The Crossover: Third Quarter Summary & Analysis

After. As the Bell family drives home from the hospital, the car is silent. Mom and Dad are serious, while JB leans his bandaged face against the window. Even though Josh is only two feet away from any of his family members, he feels miles away.

Suspension. Mom tells Josh to sit down, asks if he'd like a sandwich, and offers him orange soda. Josh thinks all of this is weird and knows that the talking-to is coming. Mom says that this might be Josh's last meal and reminds him that boys without self-control end up in jail. She asks why Josh has been acting so "churlish" and rude the past few weeks. Josh struggles to answer and says he's sorry and didn't mean to hurt JB. Mom asks when Josh became a thug and if he's going to get angry whenever JB has a girlfriend. Josh insists he just got a little upset.

Mom insists that's not acceptable and reminds Josh that he'll need to apologize to JB. Then, she says that there will be consequences and reminds Josh that as he and JB grow up, they're twins, not the same person. Josh says that that doesn't mean that JB has to stop loving him, but Mom isn't impressed. Reminding Josh that JB will always love him and that he could end up in prison if this continues, she tells Josh that he's suspended from the basketball team.

chur-lish. To be churlish means to have a bad temper and to be difficult to work with. Once, when Josh wanted a pair of Stephon Marbury sneakers, Dad insisted that Marbury had a bad attitude and said that Josh didn't want to be associated with someone so churlish. Similarly, Josh doesn't understand how his behavior became so churlish. He also wonders how to apologize to JB for being churlish and almost breaking his nose.

This week, I. Josh gets his report card, makes the honor roll, watches the Wildcats play and win a basketball game. He volunteers at the library, eats alone, and avoids Miss Sweet Tea. During practice, he cleans the garage and does his best to make up for what he did. At dinner Josh sits next to JB, but JB doesn't smile at Josh's jokes. JB doesn't seem to notice when Josh does JB’s chores, and he seems to not listen when Josh apologizes.

Basketball Rule #7. Rebounding means being able to anticipate and always being ready to grab the ball. However, in a rebound, it's important that a person doesn't drop the ball.

The Nosebleed Section. Josh sits with Mom and Dad in the top row of the bleachers. He thinks that they're in the clouds and that Dad "rains" when the ref is wrong. Mom acts like an umbrella and shuts Dad down. Down on the court, JB is leading the team to victory. During a time-out, Josh tells Dad that JB won't talk to him. Dad suggests that Josh needs to be patient, let things settle down, and maybe write JB a letter in the meantime. When Josh asks Dad what he should say, Dad doesn't answer. He's cheering with the rest of the crowd as JB steals the ball.

Fast Break. JB moves the ball up the court. Josh can tell he's aiming for a basket when JB tries to fake out the opposing team. As JB tries to dunk the ball, an opponent's elbow hits JB and sends him flying to the floor. It's clearly a foul.

Storm. Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to JB was a foul. Josh watches JB and his opponent eye each other and wants to go help Dad, but Mom shoots Josh a piercing look and he stays put. Mom and Coach try to calm Dad down and finally, Mom leads Dad up the stairs again. She takes out a tissue as Dad's nose suddenly starts bleeding.

The next morning. At breakfast the next day, Mom tells Dad to call the doctor or else. Dad apologizes to his family for losing his cool as JB asks if he can go to the mall after practice. Josh points out that they can check out a new video game, but JB doesn't respond. He hasn't spoken to Josh in five days now. Mom tells JB that Josh has apologized "profusely" for his mistake, but JB insists that it wasn't a mistake.

pro-fuse-ly. Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. JB, for example, gets nervous and sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea is around. The team has also thanked JB profusely for leading them to the playoffs. Mom also said that Dad's blood pressure during the game was so high, his anger at the ref caused his nose to bleed profusely.

Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). The newspaper reads that the Wildcats won the game against Olive Branch Junior High, and that the team seemed unhurt by Josh's absence. JB instead led the team to victory. The team will start to fight for the county trophy next week, though they'll do so without Josh "Filthy McNasty" Bell. The paper names Josh their Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Mostly everyone. Most of Josh's classmates congratulate him on being selected the MVP by the Daily News. Miss Sweet Tea, however, yells at Josh that he's mean and doesn't deserve the distinction, especially after what he did to JB. Josh and JB look at each other after Miss Sweet Tea says this, and Josh waits for JB to defend him. JB, however, says nothing, and Josh thinks that the silence will kill him.

Final Jeopardy. The Bell family eats fruit and watches Jeopardy. One of the questions is about basketball. Josh interrupts and reminds his parents that the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. JB answers the Jeopardy question as he rolls his eyes. Mom points out that she cares about Josh's behavior, not his grades as Dad tries to change the subject by talking about Mom's much-awaited Christmas dinner. He tells a bad joke and after a moment of silence, everyone laughs. Mom and Dad ask JB to bring Miss Sweet Tea to dinner so they can get to know her. JB responds to Mom and Dad, but never even looks at Josh.

