So Shira didn’t check the clock even though it meant that some days she left for work before Yudi went to Shacharis. He liked to take his time drinking his coffee by the window and as he put it “expand his mind for a new day.”

That’s why she found it weird that he was up so early standing in the tiny kitchen and speaking on the phone animatedly. It wasn’t even seven o’clock yet. Something must have happened.

She picked up the extension and inhaled determined not to breathe.

“Tatty you don’t realize how amazing it is not just that you won but that you won the first inter-camp game in years. I remember as a kid in C.N.D it felt so miserable we would lose every game. That’s why Zaidy stopped them. It was unbearable — we were the laughingstock of all the camps. I know it’s just one game but it’s enough to change things if you play it right. You know what I mean?”

“No I mamash don’t” Chaim replied standing on the small porch off his bungalow. The previous night’s win the pleasant sensation of being trapped in a cloud of rising dew — he should have been exhilarated. Instead he was tired and cranky. Rivky had spent the night in Lakewood and he hadn’t slept much. Now he was frustrated trying to figure out what winning one game meant in practical terms. He’d waited until seven o’clock in the morning which he thought a reasonable hour to call Yudi.

“I feel like today isn’t a regular day but I also don’t want to get carried away. It’s just a basketball game.”

“Okay Ta here’s what you should do. By breakfast keep the guys from the team outside wait for everyone to sit down and get busy eating. Then make the dining room dark and announce that you have special guests. Then have a guy on the mike call out the names of the Camp Neos Deshe basketball team. Make sure the oilam is cheering like nuts and then lead them in…

“Whoa okay I’ll ask Singer. I’m not sure he’ll hear it but that sounds amazing.”

“Okay lemme know what happens Ta.”

“Thanks Yudi” Chaim said and he finally felt better.

As he hung up Shia Langsman came jogging over. “Kodem kol you get a mazel tov” he said grinning. “It’s been a few years for this camp. Singer says you pushed for a game and I’m so happy we won.”

He looked as if he was trying to decide if he should say something. “Chaim look I’m on this group chat with different directors and managers from other camps. Check this out.”