by Jeff Moberg
***
After Mom came home from work, I told her all about my unusual day. “Mom, I woke up this morning thinking I was the worst basketball player of all time, and tonight, I’m going to bed as a star! Who knew?”
My proud mom smiled and hugged me. “It’s true what they say, honey… you never know until you try.”
48
Broken but Beautiful
The next morning, when I got to PE class, several girls were crowded around Ms. Marshall’s office door. They were all trying to see the list of who had made the girl’s varsity basketball team. But before I could take a look, Mabel came up from behind me and gave me a huge bear hug. “Good job, Norma! I knew you could do it!” When she finally put me down, I saw my name on the list. Under the list, written in purple sharpie, was a note from Ms. Marshall:
Varsity Girls Basketball Team
First practice: Today! 3 O’clock! Sharp! In the gym!
My first girl’s varsity basketball practice was going great—until I got knocked out. After a brief introduction meeting, Ms. Marshall had the starters (which amazingly included me) scrimmage against the second team (which unfortunately for her, included Janet J). Because of my unusual shooting ability, Ms. Marshall made me the starting shooting guard over Janet J.
During the scrimmage, Ms. Marshall kept yelling, “Rebound! Rebound girls! Rebound like your life depended on it!” I had been kind of hanging back by the 3-point line, so when I went running in full speed for a rebound after Mabel had missed a close shot, Janet J grabbed the ball first, and then swung her razor-sharp elbows back and forth. Her right elbow caught me square in the nose—and I was out cold.
The next thing I remembered was Mabel carrying me and putting me in the front seat of my mom’s car. I had a terrible headache and I couldn’t see very well--and there was blood all over my Haywood PE t-shirt. Then I could hear my mom having a very heated discussion with the doctor on her cell phone. “I don’t care if you’re busy or if you have appointments! Break them! She is your…”
I was in surgery for four hours. I had a broken nose and a cracked cheekbone. When I woke up, my mom was sitting next to me, holding my hand. “Hey honey,” she said softly. “How are you feeling?”
“OK,” I lied. Actually, I felt awful. I could also see Luke and his mom in the room. They were waving at me. I tried to wave back, but I was too weak. Then I saw another familiar face. Where had I seen her before? I just couldn’t put a name with the face. Then she came over to me and took my blood pressure and temperature. She was wearing a nurse’s uniform. As she fussed over me, I glanced at her nametag. It said, ‘Andrea’. OMG, I thought. It’s freakin Andrea! My dad’s new girlfriend! Why in the world is she here?
Then I heard an oddly familiar voice. “Alright, everyone… visiting hours are over… let’s give our little patient here some peace and quiet so she can rest.” I knew that voice. It was my dad.
My mom kissed my forehead and said, “I’ll be back later, honey. I’m just going to get some dinner.” I nodded.
Then Luke and his mom said goodbye. Luke had the ‘I’m trying to not act worried so I won’t scare you, but you look terrible!’ look on his face. He mouthed the words, “Love you Norma L.” I nodded again. My face was numb, so I really couldn’t say or mouth anything back.
Then I was out again.
