Despite being polar opposites, it had always been just the two of them, and a mother is a mother. Always. As Judge Judy never tired of pointing out, “See that guy standing next to you? Take a good look. You won’t remember his face in ten years. Now look at your mother. She’s going to be your mother forever.”

“Mom, how are you?”

“Lola! I mean Leah. Great, and you?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“Guess?”

“I’m just tired, Mom. Monday blues.”

“Everything okay with you and Jacob?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Newlyweds … men … religion … little kids … take your pick.”

Leah had to laugh. “All of the above, but leave out the kids. I love the kids. I just wish…”

“You had one of your own, right?”

“I suppose.”

“Patience.”

“I go nuts with jealousy when I see these pregnant Boro Park teenagers pushing double baby carriages with a stomach out to there. I even get teary when I see a pregnant cat! I think I’m going insane.”

“When you decided to move to Boro Park and become one of them, you went insane. Now you’re just like the rest of them.”

“But I’m not like the rest of them, Mom. That’s the problem. And don’t you dare say ‘I told you so.’”

“Even though I did.”

“But you weren’t right … about … everything.”

“Just some things.”

“I guess I am a feminist, after all.”

There was a short silence, during which Leah imagined her mom air-punching and saying a silent yes!

“I’m really sorry to hear that, honey.” She sounded absolutely sincere. “Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t changed my mind about that whole crowd. I don’t have to remind you I grew up in Flatbush, so I knew what you were getting into long before you did, but I like Jacob. He’s a good guy. And I know how much you love the kids and they love you. I really want you to be happy. And life is a compromise. Nothing’s perfect. Remember that. It’s hard to have a life that fits all your needs, no matter where you are or what you believe in. And when you finally get there, there is nothing to stop it all disappearing in a second.”

“Have you heard from him?”