Gemotions

"Daniel, you're now at second base," the coach's announcement hung in the air, heavy and blunt. The infield dirt seemed to shift beneath Daniel's feet. He wiped his palms on his pants, leaving smudges. He had always been the pitcher, the reliable arm, the one they counted on to close out the game.

Now, he was expected to learn a new position, to field ground balls, to make quick throws. The pressure he felt was like a weight on his shoulders. He didn't want to fail his team, but the unfamiliarity of the new role had him feeling unsteady. He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing he could rewind time.