The Kiddush Ladies

by Susan Sofayov

  “Excuse me?” Miriam paled. Tears began filling her eyes.

  “From what I understand, it was a true love affair.”

  The words obviously sank in because Miriam let out a loud screech. Anita came running from the kitchen, and Naomi signaled for her to leave the room. Naomi quickly moved to her friend’s side and wrapped her arms around Miriam’s shaking body.

  Finally, questions began pouring out of Miriam. Naomi answered the best she could, up until the final question. “Why is Becky mad at me? I didn’t cause this to happen. I didn’t even know about it.”

  The dreaded question, how was she supposed to respond? She’s making you the scapegoat because she’s crushed by Noah marrying Maria, and she’s directing her anger about that situation at you. But, most of all, she’s still grieving over the loss of her mother. Naomi knew this was not a territory she wanted to venture into, so she shrugged.

  The women sat in silence as their coffee turned lukewarm until Miriam cleared her throat. “Since she won’t talk to me at shul or take my calls, I’m going to write her a letter. A real letter, not an email she can delete. No one, not even Becky can resist opening a hand addressed envelope.”

  The women sat in silence for a long time. Naomi held Miriam’s hand as she quietly sobbed. Eventually, Joe came home and took over the hand holding. Naomi kissed them both goodbye, escorted herself to the door, and tottered down the frozen uneven fieldstone path leading to her car. Her heart felt like rocks in her chest, heavier than it did when she knocked on the door. During the short drive down the hill, across Scrubgrass Road, and onto her street, she spaced out...

  ***

  “When I grow up, I’m going to have three children, a boy and two girls,” Miriam said while changing the record on the new stereo she got for Hanukkah.

  “Really?” Becky said. “And you can plan that in advance? Wonder if no guy wants to marry you?”

  Naomi stopped leafing through the teen magazine she found lying on the top of Miriam’s desk. “Of course, she’ll get married. There’s someone for everyone.”

  “Easy for you to say, Naomi, you’re gorgeous. Every guy in school is in love with you,” Becky said, flopping from her back to her stomach. “Even my brother thinks you’re cute, and he’s in college.”

  “Shut-up, Becky, Miriam’s pretty and she already has a boyfriend--remember? You and I don’t have one.”

  “I really like Joe,” Miriam said as music from the sound track of Saturday Night Fever began filling the room. “Come on, Naomi,” she continued, thrusting out her arms. “Dance with me.”

  Becky jumped from the bed. “No, dance with me. I need practice for the school dance.”

  The two girls swung around the room, trying to recreate the steps they saw in the movie. More than once, Miriam stopped and said, “No, no, like this.” When the song ended, both were winded. Becky flopped back onto the bed, and Miriam crumbled to the floor.

  “Having you two is like having sisters. That’s why I want three kids. I hate being an only child. You guys are my family,” Miriam said.

  “I agree,” Naomi said, lifting her can of Diet Coke above her head. “Sisters.”

  “Sisters,” the two other girls replied.

  ***

  Naomi slammed the car door, walked straight into the small basement pantry, and reached over her head to the top shelf. She grabbed the first bottle of wine she could wrap her hands around--chardonnay, the good stuff, left over from Jake’s collection. She needed a drink. Upstairs she could hear Ezra bumping around in the kitchen.

  “Where’ve you been, Mom? You’re late.”

  “I stopped by Miriam’s house. Do you have something to wear tonight?”

  “Yeah, jeans and T-shirt, like I always wear to Mrs. Raz’s house.”

  “Not tonight, you’re not. There will be other guests. I’ll let you wear the jeans, but at least put on a polo shirt. Preferably, one without a stain--please.”

  “Sure,” he said, picking up a plate containing leftovers from the previous night--reheated spaghetti and meatballs. He sat down at the kitchen table and began eating and texting. She picked up the almost overflowing wine glass and walked upstairs to the bedroom.

  As Naomi pulled off her work clothes, she smiled at the thought of seeing Aaron and the memory of kissing him. Plus, she always liked his mom, a straight talking woman if there ever was one. Seeing her would just add to the evening.

