I of the Storm: Chapter 13

Ms. Perfect Kayla was making her first bar mitzvah, and it was quite the event.

Oversized orchid centerpieces crowned each sitting table. Platters of liver pâté, salmon tartare, and grilled skewered vegetables bedecked the buffet. The smorgasbord was breathtakingly multidimensional, with endless tiers of boysenberry brocade tablecloths gracefully cascading from varying heights, topped by striking, petal-filled vases.

I hadn’t exactly pined to attend this kiddush. But Kayla lived down the block, her daughter was in Shira’s class, and her husband got along well with Daniel — case closed.

“Mazel tov, you look beautiful!” I gushed.

“Thank you soooo much for coming,” Kayla crooned. She gave a quick head-to-toe glance, the kind where you manage to size up someone’s presentation without being completely obvious. “I still can’t believe my Yitz is 13. It’s been such a crazy few months, outfitting the crew.”