The Crossover

Coach’s Talk Before the Game

Tonight

I decide to sit

on the bench

with the team

during the game

instead of the bleachers

with Dad

and Mom, who’s sitting

next to him

just in case

he decides to

act churlish

again.

Coach says:

We’ve won

ten games

in a row.

The difference between

a winning streak

and a losing streak

is one game.

Now, Josh is not with us

again, so somebody’s

gonna have to step up

in the low post.

I sit back down

on the bench

and watch JB lead our Wildcats

to the court.

When the game finally starts,

I glance up at Dad and Mom,

but they’re not there.

When I look back

at the court,

JB is staring at me

like we’ve both just seen

another ghost.