The Crossover

Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation

Tonight, I’m studying.

Usually I help JB

prepare for his tests,

but since the incident

he’s been studying alone,

which has me a little scared

because tomorrow is also the big

vocabulary standards test.

(But don’t say that word

around Mom. She thinks

that “standards” are a lousy idea).

So, after the game

I go home and pull out

my study sheet with all

the words

we’ve been studying

and my clues

to remember them.

Like heirloom.

As in: Dad treats his championship ring

like some kind of family heirloom

that we can’t wear

until one of us becomes Da Man.

I put eight pages of words

on JB’s pillow

while he’s brushing

his teeth,

then turn off my light

and go to sleep.

When he climbs into bed,

I hear the sound of ruffling paper.

Then his night-light comes on

and I don’t hear anything else

except

Thanks.