Baseball 1

My usual stretch routine is light and easy. Not today - feel massively tense through neck and shoulders. By the time I've done batting practice and throws, I feel better.
Quarter to twelve, I'm back in the clubhouse. Danny stands behind me in the line at the coffee urn, looking like death warmed over. He didn't bother with a prep routine.
"Danny, can we talk private?"
"Sure Quentin, let's grab a window seat." Yeah, when the team meeting starts at 12:00, the park opens to the public, he'll be feasting his eyes on all the bikinis. 1:05 will be game time.
"Danny you look awful."
Goofy grin, "all that free beer at the team barbecue. Quentin, you never drink a drop, yet you look wiped. You and Indira have ructions? Again?"
I blush hotly, "remember how everyone was laughing, joking, pretending they were queers? She ah took all that serious."
"Man, she's nothing but trouble, should dump her."
"Not a bad person, just East Indian, doesn't catch nuance."
"Come on, she's third generation Canadian, no accent, went to a high school with 95% white people. Accounting designation, commerce degree, big shot at Revenue Canada. Surely you don't think she's some poor little immigrant."
"Danny it's awful. Gave me a week to decide - quit baseball or she and I are through. Doesn't want me going all queer on road trips."
"She ain't that stupid, it's a power play. Let's say you quit Triple A. End of your dream, chance to make Major League. What happens next?"
"I end up having to get a more regular job. She ah"
"Wears the pants - all the time - wanna be her live-in servant?"
"No."
"Then tell her stick it. There's a reason we share rooms on road trips - we ain't queer - the team is broke. We don't even get a salary. Every one in this whole town knows it, except her."
I nod.
"Besides, old buddy, this is your best season ever. Batting .343, leading the league in homers. All it takes is one illness, one injury up there in the Bigs and you get a tryout."
It's advice, but not impartial. If I stay with the team, odds of winning the pennant are at least a bit higher than if I quit.
"Quentin, do your talking with the bat. Four game homestand coming, bash five homers during it and I guarantee you, a new girlfriend will magically appear outa those stands. One who understands this stuff."