Elul zeman was here, and with it, a renewed resolve to show up to seder on time every day

“Ani yesheinah v’libi eir, kol dodi dofeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeik….” Yonah stopped singing into his coffee mug when he saw Estee wrapped in a blanket on the couch, white as a ghost.

“Sorry, Est, didn’t see you there. How you doing?”

She looked at him miserably, eyes huge.

He felt a rush of helplessness. “Okay, better question, what can I do for you?”

She leaned her head back and moaned. “Nothing. There is nothing that makes me feel better.”

He cringed at that.

Elul zeman was here, and with it, a renewed resolve to show up to seder on time every day. Estee had enough going on, what with the nausea and work, she didn’t have to stress about his schedule as well. Although, come to think of it, she hadn’t actually worked in a while….

He squinted at the chalkboard calendar on the fridge. It was a little smudged.

“Don’t you have a shoot tomorrow? The Feinberks?”

“Feinbergs,” she mumbled. “And no, I’m canceling, I can’t.”

“You do you. I’m off to seder. Feel good, Est, call me if you need me, ’kay?”

He expected another mumble but the next thing he knew, Estee was standing by the front door.

“Wow, have a great first day back, Yons. Hatzlachah!”

They smiled at each other and the birds were singing.