Extra salt,
crispy and soft all at the same time.
We go to get mustard,
and that’s when we see him,
holding his own pretzel—
Jordan, wearing a blue kippah,
his father standing just behind.
My grandfather hugs Jordan.
Shana Tovah! A good year!
And they talk about how important
the game is, and that they had to come
even though it’s Saturday.
Hey, Etan, Jordan says.
I try to say hi.
I can’t.
I got my Ken Holtzman card finally.
Did you know he’s Jewish, too?
This is such a good game.
If the A’s beat the Blue Jays tomorrow, they go to the Series!
I smile.
You should play baseball again at school.
Martin’s got a big mouth but he’s all talk.
The grown-ups say their goodbyes,
then my grandfather looks at me with pleading eyes.
J-or-dan? I say.
It feels like a whole galaxy of time
before the words come out.
You guys should come over
for Shabbat sometime.
He smiles.
That’s a great idea, I can bring my cards!
By the time we get back, Candlestick is vibrating
because the Giants scored two runs to pull ahead
all the way
until the end of the game.
And then later, for two more games
after that
all the way
into the 1989 World Series.