Clutching the paper plate carefully in one hand and knocking on the door with the other, I put on a bright smile in honor of my soon-to-be new friend. But it was his mother, not he, who opened the door. The hall behind her was full of boxes, some open and some closed. “Hi, I’ve come to see—” I began, and stopped mid-sentence, because I didn’t know his name.

His mother smiled. “Oh, you must mean Asher. Excuse me for not inviting you in, we just moved in today, and everything is chaotic. Asher! Someone for you at the door,” she called out, and disappeared into the house.

I waited in the doorway. Shifted the paper plate from one hand to the other, and waited some more. Finally, I coughed loudly to remind them of my existence. It worked. “Asher! Where are you?” his mother called out again.

At long last I heard footsteps, and a boy appeared at the far end of the hall, making his way slowly among the boxes, his eyes cast downward. He didn’t look very happy to see me. Not what you would expect of a boy who moves to a new place and is welcomed royally with a red carpet and the music of trumpets. Well, actually just smiles and chocolate, but the principle is the same. Never mind, he was probably just shy. “Welcome, Asher!” I said. “I’m Bentzi, your upstairs neighbor. I brought you chocolate balls.”

“Thanks,” he muttered without looking at me.

“Here.” I offered him the plate, but he put his hands behind his back. “No thanks, I don’t like them.”

I felt ridiculous, standing there in front of him with my unwanted offering. “I’m so glad you came to live here!” I went on anyway, trying to sound enthusiastic. If he wouldn’t pull his weight, it was up to me. “There aren’t any other boys our age in the building. Two friends of mine live nearby, we have a secret club along with another friend who lives farther away, and—” I hesitated. Was it okay to ask a new kid to join without discussing it first with all the other members? Yes, it was! I started the club, so I’m the leader, and besides, I just can’t leave out a friend who lives right here! “And you’re welcome to join our club!” I declared.

“Thanks, but I don’t have time. So… goodbye,” Asher told me, and started closing the door.

What could I do but say goodbye too, and turn to go back home? That Asher was so unfriendly! I never even had a chance to ask where he moved here from, or which grade he was in, which school he used to go to, if he would stay there or switch to our school, which games he likes playing, which books he likes reading, and all the other questions you always ask a new kid….

And how can somebody not like chocolate balls?

“So how does it feel to have a neighbor-friend?” asked Mommy, who had gotten up meanwhile. “It’s so nice that you got your wish!”

“Half my wish,” I replied glumly. “Neighbor yes, friend no.”

(Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr., Issue 737)