Jay clasped his arm and pulled him in for a long hug. Avi felt his friend’s fingers crush the curly pile of lamb fur across his back.
“This is a look.”
“Long story, man.”
“The best ones always are,” Jay murmured over his shoulder before releasing him.
“Letty, this is the real rock star tonight,” Avi said. He’d been so caught up in the relief and reunion as the wind and water took hold of the night, he had almost forgotten to introduce them.
“Jay Katz.” His friend broke into an easy grin as Leah accepted his outstretched hand to shake. “Bat mitzvah theme?”
“Touchy subject,” Avi warned. He turned to Leah. “He asks everyone that. Feel free to ignore him.”
To his surprise, Leah laughed. And answered. “It was Starry Night.”
Jay gave an approving nod. Followed by a slow, emphatic shake of the head in Avi’s direction. “One of these days, you’ll share yours.”
“I’ve told you. Just like my dad told me.” Jay joined in as Avi imitated his father’s strict command. “Your theme is Torah. And mitzvot.”
“Speaking of mitzvot…it’s almost time to set sail and publicize the miracle.” The night’s MC checked his watch, before being beckoned in another direction by one of his many workers.
Every Hanukkah without fail, Jay assembled as many of the eight Year Course friends as he could on the Matzo Baller for a group candle-lighting. As if on cue, Avi was practically knocked over by a bear hug from behind. From his left, a squeal and a blur of red curls assaulted him.
“Don’t ever go MIA on us like that again!” Nora shimmied her way in, adding to the tangle that was Libby and Talia. Their skin held scents of long-gone birthday wishes; buttercream, coffee and smoke.
“The wandering Jew returns!” Avi could hear Jonah, but his best bud was totally obscured as three-quarters of the girl crew piled their concern on. “Ladies, ladies. Let him up for air.”
“We saw your video from Buffalo of your gig being canceled. But it doesn’t explain the other stories swirling around.” Talia placed hands on hips and looked him straight in the eye. “Rumor has it – you sat on some mall Santa’s lap inOhio?”
“Wait, Tal…I heard he was seen at Niagara Falls – he saved a woman from going over.” Nora’s hands told the story even better.
“Was that before or after someone recognized him DJing at a JCC rave of some sort, Nora?” Libby wanted to know.
The girls all laughed; it wasn’t the first time their good friend had been the subject of outlandish gossip. Over the years they had learned not to trust half of what the media said, but in this case…
“Oh, but the best one – you were looking at resort property in the Poconos!” Jonah laughed. “Are we moving this party up to the Mount Airy Lodge next year or what, dude?”
“Or what,” Avi echoed. He caught Leah’s eye and winked. She was trying to keep a straight face, but he could see amusement sparkling in her eyes. “And if anything, I’d choose the Catskills in a heartbeat.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Overwhelming didn’t even begin to describe the Matzo Baller.
Everywhere Leah looked, there was something new to see. People in every direction – singles, couples, groups. Music and laughter floated from unseen decks. Her stomach growled at the promise of food; a blend of delectable scents carried by the night air.
It made her realize how much of a bubble she had been in over the course of the last three days, with Avi. The two of them had pretty much spent every waking minute – and some dreaming ones – together. She’d all but forgotten what she had even planned to do once aboard the Matzo Baller. Jaz and her Mahjong pitch felt a million miles away. Even the idea of Mrs. Ackerman’s grandson being somewhere on this floating fiesta seemed preposterous.
“You get the feeling you’re not in Kansas anymore?”
Leah felt a gentle shoulder nudge, and looked up to see a smiling and very handsome face. One of Avi’s lady friends, the one called Nora, had absently slipped an arm into the crook of this man’s suit-jacketed arm as she gabbed and laughed with the group.
“More like Ohio,” she admitted.
The guy laughed. “Iowa for me. Last year. You get used to it – and them – pretty quick.” He tilted a chin in the direction of the friends. “I’m Beck.”
“Leah.”
“Do we have you to thank for getting him here, safe and sound?” Beck’s date sounded like a real New Yorker, but her husky voice exuded warmth. “I’m Nora, I’m with this guy.” She cuddled up to Beck, smiling. “I dragged him on his first Baller last year, before I even knew his full name.”
