Expecting me to come cheer her on as she dances my solo… Well, that seems a bit above the human pay grade

I never did hear what happened in that kitchen between Ma, Daddy, Naftoli, and Baruch. But long after the shalach manos has been dismantled, and everyone is back in school, Naftoli is still home. Still, there’s something happier about him, something calmer. And it’s nice to see.

I contemplate this as I slice carrots and cucumbers for a midnight snack. I don’t think I ever appreciated how hard it is to stick to a healthy diet. I’d listened as my classmates and family members moaned and groaned about calorie counting and skipping desserts and just shrugged as I smugly wolfed down seconds of everything. But now that I actually need to be careful if I want to stay healthy, I see that it’s not as easy as I’d thought. And besides, carrot sticks can in no way compete with Franczoz doughnuts. I’m sorry, they just can’t.

My phone buzzes. I give it a sideways glance as I spritz lemon juice over my plate. Atara. Hmmm, at this late hour? Balancing the plate and a glass of icy Diet Coke, I tuck the phone under my ear as I ascend the stairs to my room.

“Hey, you.”

“Hey.”

She sounds tired.

“You okay?”

“I guess.”

“Mhmmm…” I raise my eyebrows even though she can’t see me.

“I just…” She sighs. “I’m just trying to figure out how to invite you to see my dance solo without it being weird.”

Oh. “Too late,” I say weakly, kicking open my bedroom door. “It’s weird.”

She gives a fake laugh. “I know, I’m sorry. But it’s in two days and you haven’t said anything about it.”

That’s because I’ve been trying to figure out how to move to Mexico ASAP.

“Oh, gosh, I totally forgot. Tar, I must study for this dikduk test, but I’ll be there. I promise.”

I hang up, feeling bad. I didn’t have to mention the dikduk class she’s not part of, but hey, I’m only human. And expecting me to come cheer her on as she dances my solo… Well, that seems a bit above the human pay grade.

Angel Bella, at your service.