Young Jane Young(11)

“Then end it,” she said. “You’re the principal. You can end this. Nothing happens at that school without your say-so.”

“It’s not that simple,” I said. “His staff put it on the schedule. And some guy named Jorge?”

“Yes, Jorge Rodriguez. He’s in charge of fund-raising.”

“Okay, so you know him. This Jorge fellow went over my head to Rabbi Barney. And now the whole thing’s become political, I guess. My hands are tied.”

I could hear Aviva breathing, but she had not hung up.

“Fine, Mother,” Aviva said. “I believe you. I need you to promise me you won’t say anything about” – she lowered her voice – “my relationship to anyone. Promise me you won’t talk to the congressman or to his wife.”

“Aviva, God forbid, of course not. I won’t mention your relationship, but I’ll have to talk to them. It isn’t practical for me not to talk to them. They used to be our neighbors.”

Aviva began to sob.

“Aviva, what is it?”

“I’m sorry,” she said, the bully from her voice gone. “I’m tired,” she said. “I miss you,” she said. “And I’m twenty and I feel so old,” she said. “Mommy,” she said, “I think I should break it off. I know you’re right. I just don’t know how to do it.”

My heart bloomed like a hothouse rose. All the lying had been worth it if this was going to be the result. Even if I got fired for this narishkeit fund-raiser, it would have been worth it if I had managed to save my daughter and her good name. “Are you saying you want my advice?” I said cautiously, not wanting to scare her off.

“Yes,” she said. “Please.”

“Talk to him without bitterness. Tell him that you loved the time you have spent together, but that neither of you is in the right place in your life for this relationship to continue.”

“Yes,” she said.

“Tell him that you understand that his life is complicated. Tell him that you are too young to settle down with one person. Tell him that the end of a school year is a good time to reassess. It is, Aviva.”

Aviva began to sob again.

“What is it, my love?”

“I’ll never meet anyone as good as him again.”

I bit the tip of my tongue so hard, I could taste the blood in my mouth. The things I did not say!

If I ever write my memoir, that should be the title. Rachel Shapiro: The Things I Did Not Say!





SEVEN





I

t had been six years since I had seen Aaron Levin in the flesh, and what I noticed about him was that he had a small bald spot in the middle of his black curls.

Aviva was there, of course. How could she not attend Boca Raton Jewish Academy Presents a Night of Jewish Leaders? It was a hot ticket, and she worked for the congressman and she was my daughter. She was wearing the St. John suit I had bought for my meeting with Embeth – I hadn’t even known she had taken it from my closet. It was too tight across her bosom, but she still looked like a little girl in it. I did not know if she had broken up with him, or he with her.

The congressman greeted me warmly. “Rachel Grossman, you look wonderful. Thank you for setting this up. It’s going to be a grand night.” And other politician schlock.

“Happy to do it,” I said. This was how civilized people behaved.

Nothing in his behavior suggested that he was screwing my daughter. Though what he was supposed to do, I do not know. What behavior of his would have pleased me? I led him and one of his aides into the dressing room behind the auditorium. The students were going to give speeches about what being a Jewish leader meant to them, and then the congressman would come out to give his own speech and present a small cash prize to the graduating senior who showed the most leadership potential. I had invented the prize about a week ago to make everything seem legit.

The congressman’s aide had excused himself to take a phone call, and for a moment, the congressman and I were alone. He looked me right in the eyes. His eyes were clear, kind, and honest, and he said, “Aviva is doing a wonderful job.”

I looked around. “Excuse me,” I said.

“Aviva is doing a wonderful job,” he repeated.

I considered the possibilities.





1.




He didn’t know that I knew about the affair.





2.


He did know that I knew about the affair, and he was making a repulsive sexual innuendo.





3.


He did know that I knew about the affair, and Aviva was genuinely doing a wonderful job.





There may have been other options, but this is what occurred to me at the time. All three of the options made me want to slap him, though I did not slap him. If Aviva had already broken up with him, what good would my slapping him have done?

“Yes,” I said. I could tell he was put off by my terse reply. He was one of those people who needed people to like him.

“How’s Dr. Mike?” he asked.

“Very well,” I said.

“I was hoping to see him tonight,” the congressman said.

“Well, his medical practice keeps him busy,” I said. And I’m not certain why I said this next thing, but I did. “Also, his social life.”