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CHAPTER SIX
The bell jangled on the door of Bronstein’s Jewish Market. Nora was picking up traditional Jewish fare for her dinner party tonight to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. The great thing about Bronstein’s was that they not only sold the supplies, but you could also order the food premade and ready to serve. Not being a cook, this was Nora’s chosen option.
“Adon Bronstein, shalom!” Nora greeted the owner. “Ma shlomkha?”(How are you doing?)
“Gveret Buchanan.Shalom.” He shook her hand warmly. “Are you ready for Festival? Having family over, yes?”
“Yes, just a small gathering. My son is looking forward to your Loukoumades (fried honey puffs). He loves them.” Nora smiled.
“They are tasty,” he agreed. But will add to the belly, no?” he asked jovially patting his stomach. Your order is ready. I will get it for you.”
When he returned, he had her entire order boxed and ready to go...Brisket, Latkes, Potato-Vegetable Kugel, Sambusak (filled pastries) and Loukoumades. It smelled delightful.
After inquiring about his family and paying for her order, Nora was ready to go home and prepare for her own family.
“Hanukkah Sameakh (Happy Hanukkah), Adon Bronstein. Toda (thank you),” said Nora gathering her packages.
Mr. Bronstein smiled. “Al-Lo-Davar (you’re welcome) and Hanukkah Sameakh. Beteavon! (bon apetit!)
* * * * * * *
Nora was skurrying around the kitchen making final preparations when Bo came home.
“Hi Beautiful,” he greeted her warmly.
“Hi Yourself,” she said brushing past him leaning in for a quick kiss. He started fingering the plastic wrap covering the Sambusaks.
“No no no...no samples Buchanan,” she scolded.
“Ah come on. You have plenty here.”
“You can wait like the rest of us. Instead why don’t you help me set the table?”
At that moment the doorbell rang. “Better than that,” Bo said, “why don’t I answer the door?”
“That’s probably Destiny dropping off Drew,” Nora reminded him. “Remember? She has her class tonight.”
“Does Matthew know Drew will be here?” Bo asked.
Nora sighed. “No, he doesn’t. But that’s the way it is. He’ll have to get used to it.”
Bo went to answer the door, and a few moments later Drew came bounding into the kitchen throwing himself onto Nora’s legs for a quick hug. “Hey! How’s Grama’s favorite guy?” she asked leaning down to hug him.
“Juss fine,” was his quick response before running around the counter.
“I thought I was your favorite guy,” Bo whispered giving her a look.
“You’re my favorite big guy. He’s my favorite little guy,” she responded fairly.
“I guess I can live with that,” said Bo grinning at her.
Just then Bo heard a buzz from his cell phone and found an incoming text. He looked puzzled. “I just got a weird text from you,” he told her. Nora looked over to find Drew playing with her cell phone.
“Hey, hey, hey, do you have Grama’s phone? That’s not a toy. Where did you get that?”
“Off da table,” said Drew.
“Well, that’s not to play with, Buddy.”
“You’re pretty smart, Drew. You already know how to text,” Bo smiled.
“Don’t encourage him,” said Nora, shaking her head. “Ok, Drew. Grama has to set the table. Why don’t you and Grampa run and play?”
“Are you sure, honey?” asked Bo. “I thought you wanted me to do the table.”
“Actually it would be more help if you kept Drew occupied,” she said quietly.
“Not a problem. We love to play, don’t we Drew?”
“Yetz,” said Drew, “but I like to play with Grama too. Grama’s fun to play with. Do you like to play with Grama?” he asked Bo innocently as they headed out of the kitchen.
“Oh yeah, Buddy. I love to play with Grandma. That’s one of my favorite things to do.” Bo chuckled. “Out of the mouths of babes,” he said winking at Nora over his shoulder as he followed Drew to the living room.
* * * * * * *
Dinner was delicious. Even Drew, who was often a fussy eater, enjoyed the latkes and sambusaks. When Bo and Matthew offered to clear the table and do the dishes, Nora joined Michelle and Drew in the living room. Drew was showing Michelle a handful of matchbox cars, his favorites. She was admiring them with enthusiasm and Drew was loving it.
“I like the little red jeep, Drew. But I’ll bet you like the police car because Grandpa is the top cop.” Drew’s eyes were gleaming. He really seemed to like Michelle. She seemed to know how to talk to kids, Nora noticed.
“You’re great with children, Michelle,” Nora commented. Do you have younger siblings or nieces and nephews?”
“I just have one older brother,” she replied. “He lives in Harrisburg.”
“And your parents? Do they live is Harrisburg also?” Nora inquired.
Michelle lowered her head. “No...my parents were killed in a car accident...two years ago,” she said haltingly. It’s just me and my brother. I don’t see him often.”