  But gloom returned when she stepped into the shower. Damn Becky’s stubbornness. During the amount of time it took to shower, step out of the shower, towel the excess water from hair, and knot the robe around her waist, Naomi decided that tomorrow, after shul, she would walk to Becky’s house and talk to her.

  Naomi picked up the wine glass and took a long pull from its contents. She sat in her make-up chair, God, please give me the wisdom to bring my friends back together.

  ***

  Esther’s Shabbat dinner was a roaring success. Aaron kept them all in stitches, telling stories about the famous people he knew in New York. His mother updated them on all the Squirrel Hill gossip, and Esther’s food, as always, was delectable. But, for Naomi, the best part of the evening was when Aaron and Ezra got into a deep discussion about computers. She knew Ezra was up on technology, but it never occurred to her that Aaron would be a computer geek. At the end of the evening, the two of them were sitting alone on the sofa going over the features of Aaron’s new expensive cell phone. Naomi had to pull Ezra out the door.

  “Hey, Mom,” he asked as she started the car, “is Aaron the friend you went to dinner with last week?”

  “Yep.”

  “He’s a nice guy.”

  “Yep.”

  ***

  When Naomi entered the shul the next morning, she spotted Becky sitting cross-legged in her usual spot. Naomi didn’t bother to grab a siddur or the reading glasses she always left on the bookshelf. She walked straight to Becky, clasped her hand, and pulled her into the lobby.

  “She didn’t know either,” Naomi said.

  Becky stuck out her hip and crossed her arms in front of her belly. “Yes, she did. She’s a good liar.”

  “I mean it,” Naomi said. “I saw her face--complete shock. There’s nothing to hold against her. The damn affair had nothing to do with either of you. The people you should be mad at are dead. You’re friends. Something that happened so many years ago has nothing to do with your friendship today.”

  The door opened and cold air blasted through the vestibule as Laurie’s family walked inside. “Hi,” she said, pulling her arms through the sleeves of her coat. Her husband, Dan, nodded and continued to the coat rack. He hung up his top coat, made a shivering movement with his hands, and stomped into the sanctuary, snow falling from the bottom of his pant legs.

  “Another crappy, gray day,” Laurie said. “Will this snow ever melt? What’s up with you two?”

  “Nothing,” Becky shot back. “Absolutely nothing.” She turned sharply and her heals clicked a hard staccato sound as she rushed through the double glass doors leading to the sanctuary.

  “Don’t ask,” Naomi said, shrugging.

  Laurie held the sanctuary door open for Naomi. “I didn’t even get to compliment the new hat. Red--a good color for the present atmosphere around here.”

  As always, the kiddush ladies meandered into the kitchen after the rabbi’s Dvar Torah. His sermon felt incredibly long today. They settled into their regular spots around the big stainless steel work table.

  Naomi sliced bagels. Laurie mixed tuna. Poor Esther fished the herring from the disgusting jar and put it into styrofoam bowls. Miriam leaned quietly against the side counter top sipping her coffee. Halfway through the preparations, Becky walked into the kitchen.

  “What can I do?” she asked.

  “Egg salad--peel the eggs,” Esther said.

  “You know I hate eggs,” Becky replied.

  “Fine, cut the pineapple,” Esther conceded and turned to Laurie. “When you fini
sh with the tuna, could you do the eggs?”

  “What’s another stinky job? Sure, I’ll do the eggs,” Laurie replied, slopping a large dollop of mayo into the bowl.

  Becky pulled the pineapple from the refrigerator and began slicing through the thick skin. After a few moments, Miriam slithered over to her and whispered into her ear.

  “No,” Becky shouted. “I don’t want to talk to you. Leave me alone.”

  Miriam froze and her eyes widened. Everyone ceased moving and stared at Becky.

  “Don’t you all stand there looking at me. Chop, slice, I don’t give a shit, but don’t stare at me.”

  “Calm down, Becky.” Naomi moved to her side and extended an arm around her waist. Becky slapped it away.

  “Please, Becky,” Miriam asked softly. “Talk to me.” Her face was flushed with embarrassment. Her hands quivered.

