Sam pulled his attention back to the ring. “You could get more down in the Diamond district for what anyone here couldbid. But I’d say this could fetch enough to cover… at least six months’ rent for the Schnee family?”
Avi nodded, suddenly sure. “Then it’s yours. For the auction.”
He walked away, the weight around his neck finally gone. But now he had to find Leah to break the news about putting them up – and putting up withhim– for yet another night.
The kitchen had cleared out, save for the volunteer who had been on fryer duty during Leah’s latke rotation. Her daughter was thankfully not in earshot. Leah hadn’t caught either of their names during her short stint, but had a feeling she could offer them something of interest. She tugged her messenger bag closer, fingers brushing against the envelope in the inner pocket. Her and Jaz’s Matzo Baller tickets, worth their weight in gold-wrapped chocolategelt– and then some.
“Hi again.” She waved to the woman, who put down her sponge and smiled. “Your daughter… is she actually a fan of Painted Doors?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Alana has loved them since high school—wait.” She lowered her voice. “Is he really...?”
Leah’s plan may have been impromptu, but it didn’t involve outing Avi in the process. “No,” she hastily replied. “I only ask because I heard about the Schnee family.” She pulled out the envelope. “I can’t imagine losing everything, right before Hanukkah.”
“Such a tragedy.” Fryer lady clicked her tongue.
“I have these.” Leah slid the tickets across the counter. “They’re worth quite a bit. Maybe they could help? If there was an interested bidder? I know it’s not an actual Painted Doorsconcert, but I heard their singer performs a few songs on board every year.”
The woman’s eyes widened as she read the embossed text. “Are you for real? Alana and I have been following the Matzo Baller’s Instagram formonthsnow, waiting to see if more tickets would be released, but we could never – ”
“Take them. Please. For the winning bid. Name your price.”
The woman rushed to her purse in the corner. “This solves what to get Alana for her eighth night gift! I’m writing a check to the fund right now. A thousand dollars? It’s my limit. Hell, this will be her birthday and next year’s gift too.Anda gift to Mama.” She waggled her brows and minced her hips. “Seeing those leather pants up close and in person, hopefully!”
“And just think of all the Hanukkah gifts those kids will get with your help,” Leah offered, trying to get the woman on a more righteous path than ogling Avi on board the ship.
At least I won’t be there to see it.
So much had gone wrong since she had pulled onto the highway Wednesday morning. But so many unexpected things hadfeltright since then, too. This being one of them.
She would miss the boat, literally and figuratively. But would still get Avi there, as promised. Maybe she could convince him to deliver the remaining rugelach to Hersh as planned. She’d find a way to meet investors on land, rather than as a captive audience on board the ship. Probably not Eli Gold, but that had been a long shot anyway.
The kitchen door swung open. Avi had come looking for her. “Slight hitch in the plan. Both of our major routes to the city are completely shut down. Black ice.”
“What?” Leah's stomach dropped. She’d already texted Jaz’s very patient cousin in New Jersey to leave the lights on for her. And after spacing out on rescheduling their first- and second-night influencers to receive their Mahjong sets, she was already feeling like she was failing at every turn.
The high of placing the Matzo Baller tickets in good hands for a worthy cause was fading fast. And where were they going to find an available, affordable hotel if the roads were not drivable due to the dangerous ice?
“You can stay with us.” Sarit appeared behind Avi, carrying the last of the empty latke trays. “Noam and I live two doors down, so you can even walk with us. After all your and Julian’s help? Esther, I insist.”
Right…they were still the Rosenbergs. Esther and Julian.
Leah caught Avi's eye across the kitchen. He looked as startled as she felt, but there was something else in his expression. Something that made her forget all about doctors, influencers and investors and everything else waiting in Manhattan.
Something that made her think about the pros and cons of another night stuck in the middle of the state with Avigdor Wolfson.
The scales had been steadily tipping in his favor.
“That’s so kind, Sarit,” she heard herself saying. “If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble...”
“Trouble? Please.” Sarit waved her hand. “It’s Hanukkah. We make room for miracles.”
Chapter Seventeen
Avi stared at the bunk beds, trying not to laugh. Sarit’s offer to make room for them was generous – considering the size of their two-bedroom apartment in an old converted Victorian. The living room had no couch option, just two oversized chairs and lots of toys.
“The twins love sleeping in our king bed.” Sarit bounced her fussing baby on her hip. “And we still co-sleep with her, so it’s like one big slumber party.” She laughed as the little girls, over-excited and probably sugared up from mini-donuts, ran in and out, grabbing pajamas and stuffed animals. Her husband, quiet and shy, picked up toys in their wake.
“This is so sweet of you,” Leah insisted. “We promise we’ll be out of your hair first thing in the morning.”
