The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris

Author:Eve Harris [Harris, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sandstone Press Ltd
Published: 2013-07-23T05:00:00+00:00

They sat next to each other at the small pine table in the kitchen. Shola had wrapped a grey woollen cardigan over her dress. She was leaning on the table, warming her hands on her mug of tea. Her flat-mates were out and the place was quiet and dark. Avromi held his head in his hands. He still felt very wobbly. All he really wanted to do was to sleep. His mug of tea lay untouched.

‘What am I going to tell my parents? My dad will never let this go. This will just prove him right, that I shouldn’t have gone to uni in the first place.’

‘Can’t you make up an excuse?’

‘Like what?’

‘Like you were at a friend’s house and you didn’t realize the time, and you missed the last bus home, so you decided to stay the night.’

‘Well, that would be lying wouldn’t it?’

‘Well, yes, but then there’s lying and there’s lying. You aren’t hurting anyone with this lie. In fact, you’d be protecting your parents from the truth, which would only upset and worry them. This way no one suffers. Think of it as a white lie. And you should text them now, so they stop worrying about where you are.’

Avromi blew on his tea and swallowed thoughtfully. Shola was right; he would be transgressing but it was more palatable than the truth. He would just have to daven extra hard for forgiveness. He hated the thought of lying to his parents. But he had already lied to them about where he was going tonight. One more lie would not make much difference now.

‘I suppose I could tell them I stayed at Baruch’s. Or maybe another friend who lives in Edgware – that’s a bit further away and would make the missed-the-last-tube or bus home excuse more plausible.’

‘There you go then! It’s not so bad after all. Make sure you warn that friend in case they check up.’

‘They wouldn’t bother. Far too busy.’ He sighed into his mug. ‘It’s not just the lying part, Shola, I am just so embarrassed.’ He grimaced, avoiding her eye.

‘About what exactly?’

‘Getting so drunk, making a fool of myself in front of everyone. In front of you.’ He peered up at her sheepishly.

She laughed. ‘Don’t be silly! There’s a first time for everyone to get legless. It happens to all of us. In fact, I think the others might see it as you being a bit more normal, fitting in with us sinners.’

‘Really?’

‘Like you’ve won your drinking spurs. However crass that might sound.’

He considered her verdict. ‘Right. I owe you one.’

‘What for?’

‘For looking after me.’

‘You’re my friend. After all, I invited you to my birthday drinks.’

‘It’s your birthday and I’ve totally spoilt it. What a plonker I’ve been!’

‘It’s not my birthday any more so stop beating yourself up, Avromi. You’re here, aren’t you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘With me. Now.’

She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. He did not let go. Avromi leant forward slowly and kissed her. She tasted of hot, sweet tea.

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