Reuven was quiet. He hadn’t asked for the meeting, and he wasn’t going to make it easier for Heshy

Reuven would go out to eat, fine, but he would pick the place, he decided.

He had shown the text to Nechama, sure that she would find it as ludicrous as he did, but she took the opposite view.

She read each word of a text message out loud, like it was a telegram.

Hi Reb Reuven, I was wondering if you could spare a bit of time for me, perhaps we can do dinner? I feel like maybe we should talk — if it doesn’t work, I understand, thx for considering — Heshy

“That is so nice, Reuven, he’s reaching out to you, since maybe it’s awkward…”

“Maybe what’s awkward?” Reuven asked her.

They had never actually discussed his participation at the Leil Shishi, but she knew he had gone, and he knew that she knew that. She also knew he had gone to speak with Rabbi Klarberg on Friday and avoided Heshy since then.Now it was Sunday morning, and Heshy wanted to talk.

About what, Reuven wondered. Did Heshy think that because he had come to one Leil Shishi and been polite about it, he was suddenly part of the cult?

“I’m impressed with him, he realizes your position in this community, and he’s asking for a meeting,” Nechama said, trying a different route.

Reuven grunted and took the phone back.

Sure, he wrote, then deleted it. He didn’t want to look too eager.