Read The Hero Two Doors Down for Free Online Page B

different from all the other kids. Or I could just say, “I’m your neighbor.” Yes, I decided. That was simpler.
    We reached our train stop and exited in the direction of Ebbets Field. “Let’s wait here, son,” Dad said. We stopped by a side gate of the stadium.
    â€œWhy are we stopping here?” I asked, wanting to go inside the stadium and make my way down to the field so I could get autographs.
    â€œI’m meeting someone,” my father replied.
    â€œBut, Dad . . .” I moaned. “I’m going to miss batting practice.” I tossed my baseball into the air and caught it. As we waited, I threw the ball higher and higher before getting bored. “Dad . . .” I pleaded.
    â€œPatience, son.”
    â€œWhat time is it?”
    My father looked at his watch. “It’s noon,” he reported. “The game doesn’t start until two.”
    â€œWhat time does batting practice end?”
    â€œOur team warms up last. That should be around twelve thirty,” Dad replied. “We’ve got time.”
    I kicked the stadium wall hard, then remembered that Ebbets Field was old and fragile. At least that’s what everyone was saying. It had been built in 1913 right in the middle of the neighborhood. The stands were so close to the field, you could hear players talking to each other and see the expressions on their faces. But now they needed a new stadium. I wondered if they’d knock Ebbets Field down and build a new one in the same spot.
    â€œGee, Dad,” I said after we’d been standing outside the park for what seemed like a very long time. “I’ll never get any autographs here. We need to be inside near the bullpen like the other kids.”
    â€œIn a minute.”
    â€œYou keep saying that, but we’re wasting time. Let’s go. Please,” I pleaded unsuccessfully. Frustrated, I turned away from my father. When I turned back around, Dad was grinning. I looked around again and spotted two men walking fast and right toward us. “Dad!” I said. “How’d this happen?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI think it’s Jackie and Roy Campanella,” I said.
    â€œSo it is,” Dad replied.
    â€œAre they coming to meet us?” Could this be possible? Had my father made this happen, too? My heart pounded against my chest so hard it frightened me. I was frantic. The moment I’d been waiting for had arrived and I couldn’t think of anything to say.
    My father grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, Steve. I know this is what you’ve wanted.”
    We closed the gap between the famous ball­players and ourselves. I looked up at my hero and my mind went blank. I stood frozen.
    â€œSteve,” Jackie said, extending his hand toward me.
    My eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.
He knows my name?
I reached out and took Jackie’s hand. No words came to mind or out of my mouth. I just stared like a starstruck kid.
    â€œThank you for the cherry blossoms. They looked great on our dining room table,” Jackie said easily, like we were friends already. “My wife tells me that you’re one of our biggest fans.” My head bobbed, but I still couldn’t speak. For weeks, I’d played this very scene over and over, and now that Jackie was standing in front of me, I balked. In my head, questions collided and disappeared. I couldn’t speak.
    â€œI’d like you to meet Roy Campanella,” Jackie said to me.
    Again, I dropped the ball and nodded at Roy instead of speaking. Forcing a smile, I stared up at these two great men, hoping they’d understand.
    â€œI’m afraid you’ve rendered my usually talkative son speechless, Mr. Robinson,” Dad said as he stepped in to fill the void. “I’m Archie, Steve’s dad. This is such a thrill! My son has been on neighborhood watch for weeks hoping to catch a glimpse of you. He was rehearsing his first