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From Shira Levinson’s email inbox, February:
Hi Shira—Thanks so much for coming by yesterday for a synagogue tour! I loved meeting you and getting to introduce you to our rabbi, who I know enjoyed meeting you too. As we discussed, we have a vibrant, active Sisterhood chapter with members of all ages that makes volunteering in our community and doing social events a priority, and we have space available in our adult Torah study class if you’re interested in pursuing that…
Texts between Shira Levinson and Leo David, October:
Shira: Bad news, bucko: the bitch is back
Shira: And by the bitch, I mean me
Shira: And by back, I mean the Hanukkah party is mine again. But don’t fret, you can still be the guest of honor
Shira: Along with Emily, of course!!
Leo:…
Leo:…
Shira: Uh-oh, the typing bubbles of doom. Don’t tell me you’re going to fight me for the party
Shira: I will lose
Shira: I’m weak
Shira: I have noodle arms
Leo: Don’t worry, I’m not planning to eat your delicious arms of spaghetti. But bad news, bucko: Emily and I won’t actually be around for the Hanukkah party Neither will my dad. We’re traveling for the holiday break to go see my grandparents in Florida, the land of sun and alligators
Shira: Aw we’ll miss you
Shira: Try not to get eaten!!
Leo: It’ll be easier for me considering my arms are not made of edible material
Shira: Bad news, bucko: to an alligator, all of you is edible material
Shira: But seriously, hope you guys have a great trip!!
15
Year Five
Leo had been in Florida for four days and had already seen three alligators. He had fortunately been eaten by none (so far), but his guard was up. Sure, an alligator probably wouldn’t try to eat him, but you never knew. And his grandparents were weak and slow and fragile. Likely too bony to make a decent meal, but an easy catch.
It was undoubtedly for the best they’d boarded Neptune back home. Those juicy chops and plump belly would’ve made him a prime alligator target.
Not that there were alligators at Disney World, where they were currently strolling down Main Street, Cinderella Castle looming above like a benevolent overlord. Was it true that Walt Disney’s cryogenically frozen corpse was hidden somewhere inside? He kind of wanted to sneak in and find out.
“Do you even see how clean it is here?” Emily said enthusiastically, and he couldn’t help but smile at her. She’d never been to Disney World before, so Aunt Ellen, of all people, had insisted on taking her. The two women plus Leo and his dad had started the day at Epcot (because even though Leo had tried to convince her it was the most boring park, Emily was determined to see the giant golf ball that was Spaceship Earth) before heading over to Magic Kingdom for the afternoon. The park was decked out in holiday finery, garlands decorating all the lampposts, Christmassy music tinkling over hidden loudspeakers.
“It is very clean,” Leo agreed.
Emily spun and jabbed her finger at his chest while walking backward—awfully confident of her, considering the crowds ahead. “No, I’m serious. When’s the last time you’ve been to a place with this number of people milling around that didn’t have even a single piece of garbage on the ground? It’s incredible.”
“Some might say…magical.”
She didn’t even roll her eyes, just spun back around and gasped. “Cinderella!” She dashed off into the crowd, followed closely by Aunt Ellen, who, upon walking into the park, believe it or not, had pulled out a pair of Minnie Mouse ears bedazzled with her name in pink crystals. Leo hung back to walk with his dad, who’d been following with a bemused expression.
“You don’t want to meet Cinderella?” Leo asked.
