More Than A Game

November 12 

5 seconds left in the game. I am dribbling as fast as I can, we are treading by exactly three points. I pass to the shooting guard, Jelissa, hoping she will pass it back. I could feel the sweat dripping down my thick busy eyebrows. She passes it back, I'm right at the 3 point line. I take the shot and swish, but wait, the ref blew the whistle.  

"foul!", the Ref yelled. "Two shots". Our crowd went wild. I eased my wait up to the free throw line. I bounced the ball twice and got in triple threat and shot my first shot. It bounced off the backboard and went in. The crowd hooped and hollered, "Jessica, Jessica, Jessica". Even though we were up by 1, I was under a lot of pressure because I wanted to beat the school record for points, if I beat it I would be the first in 30 years. The record was 70 points per season, I had 60 and counting but there was only one game left. I wiped the sweat from my brow, dribbled twice and took the shot "swish". Then 

"Nothing but net my girl!" yelled Christina, our Center. The team inbounded the ball. They had 2 seconds to shoot. Their name was the Roaring Lions and me and my teammates also joked that it was their name because their breath was so hot. "Ohee, they need some breath mints bad", Monica would say. They shot a three pointer but it rolled off the rim, right at the buzzer. Our crowd cheered as the team huddled up and yelled 

"One Two Three, Wolverines". We all ran into the locker room as our coach yelled "what team?!" We replied "Wolverines!". I say on the bench in the locker room and took offer my sneakers and sweaty socks. "phew Jessica, your feet smell like a hot egg on a sizzling sidewalk" Monica said. I chuckled. I changed out of my purple and gold jersey and headed out of the gym doors. Hurry up Savvy if you wanna ride" I yelled. "I'm coming, got to get my bag" she replied. 

"I'll be in my car" I said. I reached into my gym bag for my keys. I unlocked my door, hopped in the driver's seat and threw my bag in the back. As I waited for Savvy I looked out of the window of my car. I looked at the old rusty school, it looked as if the roof was about to fall through. The leaves were rustling in the trees, they were frosted. The streets were old and raggedy and filled with potholes. The wind brushed against my face, for this was the disheveled State of Ohio. 

"Thanks for waiting up Jessica", Savvy said sarcastically as she walked up to my blue Mustang. "You're welcome buddy old pal" I chuckled. She got in my car and sat back as if she was cool and I popped in our favorite victory song and we sang along as we drove along the road. 

"We are the champions but they are a losers" I sang. "Your part is coming up soon". "Weeee areeee theee championsssss!" , Savvy sang loudly.  

"Dude you did great tonight and I just know you will break the record". "I know you will". 

"It doesn't matter anyway, My Mom won't come see me play". 

"Yeah Jessica, but maybe she will come to our last name". 

"I doubt it. If only my Dad was..." It grew quiet. It was a dead silence until I dropped her off. She hopped out of my car and stood at the door and said through my window "she'll come". 

I slowly drove off and headed home, dreading every mile I drove. I was dreading it because I knew that from the moment I got into the house my Mom would ask question after question. I parked in the garage and walked into my house. I tiptoed down the hall attempting to get to my room. 

"JESSICA!", my mother yelled. I let out a deep sigh and replied "I'm coming", and started towards her bedroom. 

"Yes Mom?" 

"How was the game? Did you win? Did Savvy do good?" 

"Mom, it was fine, but I'm pretty sure I could have done a lot better if you were there".