  Becky slammed the knife onto the steel table and stomped out. Everyone flinched at the sound of it smacking the table then flinched again when she slammed the door behind her.

  “Well,” Laurie said, planting her left hand on her hip. In her right hand, she wielded the mayo covered wooden spoon like a torch. “Someone has to go and talk to her.”

  All eyes shifted to Naomi. “Aghhh,” she said, clasping her head. “Fine, just let me finish these last few bagels. I need a minute to think.”

  By the time Naomi reached the sanctuary, Becky was gone. Naomi peeked around the mechitza and spotted David, still in his seat. Outside the window, there was no sign of their big white Mercedes Benz. Naomi returned to her chair, took three steps back and three steps forward, and began praying the Amidah.

  After the table set up was completed, Naomi walked the length of the pushed together banquet tables toward the spot where her friends congregated. Halfway down the length, Aaron pulled her into the seat next to him, which happened to be directly across the table from the rabbi. She felt awkward being out of her normal spot, but enjoyed the conversation. Except for one minor problem, controlling her constant desire to turn in her seat and look directly at Aaron. She didn’t think Aaron would mind the adoring gaze, but it would cause the poor rabbi to be stuck staring at the side of her head.

  “So, Aaron, do you think that you’ll stay here in Pittsburgh?” Rabbi Morty asked.

  Naomi felt her face heat-up. Midway through the rabbi’s question, Aaron reached under the table, slid her skirt up a bit, and squeezed her knee. She hoped the rabbi attributed her blush to the spicy pepper schrug she dabbed on her bagel.

  “If Pitt offers me the job, I think I will,” Aaron replied, creeping his hand higher up her thigh.

  This squeeze aroused more than a blush. Naomi rose from her chair, excused herself to remove plates from the table. Esther gathered the plates and bowls at the other end of the table. “I’ll finish the disposable stuff,” Esther said. “You take the leftovers into the kitchen.”

  Naomi grabbed the bottle of Crown Royal and the leftover herring and walked into the kitchen.

  Inside, Laurie rinsed dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher. “Are you going to call Becky when you get home?” she asked, washing the large serving bowls.

  “I have too,” Naomi replied. “Not that I want to, but someone has to tell her she’s acting like a bratty kid.”

  Laurie set the last wet bowl on the drying rack and wiped her hands on a paper towel. “Keep me posted, okay?”

  They walked out of the kitchen and straight to the coat rack. While Naomi put on her coat, Aaron struck up a conversation with Ezra. When she walked toward them, she overheard Aaron. “I’ll bring it with me when I pick up your mother tonight. Our dinner reservations are for seven o’clock. I’ll come at six-thirty and show it to you. In fact, you can play with it while we’re at dinner.”

  Ezra looked so excited. Whatever Aaron offered earned him major points with Ezra.

  ***

  Aaron knocked on the door at precisely six-thirty holding a small white pad that looked like a large iPod. He kissed her cheek. “Sorry, I’m not here to see you--yet. I’m here to see Ezra.” He winked and smiled.

  “Come in, please. Wait here for a moment while I get Ezra,” Naomi said, playing along.

  Within minutes, Aaron and Ezra sat side by side at the kitchen table playing with what turned out to be the newest and greatest iPad on the market. After forty-five minutes, when Naomi and Aaron left for dinner, Ezra failed to even look up.

  Aaron drove down the hill to the end of the block. Suddenly, he swerved to the side of the street and put the car in park. Naomi didn’t know what to think--something wrong with the car? Was he sliding on snow? Her question was answered when he reached over and pulled her close.

  After the kiss was over, he put the car back into drive. “I waited all week to do that.”

  She just smiled.

  Their reservations were at a little Mid-Eastern place in Mt. Lebanon. Naomi loved the food, but Aaron said it didn’t come close to the food in Israel. She couldn’t agree or disagree. She’d never been there, which shocked Aaron.

  “You’ve never been to Israel? Every Jew has to go to Israel at least once.”

