At the beginning of the season Bianca, Chelsea, and I were the three lone fans watching the games together. Of course, there were more fans watching the game, but not part of our group. Our small group gradually grew as the season progressed. By the last home game we had acquired a group large enough to fill a roster. Our new cheering section consisted of two more girlfriends, a friend from the states, and friends we have made outside of baseball. Employees from our gym, Fit Village, have unexpectedly interweaved into our social life and are now considered friends. Taber and I have become close with one girl in particular, Tania. Tania is the definition of a firecracker. She is full of life, energy, and love. She celebrated her 35th birthday a month ago, but judging by her looks and actions (in a good way) one would assumed she only had 26 candles on her cake. The topic of our first conversation was about how the Italian women fancy Taber. In her words "Taber is amazing. He looks like he was rowing his boat in the ocean and crashed ashore on the wrong country". Meaning, she thinks he was suppose to be Italian. Tania warned me to be careful of Italian women, that when it comes to men women are like sharks. She assured me she would be my "FBI" and lookout for the sharks. From that promise forth, our friendship has grown. She calls me her "sister" and when my mom her "Mother". Don't worry Steve, we will welcome her into the family as a 7th sister but you will not be responsible for funding her wedding.
Alberto and Samuel, two other Fit Village employees also joined us at the game. Having been raised to watch soccer, baseball is a new sport to them. They found it intriguing and wanted to have a go at it. The day after the game, Taber took them to the field and threw them BP. They were able to make contact with a few balls, not bad for their first time. Prince Fielder does not need to feel threatened by Alberto and Samuel, they were not quite good enough to make an appearance at the home run derby next year.
Since befriending Samuel, Alberto, Tania, and others from the gym, Taber rarely lays by the pool. He is either playing beach volleyball, basketball, or soccer. Of course, he does not object to playing. Anyone who has laid at the beach with Taber knows he is a busy body and would prefer playing over laying in the sun. I took part in a few beach volleyball games. Taber said he was surprised at how well I played... I am still undecided if I should take that as a compliment or insult. On thing is for sure, if Taber is on the opposite side of the net as me and spikes the ball, I bury myself in the sand as fast as possible. I would rather keep my face than try to dig his 500mph hit.
We have enjoyed watching our circle of friends grow. Regardless of how far away we will live once returning home, we will always cherish the memories made with them.
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