You Asked for Perfect(35)

Malka snickers and says, “Ooooh,” like we really are kids again.

My cheeks flame red. “Sorry, I was listening. I promise.”

Rabbi Solomon waves her hand dismissively. “That’s all right. Come with me, you two. Ariel, I have something to give you.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, though I’m curious what she has for me. “Aren’t you busy today?”

“Too busy. I need to hide, and you two will be my buffer until we get to my office. Act like we’re in a very intense conversation, fershtay?”

Malka and I nod, both amused. Our rabbi has us pulling a con. We walk down the hallway on either side of her. Sure enough, everyone we pass tries to get her attention.

“Wonderful sermon, Rabbi Solomon, I wanted to ask—”

“Rabbi Solomon, how are your—”

“Oh good, Rabbi, solve this debate for us—”

We take turns cutting people off. Rabbi Solomon is the most adept at it, though. She raises one finger, looks serious, and says, “I’m so sorry. I’m in the middle of something important with these young ones.” And then we keep moving down the hall. I’ve never gotten through a crowd at synagogue so fast.

We make it to her office, and she breathes an overdramatic sigh of relief as she shuts the door behind us. “Baruch Hashem,” she says. “We made it.”

Her office is large. There’s enough space for a six-person table, plus her desk and two giant armchairs. Bookcases take up most of the wall space, filled with texts, both in Hebrew and English. Judaica also lines the shelves, from ornate, expensive pieces to bits of sculpted clay from the preschoolers. Rabbi Solomon tutored me here for my bar mitzvah, a few one-on-one sessions to critique my D’var Torah.

I remember enjoying it. Her questions and critiques pushed me to learn and grow. And it was nice improving my speech simply to improve it, not for a grade.

“Here we are.” Rabbi Solomon plucks a book from the shelf. “It’s a shortened version of the Talmud. The one I had growing up as a girl was too bulky, so it never left our coffee table. But this could easily fit in a book bag or even a purse. I brought my copy to university and read it there. Before I knew it, I was reading from the Talmud every day. Of course, then I ran out of stories and moved on to the big book. I like to give every graduating student an abridged copy.”

“Thank you,” I say, taking the book, feeling a bit guilty it will likely go home to sit on my shelf. But Rabbi Solomon did say it’s for college, so maybe I’ll have time to read it next year.

“Malka, are you enjoying yours? How’s college?”

“I am.” She tucks her hair behind her ears. She’s wearing gold hoops today, and her lips are coated in some kind of gloss. “I read a few stories. They were good. And college is…great!” She clears her throat, looking like she wants to change the subject. “I went to the campus Chabad. They were nice.”

Rabbi Solomon clasps her hands together. “That’s wonderful to hear! I love Rabbi Shmul! He’s done a fantastic job getting the students involved.”

“Yeah,” Malka says. “I like him.”

“Wonderful, wonderful. I like hearing our young ones are investing in their community. Those relationships will last you a lifetime.” She glances at the time on her watch and tsks. “I should probably get back to the masses. Thank you both for providing me a respite.” She smiles. “And again, L’Shana Tova.”

*

“Don’t do it!” Sook squeals.

Rachel cackles and chases Sook across the kitchen, fingers coated with honey. “I’m coming for you!”

“Make it stop!” Sook hollers.

“On it!” I intercept and pick Rachel up by her armpits, bringing her to my eye level. She grins wickedly. “Don’t,” I warn. But she plants her sticky palm flat against my cheek. “Ugh, now you’re going to get it.”

I put her down and snatch the dish of apples and honey from the table. Holding it high above her reach, I swipe honey onto my finger and dash after her around the dining room table, but before I can get to her, the front door opens, and I stop short in front of Rasha and Amir.

Amir looks exceptionally amused. “Happy New Year,” he says.

“Thanks,” I respond, breathless. Our eyes lock for a long moment, and I swallow hard.

Rasha looks back and forth between us. “Something is going on here. Are y’all like…”

“Shh!” We both shush her at the same time.

“We haven’t had a chance to tell the parents,” Amir says.

“We will. Soon.”

“It’s new,” Amir continues. “We don’t need them planning a wedding before Ariel takes me out on a date.”

“Oh, I’m taking you out on a date?”

“Well, the photography show was my idea, so it’s your turn. Better be good, too.”

“Challenge accepted.”

“Whoa,” Rasha says. “So this really is happening.” She glances back and forth between us, then nods. “Okay, cool. I ship it.”

I grin. “Good. I’m gonna go shower off. There’s honey everywhere.”

“Everywhere?” Amir asks.

“Oh my god,” Rasha groans, while I blush.