The Cufflink by Susan Bolch

Author:Susan Bolch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2018-08-22T13:14:08+00:00

Chapter 39

MORE THAN A YEAR passed, and Fred and Leonora had become a serious couple. Though the distance was always a challenge, seeing each other had become increasingly difficult as Leonora’s father’s condition was steadily worsening, and Leonora felt the strong pull of home. Aaron, now a young lawyer turned businessman, had taken over the duties as the head of the family, although beloved Zaydeh, their maternal grandfather, remained as the titular patriarch. Zaydeh was a man of few, but well-chosen words.

One day, he approached Leonora as she readied herself for work. “So, Leah,” he said, referring to her by her Hebrew name. “This young man you have been seeing, do you like him?”

Leonora blushed at his directness, but she saw the twinkle in his eye and forgave him instantly.

“Yes, Zaydeh,” she replied. “I like him. He’s a good man.”

She returned to brushing her hair, hoping that this uncomfortable interview was at an end.

“No, shefele, little lamb,” her grandfather prodded. “I mean, do you really like him?”

He crossed his arms over his narrow chest and waited for her response.

“I know what you mean,” Leonora said. She stood almost eye-to-eye with this small, gentle man who had been a bulwark of the family for as long as she could remember. She kissed his cheek and smiled. “I really like him Zaydeh. So, are you satisfied, and can I go to work now?”

“Well, you must invite him to dinner. Your mother will make a wonderful meal. We should all meet this mensch, this good man of yours, and he should come to our home.” Then, reverting to his native, precise German to which he always resorted to make an important point, he took her by the hands and stated, “Leah, ich hoffe er wird dich auf seinen Händen tragen. I hope he will carry you in his hands. You are precious.”

“OK, Zaydeh, I will ask him to dinner,” Leonora conceded, not missing the certitude in her grandfather’s statements. Her grandfather stepped aside to let her pass. Pulling on her gloves and cocking her hat at a jaunty angle, Leonora grinned at the satis­fied look on his face.

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