The Matchmaker's Gift(74)

Despite the incredulity of many in the room, Rabbi Pearl nodded as if he understood. He pulled a watch from his pocket and studied it carefully. “I believe the time has come to adjourn this proceeding. I will meet now with my fellow judges, and we will reconvene tomorrow morning to announce our ruling. Does either party have any final words?”

Shternberg and Grossman shook their heads, but Sara raised her hand to speak.

“I would like to say only that it has been my greatest honor to bring these marriages into the world. No matter what the court decides, I will never regret the work I have done.”

The shadchanim swarmed out of the room, each of them avoiding Sara’s gaze. Rabbi Sheinkopf helped Rabbi Pearl descend from the platform, and the three judges retired to Rabbi Pearl’s study. Meanwhile, the women who had come to Sara’s aid crowded around her.

“You were so brave,” Hindel said. “Papa would have been proud of you.”

“You spoke beautifully,” Miss Perelman assured her. “With the same intelligence I remember from my classroom.”

Beryl and Miryam complimented her poise, while Ida threw her arms around Sara’s waist. “Oh, how I wish my father were here. He would have praised you to the heavens and spat in the faces of those wretched men.”

As thrilled as Sara was to have the women by her side, she wondered about their unexpected appearance. “I cannot thank you all enough for being here,” she said. “But how on earth did it come about? The rabbis did not advertise the gathering to the public. How did you know where and when to come?”

Hindel squeezed her sister’s hand. “It was Gabriel Auerbach’s doing. He paid each of us a visit.”

Miryam nodded in agreement. “He was adamant that we should come to your aid. He did not want you to face the shadchanim alone.”

Sara felt her legs wobble beneath her. For hours, even as the shadchanim attacked, she had managed to maintain her strength. But now, in the face of this new revelation, a sudden weakness overcame her. No one had ever done for her what Gabriel Auerbach managed to do.

“He seemed a truly sincere and earnest young man,” said Miss Perelman.

Beryl winked. “Handsome, too.”

“Who knows?” Ida Raskin teased. “Perhaps our Sara might change her mind about a wedding after all.”



* * *



The next day, the women returned to the shul. Hindel held tight to Sara’s hand as they waited for the shadchanim to take their seats. Once everyone was in place, Rabbi Pearl banged his cane for order.



* * *



Gabriel was waiting for her outside the shul. His smile was hopeful but apprehensive—he was uncertain not only of how Sara would receive him but also of whether she had won or lost her case. It was Sara’s sister who spotted him first. Hindel whispered into her ear. “He’s waiting for you, Sara. Go, talk to him. I’ll see you at home. Remember, be nice.”

After saying goodbye to her companions, Sara made her way across the street. The weak March sun swept away the morning clouds, and the first hint of spring was in the air.

“Hello, Mr. Auerbach,” Sara said.

“Please,” he insisted. “Tell me, quickly—what did the beis din decide?”

Sara stepped closer until she was beside him. He smelled like coffee and buttered rye bread. “Miss Glikman,” he whispered impatiently. “What did the court decide?”

“They found in my favor,” Sara finally answered. “Rabbi Pearl told the shadchanim to stop harassing me. I was ordered to return Miryam Tunchel’s gold bracelet, but no other fine was imposed. I am free to work as a shadchanteh, despite the fact that I am unmarried.”

Gabriel’s eyes were glued to hers. “I am very happy for you,” he said. He blinked a few times and searched her face, rubbed his eyes, and blinked some more.

“Is something wrong?” Sara asked.

He blinked again. “I do not think so, no. No. I’m sure it’s only the sun in my eye. It is only … there, it’s gone again. A kind of light around your face…”

Sara felt a flutter in her chest, but she did not press Gabriel to explain further. She took a step closer. “Thank you for what you did for me. I must say, I was a bit surprised. I thought you did not see the need for matchmakers.”

Gabriel leaned into the space between them. “I believe I’ve changed my mind,” he said. “Sometimes there is beauty in the old-world way of doing things.”

“Sometimes,” Sara agreed. “But there is beauty in what is modern as well. Tradition should never be used as an excuse to keep people from reaching their potential.”

“Perhaps we will agree on a compromise then—to take what is best from both the old world and the new?”

When Gabriel reached for Sara’s hand, she took it without hesitation.





TWENTY

ABBY




1994




On Sunday evening, Abby braced herself for the inevitable chaos of Diane’s return to the office. She had just pulled a yogurt from her refrigerator when Diane called her from the Miami airport. A cluster of thunderstorms had delayed her flight, and now the airline had canceled it. “I can’t get another flight to New York until early tomorrow morning,” she said. “Victor is coming in at eleven, and I may be a little late. Keep him occupied until I get there, please. Lisa will print out the revised draft of the prenup.”