Rocking Horse: Chapter 7

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ll day long — and all Shabbos, too, Hannah has been trying to orchestrate time alone with Shneur: without Felix, who has been following his uncle around like a puppy; without Ernst, who keeps looking at her thoughtfully; without even Becca.

After Havdalah, just before they leave to the theater — for Ernst has decided that they must all come and hear Vivaldi, and even Shneur expressed interest in joining them — while everyone is pinning hair and adjusting cravats, she finds Shneur alone. He was sitting at the dining room table, gently swaying over a sefer, but when she asks him to step into the kitchen, he kisses the sefer lightly, and heaves himself up.

In the kitchen, Hannah gives him an uncertain smile. Is she being disloyal, talking to her brother about private, family matters? But somehow, this feels more loyal than writing it all in a long letter. Spoken words are just air, after all.

“About Emmy,” she begins.

Shneur holds up both hands as if to stave off what will come. “I know nothing of girls.”