U-10

The heater in the sedan is blowing

the smell of old hair and winter coats.

He’s in the back, small against the window,

still wearing the cleats that cost me eighty bucks.

I saw the ball roll right to his foot.

He swung and caught nothing but air.

When he looked at me, his jersey was bunched up

high around his neck, like he was drowning

in all that shiny green polyester.