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Setting out the Puzzle Pieces
- Wayne State University Press
- Chapter
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94 Setting out the Puzzle Pieces Whenthelong,slowquietoflymphoma filledmyfather’sfingers,swellingthem intoadaywhenhecouldnolongerpull theweedsfromhisgardens,he setupthecardtablehismotherhad playedsolitaireonandgotout ajigsawpuzzle,onewithphotos ofbaseballlegends—Gehrig,Cobb, PieTraynor,HackWilson,Musial, Mathewson,MelOtt.Onthebox’s cover,theircrackedleatherfaces floatedoverfat-fingeredgloves, barrel-handledbats,flatcaps,baggy knickers,andwide-stitchedbaseballs. Hedumpedthepiecesonthetable, putthecoverbackinthecupboard, andturnedovereachpiece,setting thestraight-edgedonesofftotheside. Iwatchedasheslowlywedgedeach piecebetweenhisforefingerandthumb. Whenhewasseventeenandliving onthebrickstreetsofPittsburgh, myfather,ashortstop,wasnamed thebestschoolboyplayerinthecity and,everytimethePirateshadaday game,tookinfieldwiththeteam. HallofFamerHonusWagner,now 95 acoach,satonthebench,stoic asasteelworker.Myfather,nervous asasupplicant,oncedaredtoask himforadvice.Thegreatghost ofashortstoplookeddown,scraped hisspikesalongthedugoutfloor, andmumbled,“Whentheball’shitat you,catchit.Thenthrowitwhereyou should.”Myfatherwrappedhisthrowing hand,callusedfromhisfather’stools, aroundthefingersofhisglove. YesterdayItookthepuzzleanddumped thepieces.Turningthemoverone byone,Ifeltmyfather’sfingers comealiveinmineandremembered howhe’dslapabaseballatme, skippingitoffatanastyangle orshorthoppingitatmyfeet.He’d say,“Watchitallthewayintoyourglove.” ...