The Crossover

I run into Dad’s room

to see what all the noise is

and find him kneeling

on the floor, rubbing a towel

in the rug. It reeks of vomit.

You threw up, Dad? I ask.

Must have been something I ate.

He sits up on the bed, holds

his chest like he’s pledging

allegiance. Only there’s no flag.

Y’all ready to eat? he mutters.

You okay, Dad? I ask.

He nods and shows me

a letter he’s reading.

Dad, was that you coughing?

I’ve got great news, Filthy.

What is it? I ask.

I got a coaching offer at a nearby

college starting next month.

A job? What about the house?

What about Mom? What about me

and JB? Who’s gonna shoot

free throws with us every night? I ask.

Filthy, you and JB are getting older,

more mature—you’ll manage, he says.

And, what’s with the switch? First

you want me to get a job, now

you don’t? What’s up, Filthy?

Dad, Mom thinks you should

take it easy, for your health, right?

I mean, didn’t you make a million dollars

playing basketball? You don’t

really need to work.

Filthy, what I need is to get back

on the court. That’s what your dad NEEDS!

I prefer to be called Josh, Dad.

Not Filthy.

Oh, really, Filthy? he laughs.

I’m serious, Dad—please don’t call me

that name anymore.

You gonna take the job, Dad?

Son, I miss “swish.”

I miss the smell of orange leather.

I miss eatin’ up cats

who think they can run with Da Man.

The court is my kitchen.

Son, I miss being the top chef.

So, yeah, I’m gonna take it . . .

if your mother lets me.

Well, I will talk to her about

this job thing, since it means

so much to you. But, you know

she’s really worried about you, Dad.

Filth—I mean Josh, okay, you talk

to her, he laughs.

And maybe, in return, Dad, you can talk

to her about letting me back on the team

for the playoffs.

I feel like

I’m letting my teammates down.

You let your family down too, Josh, he replies,

still holding his chest.

So what should I do, Dad? I ask.

Well, right now you should

go set the dinner table, Mom says,

standing at the door

watching Dad with eyes

full of panic.