“When are you coming, Daddy?”

Hannah had asked the same question five minutes ago. Decker said, “On Friday, pumpkin.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

The girl nodded, but she was clearly upset.

“I promise, Hannah Rosie,” Decker emphasized. “I’ll be there. You can sit on my lap when I make Kiddush.”

“You stand when you make Kiddush,” Hannah pointed out.

“Afterward,” Decker assured her. “When I eat.”

“I can sit on your lap the whole meal?”

“Most of the meal.”

The child stared at her mother. Rina took her hand. “He’ll come, Hannah. He just has a few details—”

“I know, I know,” she interrupted. “I hope Grandma will bake with me.”

“I’m sure Grandma will bake with you.”

“I like her cookies.”

“She makes very good cookies.”

“We’re here.” Jonathan scanned the various areas to park. Most of the signs registered full. “It’s going to be tough finding a space.”

“Just drop us off,” Rina told him. “We’ll be fine.”

Decker said, “You’ve got a heavy suitcase.”

“I’ll manage,” Rina answered. “There’s a spot right over there, Jonathan. Pull over and drop us off.”

Decker knew she was upset. “I’ll help—”

“I don’t need help.” Rina tried to keep the tension out of her voice. It wasn’t working. “I need you to be okay.”

“I’m okay.”

“You don’t look okay.” Then she silenced herself. Jonathan eased the van curbside. Rina bounded out and lifted open the hatch.

Decker was at her side. “I’ll get it.”

“I can get it—”

He held her arm. “Rina, please, don’t be this way. I love you. Please!”

Her heart relented. Gently, she touched his eye. “Does it hurt a lot?”

“Not nearly as much as your anger.”

She kissed him softly. “I love you. So do your children. And your parents. And your sibling… siblings. You have lots of people who love you.”

“I know that.” He grabbed the suitcase handle and hefted the valise out of the van. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

“I hope you mean that. I’m skeptical of your story about being punched.”

“You think I’m lying?”

“The verdict’s still out.” Rina yanked up the handle and wheeled the suitcase over to the entrance, showing the security guard the tickets.

Decker picked up his daughter and gave her a big hug. “I love you, muffin.”

“I love you, too.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll miss you.”

“Take care of your mother.”

“I think she’s ’posed to take care of me.”

“How about if you take care of each other? Sound good?”

“I guess.”

Decker lowered his daughter to the sidewalk. Rina hugged Jonathan, then kissed her husband. “We’ve got to go.”

Jonathan offered Rina ten dollars. “Tzedaka money.”

Rina took the bill. “Next time, Jonathan, it will be under better circumstances. Auf simchas.”

“Amen!”

Decker kissed his daughter, then his wife. “I love my girls. Take care.”

Rina took Hannah’s hand in her right, the luggage in her left, and fast-walked through the glass doors. After standing in a line for check-in, she made it through security with time to spare.