Out Of The Ballpark

Chapter 3

​By the time I was allowed to go home,it was January. It was so cold in Michigan, there was so much snow, and it had to be at least 37 degrees outside. I had missed the first few months of 8th grade, so I would have to make it up in summer school. But I was used to it. I always had to be in summer school. But my brother Ricky, well he's a different story. Ricky had been with mama's boyfriend out in Tennessee when my accident happened, and I'm thankful he was. Ricky was only 10, was in the same grade as me, and he was already smarter than me. He always made straight A's, was on the math team, and was a tutor for a few of my friends and I. He really helps me when I need it, and I love him for that. He's been really strong this past year, with dad leaving, mama losing her job, Lila being born, and now my leg.

​I just made our life more terrible. After mama lost her job, my whole family was counting on me to keep us alive. I was the one who had a chance at an amazing career. I even had college scouts looking at me. I already had offers from University of Georgia, Syracuse, and Florida State. That's crazy, knowing that I'm only in 8th grade but already getting college offers. I would be the one to get paid, and put food on the table, clothes on our back and shoes under our feet. But I ruined our future with my stupid injury. Lila might not even have a future. We had found out last week that she has a tumor in her lungs, and if she doesn't get the surgery, she could die in a few years. Without the money from dad how are we supposed to pay for it? She's only 4! We can't just let her die!!!