The Yankees Game (1995): Age 5

Under the scorching midsummer sun in New York, families flocked to the Yankees Stadiums. The smell of the concussion stands and the sound of vendors calling out for people to get their hotdogs and peanuts filled the air. In the stands the Rizzo family was among the crowd making their way to their seats. For their son Elio it was his very first baseball game. Elio had a mop of curly black hair and round glasses. He bounced with excitement, holding his father’s hand, his big hazel eyes taking it all in. His little sister Gia was on Mom’s hip, looking around.

“Are you excited, Elio?” Mom asked. 

Elio nodded, his glasses slipping down his nose. “Yes, Mama, it’s so big!”

Dad found their seats and helped Elio into it. Then, he settled into his own and took hold of Gia. Mom sat on the other side of Dad. The crowd hummed with excitement. A couple with a boy about Elio’s age sat next to them. The boy had a mop of blond hair and a big grin. He examined Elio’s face for a moment, then spoke.

“Hi, I’m Maximus, but you can call me Max,” extending his small hand.

Elio’s eyes widened at the name. “Maximus? That’s a cool name.”

“Thank you,” Max said, proudly. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Elio and this is Gia.” Elio said, pointing at Gia who giggled.

Max’s parents, Linda and Daivd, smiled warmly at the interaction. “It’s nice to meet you, Elio,” Linda said. “It’s Max’s first game.”

“We thought it would be fun, and the weather is cooperating.” David added.

“It’s Elio’s first game too. Hopefully they have fun.” Dad said with a smile, bouncing Gia on his knee, making her giggle. “I’m Luca, by the way and this is Francesca.” 

The adults shook hands and Linda and David both made faces at Gia and made her giggle and clap.

“Do you like baseball, Elio?” Max asked. 

“I think so,” Elio replied shyly. “I haven’t seen a game yet.”

Max’s face lit up. “It’s really fun! My dad says it’s America’s favorite pastime.”

“Do you have a favorite team?”

“Yeah, the Yankees! They're the best.” Max spoke with excitement, his hands gesturing in the air. 

Elio looked at his dad, who gave a reassuring nod. “We’re here to see the Yankees too,” said Elio.

As the game began, the roar of the crowd and singing of the crowd swelled. Elio glanced at Max who rose to glimpse at the diamond.

“Look, Elio, they’re about to pitch!” Max exclaimed, while pointing at the field.

Elio’s eyes followed Max’s finger, watching as the pitcher wound up and threw up the ball. The crack of the bat hitting the ball echoed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Elio found himself clapping along. As the game went on, Max explained things to Elio. He pointed out players and shared facts his dad told him. Elio listened intensely, his initial shyness fading as he got caught up in the thrill of the game. During a lull, Mom handed Elio a hotdog, and he munched on it happily. Gia, now sitting on Mom’s lap, was holding a piece of pretzel in her small hand deciding whether or not she wanted to eat it. 

“This is fun!” Elio, exclaimed. Max nodded excitedly.

“Maybe we can be friends?” Max asked. 

“I’d like that.” Elio smiled. 

First day of Kindergarten (1995): Age 5

The sun rose steadily over the streets of Brooklyn. It casted a warm glow over busy neighborhoods. Parents and children made their way to the schools. Max stood among them, wearing his favorite dinosaur shirt and new sneakers. He clutched his Mom’s hand and tightened his grip on his lunch box as they approached the elementary school. 

“Are you excited for your first day of kindergarten, Max?” Mom asked.

Max looked around, and nodded. “Yeah, I guess so.” 

They entered the school and made their way to the colorful classroom. Max’s eyes darted nervously around, taking in the new faces and the decorations in the hallway. But when they got to the classroom, Max looked around. He spotted a familiar face, a curly headed boy. The boy was coloring at a table. 

Elio Rizzo.

A smile spread across his face as he tugged on his mom’s hand. “Mom, look! It’s Elio!”

Mom followed where Max was pointing. “Well, why don’t you go say hi, Max.”

Max let go of his mom’s hand and made his way over to where Elio was coloring.

“Hey, Elio, can I color too?” 

Elio looked up, and his face broke out into a grin. “Hey, Max! Of course you can!” 

As Max settled in beside him, the two boys fell into easy conversation as Max’s mom waved goodbye. Max waved goodbye but continued coloring. They laughed and chatted in their own little world. Throughout the day, Elio and Max stuck together like glue. They explored like only Kindergarteners can. The final bell rang and signaled the end of the first day of school. They walked out of school together with their backpacks bouncing. They both ran up to their parents. Then, they walked in opposite directions towards their homes and they looked back at each other.