Buddy

In the doorway

we see the sniffing nose,

the furry little body.

Isn’t that—

I look—

Buddy?

His tongue out,

he jumps

into Malia’s lap.

And then I remember. Grandpa!

Mrs. Hershkowitz!

He looks at me,

puts his heavy hand on my shoulder.

You have to check, Etan,

can you do that?

Mrs. Agbayani and Malia

agree to come,

and the three of us

and Buddy go out into the street.