The Champ

When the ball rolled

onto the beach road,

the boy ran into the path

of an oncoming vehicle.

Upon receiving news of his death

on the following morning

before a little league game,

our team was in a state of shock

that one of our teammates was gone.

I began to reminisce about the time

when it was announced that

he was joining our team.

Because he was so small in stature

and three years younger than most,

I secretly thought that

he would only hurt us.

I did not want him on the team.

As far as I know

he never knew how I felt

for I shared my feelings with no one.

He was a great kid, however,

who had a tender soul

and a pleasant way about him.

Teeming with life and exuberance,

he never tired of

giving forth his best effort.

He always possessed

a sweet smile on his face.

His batting helmet would

dwarf his head

as he choked the bat

that seemed nearly

as long as he was tall.

Whenever he connected

with the ball,

it was a humorous sight.

His little legs ran twice as fast

as anyone on the team

while his helmet bobbled

all over his head,

not to mention his

oversized uniform.

His heart was larger than life.

The game was played in his honor.

Though we had won that day,

it was a bittersweet victory.

We all shared in a

great sense of loss,

but my feelings ran deeper;

I felt ashamed

for resenting him

for being on the team.

It was a wound of the heart

that never healed until

I found myself standing

at the foot of his grave

thirty-eight years later.

I wept

as I softly uttered

these words,

"Michael, I am so sorry...

sorry that you lost your life,

and sorry that I thought

you were not good enough

for the team; I was wrong."

As I stood staring at his name

etched in cold marble,

the inscription disappeared, and

I could have sworn that

I saw him running,

as if a movie was being projected

on the headstone!

He was chasing a fly ball

out in the right field.

Stopping,

he turned

to look at me

with that sweet and

unforgettable smile.

Without a word,

he turned and

ran after the ball

as everything went marble.

His name reappeared.

"Goodbye, Champ"