The thought of being on a train, with who knows how many people, ridden by who knows how many people before that, was not a pleasant one.
"I'm not so sure I'm thrilled about being on the Metro right now, Babe, " I commented over our oatmeal.
"We can just stay home then."
"That's fine."
A short time later, Josh came out after getting dressed and said:
"We can drive downtown, get burgers at Five Guys and eat them on the National Mall."
"O.k. That sounds good, " I said, relieved not to have to worry about the Metro and the flu.
Off we went. When we got to D.C., it was 12:30 and people were rushing hither and thither to lunch or appointments or what-have-you. It was hectic. We saw several parking garages, but they were all at least $15. We kept driving but finally decided that we weren't going to find anything better, so we turned into the next one we saw. It was valet-only. Josh was ready to pay and hand the keys over, but I would not hear of it. The thought of a strange man getting in my car, touching I have no idea what, was too much, especially in light of the swine flu.
Josh patiently turned around and started looking for another garage. We found another shortly after. The entrance was a long, narrow tunnel, which twisted and turned. At the bottom cars were lined up in a dark, narrow corridor, with two or three men standing by. This garage too was valet-only. We turned around again and reemerged on the busy street. After driving for a few moments without discerning where we were headed, I asked him.
"Home," he said. "I don't want to fight the traffic. We can just get Five Guys by the apartment and go home and watch movies."
"O.k. I'm so sorry, Babe. I freaked out. Please forgive me."
"That's o.k. We got to see D.C. We'll come another time when we can ride the Metro."
Josh is a saint! How blessed I am to have such a calm husband.
We went home; got Five Guys, which was delicious as always; and laid down to watch a movie.
Just as we did, Josh's phone rang with a strange number.
"Better answer it," I said. "You never know who it could be," reasoning that Josh usually gets called-up on an off-day or when we are least expecting it.
He obliged reluctantly, but missed the call. A few moments later, the same number called again. He was going to let it go to voicemail, but I urged him to answer it. He did.
It was someone from the Baysox front office. They needed him to be at the field at 7 pm that evening to go to a TV interview on a local sports news talk show.
"See what happens when you answer the phone," Josh said. "I'll have to shave and I probably won't be home 'til 9 o'clock."
I smiled sheepishly. "I have caused you all sorts of trouble today, haven't I?" He just laughed.
We watched our movie and then he left to do the interview. The show came on at 8, so McKenzie and I eagerly tuned it at that moment. Josh and an outfielder were the two players being interviewed. They both wore white Baysox jerseys, as did the host of the show, which lasted about half an hour. The host inquired how they got started in baseball, chatted about minor league ball in general, and asked them how they felt about about being away from home for half the year.
"My wife and daughter always come," Josh said, "so I just bring home with me."
"That must be hard to have a family to worry about," the host replied.
"No. It's the best thing ever," Josh said. "My wife is such an amazing support to me: encouraging me, being that drive that keeps me going, praying for me. After every game, I have a text message from her on my phone that says, 'Good job, Babe! I'm proud of you!' even if I had a terrible night. It's that encouragement from her that keeps me going."
Sitting there last night in our little apartment on what feels like the far side of the world, hearing my husband say that made my heart almost burst with pride. I may have batted 0-2 yesterday, but Josh absolutely crushed it out of the park!
Thanks, my Darling, I am so honored to be Mrs. Josh Perrault!
