Gemotions

The morning sun felt heavy on Marcus’s shoulders as he dragged himself onto the basketball court. His usual springy step was absent, replaced by a plodding walk. He rubbed his eyes, the lids feeling glued together. Coach Miller called him over, his face unreadable. "Marcus, we need you to try center today. See how you feel." Marcus just nodded, a leaden feeling settling in his stomach. He wasn't built for the paint, for the constant bumping and bruising.

He shuffled through the drills, his movements slow, his energy waning. He felt like he was slogging through quicksand. The ball felt huge and awkward in his hands. Every rebound was a struggle. His teammates buzzed around him with an electric energy he couldn’t match. His passes were clumsy, his shots off. He just wanted to go home and lie down.