He was. They all were. Everyone loved Akiva. Especially Shaindele. The plan was for him to learn full-time for a number of years before joining the working world. Shaindele, like her mother before her, would support them by teaching, which she loved.

“Can I also give you a hug?” Leah asked Akiva.

“Of course!” He laughed, moving in closer for a maternal embrace.

“They would never have allowed that in Boro Park!” She beamed at them. “Come in, come in, sit down. I’ll get you something to drink.”

“Juice,” Tikva Sarah piped up. “Pops!” she insisted.

“Oh, you’re adorable,” Shaindele said, lifting her out of Leah’s arms.

“She-she.” The child grinned widely at her big sister.

“I’m so happy to see you both! It wasn’t too hard for you to get away, with your wedding coming up and so much to do?” Leah said.

“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss this! Are Bubbee and Rav Alter here already?”

“Any minute. Your tateh is on his way from the airport with them. They were coming in, anyway, for your wedding, now they’ll also make the bris. Such a good baby! He came right on time!”

“We can’t wait to see him! Another little baby in the family.” Shaindele smiled, looking meaningfully at Akiva, who returned her look with love. Years of therapy had taken away her fear of having her own family. Unlike her mother, she would know what to do if things went wrong. Her experience with Grub had left a surprisingly positive residue: she knew now that there was no shame in speaking out to get the help you needed, and that her family could be trusted and relied upon to put her needs above every other consideration.

“How was the drive from Baltimore?”

“Not bad. It took us about four hours.”

Once again, Leah appreciated how fortune had smiled upon her. The community was not far from Baltimore and not too far from Florida. They had made the drive numerous times.

“How are your parents, Akiva?”

“Baruch HaShem. My father had a business meeting in Hong Kong, but Mom will be here.”

“We are looking forward to seeing your whole family next month.”

She heard the tires of the car crunching up the gravel path. “Wait, I think they’re here!”

The family ran out the front door and down the porch steps of the lovely wraparound veranda.

Fruma Esther got out first, carrying a large picnic basket. She had a new, gaily coiffed wig and a stylish dress. Even her orthopedic shoes looked more fashionable than the kind she’d worn for decades.

“I baked in Jerusalem for the bris,” she told them. “Oy, it’s heavy.”

“I’ll get it, Bubbee, not to worry,” Yaakov said.

He stepped out of the car and walked around, holding the door open for his former teacher and mentor, picking up the bags, then helping Fruma Esther up the steps.