Dear Jordan. In a letter to JB, written in two columns that can be read together or separately, Josh says that without his brother, he's empty. His life seems broken now, and he feels as though he doesn't fit anywhere. He asks Jordan to help him and hang out with him again. His postscript reads that he's sorry.

I don't know. Josh isn't sure if JB read his letter, but he does notice that when he teases Vondie on the school bus, JB laughs a little.

No Pizza and Fries. Josh thinks that Mom is cruel for packing him a spinach and tofu salad. However, the salad isn't as cruel as the look he receives from Miss Sweet Tea.

Even Vondie. Vondie has a girlfriend now too. She wants to be a doctor but for now, she's a candy striper and a cheerleader. She thinks that Vermont has the best tomatoes and says that purple is her favorite color. Josh already knew this; her hair is purple. Still, Josh reasons that even having Vondie's girlfriend would be better than not having a girlfriend. Josh still doesn't have a girlfriend.

Uh-oh. One afternoon, while Josh is on the phone with Vondie discussing the chances of Josh playing this season, Josh hears someone panting in his parents' room. He tells the reader that they don't own a dog.

I run into Dad's room. Josh runs to investigate the panting. He finds Dad on the floor cleaning a spot that smells like vomit. Dad explains that he ate something bad and then sits on the bed, holding his chest. Dad tries to change the conversation, but Josh knows there's something wrong. Dad shows Josh a letter offering him a coaching gig at a college. Josh is concerned about what this means for his family--Dad won't be around to play basketball with him and JB if he's working.

Dad assures Josh that he and JB are mature enough to be okay and asks why Josh is suddenly so concerned about him getting a job. Josh points out that Dad doesn't need to work since he made so much money playing as a young man, and Mom thinks he should take it easy. Calling Josh "Filthy," Dad says he needs to get back on the court, and he laughs when Josh asks Dad to call him by his real name. Josh asks if Dad is going to take the job. Dad says he misses the smell of the balls and the experience of beating players who think they're good enough to beat him. He says he'll take it if Mom lets him.

Josh tells Dad that since it means so much to him, he'll ask Mom about the job on Dad's behalf. He does point out that Mom is really worried. Dad corrects himself to say "Josh" instead of "Filthy" and laughs at Josh's concern. Josh asks if Dad will talk to Mom about letting him play in the playoffs, as he feels like he's letting the team down. Dad points out that Josh let his family down too but as Josh asks Dad what he should do, Mom interrupts. She sees Dad holding his chest and sends Josh to set the table, a look of panic on her face.

Behind Closed Doors. Mom yells that she and Dad decided that he wouldn't play basketball. She won't listen when he insists it's just coaching and is extremely angry when Dad tries to say he's seen the doctor--in actuality, he just reads WebMD. Mom points out that reading articles isn't going to save Dad's life, but Dad says he's done talking. Mom threatens to make Dad an appointment and insists he's going crazy. When Dad says he's crazy for Mom and they stop talking, Josh knows what's going on.

The girl who stole my brother. Josh decides that he's now going to call Miss Sweet Tea "The girl who stole my brother." Maddeningly, when she comes for dinner, she asks for seconds of Mom's veggie lasagna. To make matters worse, JB even asks for more salad. JB is more than happy to tell Mom how he and Miss Sweet Tea met. He explains that on her first day of school, she approached them, they talked about basketball, and Vondie said she was hot. JB says that he thought she was pulchritudinous. At that, JB looks at Josh and smiles a little. It's the first time he's acknowledged Josh in fifteen days.

Things I Learn at Dinner. Josh learns all sorts of things about Miss Sweet Tea at dinner. She's been to a girls' Nike Hoops camp and can name a bunch of champions. Her dad went to college with Shaquille O'Neal, but her parents are divorced now. She lives with her dad and her mom doesn't like that she plays basketball. Her sister, who is in college, goes to Duke.

Dishes. When Josh is finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, Mom comes in. Josh asks when Dad has his appointment with the doctor and when Mom scolds Josh for eavesdropping, he insists he gets it from her. Mom laughs and says that Dad's appointment is next week. Josh asks if, since school is out next week, he could go to the doctor with them. After Mom agrees to think about it, Josh hugs her and thanks her for loving them, letting them play basketball, and being the best mother. Mom tells Josh that if he keeps this up, he'll get to play again soon. She does tell him that a hug isn't enough to get him into the playoff game tomorrow.

