4 bases, 3 outs, 2 teams, and one girl
the sweet smell of stale rubber
the distant sound of laughter
this wasn't just game
the blacktop was hot it burned through my hand-me-down sneakers
i pushed the sweat from my forehead into my hair
i rocked back on my feet waiting for the pitch
the pitcher wore a scowl on his lumpy sunburned potato face
move in closer he spat
i bit down on my tongue as though to swallow my pride
they all shuffled in, a slow, sluggish move

the pitch

it happened in slow motion
a slight bounce and a roll
it curved slightly left and came on home
i kicked it hard
a loud slap; ball on shoe
sailed it sailed!
smug look on my face as i watched them all scramble
i ran to first base
as they yelled go to second
i did the only thing i knew how to do : run
i flew past second
GO TO THIRD GO TO THIRD!
As the ball lazily rolled down toward the dry dirt field
but i ran through third like it was an afterthought
and thats when i saw it soaring burning red like a comet
i pushed my legs for all they're worth
he almost had it he thought it'd be game
but i slid on the pavement
-safe-
i stood up not caring that i was covered in blood that stung as it mixed with dripping sweat

i was filled with a happiness that makes you not care what happens the rest of the day
and i didn't