  She shook her head. “When I was married to Jake, all of our money went to medical school tuition. Once we did have the money, he didn’t have the time. It’s my dream to go there someday.”

  “How much vacation time do you have?” he asked.

  Naomi sensed where this conversation was going. “I don’t know, probably a lot. I rarely take a vacation day or use my sick time.”

  “Perfect, we’re going to Israel in May. It’s the best time of year to go--not too hot.”

  “Sure,” she said, playing along. “And we can stay in the best suite at the King David Hotel and hire a private chauffeur to drive us all around the country. In fact, maybe we could schedule dinner with the prime minster.”

  Disappointment covered his face. “You think I’m joking.”

  Naomi smiled. “No, no,” she continued. “Maybe dinner with the prime minister is a bit much.”

  Aaron set down his fork, reached over, and clasped her hands. His gaze pounded against hers. “If you are willing to accompany me, I would love to spend a large part of May with you in Israel.”

  Before she could say anything her phone buzzed--a text message. Can I go bowling with the guys and sleep over Sam’s house?

  “It’s Ezra. Let me type back,” she said, and quickly began texting. Sure, call me when you wake-up in the morning and I’ll come get you.

  “Is everything okay?” Aaron asked.

  “He just wanted to know if it was okay for him to sleep at a friend’s house.”

  Aaron grinned. “Nice that he asks.”

  The subject switched from Israel to what a great kid Ezra was. Naomi was grateful for the text message.

  Dinner ended and they walked to the car, hand in hand. Naomi’s heart pounded against her chest. She had to admit that her whole body felt alive.

  They settled into the car and the conversation felt as comfortable as it did twenty plus years before. “Any updates on the Becky/Miriam situation?” Aaron asked.

  Naomi leaned back into the leather seat and closed her eyes. “Disaster--complete mess, I don’t know how to fix this one. I really believed that once Becky realized Miriam didn’t know about the affair, she would get over it. Wrong, so wrong. She’s dug those spiked heels even further into the ground.”

  “I wish I had some good advice. Miriam has always been a chatty sweetheart. But Becky,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “Let’s just say that history has proven that when she climbs onto her throne, heads always roll. Poor Miriam. It was always interesting watching the dynamics between you three.”

  Naomi turned to look at him. “Why, we were just three typical teenage girls.”

  “Not really. All three of you were very unique and brought something needed to the trio,” Aaron said.

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yes,” Aaron said, removing his eyes from the road to l
ook at her.

  “You need to explain this theory.”

  “Okay. Here goes--Becky was born with control issues and a need to be the center of attention. Miriam was a born follower. Becky got the attention she craved having Miriam’s adoring eyes always on her. Miriam felt important being known as Becky’s best friend,”

  “So, all-wise oracle, what about me? How did I fit in?” Naomi asked.

  “That’s an easy one,” he said, reaching over and placing his hand on her thigh. “You were perfect.”

  A distracting zing of energy shot through her the moment he laid his hand on her. It was a momentary struggle to remain focused on the conversation. “Seriously, tell me, what was my role in the dynamics--tag along?”

  Aaron became quiet and his eyes focused on the road. “You were the voice of reason. Even though you were a year younger, they both respected your opinion. I think Becky envied your good looks. You made Miriam feel important as a person, not just Becky’s shadow. Both loved acting the part of big sister, but no one outside of you three ever saw you as the little sister--you were the logical one.”

  Naomi gazed out the side window at the moon. Snowflakes quietly fluttered in the air. She never analyzed their friendship. It always existed and she believed it always would. Thinking about it now, there wasn’t much to argue in his reasoning, except maybe Becky being jealous of her good looks.

  Aaron pulled the car into the driveway, put the car in park, and turned off the engine. He leaned over and kissed her. It brought back memories of long ago kisses and feelings that, a month ago, she never expected to have again. She loved kissing him.

  He pulled his mouth away from hers and began inching his way up her neck, butterfly kiss after butterfly kiss. She tingled--all over. As one hand stroked her hair, his lips reached her ear. “Invite me in for coffee,” he whispered low and seductive before resuming the kissing expedition and sliding his hand down the front of her body.