As Monique approached the field, she noticed Barry talking to his team, his brow furrowed with dedication and responsibility. Skipper sat by his side, wagging his tail, clearly sharing in the triumphs and setbacks of the young players.

“Excuse me,” Monique said, her voice gentle but determined. She needed to know more about this extraordinary dog and the man who seemed to understand him so well. “I couldn’t help but notice your dog during the game. He’s incredibly intuitive.”

“Ah, you mean Skipper?” Barry replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. Recognition flickered in his eyes; never in a million years did he expect to even see Monique Tate again, not to mention approach him and start a conversation with him. “This little guy’s definitely something special, isn’t he?”

Monique smiled in return, her hands clasped together as she leaned forward slightly. “Yes, he really is. I noticed how attentive he was to the game, and how he seemed to offer support to the team whenever they needed it. It’s like he can sense their emotions.”

Barry chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re not wrong. I’ve always said that Skipper has a sixth sense when it comes to people’s feelings. It’s why I bring him to every game – he’s like our secret weapon.”

Monique glanced at Skipper, who was now happily rolling in the grass. “I’m no expert on baseball rules,” she said, “but did Skipper actually correct the umpire on a fair or foul ball call?”

“It sure looked that way,” Barry said as he smiled and extended his hand. “By the way, my name is Barry Pope.”

“Oh, hello, Barry, nice to meet you,” Monique said. “My name is Monique Tate.”

“I was pretty sure that was you,” Barry replied. “I see you on billboards and on TV ads all the time.”

The conversation continued, with Monique having so many questions about Skipper’s unique intelligence and behavior, which captivated her. Barry hoped it would continue because he wanted any opportunity to get to know a little more about Monique. It did continue, but with Skipper as the non-stop focal point. Barry was fine with that, but he began to sense that Skip might be the only male in the Pope household in who Monique had any true interest.

Realizing that, Barry politely asked to be excused for just a moment while he went to get a drink of water. Monique realized that if she wanted to spend more time with this amazing dog, she would need to find a way to connect with Barry.

He returned with a small paper cup of water which he offered to Monique. She accepted with a smile.

“How did you get involved with coaching Little League?” Monique asked, trying to steer the conversation on a different path. “It’s clear you have a real passion for it.”

“Well,” Barry began, a nostalgic smile crossing his face, “I used to play major league baseball. After retiring, I decided to give back to the community by coaching youth teams and working with baseball-related charities.”

“Wow,” Monique said, genuinely impressed. “You must have had quite the career.”

“Well, it was a rewarding career,” Barry replied. “I played professionally for about 10 years, but about five were in the minors. I love the game, but I wasn’t a star. I was a relief pitcher primarily.”

“You must have some great stories from your days on the field,” Monique replied, wanting to encourage him to share more.

“Well, there was one big moment I’ll never forget,” Barry said. “It was late in the 2016 season, and I was pitching for the Boston Red Sox. We were up against our longtime rivals, the New York Yankees, and I was called in to relieve our starter in the ninth inning. Usually I wouldn’t have been used in critical situations like that, but our main relief pitcher was sick that day, so the manager called on me.”

“We were leading, but just by a run, 3-2. The bases were loaded with only one out, and up to bat was Alex Rodriguez, who might be a hall-of-famer someday. I’d faced A-Rod before, and I knew what he was capable of. The guy had an eye for the ball like an eagle spotting a fish from a hundred feet up.”

“I threw maybe the three best pitches of my life and stuck him out looking,” Barry related. “Fenway erupted. I couldn’t help but pump my fist, my heart pounding with elation and adrenaline. But the job wasn’t over. I still had one more out to get. Next up was Mark Teixeira, another slugger with a knack for turning games around. But this was my night, my moment. This time, I decided to be daring, to end it all on my own terms.”

“I threw a changeup, my slowest pitch, right down the middle. It was a gamble. A huge one. Teixeira swung with all his might, but he was way ahead of it. The ball popped up high in the infield.”

