Making Ends Meet
| July 20, 2016
Photo: Shutterstock.
“So does anyone have any questions about perek yud-alef?” Mrs. Klein our Navi teacher asked.
Just then the principal’s secretary Miriam opened the door. All eyes turned toward the door. “Leah the principal has a message for you ” she said in all seriousness.
The class stared. Finally Malka Bluma blurted “Leah?”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Mrs. Klein looked shocked herself.
Sara Baila shot me a sympathetic equally confused look. Oy nebach everyone’s eyes were screaming.
“Me?” I asked.
“Don’t shoot the messenger” she shrugged. “I have no idea what Mrs. Hersch wants you for.”
I took a deep breath. Hashem I try to be good. What could Mrs. Hersch possibly want from me?
I said a perek of Tehillim in my head as I followed Miriam to the second floor. I self-consciously checked things off in my head — had I had any remotely chutzpahdig encounters with teachers? No! Was my uniform shirt tucked in? Check. Homework all handed in? Check.
I grew more and more nervous. Something niggled in the back of my consciousness and I was growing more and more agitated by the moment. The curiosity was killing me.
Finally I knocked on the door. I heard “Come in” and opened the door.
“Hello” Mrs. Hersch greeted warmly.
“Uh hi” I stammered my hands clammy.
She patted the seat across from her. “Have a seat Leah.”
I took a seat.
“You must be wondering why you’re here.” Mrs. Hersch said her eyes on me.
“Yes Mrs. Hersch” I said respectfully.
“Well you father called. He had some very joyous news.”
I hated the suspense.
“You have a new baby brother. Mazel tov Leah!”
A smile slowly spread across my face. My eyes widened. “Mazel tov! Thank you!”
“You’re a great girl Leah. A true gem” she said looking me in the eye. “Your teachers say great things about you. I’m so happy for you.”
I blushed scarlet red. “Thank you” I managed. “Go back to class. I know you have plenty to learn. And mazel tov again.” I bounded out of the room.
Photo: Shutterstock
“And she complimented you?” Chaya Sarah yelled.
“I know!”
“Mazel tov” Sara Baila said. “So you’re visiting your mother and the baby after school?”
“Yeah” I gushed. “And he’s eight pounds!”
Kaila laughed. “Lucky duck. So cute! I have six older brothers.”
I shrugged dreamily. “What’s his name gonna be?”
“Who knows?” Sara Baila asked.
By the end of the day it felt like the whole school had wished me mazel tov.
As I talked about it on the way home from school Sara Baila interrupted my dreaming and scheming for the outfit I would wear for the bris.
“It’s kind of getting old” Sara Baila admitted.
“Old?” I joked. But I was beyond hurt. When she had a new baby sister I let her rage on for days…even weeks! “But he’s only a few hours old!”
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