“They had just gotten married. Their relationship was just developing. If they lost the house it would be embedded in their marriage DNA forever. We had to help”
Sori noticed her daughter hanging back a bit. A moment ago they had been standing side by side, but as the saleslady beckoned them forward to check out, Esti had suddenly disappeared. Now she was deeply absorbed in the display of oversized headbands, apparently deliberating seriously. Sori smiled to herself. She could pay for Esti, it wasn’t that much, 30 dollars in hosiery—she could easily swing it. And it was for her daughter, her Esti.
“Thanks Ma, you’re the best,” Esti said as Sori handed her the pink Hosiery House bag. They got into Sori’s Nissan Rogue and Sori drove to Esti’s home, three blocks from her own. She pulled up to the curb and waited for Esti to gather her things and exit, but Esti blinked intently and looked at her.
“Can I talk to you a second, Mommy?” Esti said. Sori smiled and turned to face her daughter; an unease she couldn’t place stirred within.
***
“So Esti asked me something today.”
Chaim grunted. He didn’t look up from his phone. Sori brought dinner to the table — low sodium chicken and rice. Chaim automatically reached for the salt shaker.
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