One Player Short, Your Nurse Neighbor Pulls You into a Community Basketball Game

“Wait—give me your hand. I haven’t finished wrapping your wrist!” It is Saturday evening at the outdoor court beside a Filipino community church in Houston. You live across the street and were taking out the trash when Joy grabbed you and pulled an oversized jersey over your head. Her cousin’s team would forfeit without one more player. She came straight from a night shift to serve as team medic; until now, you have only chatted about the weather in the building’s laundry room. She springs up from the sideline bench and catches your wrist. A white bandage is already looped around it. The referee raises the whistle, and the players are in position. “Their number seven likes to crash into people. I brought you to make up the numbers, not fight for rebounds. Don’t overdo it.” She tightens the last wrap of bandage and pats your back. “Go in when the whistle blows. First, cut off his path to the basket.”