The Crossover

“Article #2 in the Daily News (January 14),” which is printed one month to the day after the last, states that Chuck Bell, Josh and JB’s dad, has died from a massive heart attack. Having hypertension and multiple fainting spells before his attack, the article also states that “[a]utopsy results found / Bell had a large, / extensively scarred heart” (225). He was only 39 years old.

Josh notes in “Where Do We Go from Here?” that there are no coaches, warm-ups, or practices to prepare him for funerals: “I am unprepared / for death” (227). He listens to his dad’s teammates tell stories, to the preacher praying, and to his mom crying. Josh wishes that the limo waiting outside for them could take them back to when his dad was alive. “Star⋅less [STAHR-LES] adjective” means “[w]ith no stars” (229). Now that his dad is gone, Josh feels every night will be starless. “Basketball Rule #10” states that losses will happen, but champions will get through them, nonetheless.

In “There are so many friends,” people who knew and loved Josh’s dad fill the Bell house. Food, music, and laughter swell throughout the house, drowning out a ringing phone that Josh finds and answers. Alexis is calling to tell Josh that she’s so sorry for his loss and to see if he’d like to join them when they go see Duke play North Carolina. Josh wholeheartedly accepts the invitation just before his coach’s bear hug sends the receiver “crashing to the floor” (232).

Josh heads out for some fresh air, but his mom stops him to ask where JB is. Josh hasn’t seen him since the funeral but thinks he’s most likely on his way to Alexis. Since Josh doesn’t have a girlfriend, he decides to shoot the basketball in “Free Throws.” After finishing his dessert, Josh heads to the free throw line to see if he can match his dad’s 50 free throws in a row. He’s only ever made 19. He makes 12 in a row, then 27. No one is watching, but Josh feels a presence “like there’s an angel / taking it to the hoop” (235).

JB appears just as Josh is about to shoot his 50th free throw, and Josh momentarily mistakes him for their dad. They talk about the championship game, then Josh tries to ask if JB was able to talk to their dad before he died. JB gives Josh their dad’s championship ring, telling him their dad told him to do so: “I guess you Da Man now, Filthy” (236). JB turns to leave, but Josh tells him that they’re both “Da Man” and tosses JB the ball. JB takes it to the free throw line and lobs it toward the goal. They both watch as the ball arches over them.