“I’m so sorry about your parents…” Nora began. “What brings you to Llanview and away from your brother? I’m sure it’s difficult being…”
But, Michelle stopped her mid-sentence, “I really don’t want to talk about this, Mrs. Buchanan...if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. I would just like to get to know you better... since you seem to be an important part of my son’s life.”
At that moment, Bo and Matthew joined them from the kitchen.
Matthew immediately looked alarmed. “Drew! What have you gotten into?” he asked.
Neither Nora nor Michelle had noticed Drew wandering away. He had found the box of menorah candles and was trying to color with them on some of Nora’s legal documents.
“Dese don’t work,” Drew complained.
“Well, of course not!” Matthew exclaimed. Then, after a look from Michelle, he changed his tone. “These are candles, Drew, not crayons. Grandma is going to use them to light the menorah soon. Here...help me put them back in the box. You know how to put crayons in a box, right?” he asked. Well these candles work the same way. I’ll help you.”
Michelle gave Matthew an encouraging smile.
Nora watched this exchange and was impressed to see that Matthew was trying to have more patience with Drew. Michelle seemed to have made a positive change in Matthew regarding his dealings with his son. For that Nora was grateful. But she did wish Michelle was not so stand-offish with her. She just seemed to be keeping she and Bo both at arm’s length. Yet she genuinely seemed to care for Matthew and was very good in her dealings with Drew. Nora found it puzzling, but assumed Michelle just needed more time to warm up to them. She was sure it would happen eventually.
* * * * * * *
It was time for the lighting of the menorah. Bo placed it on a small table beside the window to the right of the door. As Nora took the candles from the box, she told in the simplest terms the story of Hanukkah and why it is celebrated. She had Matthew place the first candle in the end of the menorah, then Bo lit the center candle, the shamash, and Nora used it to light the first candle of Hanukkah. She and Matthew recited the blessings in Hebrew. Then Nora interpreted them into English.
Nora loved lighting the menorah. It was a beautiful time with family. She missed having Rachel with them, but it was wonderful to see things anew through Drew’s eyes. He was fascinated to watch the dancing flames of the candles, and Nora was just as fascinated to see those flames dancing in his eyes.
* * * * * * *
With the family now gone, the house was blissfully quiet. No noise but the crackling of the logs in the fireplace. No lights except those illuminating from the Christmas tree. Nora sank down on the couch beside Bo resting her head on his shoulder and breathing a sigh of contented relief.
He wrapped an arm around her, “Everything was wonderful, honey. The food...the tradition. It was great. You really outdid yourself this year.”
“Thank you, sweetie. And thanks for all of your help tonight.” She kissed him gently. “I couldn’t have done it without you...and Adon Bronstein,” she giggled.
He smiled. “You look exhausted,” he told her.
“I really am. Pretty soon I’m going to bed. I was hoping my wonderful husband would give me a backrub. What do you think, wonderful husband?”
“I think I could arrange that,” he said giving her another kiss, “but first I have something for you.”
He stood and went to the bedroom coming back with a rectangular box. He sat on the coffee
table in front of her and placed the box in her hands. “Happy Hanukkah,” he said quietly.
“It’s heavy! Much too heavy for chocolates,” she exclaimed, smiling.
Bo smiled…”You’ll never be able to guess, so you may as well just open it.” He clasped his hands in front of him. “I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.” He looked into her eyes.
Nora began unwrapping the gift occasionally peeking up into Bo’s eyes. “Just what are you up to, Buchanan?” she asked playfully.
“Just giving my wife a gift. Open it.”
Nora tucked her feet beneath her on the couch and slowly removed the lid and the tissue paper. “Ohhh” she said in awe.
“Recognize it?” he asked, beaming at her.
“What have you done?” she asked looking into his smiling eyes.
“I found my half and I put them back together...just like we are back together...and we’re together in this house again. They’re fastened together permanently and tied with a ribbon from…”
“...my wedding bouquet,” she finished. “Oh Bo...” She looked at him tears glistening in her eyes. “What a beautiful gift.”
“You really like it?” he asked softly.
“I love it...and I love you. What a precious gift. How do you think of these things?” she said, wiping away her tears.
He shrugged. “I’m just a sappy romantic, I guess.” He leaned in and kissed her softly.
She stroked his cheek. “Thank you. I know just where we’re going to put this. Come with me,” she said standing and taking him by the hand.
Nora led him to the fireplace mantel and cleared a spot on the right side. She handed Bo the gift. “Put it right there,” she told him, “next to our wedding photo.”
Bo positioned the gift on the mantel, then wrapped his arms around Nora’s waist pulling her back against him.
“It’s perfect,” she said softly, putting her hands over his at her waist.
“It is,” Bo agreed. Both smiled as they looked at the now reunited cornerstone wrapped in a wedding ribbon reflect the lights of the holiday season.
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