HELP!3-on-the-tree shifter is skrewed up!

[passthebuck]

Hey all - I pulled my truck into the garage to pull of the muffler & pulling it out the shifter broke. It's a 3-on-the-tree & it was always tight when pulling it towards you to put it into either reverse OR first. When i pulled it back this time to go into reverse, something went pop & now it's super loose, & I can feel it go into gear when i move it up or down but it just flops when you push it forward or reverse. It goes into only 2nd or third - no first or reverse. Am I screwed? How do I fix it? 3-on-the-tree shifters baffle me SO PLEASE explain the fix (if any) as easy and simplely as possible! Thank you!