[legendsport]

October 9, 1940: Brooklyn, NY:

"You're really thinking about doing this?" Tom Barrell asked his nephew.

James Slocum nodded firmly. "I am, even if my mother is dead set against it and Dad thinks I should stick it out," he said. Tom reflected on just how much the kid reminded him of his long-dead brother Jimmy. Jimmy had not lived long enough to even see James born, let alone spend any time with him. But he had imparted his face, mannerisms and stubborn daredevil qualities to his only son. The kid, rightly so, considered Powell Slocum his father.

Ironically, Agnes, Jimmy's daughter with Marie Dupuis (now married to one of Tom's other brothers, Jack) also bore the same similarities to Jimmy Barrell. Blood runs deep, Tom thought.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't try to stand in your way," Tom said and patted James on the shoulder.

The discussion centered around James' desire to join the United States Army Air Corps in December. He was on pace to receive his Bachelor's Degree (in Business) from Brooklyn State that month, making him eligible to join the military as an officer. And being an officer was a necessity if you wanted to be a pilot. The kid was, as far as Tom's limited knowledge could inform his opinion, already an accomplished pilot. Having a mentor who was a fighter pilot ace and who not only owned an airline but also was a big mucky-muck in the Air Corps Reserve was a definite point in James' favor. That mentor, Bill Merlon, had been Jimmy Barrell's best friend during the Great War and like Tom himself, was looking out for the welfare of Jimmy's son.

"Bill thinks you're ready?" Tom asked. He hadn't seen James in a while. Both had been busy playing baseball - Tom for the Brooklyn Kings and James for the Kings' Class A affiliate in Springfield, Illinois. The kid somehow managed to hit a respectable .278 while juggling baseball, correspondence courses for Brooklyn State and flying practice whenever he could get a chance. Thanks to Bill Merlon, the latter was more often than pretty much anyone else in James' position could have garnered.

Tom had been persuaded by Claudia to take her son out to lunch. Given that Claudia's husband was Tom's manager with the Kings, he felt it prudent to take her "suggestion" as more of a request. He did like the kid and it wasn't like he had much else to do, aside from packing up for the winter and catching a train to Georgia. As the last unmarried child of Rufus & Alice, Tom felt his duty was to go home and spend time with his parents who were both approaching 70 years of age and would otherwise be alone on the farm.

The waitress walked up to the table. "Hey, Tom," she said with a smile. Tom was a regular at the diner. Tom nodded in greeting and gave her a smile. "Hi, Flo," he replied.

She winked at James. "Haven't seen you in a while, Cricket," she said with a wink. Tom knew that Flo was around James' age and he suspected she liked the kid.

"Cricket?" James asked with a look of confusion on his face.

"Sure," Flo replied, cracked her gum and laughed at James' confusion. "You know, like Jiminy Cricket from that movie... whatchamacallit, Pinocchio."

"I don't see many movies," James replied. Tom almost laughed at the expression on his nephew's face. It was an amusing mix of confusion and interest.

"Hmm. You should," was Flo's reply. "You know, for culture."

James looked skeptical. "What's a Jiminy Cricket, anyhow?" he asked.

"A talking bug," Tom said and laughed.

"You guys ready to order?" Flo asked, getting back to business. James was still confused by the whole idea of Flo calling him a cricket - at least that's what Tom read on his face. "I'll just have the usual, Flo," Tom said.

Flo looked at James. "What about you, Cricket?"

"Uh... I'll just have a burger. And milk," James replied.

Flo wore a small smile as she wrote their orders down and then turned and sashayed away. James watched her until she disappeared into the kitchen. "What was that all about?" he asked Tom a moment later.

"I think she's sweet on you, kid," Tom said.

"Huh," James muttered, as a thoughtful look replaced the confusion on his face. He turned and stared out the window watching the traffic and pedestrians outside on Flatbush Avenue.

"Hey, isn't that Harry?" he asked a moment later, pointing out the window and behind Tom.

Tom craned his neck and sure enough, his youngest brother was walking hurriedly towards the diner.

