Thursday, Octover 29th, 2020

A cluster of children in costumes, carrying plastic pumpkins half-full of candy, passes me after work. That’s a surprise. I’ve never seen anyone trick-or-treating here. I wonder where they are headed. Most people would be puzzled and unprepared if these kids would ring their doorbells. I’m on my way to the usual burger joint. It’s fairly quiet when I get there. Their boss is at the register. He says something to me in Hebrew that I don’t understand. I tell him that I’d like to get an order to go. That’s redundant, since they’re only doing takeout, but it’s a start. He switches to English. “One moment.” He answers the phone and takes an order from the caller. He looks back at me when he’s done. “You would like to order?” I ask for a mushroom burger. He takes my name. “And you would like the sweet potato fries and a diet cola? See, I remember you!” I do. “It will only be a few minutes. Stay close.” I step outside and lean on a high table as I flip through the news on my phone. I’ve only read two articles when he calls my name. “You see? This time we are fast. Last time, I know that we were very slow but you were patient. I remember.” He puts my items in a bag. We thank each other. Two blocks from home, I see images of witches and pumpkins on the stone fence of the newest house on the pedestrian street. A plastic chair blocks the gate open. A large bowl on it holds even more candy. I hope the kids find this place. When I saw them, they were headed the other way.