In Her Own League
53 pages • 1-hour read
Liz TomfordeIn Her Own League
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Reese’s Condo
Reese’s condo symbolizes her independence and her learning to share it with Emmett as their relationship progresses invokes The Duality of Independence and Interdependence. After sharing a place with her ex-husband Jeremy, Reese has enjoyed a place without “an ounce of tension” or “feelings of resentment lingering in the air” (48). With her days now spent at a job where she’s constantly under scrutiny, having her own space where she can unwind is extremely valuable to her.
Since moving in, she’s never brought anyone to her condo, which has “become such a sanctuary for [her] after [her] divorce” (174). However, Reese eventually allows Emmett to visit. Sharing it with someone else is vulnerable. She worries he’ll judge the opulence of it or negatively critique her sacred space, but he simply tells her, “This place suits you, Reese” (178). By allowing him into her home, she’s allowing Emmett to see her in one of the few places she feels safe to be herself. Later in the novel, Reese tells Emmett, “You make me feel safe to be myself” (327). In doing so, Emmett joins her in both her condo and the field manager’s seat in the dugout as her safe spaces.
During Emmett’s first overnight visit in her condo, he takes charge of making her coffee in the morning. She notices that he moves around her place “with so much confidence, as if he innately belongs [t]here” (355). Reese realizes that he may actually belong there with her. Later, after their relationship is confirmed, Emmett moves in and Reese opens up her home to even more people—especially the Rhodes. Living a life only for herself transforms into living a life shared not only with Emmett, but six other people they call family.
Field Manager’s Seat in the Dugout
The field manager’s seat in the dugout symbolizes Reese’s safe space and how she eventually finds the same safety in her relationship with Emmett. As the field manager, the seat in the dugout belongs to Emmett—and the fact that Reese views this spot as her own safe space that she can retreat to for protection hints also at the very relationship that will offer her the same protection.
The field manager’s seat is described as a “small alcove” with “just enough room for one or two people to sit” (29). When Reese was a little girl, she’d hide in this spot that felt like her own little fort. When training to take over for her grandfather, Reese retreated to this spot once again, “not to hide from [her] parents this time, but to hide from everyone else” (29). The spot is her reprieve from the scrutiny of everyone else and the empty field and silent stadium serve as reminders of why she’s working so hard (because of the sport and the franchise she loves).
Emmett learns very quickly that he can find her in the field manager’s seat. Where most people can’t find her, he is easily able to because the spot belongs to him. When she is seen hiding in there, he describes her as “all human […] all soft and vulnerable” and subsequently thinks, “I might not be able to protect her the way I want to, or shield her from the ugly headlines and names, but I could shelter her in a different way […] Maybe I could be a resting place too” (265). At one point in the narrative, Emmett reminds Reese that it is his seat but that he doesn’t mind sharing it with her. This is a subtle and symbolic way of him offering not only to share the physical spot, but also emotional burdens.
Reese Shaving Emmett’s Beard
Reese shaving Emmett’s beard symbolizes Emmett’s gradual character arc into someone who accepts care rather than always being the one to provide it. Reese “takes her time. She’s gentle with [him]. Tender with [him]. It seems so simple. But she’s attentive in the way she takes care of [him]” (371). Emmett describes this as foreign and unexpected, yet very nice. It’s apparent that no one has ever taken care of him in this way, nor has he allowed them to.
Reese taking on this role shows Emmett what he’s been missing out on. At the beginning of the novel, he mentions, “Until Miller met Kai, she had never mentioned the idea of me dating before, but now she won’t let it go. Like she’s so happy, she wants the same for me” (21). Throughout the novel, Miller pushes for Emmett to date, and specifically mentions how she believes Reese will be a good fit for Emmett. His trust and vulnerability in letting Reese do something as intimate as shave his beard showcases Miller’s hopes for her father finally coming to fruition.
This incident also occurs directly after Miller has a conversation with Emmett in which she encourages him to invite Reese to her wedding. Miller says to her dad, “It was always just the two of us, and I loved growing up that way. But […] you deserve to have someone care for you the way you’ve always cared for all of us” (366). Her influence prompts Emmett’s vulnerability with Reese later on, allowing for this moment to occur.
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