Big Mouth & Ugly Girl

their side of the gym, cheers; from our side, groans. My face is burning, I know everyone is blaming me. Because Ugly Girl played so well until now, it looks as if shes coasting, or hanging back. Im running, limping. Im shouting for the ball. My right knee is throbbing with pain, both my knees are weak as water. Whats happening to me? I never look toward the bleachers, but Im seeing the derisive eyes, jeering faces, hands mock clapping. The Rocky River kids are yelling at me, I can almost hear themUrsula! Ug-ly Ur-sula! Their faces are blurred as if theyre underwater, or maybe its sweat running into my eyes and stinging. A terrible

Of course, Dad had time to see Lisa dance in The Nutcracker last month

I knew they would be praising my performance, regardless of what they thought of me. But tonight everything was weird.

When we won a game, there was a giddy, celebratory feeling

both my knees are weak as water.

splashed cold water onto my burning face and went back into the game,

Ursula Riggs was a coward, fearing other peoples opinions and the future. Ugly Girl was no coward, and didnt give a damn about the future. Ugly Girl, warrior-woman.

A Fiery Red mood was great for basketballUgly Girl really burned up the courtbut an Inky Black wasnt so good.

But as soon as I shut my locker and ran out into the gym, onto the basketball court, where every smell was so right, and the glare of the overhead lights on the polished floor, I could feel the Fiery Red coming up.

as soon as I shut my locker and ran out into the gym, onto the basketball court, where every smell was so right, and the glare of the overhead lights on the polished floor, I could feel the Fiery Red coming up. Here was my place!