The door to the ezras nashim opened; I knew she was there before I looked. Be a lady, I reminded myself
Y
ehudis’s eyes found mine, held my gaze for a moment too long. Then she turned on her heel and left the ezras nashim. I felt my face flush and heart start beating faster. How was I a part of this conversation, how did I let it happen? Did I encourage it? What did I say? What did she hear? My vision blurred.
“Are you okay, Rebbetzin?” Chedva asked.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I waved her off. I inhaled deeply and padded off without my shoes. I needed to catch Yehudis. What would I say? I’d never been in a situation like this. This needs Shifra levels of diplomacy; I’m more the let’s-smile-and-get-along type. But we haven’t been. No one has been. And no one’s been talking about it, either.
Stumbling down the steps, I saw Yehudis at the bottom, waiting for me. I didn’t have to decide what to say. She spoke first.
“My mother always says, no matter what happens, be a lady.” I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but she went on. “For the rest of Shabbos, we’re going to pretend I wasn’t in the room and we’re going to smile at each other and at everybody else and act like we’re the loving community that we’re supposed to be. Understood?”
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