Coach's Talk Before the Game. For the playoff game, Josh decides to sit with the team on the bench instead of in the bleachers. Coach tells the team that they've won ten games in a row now, and points out that the only difference between winning and losing streaks is one game. He encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. Josh watches JB lead the team onto the court. As the game starts, Josh looks up and notices that Mom and Dad aren't in the bleachers. He turns back to the court and meets JB's eyes. He thinks they both look like they've just seen a ghost.

Josh's Play-by-Play. The Wildcats are down by three and not doing well. Vondie brings the ball up the court, but the defense presses close. Vondie passes to JB, who holds onto the ball as long as possible. He shoots but the ball bounces off the rim. The Wildcats lose the first half, and Josh thinks they must miss him.

Text Messages from Mom, Part One. Around 7 pm, Mom texts Josh to say that she and Dad went out for some fresh air since Dad wasn't feeling well. A few minutes later, she says that they're going to go home. At 7:45, she asks about the score and how JB is doing, and then assures Josh that the second half will be better. She tells Josh to get a ride home with either Coach or Vondie, to say hi to Miss Sweet Tea (whom she calls by her real name, Alexis), and that she thinks Dad's okay. Mom amends this and says Dad is fine. Dad asked her to tell Josh that the boys shouldn't come home if they lose.

The Second Half. Vondie passes to JB, who expertly moves the ball up the court and makes a basket. JB is playing splendidly and Josh feels like he, Coach, and Miss Sweet Tea are JB's "choir." Josh cheers as JB leads the Wildcats to victory and earns them a place in the championship game.

Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. Josh is studying by himself. JB is too, which worries Josh: tomorrow is the big vocabulary standards test. In an aside, he asks the reader to not say the word "standards" around Mom, as she thinks they're silly. After the game, Josh studies all his vocabulary words and the clues he made up to remember them. To remember what heirloom means, Josh says that Dad treats his championship ring like a family heirloom, and that Josh and JB can't wear it until one of them becomes “Da Man.” While JB is in the bathroom, Josh puts eight pages of vocabulary words on JB's pillow. He listens as JB climbs into bed and quietly says "thanks."

Coach comes over. During lunch, Coach sits down at Josh's table with a McDonald's lunch. He gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and JB need to stop fighting. Coach explains that when he was in high school, he and his brother got into a bad fight. He says they've been estranged ever since and asks Josh if that's what he wants. Josh shakes his head, so Coach tells Josh to fix things fast. He also tells Josh to give Mom something nice for Christmas; she's agreed to let Josh back on the team if they make it to the championship game.

es-tranged. Josh defines "estranged" as a time when one person becomes a stranger to someone who they used to be close to, like a friend or a loved one. Josh thinks that Miss Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. He thinks that when he threw the ball at JB, he felt estranged from himself. He also shares that even though he and JB are currently estranged, Dad is going to make them play together in a tournament at the rec center tomorrow.

School's Out. On the last day of school before winter break, Mom works late so Dad picks up Josh and JB. The boys still aren't talking, but they both laugh at Dad's jokes. When JB asks what they're getting for Christmas, Josh points out that they always get books. Again, the boys laugh. Dad reminds them that their talent will help them win games, but intelligence will help them win at life. JB notes that that's a quotation from Michael Jordan. Dad tells the boys that because they've done so well in school, they can choose something extra as a gift for Christmas. JB and Josh look out the window at the mall at the same moment. Josh knows what JB wants, so he asks if they can stop at the sneaker store. JB echoes Josh's request.

The Phone Rings. Josh answers the phone since Mom is decorating the tree and Dad is outside shooting free throws. Miss Sweet Tea asks if she can speak to JB, but Josh explains that he's busy. Josh realizes now why JB is on his second shower and tells the reader that JB usually doesn't even take a single shower.

Basketball Rule #8. Sometimes, a player needs to lean back and fade into the background in order to get the best shot.

When we get to the court. At the rec center, Josh challenges Dad to a warm-up game. Dad agrees and hits Josh in the chest with the ball--Josh was distracted while watching JB and Miss Sweet Tea holding hands. Dad tells "Filthy" to pay attention but corrects himself to say "Josh" instead. Josh focuses and plays well, making a basket as JB and Miss Sweet Tea come to watch. Josh starts his crossover, but Dad steals the ball. Dad taunts Josh before starting his own crossover that Josh can't keep up with. Dad laughs, but stops suddenly.

At Noon in the Gym, with Dad. People watch Dad and Josh play. Josh does well and is up by five points, but Dad steals the ball. Dad winks and as he starts his crossover, Josh falls. As Dad heads for the hoop, he stumbles. People scream and then stand still. Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. Miss Sweet Tea calls 911 while JB brings water and splashes it on Dad's face. Dad doesn't stir. Remembering gym class, Josh performs CPR on Dad as he hears sirens coming.