Out of Step: Chapter 32

Naftoli lifts his head and his face goes from green to white. “Baruch!” he gasps.
It had been a nice Purim, I have to admit. Our family has joined with Pori’s for the Purim seudah for as long as I can remember, switching off homes each year. This year was Pori’s family’s turn and Mrs. Sanders had done a beautiful job, with appetizers and tablescapes that only the sober women could enjoy.
Daddy and Dr. Sanders spent most of the seudah leaping off of their chairs and dancing, knocking various objects over in the process, Naftoli and Aharon kept giggling uncontrollably, and Chemia had clutched the one glass of beer Daddy had allowed him, taking small sips that showed exactly what he thought of the bitter drink.
Pori’s “girls only” family always get a big kick out of the Martin men.
I sink onto my bed, I still haven’t gotten used to the serenity of my room and I love it anew every time I enter.
There’s something about Purim, something that makes me anxious. Maybe it’s the importance of the day, the kedushah they teach us about in school. Or maybe it’s the fact that I feel like I’m chasing something, like I’m running and running but I don’t know what it is I’m running toward. This year especially, I woke up early to try to capture the special koach hatefillah. After all, I have a lot to daven for.
But I ended up just feeling depleted, like I had poured my tears into a bucket with a hole in it.
The rest of the day had been fun. Pori and I always dress up together, this year we were Jelly Belly packets and it had been adorable.
I pull the jellybean-adorned scrunchie out of my hair and sigh.
What I can use right now is a post-Purim snack.
My mind flits to my exercise regime, but I ignore it. I’m tired and I deserve a treat, because, well, because I just do.
I take the steps slowly, enjoying the feel of the wood beneath both my feet. The boot had been removed only two days ago, and I’m still enjoying the freedom.
I glide into the kitchen and do a small pirouette. I bow to my imaginary audience. Yup, still got it.
Ma and Aharon are loading shalach manos onto the kitchen table, although Ma looks quite worried that Aharon might just drop everything on the floor in the state he’s in.
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