She Asked the Score

Journal

Mom asked what a first down was, then asked again.

Then she asked the score like it had always been hers.

I made too much dip. She made the good plates come out anyway.

The living room became a stadium for two.

She yelled at a referee she couldn't name.

I didn't correct her. I handed her a napkin.

At halftime she told me about the year Dad painted the porch red.

Football paused. We didn't.

When we scored she stood up like church.

I stood up with her.

After the win she asked when the next one was.

I said next year. She said, "Put it on the calendar."