The Crossover

This is my second year

playing

for the Reggie Lewis Wildcats

and I’ve started every game

until tonight,

when Coach tells me

to go get cleaned up

then find a seat

on the bench.

When I try to tell him

it wasn’t my fault,

he doesn’t want to hear

about sirens and broken taillights.

Josh, better an hour too soon

than a minute too late, he says,

turning his attention back

to JB and the guys

on the court,

all of whom are pointing

and laughing

at me.