A Gift of Friendship

by Veronica Andrews
(Woburn, MA, USA)

On a bright, yet brisk morning in Woburn, MA, the day after the Red Sox won the National League Title in 2008, Jonathan Papelbon is scheduled to appear at the opening of a new bank. His attendance advertised for several weeks prior to today, is much anticipated. Will he come?

Last seen dancing with a beer box on his head on the pitcher's mound at Fenway way, way into the wee small hours of the morning, no one knows if he'll make the event.

With certainty among the doubters, my baseball fan is a developmentally delayed young adult named Bob who believes if we go, he will come. He is right.

Shortly before 10, unencumbered by bodyguards, Mr. Papelbon pulls into a vacant parking space adjacent to the lot where many wait with anticipation. Those in line before Bob each have a beer box with them. Many hope Jonathan will autograph the box when they get to meet him.

A handsome and gregarious young man, the crowd responds to his hello and jovial spirit as he is ushered to a small portable stage set up for the event. Immediately, he goes to the front of the stage, sits down and interacts with an admirer sitting there in a wheelchair. Laughs, giggles and big smiles ensue.

Jonathan returns to his place as a photographer steps into place and an announcement is made. NO AUTOGRAPHS! Please don't ask for AUTOGRAPHS -- contractually he cannot sign. Everyone in line drops their beer boxes, leaving them behind as they step up to the stage.

The guest of honor meets and greets the first 5 people. Professional photographs are taken and the distinguished guests step down. Now Super Son, as I call Bob, approaches the stage, steps up, attempting to get past the refuse blocking the way and puts his size 10 foot right into one of the discarded beer boxes.

As if a shoe, it sticks to his foot as he ascends the stage and all 5'10" of him now leans forward dangerously off balance. Sensing imminent disaster, as the photographer jumps out of the way, Jonathan jumps forward to save the young man, if not the day. His strong arms encompass the somewhat bewildered Bob in an attempt to return him to an upright position and balance.

In a double bear hug, together, they jump and bounce in a circle on the tiny stage. Quite a moment, cameras flash to capture it, people laugh and the crowd cheers. It's hard to tell who is happiest: Bob for having been saved by the "Closer" or Jonathan, known for his pitching abilities, for making a perfect catch!

In that moment, it is clear that Jonathan Papelbon is comfortable with all his fans. As the newspaper photographers snap picture after picture, the assigned photographer takes his place back on the stage to photograph the two.

The conversation in the crowd centers, concernedly, around whether Papelbon can still play in the World Series. After a catch like that, many hope he hasn't strained his back or pulled a muscle in his arm.

Not a surprise, the front page of the local paper the next day sports a photo of the new found friends: savior and saved. A special memory for this Red Sox fan, Bob received a unique and authentic gift of friendship and spontaneous caring from a quick thinking, thoughtful, fun young man.

You cannot buy or purchase memories like this and they last forever in the mind, the soul and the heart. Thank you, Jonathan Papelbon.