The Ball
    “Starting at guard the 5’10 junior #1 Malik Johnson!” Crowds going crazy, Bright lights flashing, and college scouts writing. “Start off man to man defense and finish in transition let's go!” my coach said. That first buzzer goes off and the balls thrown up and it’s tipped I felt nervous but ready. “5 out 5 out” I call that play out because we have 1 minute left to go and we’re down 3 and need to score. The ball’s in my hands, I take it strong to the rack and get fouled and finish. Now we’re up 1 with 5 seconds left. My man is coming down with a sense of urgency looking to shoot.  I let him shoot because he hasn’t hit a shot all night. I started to celebrate early because he missed. But nobody celebrated with me just sad faces and hate from the crowd. He hit the shot and just like that they were state champions. After that night I started to question myself with questions like Would I get into college?  Would I live on the side of the street? Would I ever prosper? It was even worse because I was asking myself these questions as a kid. Before people started telling me “I couldn’t” or “You suck” or “No I’m not gonna pick you up” I was the man. It actually felt like I belonged and that I was somebody. 
     I never wanted to pick up a basketball again after that day. I went home I ripped down all the posters of my basketball heroes. I threw away all my basketballs and I just decided to give up.  The next morning I was a mess.  I didn’t have the courage or motivation to do anything. I didn’t want to eat or shower or even get out of bed. I tried watching tv but I only had NBA t.v. and I didn’t even want to look at basketball. I just started to think to myself why’d I even start playing.  But then it hit me. I started playing because I love the game. I started playing because I knew with hard work and determination I could be good and do something with this game. But then all the voices from all those haters came back and I started to avoid everything that involved basketball. 
      Then it happened. My mom started to become sick. And we couldn’t afford to pay for her heart transplant. If we didn’t give the hospital money by the end of the month. They were going to pull the plug. At first I thought of selling drugs. Then I thought about robbing a store. But I knew both of those ideas wouldn’t get me anywhere besides jail. I went home and prayed and cried. But I did more praying than crying. I prayed and prayed until I got the phone call that she was okay. But it never came. I started to hear screaming and banging and a loud cry for help. I started to look for who was making all that noise. But it turns out that I was the only one in the room. I was the voice screaming and crying for help.
         After a lot of thinking. I decided that I was going to wait and see what god has planned . But I knew something had to be done before if she doesn’t make it.  I had to make her proud one last time by proving all the kids that had doubted me wrong. I knew I couldn't just give up because she had always told me to follow my dream and to never let someone tell me that I couldn’t do something. I would practice every single day up until basketball tryouts.
      I walked into the gym. It went silent. Then all I hear is laughter. The boys from the Y started to laugh at me and ask why I was here. I payed them no mind. I tried out and prayed for the best. The next day my name was on the varsity list. I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me. I went to the hospital to talk to my mom and tell her. But when I went the nurse said that her condition had gotten worse. And that she wasn’t able to talk. I started to tear up but I had to be strong and keep working hard for her.
         A few weeks passed and our first game came around. I’m nervous  and I start to overthink. Coach picks the starting 5. And i’m not one of them. 10 minutes in the game I’m still in my warmup. 1st half ends. I haven’t moved from my seat. Then that final buzzer goes off and i’m upset. I haven’t played a single minute. Then game after game after game went by nothing changed. I thought about quitting. But I couldn’t for my mom and for myself. First and second round of playoffs go by. Then the third one goes by and just like that it’s the championship game and my last chance to play high school basketball ever and make my mom proud.
         First half goes by and we’re down 3. The second half is slowly winding down and we’re up 3 but then the other team hits a game changing 3. Coach calls a timeout. And he points at me and says “Score”. On the outside I was nervous but in my head I knew I could do it. Then the ref hands the ball to our big man. I set up in the corner for 3. My palms are sweaty and the sound of screaming fans makes me want to pass out but I knew this was my time and I had to make my mom proud.  The ball’s inbounded the clock's winding down. The ball’s in my hands. 3,2,1 I release and the buzzer goes off. Swish. And just like that we were state champions. We’re all celebrating.
     I walk back to the locker room to see if I got a call. From the hospital. But then I hear footsteps. I turn around and there she is. My mom, smiling, with tears of joy in her eyes.
    I woke up the next morning with a big smile not only knowing that I hit a game winning shot but also that my mom was gonna be alright. I go downstairs yelling “Mom..Mom..Mom.” then I hear no answer. I call again in a softer voice “Mom..mom..mom” Still no answer.
       I go back to my room and find a black suit in my closet and my moms favorite color tie. I started to cry and then realize she wasn’t there last night. Instead of seeing my mom, I had seen a nurse come and break the news to me. I thought I was cheering. But people said I was screaming and crying in the locker room. As I slowly put on the suit,
       I hear a honk outside. It’s my uncle. I get in the car and the smell of alcohol smacks me in the face. I ask him if he’s okay. No answer. I ask him again. He starts to cry a little. It was all just too much to take in but I had to stay strong. As I entered the church I went up to my mothers casket and kissed her one last time and said “I”ll see you soon.” I went to the bathroom and made a decision, a decision that I didn’t know if I would be able to go through with. Then at that moment I made my decision. I decided that I wanted to see my mom again.