The Tenth Song (42 page)

“Did she mention what courses she has in mind?”

“She says she’s looking at Introduction to Advocacy; Child Exploitation, Pornography, and the Internet; and Law and Social Change…”

“Wonderful! I spoke to Daniel also. How does he seem to you?”

“He likes his job at Beth Israel Seniors Home, even if he is only an orderly. Geriatrics seems to be the right place for him. In the meantime, he’s started studying to pass his American Medical Boards so he can go back to practicing medicine.”

“I’m so proud of him. He’s come such a long way.”

She heard him exhale.

“They are talking about a wedding.”

“Kayla told me. I understand they want to get married at the end of this coming June in Israel at that ancient synagogue near their dig. They want Rav Natan to marry them.”

“That’s only two months away!” There was a pause. “You were right about Kayla, Abby. I don’t know what happened to her in the desert, but she is a better person. And I really like Daniel.”

She was glad for him. “Are you in touch with Seth at all?”

“Not really. But I heard through the grapevine that he is seeing someone new.”

“A law student?”

“No. I think she’s a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University studying gender equality. She’s Israeli. A friend of Daniel’s sister. Kayla set them up.”

“Really?” She smiled to herself.

“Seth’s parents are having a hard time with it. They’ve called me a number of times, pushing for Seth and Kayla to get back together. And each time they call, they casually ask me for free investment advice. Apparently, there has been a drastic downturn in their income from some really bad investments…”

“Madoff?” she asked hopefully, relishing the idea.

“They’re not saying. But their house is in preforeclosure. Apparently it was mortgaged to the max, and their loan is now underwater. The banks are pressuring them.”

Well, well, she thought, smiling and shaking her head. “Will you be coming to see me before the wedding?”

“I… still have to testify, you know. So I can’t come right away. And then there are all my clients coming back, so I’m drowning in work. I’m actually thinking about hiring someone as an associate. Or even getting a partner.”

“I hate being without you. Give the house to an agent and sell it,” she told him. “Retire. Come live here, in Jerusalem, with me.”

“But… what about the children… the grandchildren?”

“How often do you actually see them now? They’ll see you just as often if you live in Jerusalem.”

“But to leave America… my work. Don’t you miss it?”

“Yes,” she said honestly. “Sometimes terribly. When I think about the children, my grandchildren, my students. Or when I want a library or a good steak, or a visit to Filene’s Basement…” She laughed. “But if I went back, I would miss my life here more.”

“Are you still in touch with that rabbi… ?” Adam always pretended to forget his name, holding him responsible for the upheavals in his family.

“Natan. Every once in a while, when he comes to Jerusalem to give a lecture at a little place in the center of town. We sit on the floor with big pillows, and my back aches, but my heart soars. Come, Adam,” she pleaded with him. “It’s time to let go of the past.”

He wasn’t ready. Not yet, she thought sadly, missing him. But her days of following him around, of letting him decide her life for her, were over.

She walked down the street already planning the wedding, thinking about flowers, and food, and the dress she would wear. Thinking about Adam sharing her apartment, walking to the shuk with him hand in hand early in the morning. She would teach him everything that she had learned. She would open her life and her heart to him, welcoming him in and hoping he wouldn’t want to leave.

June was not so far off.