the bedroom around her faded Stadium lights whooshed on The autumn air stung her cheeks as she jumped in unison with the others shouting together Annnd let’s hear it for our Cowwwboyss Tam heard the announcer boom The team ran onto the field as she jumped up and
down waving her pompoms Taaammm shouted the announcer Tam couldn’t understand why he was calling her name Then the room swam back into focus Her mother was calling of course Tam little bean your brother needs to be changed Ma’s voice
came from the living room Tam winced Now she’d be late She sighed and opened the bedroom door Ma sat at her sewing machine in the cramped living room with its tiny breakfast nook off to the side She took in sewing for people to make extra money after her shift at
the lighting factory Tam’s youngest brother Matthew sat on the floor his finger in his mouth Melvin was reading something at the table as usual and Isaiah and Adam were whacking each other with long cardboard tubes Tam sometimes thought four
