The Papercutter by Cindy Rizzo

Author:Cindy Rizzo [Rizzo, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642472479
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2020-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Judith

In her flowing white dress, complete with long train and veil, Shuli is a beautiful bride. David the groom cannot stop smiling that their day is finally here. They stand together in the sanctuary of our synagogue under the wedding canopy, the chuppah, reciting their vows of forever. The flowers placed on either side of the chuppah match perfectly with my sister’s wedding colors, lilac and ivory. Every once in a while I get a whiff of their sweet, heady aroma.

I sit with my mother, my younger sister and our little brother on a padded bench. watching our big sister marry. The men and older boys are seated together across the aisle from us.

After today Shuli will no longer live with us, though she won’t be far. My big sister has been a buffer for me when Mama nags me about boys. “Let me take care of her,” Shuli says as she ushers me out of the room and then reassures me that “Mama just wants the best for you but she can be a little much. Don’t worry, your day will come.”

I will now have Shuli’s assigned chores to do while not all of mine will be passed on to Leah, my younger sister. That means busier Friday afternoons and less time braiding challah.

Downstairs in the large social hall, the reception food table is overflowing with everything imaginable. Shuli wanted a milchig meal and she and my mother fought about this endlessly.

“The guests will expect brisket,” she argued.

But in the end she gave in to my sister and we now have a dozen varieties of fish, four different kugels (potato and noodle) and of course all of the sweets. No one looks disappointed.

I am thankful that the reception seating is not separate for men and women, although the dancing will not be mixed. I managed to get Jeffrey invited though it was at the cost of a look from my mother and the question that followed, which was not really a question, “So you and this boy?”

Given my father’s position as publisher of the local paper, most leaders in the community are here, including Professor Fine and his family, as well as Rabbi Leventhal, the Rebbetzin and their six children.

I’m not sure how long my mother will let me sit with my friends, but I grab a free table for four off to the side. One by one, Hannah, Isaac, and Jeffrey find me.

Hannah looks at the two plates piled with food that Jeffrey sets down. “Are you really going to eat all that?”

He pulls the plates closer to him. “Yes. This is the food of the gods, if you’ll excuse the expression. SJ, tell your sister I wholeheartedly approve of her menu choices.”

I shake my head. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.”

“Look at this little group right here, Ruchel.” It’s my aunt Pearl and my mother. “You’d better start saving up for the next wedding, huh?”

“Judith, who is this nice young man?” she asks, pointing to Jeffrey.

They have trapped me and there’s nothing I can do.

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