Better late than Never

This week has been a whirlwind in almost ever human category that I currently know, so I was very much looking forward to the game on Friday night, like a refuge. But even best laid plans don't always work out: my son wanted to go to the school play, because, of course. I knew I'd never win in that head to head battle, so around 3pm I started asking around if anyone wanted to go to the baseball game.

It was cold, and so the takers were slim. I knew I was going no matter what. My seats in section A were waiting for me, I would not disappoint.

My favorite plus one since my divorce was my first call. He said there was a slim chance that he would go out of town, so I made some more calls.

Normally, I would have all of my seats booked out in advance, but, of course, when first right of refusal goes to a sophomore in high school, plans abruptly change.

Right as my son was getting ready for the play I got a text back from my brother- 'not going out of town, game still available? I'll pay for parking!'

It is impossible to write this post without talking about my relationship with my brother. People talk about privilege all the time. When they see me they see my whiteness, my education, perhaps, when I speak, they don't often see my gay-ness, my single mom-ness, my past, bankrupt, on public assistance. Thats why when I speak about privilege, I have a different definition. I don't see those things. I instead see my friends, my neighbors and my family. The fact that I have two people that I have been friends with for our mutual 'whole lives' and we are all still healthy and connected is the greatest privilege. My brother is an incredible guy and he has always 'been there' for me. If it is mentoring my son through hard times with his dad to letting us live with his family when we were unhoused, he will do it. For today it was just being with me at a Twins game after one of the most intense weeks of my recent life.

I picked him up after dropping off my son. My brother lives by powderhorn park. He was ready and waiting at his porch. "I think we might even miss the second inning also." I said as he got in the car, "Sorry."

"It's fine!" He said with a smile as we negotiated the best route to get to the stadium.

The ticket takers had to get off their seats and warm up the scanner when we walked in with a joke at how late we were.

"Hey! Better late than never!" the usher said as he scanned my phone.

The game was tied 2-2 and it was already the top of the 3rd inning. My brother bought me a beer and we settled into my new favorite view.

"Yes," my brother confirmed, "This is pretty slick. I can see why dad felt comfortable." He added as I described going to the game with our dad.

I'll be honest, I don't entirely remember the game. The Tigers went up 4-2 and then the twins tied it. Buxton hit what he thought was a homerun but it bounced top off the left field fence. (if it were a homer, we might have won, missed that run)

Chris and I (My brother's name is Chris) discussed for a long time how terrible our batting average was as a team and broke down what kind of a team we might have when Correa and Lewis return. I was mostly encouraged by our starting pitching, but, after watching almost every game, conceded our relief pitching was incredibly suspect.

Mostly, my brother and I philosophised about life and baseball, about how to show up for friends going through tragic times, how to help children navigate the waters of becoming adults and how to give your own children both space and the ability to know that you'll always be there for them. He and I were both solo on a Friday night because our children wanted to stretch their wings, which is appropriate.

Ryan had another great pitching outing that, though not perfect, certainly deserved a win that our bullpen couldn't keep. This time it wasn't just lousy pitching, it was wild throws.

The air was very cold. Something in the Twins felt like me. Like they were just happy to make the 9 innings, so when they lost the lead in the top of the 9th it almost was a way of telling the sparse crowd- 'we had fun, right? no one wants extra innings...'

They went down pretty quickly in the bottom of the ninth. I checked my phone- my son was ready to be picked up from the play.

It needs not to be said that all of my carpool karaoke was 'the tortured poets department' (like duh). My brother and son got to bond, yet again, about liking Taylor Swift but not LOVING her (though they both have a ton of merch). I need to find a game where I can also go with my nieces... they'll understand.

Until next time Minneapolis.

Twins next game: (NOW!) 4/21 (they're losing 2-0 and they lost yesterday 4/20)

My next game: Tomorrow night 4/22

Stats of the game:

Twins lose 5-4 to the tigers

Ryan: 6k

Thiebar: (L)

Buxton: 2B, 2RBI

Larnach, HR, 2RBI

(we went for wide angle, like the kids do...)

(extra- because who doesn't love TC bear? see? all the players are also wearing hats... it was cold!)