14. The Opportunity

On a brave day

in my first year of high school

I tried out for a team,

a real team,

the junior girls’ softball team.

I never told a soul.

 

All those years

of backyard catch

had paid off.

The coach took me aside.

I’d made the team!

 

Before I signed

before I got the uniform

before I got the number

I dropped out.

There was no way.

I didn’t have the confidence.

I never told a soul.