Etan, wake up.
It’s late.
My father nudges me.
I see his tired face, a giant bowl of cereal in his hands.
We both overslept.
C’mon, you’re gonna be late for school.
Sometimes when we’re late he gets mad,
but today he’s happy.
Don’t worry, he says. It’s like a holiday right now.
Game 1 is Saturday! Can you believe it?
Dad?
He takes a huge bite of his cereal.
Do you think Mom gets to watch the game?
He chews, swallows, smiles.
Of course she does.
He shows me the newspaper, the schedule of games,
starting this weekend.
But then I see the third game, one week away, on Tuesday.
The SAME EXACT day as the talent show!
I decide not to tell him yet.