Abie,” she said, her voice softening, “Malka is my baby, too. She’s been my baby since she was six years old”

March and April 1964

Lots of surprises, this Passover.

For one thing — that it wasn’t over.

In the flurry of holiday preparations, Marjorie had heard the term “second Seder,” but she hadn’t thought much about it. And now, of all things, it turned out that when the day ended, the Levines would be doing the Seder all over again!

“I don’t get it. Your Sabbath is only one day. It’s like having two Thanksgiving Day dinners, one after the other. Unreal!”

Everyone tried to explain it, but it was Ruchele who finally put a stop to the flood of confusing information. “If we have two Seders, we have two afikomen presents,” she declared. “And,” she announced, “tonight, me and Margie are going to find it.”

Now that made sense. Last night, not long after they finally got around to eating the fabulous dinner Marjorie had prepared, suddenly all the kids were running around the living room and dining room, opening drawers, picking up couch pillows, and generally acting completely insane.

By the time Malka had finished explaining the concept of afikomen to Marjorie — all that fuss over a piece of matzah! — the twins had triumphantly discovered the wrapped little package. There were intense negotiations, which finally ended when Dad agreed to get the twins each a Schwinn Sting-Ray bike.

By the time Marjorie understood what was going on, she’d missed out on all the fun. But tonight....

“We’ll show ’em, Ruchele!” she shouted. “Slap me five!”

The two clapped hands together high in the air, and then Marjorie popped another macaroon into her mouth.

Another surprise: This holiday was turning out to be fun.