“Rabbi Feldman came over to me today,” Pinny finally said in a low voice, not meeting Yonah’s eyes

How many times can you tell someone your wife isn’t feeling well before it gets suspicious? At this stage of life, probably not that many. Yonah told this to Estee, who sighed.

“Fine, tell Pinny he can come over, I’ll go hide in my room,” she said dramatically.

Yonah laughed. “Thank you for your great sacrifice. I’ll bring you a baked potato and Dr. Brown’s.”

Those were the two current food items on Estee’s “can handle” list.

She waved and shuffled off to her room, blanket over her head like a little grandmother. Yonah smiled at the sight and waved at her back before texting Pinny. Sure, come hang out now.

The reply was instantaneous. On my way. Bringing steaks.

The tantalizing aroma of grilling steaks filled the small yard. Yonah sent up a silent prayer that the scent didn’t reach Estee, and turned toward Pinny, who was pulling cokes out of an icy cooler.

“Are you kidding me? You’ve thought of everything!” he said contentedly, clicking his can against Pinny’s.

They sipped in companionable silence, broken only by the sizzle of the meat on the grill.

“Rabbi Feldman came over to me today,” Pinny finally said in a low voice, not meeting Yonah’s eyes.