Every Saturday Night Anonymous

I used to sit in my room staring at the wall, hoping for action, drama, comedy, or even romance. I did experience all of these things eventually, but through a screen, not directly. Every Saturday night was always another night at the movies. The Jewish Sabbath would end and it was time for me to recharge my batteries. A movie was something to look forward to during the gruelingly long and boring hours of prayers and nothingness, before I could truly appreciate the rest. As soon as the sun set, I waited outside my house for three stars to appear. According to biblical texts, three stars meant the Sabbath was over. I could then turn on the lights, watch television, or even write. I was so anxious for those three stars to appear that it felt like an eternity. Finally, those three glorious stars would appear and lead me back into the house. Everything was normal again; everything felt like it was in my control, once again.

My mother and I then always drove to pick up Abba from the synagogue. I never called my father Dad; he was always Abba to me (Hebrew for father). One time, in defiance, my sister decided to call him Dad and he didn't react well. He hoped to be everything American, except Dad.

Every minute I had to wait for...