In the name of maturity, she shot back a text to Ayala. Oy, I’m so sorry. Sounds so hard. Here if you need me

“S

he’s not answering.” Estee put the phone down and closed her eyes in frustration — and, also, raging nausea. She’d been doing okay over Yom Tov so far, but apparently, long car rides to Boston were not her friend.

Yonah shook his head. “I can’t believe it. Literally cannot believe it’s come to this for Pinny. He is the nicest guy on the planet. How can this be happening?”

Estee opened one eye to peek at him. He looked so sad. She felt a rush of warmth. He was such a good friend, and he really was a great husband. Okay, so things got rocky sometimes. Still, Yonah was home. He was her family now. Poor, misguided Ayala, acting on pure emotion and disappointment….

She leaned her head back just as her phone pinged. Both eyes open now, she glanced at her phone.

Estee… stop. I know what I’m doing.

I literally could not for one second more.

You don’t get it. 

“Well, that’s nice,” she snorted. “I have to listen to her kvetch, validate her, soothe her, sympathize with her, and then ‘I don’t get it?’ ”

Yonah bit his lip, saying nothing.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, this isn’t about me. I know.”

He laughed. “Kay, cuz for a second there, I was worried you didn’t.”

“Thank you, maturity police.”

He cracked up. “I feel like the maturity police should be wearing like a brown tie and holding an attaché case.”

She rolled her eyes but she couldn’t help the grin that peeked out. “You, husband, are a weirdo.”

“Proud of it.”

In the name of maturity, she shot back a text to Ayala. Oy, I’m so sorry. Sounds so hard. Here if you need me.