I f eyes could talk.

I try to catch Rafi’s as he tinkles the wind chimes lustily and walks in.

They’re divorced I flash furiously with my eyes.

But he’s caught sight of Grandma.

“Oh hello Grandma. And Aunt Debbie. Some party happening tonight.”

“Not quite” Grandma says wryly.

“Rafi Naomi we need to talk. Family meeting ” Mom says.

“Oh sounds official okay ” Rafi smiles.

Look at me cheery brother my eyes plead as we plop onto the living room couch.

Mom comes back in.

“Mom Debbie ” she says “maybe you want to have your dinner in the kitchen I think we want to talk alone.”

My mom is gracious like that even now.

She pulls up a chair.

“So it’s like this kids.” She clears her throat. “As I told Naomi before I have just gotten a divorce from your father this afternoon.”

I am trained on my brother’s face. He doesn’t flinch.

“It’s come after a while it’s been a long haul and that’s part of why I didn’t tell you beforehand. I just didn’t know when it would end….”

She swallows. Rafi and me we are silent as stones.

“So here’s the thing. Your father doesn’t live here anymore as you know. He’s in Israel and he’s up to some things there.”

Her words are tight carefully chosen.

“At this point he has no visitation at all. Which means he can’t come and see you.”

I close my eyes. Never? What do I even want?

“But that’s on his part. On your parts Naomi Rafi it was decided that you’re old enough to make your own decisions. About getting in touch I mean. I have his address which I’ll give to you. And you’ll use that to make contact if you want.”

Dad has another address another home faraway in Israel?

“I know this is hard ” Mom’s voice breaks a little “but kids this is your call.”

Not a word about her own view of this nothing. My mom is straight and square and trusting and my respect for her grows even as I’m finding out how good she is the hard way.

She holds out a slip of paper.

Neither of us makes a move to take it from her.

“Are you okay Mom?” Rafi whispers.

Trust Rafi not to think of himself now.

Mom nods. “I’m good now better than I’ve been in a while at least. And it will be good kids. We’ll get through it.”

She is still holding the slip of paper with the address.

I look at Rafi and he gives a teeny nod.

Mom’s hand shakes a bit as I take the paper. (Excerpted from Teen Pages Issue 675)