Page 7

Josh takes a long lead on second. I watch, grinning. He’s the winning run now. It’s all on him. And lookit him all grinning and happy. And why shouldn’t he be? That was a damned fine kick. His eyes drift for a moment down to his sneakers. And he sees one’s become untied. How was it Hank (Josh’s dad) had said to tie ‘em right? The rabbit and the fox go round each other...and then the rabbit loops in a circle...and tricks the fox into running round and getting stuck in the hole...and then they both become a tree together? No that’s not right. Josh scratches his head. He is in the tree now thinking of a way for the fox to catch the rabbit. We are all shouting at him to dive back into second, but he can’t hear anyone else in the real world, anymore than he can hear Lori, Beth and me.

And as he is pondering a way to save the bunny from the fox, he is tagged out. And the other team rejoices, whilst Josh’s team shouts cusses at him.

“What the hell Josh! What the hell!? We lost the game! We lost!”

The big black kid who was team captain, shoves Josh, and he falls onto the ground. He doesn’t get up just stares at blue sky above. White cloud looks like a turtle.

“Boo! You suck!” Lori shouts.

“Shut up, Lori,” Beth says, head in hands.

“Oh right, sorry...you know how susceptible I am to group mentality.”