Underdog in the Outfield

Marcus's stomach did backflips as he stood at home plate, baseball bat feeling like a lead pipe in his sweaty palms. The entire freshman team was watching—especially Jason, whose smirk could curdle milk.

"Hey, Spinach Breath!" someone yelled from the dugout. Marcus winced. That nickname from last week's cafeteria incident had stuck like gum on a sneaker. He'd literally choked on spinach while trying to impress Sarah, who now stood near the fence, probably wondering why she'd even agreed to come watch.

The pitcher wound up. Marcus's dog, Buster—a scruffy terrier mix who'd somehow escaped the backyard—bounded onto the field, barking at the ball like it was a squirrel. Laughter erupted. Marcus wanted to dissolve into the dirt.

But then Jason yelled, "Get that mutt outta here!" and something in Marcus snapped. Buster wasn't a mutt. Buster was the only one who'd listened when Marcus poured his heart out about being new in town, about missing his dad's deployment, about feeling like a fraud pretending to belong.

Marcus whistled. Buster trotted over, tail wagging. "Good boy," he whispered, scratching behind those ears that stuck up like antennas. The team got quiet. Jason's smirk faltered.

"Your dog's sick," Jason said, pointing at something green in Buster's fur. "Spinach in his coat."

Marcus checked. Sure enough—remnants from his mom's failed attempt at healthy cooking this morning. But instead of embarrassment, he started laughing. Really laughing. "Yeah," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "My dog eats healthier than I do."

Sarah cracked up. A couple guys chuckled. Jason's face went red like he'd swallowed something hot.

Marcus stepped back to the plate. He didn't hit a home run. Actually, he struck out swinging. But as he walked back to the dugout, Buster trotting beside him like they'd planned this whole thing, Marcus caught Sarah's eye. She gave him a thumbs-up.

Sometimes striking out feels more like winning than anything else. Especially when you've got a wingman with four legs and spinach in his fur.