Gemotions

The rhythmic thump of the basketball against the polished wood of the court was the only sound. Coach Davis dribbled the ball absently, his gaze fixed on the empty hoop. He knew this moment was coming; the roster cut was a necessary evil. He had worked with these young men for weeks, now he had to make choices.

He paused his dribbling and walked to the bench, where a folded piece of paper sat. He felt no anxiety at this moment. He picked it up and unfolded it, scanning the names of the team. He looked at the list. He knew what he had to do.

He pulled his phone from his pocket, opened the messages app, and tapped the name of the player. His thumb hovered over the send button. His shoulders remained loose, his breathing even.