Sleight of Heart

She’d been up till 3 a.m. for this, and it had been worth every minute.

Suri surveys the table: colorful napkins and balloons, gift tied with a jaunty bow, and the cake in its crowning glory in the center. Six layers, covered in light-blue fondant, and decorated with marzipan stars, top hats, and little bunnies. She snaps a quick picture before the footsteps sound and the cake is about to be demolished. Then she stands back to watch the reaction.

Birthdays aren’t usually a big deal in their family, but this one — Zevi’s 12th — is different. It’s a chance to give him a boost, her sweet boy with the eager eyes. Her seventh grader who struggles just enough that it hurts, but not enough to be singled out for extra attention by the rebbi. Her boy who studies five hours straight for a 70, her son who brings home report cards with phrases like “heart of gold” and “A+ for effort” and that’s enough for her, but never enough for him.

It’s worth making a splash for him.