Follow Me: Chapter 35
When Shabbos settled over the city, it was just her and Malkie and Motti
The pity made something in Pessie ignite. This wasn’t what she wanted, not at all. She wasn’t out to make Yochi feel bad or wallow in misery.
True, Yochi was on the other side of the world, about to bring in a Shabbos that people would talk about for weeks. True, her entire family was upstate having the time of their lives.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy a special Shabbos, too.
“It won’t be so bad,” she reassured him — and herself. “We’re going to have a really nice Shabbos, me and the kids together.”
And she meant it. They weren’t participating in the shabbaton because she hated the idea of everyone feeling sorry for her. Of feeling sorry for herself. But that didn’t mean they had to suffer for it. She’d make her own shabbaton, for herself and the kids.
As soon as the kids returned from day camp, Pessie called a car service and took them to the toy store, where they spent over an hour choosing a new game and a few puzzles. Then she ordered another car, sat everyone inside, and they headed over to the supermarket to stock up on Shabbos treats. (Anything except the stuff that’s coated in sour salt — sorry, Zissi, that’s an un-crossable line.)
But then, when they got home with all the bags, Yochi’s mother called.
“I’m leaving to Monsey, going to Bentzi for Shabbos. Why don’t you send along Hindy and Zissi? He has that couch in his playroom that opens up, they could sleep there. And send along their swimming stuff, we’re renting a pool on Sunday.”
The problem was that she’d taken the call on speakerphone — and Hindy had heard every word.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
There was no battle left to fight. The girls were showered and packed in under 15 minutes and happily jumped into the car with her in-laws.
When Shabbos settled over the city, it was just her and Malkie and Motti.
A peaceful, relaxing Shabbos Nachamu. A peaceful, relaxing, quiet Shabbos Nachamu.
Excerpted from Mishpacha Magazine. To view full version, SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE or LOG IN.
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