You Win some. You Lose Some.

Sheila was running late for Bryant’s State high school championship game, but she didn’t want to risk running out of gas and missing more than the team introductions. She pulled her Ford Taurus next to the gas pumps at an El Cheapo just on the edge of the city. Her old car was pushing two hundred thousand miles, yet it was still somewhat reliable. Buying a newer car was out of the question.

The arena remained a good ten minute drive away, plus she would probably have to park a long way from the venue. She’d have to hustle to make it by tip-off.

This was her son Bryant’s dream — to play for a state title. The Northridge team had threatened to make it this far over the last couple of years, but they lost in the second round each time. Bryant is a senior. It’s his last chance.

Sheila pumped fifteen dollars worth of 87 octane in her Ford and ran into the store with a twenty dollar bill. She waited with great patience behind an elderly man complaining about the high price of cigarettes.

“I remember when I could buy a whole case of cigarettes at this price.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” the store clerk said. “I don’t set the price. I just take the money.”

The old smoker completed his transaction and Sheila stepped up and dropped her twenty on the counter. “Fifteen on pump three,” she said. She glanced at the lottery tickets to her right and said, “Go ahead and give me a five dollar pick six too.”

“What are your numbers?” the clerk asked.

“I always play my birthdate,” Sheila said. “042782.”

The clerk punched in the numbers and gave her customer the receipt.

The Taurus made it through surprisingly light city traffic. Sheila walked in the arena seconds before the game began.

Northridge was not favored to win against the defending three-time state champions. It was a challenge for Bryant and his teammates to say the least.

The first half ended with a score of 46-40. Northridge was behind but playing strong. Bryant had almost half of his team’s points with 18. He was on fire. His mama was both excited and nervous.

With two minutes left in the game, Northridge was behind 74-66. Bryant was responsible for thirty points. He wasn’t finished.

He was fouled while attempting a layup on a fast break. He sank both free throws. 74-68.

The defense held at the other end of the court. Bryant took a three-point shot with 35 seconds left in the game. Swish! 74-71.

The defending champs brought the ball down against Northridge’s full-court press. They were trying to run the clock out to become state champs for the fourth year in a row. A long pass to the corner from half court was deflected into Northridge hands with six seconds on the clock. The ball was passed to Bryant. He dribbled like mad toward the basket. The cheerleaders were screaming. The fans were on their feet. Bryant stopped at the three point line and pushed the ball to the hole. The buzzer sounded with the ball in the air.

The ball rattled around the basket hitting the back of the rim, then the front of the rim, and back against the back of the rim. It drifted off the right side of the basket to the floor. Missed. Game over. Hearts broken.

Bryant laid facedown on the floor in tears as jubilant fans danced around him in celebration.

“C’mon, Bryant,” his coach picked him up off the floor. “Heckuva game, son.”

Sheila sat in shock. Her son just played a masterful game but in the end, it wasn’t enough. It was a long drive home in the Taurus.

When Bryant arrived home, his mama was asleep on the sofa. The blueish tint from the TV was the sole light in the room. It was eleven o’clock. He was sad and exhausted — physically, emotionally, and mentally. All he wanted was his bed. He kissed his biggest fan on the forehead and left her on the couch before he went down the hall as runner-up state champion.

“This is Dwight Edmondson with tonight’s winning lottery numbers,” a voice from the TV said. “Tonight’s pick six pays over one point six million dollars! Let’s see if you’re a winner. Tonight’s pick six numbers are 0-4-2-7-8-2. If you have those lucky numbers, today is your lucky day!”

But it’ll be tomorrow before they find out.