He burst in and made a beeline to their table.

"I thought I might find you two here," he said breathlessly.

"Hello to you too, Harry," Tom said.

"Hi, Uncle Harry," James piped in.

"Hey James, good to see you," Harry said quickly, then plopped down beside Tom. "I've been looking for you, Tommy," he said.

"Well, I'd say you found me, Tom replied.

"Yeah..." Harry said with a frown. "You, uh, haven't talked to Powell today, have you?" he asked.

Tom shook his head. "Nope. James and I met up here at the diner. I haven't been over to the house, or seen Powell since the season ended."

"Oh," Harry said. He looked sad for some reason.

Tom was growing agitated. This bore all the same hallmarks as that terrible night when Bobby had been shot in Chicago.

"Spit it out, Harry. What the hell is going on?" he snarled. James' eyes widened in surprise.

"Well... you just got traded," Harry replied.

Tom's mouth dropped open. "You're kidding," he said.

"I wish I was," Harry answered. "I heard it on the radio back at the apartment. Sarah was feeding the baby and the news came on. They said you were traded to Pittsburgh. I called Powell and he confirmed it. Said the front office thought it was time for a change."

All that had come out in a rush and Tom sat silently as it sank in. He'd spent the vast majority of his career with the Kings. Granted, 1940 had been a terrible season for him. He'd been hurt in '39 and never really had his good stuff this season. And it showed: a 10-17 record with a 5.50 ERA for a team that finished 73-81 and in sixth place.

"Does Freddy know?" Tom asked. Fred hadn't had much of a season himself. Only Harry of the three Barrells playing in Brooklyn had enjoyed a respectable season statistically.

"No, I called but no one answered," Harry replied. "I think they might have gone out of town to visit Tillie's family."

Tom nodded absently. Pittsburgh? He'd never played in the Federal Association. He immediately thought: "I can ask Bobby for the dope on the hitters" and then realized he'd have to face Bobby now too.

"Sorry to hear that, Uncle Tom," James said. The kid looked sick. Tom nodded in thanks.

Flo showed up. "Heya Harry," she said. "Want something?"

"Yeah, I'll have whatever Tommy's having," Harry said. Flo wrote on her pad and left again.

"I'm going to regret asking, but what did the Kings get for me?" Tom asked Harry.

"Radio said some outfielder, Zavala I think? And a draft pick," Harry replied.

"Look at the bright side," James began. Tom looked up, unhappily, and James swallowed before continuing, "The Miners just went to the Series. You're going to a contender and get to play with Lefty Allen!"

Tom nodded. He knew the kid meant well - and was right to boot - but... he felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

Flo returned and put a milk in front of James and chocolate milkshakes in front of Tom & Harry.

"Oh man! You guys are having shakes? You should have told me," James complained.

"Look at the kid," Tom told Harry. "I get shipped out of town and his biggest concern is that he didn't order a milkshake."

Harry nodded his chin at James, who was watching Flo as she walked to another table. "I don't think that's his biggest concern, Tom," he said and chuckled.

Tom shook his head.

"The kid's going to quit baseball," Tom told his brother.

"What?" Harry spluttered.

"I'm going to join the Air Corps as soon as I graduate in December," James told him.

"Does Claudia know?" Harry asked Tom.

Tom chuckled. "That's why I'm here, Harry. She thinks I can convince James that the best place for him is a baseball diamond and not a cockpit." He took a pull on his shake. "Problem is," he continued, "I'm not sure I believe that."

Harry tipped his head to the side. "Huh. Yeah, you might be right there, Tom," he said.

James grinned for a moment then went back to not-so-surreptitiously watching Flo as she made her way around the diner.

Tom laughed and told Harry, "Wait til you hear what Flo's taken to calling the kid."

"Oh, come on!" James exclaimed, shooting a glare at Tom.

"Jiminy Cricket!" Tom told Harry.

Harry began crooning "When You Wish Upon a Star" and a moment later the brothers were both laughing and James looked like he wanted to slide under the table.

.