After school, where I did not raise my hand
and managed to avoid
baseball at recess,
I run to Main Street because
even though it’s Shabbat,
there might be another delivery.
When I reach our street,
I look up to the third-story window
but Buddy isn’t there,
the window is shut.
Two blocks down,
near Grace Covenant Community Center,
I see four ladies in bright feathered hats.
My grandfather calls them
the Covenanteers.
We like them because
they bring cupcakes to school,
run the book fairs, help with our after-school program,
but they also love to have long conversations with kids,
so I try to avoid them.
Etan, one of them calls.
She hands me a red paper.
Etan, please come to our youth group’s
Harvest Festival Talent Show!
I don’t say anything,
so she just smiles,
hands me the flyer.
Yes, well, singing, dancing, you name it.
It’s going to be wonderful!
On the paper
is a picture of a giant
jack-o’-lantern,
musical notes,
and the words
HARVEST FESTIVAL
TALENT SHOW
AND SPAGHETTI SUPPER
GRACE COVENANT YOUTH GROUP
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH
4:00
SINGERS, DANCERS, ACTORS,
ALL ARE WELCOME
I take the paper,
fold and fit it into my pocket,
then take off down the street as fast I can.