Will Fame And Love Return

What A Fine Mess She Got Herself Into

Saturday March 29, 2008

Ocala, Florida

Spring training season was nearing the end with just another few days before the start of the 2008 regular season starting the following Friday on April 4th.

Rick Randolph’s batting and fielding had improved in the last 2 games, going 2 for 8 at the plate and not committing any fielding errors or miscues, and after that disastrous game a few days earlier on Wednesday, Rick began to think that Judy Falstaf’s phone conversation may have been a tonic and could have possibly helped him feel much more relaxed.

Whether Rick was going to be the starting second baseman on the opening day of the season for the Baltimore Clippers was still up in the air, as Kasi Seitan had not been that overly impressive enough to take the starting job away from an established star like Rick Randolph, even if he did have an injury plauged bad season the year before.

Having not really participated before or during the spring training game against the New York Royals, Rick was not really tired from pregame workouts. He headed on to his apartment suite for a nice dinner that he was planning to cook and then a relaxing evening, maybe watch a movie on the TV.

Once Rick entered the door at his apartment suite and started milling around in the kitchen to prepare dinner, his cell phone started ringing. Rick looked at his caller ID, It was Martin Karre calling. 

Clicking on his cell phone, Rick spoke saying, “Hello Martin, how are you my friend, haven’t heard from you since the New Years Eve party.

Martin Karre spoke up saying, “Yes, it has been awhile, thought that I would touch base with you.” Then Martin asked Rick, “So, how’s spring training going for you.”

Rick sounding shyly replied, “Well, it’s going, nothing really outstanding to speak of, in fact it’s been kind of torturous for me.”

Martin uttered, “Hmm,” Then said, “I guess that it’s been a difficult transition, after being an established star player, then after an off year, having to compete with a marginal player.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard what’s been going on behind the scenes,” Rick replied, then said, “I guess you’ve been talking to someone in particular.”

“Yes”, Martin said, thern added, “I was talking to Bill Falstaf the other day, he said that they are purposely being tough on you down there”.

Rick answered, “Yeah, they seem to like the idea of sticking it to me while I am down and out, but that’s all part of the game that they are playing in trying to keep me down.”

Then Martin mentioned to Rick, “I was talking to the Reynolds the other day, they have their hands full with Alicia, she has become impossible for them to deal with and handle at this point.”

“Just what is it that she is up to now, that is making it almost impossible for Fred and Carolyn, that has not already happened”, asked Rick.

“Well for starters”, Martin answered, “She’s not getting anywhere in her attempts to restart her singing career, her CD sales have hit rock bottom, nobody’s buying any of her music, especially after what has all happened.”

She brought it all on herself”, replied Rick rather tersely.

Then Martin said, “Fred and Carolyn keep trying to convince Alicia that she should start over, first by approaching you, apologizing and reconciling with you, but she continually declines their requests by, telling them absolutely not, that she does not want to have any part of you ever again, that she does not need you either, and apparently continues to think that she can still succeed without you”.

This time Rick said, “Hmm”. Then Rick asked Martin, “Is she that delusional to actually think that all of her problem that she’s created for herself can be overcome and that everything in her life will eventually end up back to normal, the way it used to be”.

Martin spoke up saying, “Apparently, and quite obviously she does”.

“Alicia brought all of this on herself”, Rick replied angrily, then added, “She does not really know how to do anything else except sing”.

Fred and Carolyn have tried to get her to play a sport, like golf”, Martin added.

Rick, who was now thoroughly annoyed about constantly hearing about his ex wife’s self created trials and tribulations said, “She is not the least bit athletic, she breaks her nails playing catch the ball.”

“The Reynolds have even suggested that she take acting classes and maybe become an actress.” Martin said.

At this point Rick was just shaking his head in disbelief at what he was hearing Martin tell him, then trying to make a point, said to Martin, “Nobody wants to have her around or even be bothered with her”.

Continuing, Rick added, “Alicia is damaged goods, has an arrest, conviction and prison record, no one is going to want to take the time with her, they don’t want her around. After her lead involvement in the casino hotel riot, no one wants to be involved with someone the likes of her and have that mayhem happen to them”.

“The biggest problem is that all of it reflects badly on Fred and Carolyn”, Martin pointed out in his reply to Rick, then added, “It all adds to what the Reynolds are already burdened and dealing with”.

Once again Rick annoyingly responded to what Martin was saying, “All that I can say is that I am not the one who created her problem”, then still annoyed, added, “I wonder just how long she was living out this double life of hers”.

Martin replied saying, “The Reynolds feeling is that it had apparently been going on for quite awhile and that she was hiding it from everyone”.

“Well, I am definitely through with her” said Rick, then added, “Even if she should approach me about reconciliation, my answer to her will be NO”.

“We’re all sympathetic toward the Reynolds in what they’re dealing with”, replied Martin.

Then Martin said, “Well buddy, got to go, it’s been great under the circumstances, being able to touch base with you, and wish you all the best with this coming baseball season”.

“Thank you my friend, and I hope that you and Diane stay well”, replied Rick.

“We will do that my friend” said Martin, ending the phone call.

Afterwards, Rick said to himself, He didn’t mention it, but I am sure he has been talking to Bill Falstaf, and maybe even Judy Falstaf too.

Then Rick resumed getting busy in the kitchen, preparing his dinner.