“I watched as our second baseman, Dustin Pedroia, positioned himself under it, never taking his eye off the ball. And then, with an almost anticlimactic ‘pop,’ it was over. Pedroia squeezed his glove shut, securing the ball and the victory.”

“As the crowd cheered, I tipped my cap, a grin spreading across my face. There have been countless games since then, countless pitches, but that moment — the tension, the challenge, the exhilaration — that was the greatest pitching accomplishment of my career. That was the day I felt truly invincible.”

“Wow, that sounds amazing,” Monique replied. “Was that in the World Series?”

“Nah, just a typical mid-August game,” Barry said. “But for me, it might as well have been the World Series.”

“It’s clear you’re incredibly dedicated to baseball,” Monique said. “Do you have any other hobbies outside of the sport?”

“Actually, I do,” Barry responded, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. “I’m kind of a fitness nut. I enjoy jogging, hiking, and even a bit of yoga now and then.” He laughed lightly, giving a slight shrug. “I guess it’s my way of staying grounded and keeping in touch with nature.”

“Yoga?” Monique raised a playful eyebrow, genuinely curious. “Never would have pegged you for that. What’s your favorite pose?”

“Probably the downward-facing dog,” Barry answered, smirking at the pun. “Seems fitting, considering Skipper’s influence on my life.”

Monique laughed, her eyes sparkling as she shared in Barry’s amusement. In that moment, she realized that she enjoyed his company, and their connection felt genuine and easy.

“Why did you choose to retire in this neighborhood?” Monique asked.

“Family is important to me,” Barry explained, his tone softening. He glanced towards the emptying field and continued, “I’ve got some relatives in the area too – my brother and his kids. That was another reason I decided to settle down here.”

“Really?” Monique’s eyes sparkled with curiosity; her arms folded across her chest as she leaned in slightly. “Tell me more about them.”

“Well, my brother, Tom, is a high school teacher, and he’s got three kids – two boys and a girl,” Barry explained, his voice filled with affection. “I wanted to be close to them, you know? I felt like this was the perfect place for us to stay connected.”

Monique nodded, silently impressed by Barry’s devotion to his family. She couldn’t help but admire the depth of his character and how different he seemed from the others she had encountered in her own world. It was refreshing and only made her more eager to learn about him. She did not expect Skipper’s owner to be someone who had much more to him than the sports-junkie exterior that he exhibited.

“Would you mind if I pet him?” she asked, tilting her head slightly toward Skipper as she looked back at Barry.

“Of course not,” he said, gesturing toward Skipper. “He loves making new friends.”

Monique couldn’t help but grin as she kneeled to stroke Skipper’s brown fur, feeling his warmth beneath her fingertips. The dog leaned into her touch, his eyes closing in contentment.

Monique glanced back up at Barry, her eyes shining. “It’s amazing. I can’t help but feel drawn to him.”

“Can’t say I blame you,” Barry said, a playful grin crossing his face. “He’s definitely got a way with people.”

“Clearly,” Monique laughed, standing up and brushing the grass off her jeans. “So what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

Barry shrugged modestly, hands comfortably tucked into his pockets, “Well, I like to keep things simple. I’ve had enough of the glitz and glamour from my pro days, you know? These days, I prefer hiking, fishing, and just spending time outdoors.”

“Sounds lovely,” she said, her eyes softening with genuine interest. “I always found that staying fit and healthy helped me feel more grounded too.”

“Absolutely,” Barry agreed, his face brightening at their shared perspective. “In fact, I’ve got a little home gym set up, and I’m always looking for new workout routines to try. Keeps me from getting bored, you know?”

“Sounds like you’ve really embraced the simple life,” Monique mused, her admiration for Barry growing stronger. “It’s refreshing to meet someone who appreciates a slower pace.”

