Chapter 10

Sophie took a final look around her kitchen. She just finished putting final touches on the brisket and placed it in the warming drawer of her oven, latkes were fried and were sitting in the same drawer. Table was set and ready. But why did she feel like something was missing? “Oh crap! How could she forget…the Menorah!” She reached in the display case of her wall unit and pulled out the ceremonial candle holder. It was a beautifully crafted modern piece made of crystal with silver accents. She quickly ran a soft cloth over it to polish and placed the first two candles in their spots. “Perfect!” she thought as she placed the Menorah in the middle of the table.

David slowly pulled in the driveway of the address she had given him yesterday. Getting out of the car he took a look at the modest two story house. He was walking toward the front door when he felt someone watching him. Glancing up toward the second floor window he saw a huge gray cat perched on the window sill, intently staring at him through the glass. “Well hello Sasha!” he thought as he pressed the door bell.

Sophie saw Sasha jump off his perch as the door bell rang.

“Behave! You monster!” she admonished him as she reached the door to let David in.

Her breath hitched at the sight that greeted her: the familiar black leather coat was draped over white silk shirt and tight black dress pants. The straw colored curls were perfect, and the blue eyes were sparkling. And that smile…as far as Sophie was concerned, Jon’s “million dollar” smile just came in a distant second…

“What’s wrong?” David asked looking at her stunned expression.

“Nothing….Not a dammed thing!” She noticed the flowers and a bottle that he was holding and shook her head “O David! You didn’t have to bring me anything..”

She moved out of the way, finally letting him in. She took the beautiful roses he brought her and inhaled their scent. “Ahh! Thank you David! Please come on in!”

He followed her up the stairs into the kitchen. The smell that greeted him was painfully familiar, and very comforting at the same time. It was like being in his Bubbie’s kitchen all over again. All the comforting memories of his childhood surfaced in his head as he smiled.

“I forgot to ask what you’re serving, so I wasn’t sure what wine to bring..red or white..so I brought the blush.” he said handing her a bottle of White Zinfandel.

“Perfect, I love blush” she said taking the bottle from him and placing it in the fridge to chill.
She took his coat and put it away in the hallway closet as she motioned him to follow her in to the dinning room.

The table was set with a silver table cloth and white china with silver accents. David smiled at the Menorah in the middle of the table.

“What? You wanted a Hanukah dinner…”

“Yeah! But where are the dreidels?” he laughed.

“Oh, you want to play kids games?”

“Well…an adult version comes to mind!” he grinned. Seeing her puzzled looked, he elaborated “We COULD play the Strip Dreidel version…”

Sophie just rolled her eyes and shook her head Men!

“Just give me a couple of minutes to finish the salad, and then we’ll eat” she said as she motioned for him to sit on the couch.

“Do you need any help?” David offered.

“Nope, I’m good!” came a reply from the kitchen.

I bet you are! he thought to himself as he got comfortable on her sectional and took a look at his surroundings. The living/dining area was L-shaped. Though on a small side it was light and airy. Furniture was kept to a minimum, but little personal touches were everywhere, making the room feel very cozy. Something soft and warm landed on the couch next to him. He smiled at the long haired creature that was sniffing him intently. “Do I pass the inspection?” he asked the cat. Sasha climbed into his lap and curled up…I guess so

Sophie came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, and stopped dead in her tracks.

“O My G-d! I’ve never seen him do that! He never warms up to people THAT quickly, if he does at all!”

David laughed and stroked the soft fur. “Well, I guess he thinks I’m trustworthy and loveable!”

Sophie nodded and smiled ”Well the dinner is ready when ever you are!”

They moved to the dining room and proceeded to enjoy the brisket and the latkes and all the traditional trimmings. After his second helping, David leaned back “This was fantastic! Thank you Sophie!”

“You got room for dessert?” she asked?

“What you got?”

“My grandma’s recipe poppy seed roll up and a lemon sponge cake” she replied.

David patted his belly and groaned “Have mercy! I need a break!” His gaze fell on the Menorah… “I think it’s time to light the candles”

“Oh, I don’t think I remember the brocha” she whispered.

“I do” he grinned as he got up. “You’ll light the candles,and I’ll say the prayers…deal?”

Sophie grabbed the matches from the shelf in her kitchen and came to the table. She felt him stand behind her as she lit the middle candle. She heard him softly sing the prayer as she used the middle candle to light the one on the right of the Menorah. She felt his hand on her shoulder, his breath in her hair…and all of a sudden the holidays did not seem so hopelessly lonely…

As he watched the woman in front of him light the first candle in the age old tradition of the Hanukah, David felt the warmth fill his body…fill his heart…and all of a sudden the holiday season and beyond… felt very promising!