Hold the Ball

Emmy has not slept since giving birth. Her newborn will not stop crying.

At her mother’s suggestion, Emmy takes the baby to the park. Other mothers gather easily. Emmy circles the stroller, rocks it, checks her phone, waits. The crying continues.

Desperate for quiet, Emmy pushes the stroller onto an empty basketball court. A young player practices alone. A missed shot sends the ball rolling toward her.

On instinct, Emmy picks it up.

She dribbles. She shoots. She scores.

The baby cries. The sound pulls her back. The game ends as abruptly as it began. Emmy lies down on the court, eyes closed.