“Thanks, Monique,” Barry replied, touched by her kind words. “I guess after years of chasing fame and fortune, it’s nice to just focus on the things that truly matter – family, friends, and giving back to the community. And speaking of fame and fortune, what brings someone like you to a Little League baseball game in Naples, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Barry posed the question with a subtle tone of surprise, his eyebrows slightly raised.

“Well, I have a place here in the neighborhood as well,” she replied casually.

Barry’s eyes widened a bit, betraying his surprise. “Really? I mean, I would’ve thought you’d have a place somewhere more… glamorous.” He quickly added, not wanting to offend, “Not that this isn’t a great neighborhood, but it seems a bit off the beaten path for an international supermodel.”

Monique laughed lightly at his comment. “I was out for a walk and heard the noise and glanced over at the field, and Skipper caught my eye, just as he did the other day when we passed each other on the sidewalk. I love animals, and there’s just something about him that is irresistible.”

Barry nodded, still looking a bit puzzled. “Well, we’re definitely glad to have you here, Skipper especially. But if you don’t mind me asking, what made you choose this place over all the posh locales you could’ve picked?”

Monique paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “In those glitzy locales, I’m always ‘Monique Tate, the supermodel,’” she started. “Here, I can just be Monique. People don’t treat me like a celebrity, and it’s nice to have a bit of normalcy in my life. I’m a native of Florida, so the place here helps to keep me grounded.”

Seeing Barry’s intrigue deepen, Monique decided to share a little more. “Plus, growing up in Florida has always made me feel connected to the earth, the sun, and the water. My parents, who used to be small-time farmers, they instilled in me the love for simplicity and life’s little pleasures,” Monique said, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.

Barry listened attentively, finding himself increasingly drawn to her candor and authenticity.

“I’ve been in the modeling industry for quite a few years now,” she continued, her tone turning more reflective. “And don’t get me wrong, I enjoy what I do. But there’s also a part of me that yearns for something more, something beyond the runway.”

She looked away for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “It may sound a bit strange coming from a supermodel, but one of my dreams is to start an animal rescue organization. A place where abandoned and mistreated animals can find the love and care they deserve. I want to make a difference, Barry. And being around Skipper, your bond with him…it’s inspiring.”

Barry nodded, surprised yet deeply impressed by her words. She was not just a pretty face; she had depth, empathy, and a passion to make a difference. This glimpse into Monique’s life and dreams was something he had not expected. But it only made her even more interesting to him.

Monique sighed, smiling lightly as she shrugged off the sudden seriousness. “Well, there you have it. Not quite the glamorous life people imagine when they think of Monique Tate.”

It was surprising, yet somewhat endearing to Barry to think that Monique, who had strutted down every major runway from Paris to New York, would choose a home in this middle-class neighborhood. To him, it spoke volumes about her calm personality despite the glamorous lifestyle her profession offered.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the field, Monique knew she needed to wrap up their conversation. But she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving without making plans to see Barry’s lovable canine companion again soon.

“Barry, I know this may sound a little strange,” Monique said. “But I would regret it if I didn’t ask you. Is there a way I could spend some time with Skipper to get to know him more? He intrigues me. It seems there is much, much more than meets the eye with him.”

Barry paused for a moment before answering. It was a bit of an odd request, he thought, but Skipper seemed to bring fun and happiness with him wherever he went. And who knows, maybe he’d be welcome to join them? He was pretty sure that Monique was flirting but with the world’s best canine. She was clearly out of his league, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be friendly neighbors who shared admiration for Skip.

“Sure, Monique,” he replied. “How’s your schedule the next few days?”

“Well, I’ll be in Paris next week, but I’m here until then,” Monique replied.

“If you’d have time say, mid-morning tomorrow – ten or ten-thirty before it gets too humid – maybe we could get together over at the dog park on Collier Boulevard?” Barry suggested.

“Sure!” Monique said happily. “I’ll see you two then!”