Victory Lap

A thick silence filled the auditorium as we anxiously awaited the name of this year’s grand winner. Holding my breath I sent up a quick tefillah begging Hashem to give me this gift. I had tried so hard; surely my efforts would be rewarded. At last Rabbi Adelman our principal approached the podium.

“And now ” he began sweeping the room with a glance “the moment you’ve all been waiting for. First prize winner for the Kesser Chesed award is ” he paused meaningfully “Devorah Klein!”

The room erupted in spontaneous applause. Slowly as if in a dream I rose from my seat and made my way onto the stage where Rabbi Adelman stood beaming and holding my trophy. It had finally happened. At last I had made it to the top. Elation wrapped me in its arms and gave me a big hug. But what was that buzzing? It was growing louder and more insistent. I stretched out my arm to accept the trophy but my hand touched something small and hard instead.

*

Through half-open eyes I saw my alarm clock and my fingers reaching to hush its raucous noise. Oh I realized staring at my pale blue bedroom walls through a half stupor. It was just a dream. I didn’t really win… yet.