Page 32 of In Just a Year
Esther clutchedthe letter to her heart, crinkling the paper as she pressed it with both hands. He was serious.
In response to Tate’s watchful eye, she plopped on the bed and nodded. “It is true.”
“Ben?”
“Ben.”
“Benjamin Klonimus?” Her father’s voice came high-pitched as if he couldn’t believe they referred to the same Ben.
“Pavel’s son,” Esther confirmed.
“Who’s in India,” Gideon added from behind Tate.
“I can’t believe that you children are serious. How long has this … when? How?” Tate stuttered when he turned from Gideon back to her.
“It’s always been there, but when he came back from France with Gideon, I kissed him.”
Tate clapped his hands on his thighs. “You what?”
“Isn’t it romantic?” Esther couldn’t hide the dreamy bliss that enveloped her and twirled in her room. Ben had officially asked for her hand and there was nothing more that she wanted than to grant it. “Oh Tate”—Esther danced with the letter and then plopped backward onto her bed—“I kissed him and he kissed me back. And now he wants to marry me.”
Her father chewed his lip and squinted as he briefly looked over his shoulder to Gideon. “Do you know what you are telling me?”
“The truth, Tate. Gideon saw us already. Why should I hide it?”
“What? Why? Because!” Tate stomped on the carpet, but the bang was muffled by the soft fabric.
“I kissed him again, and it was wonderful. I cannot wait to—”
“Stop! Please! I implore you to spare me the details. I know Ben and his family. That’s not the problem.”
“Then what is?”
Her father inclined his head, signaling Gideon to step closer.
He complied, towering over him since he was a head taller than Tate. “Gideon, it is uncustomary to deliver a written request for my blessing.”
“Yes, Rabbi. I assure you I am only here to deliver the message. My brother carries the sentiment as he always has.”
“What do you mean ‘always has’?”
Gideon’s eyes opened wide as if he’d misspoken. “My apologies, I said too much.”
“Speak now. I want to hear the whole truth,” the Rabbi demanded in the authoritative voice he usually reserved for sermons to the whole congregation.
Gideon paused, and his eyes met Esther’s. “My little brother, Ben, has been in love with Esther since he was a boy. He set the first ruby he owned in a gold and diamond ring when he was twelve. I didn’t know it then but I am certain now that it was always meant for her.”
“That’s sweet but we are speaking about my daughter’s life, not a puppy love of—”
“It’s not a puppy love, Rabbi. He’s kept it hidden for as long as he could but his love grew. It was bound to burst out and I was glad when it happened. I’ve known for a while. My only misstep was that I didn’t inform you sooner.”
“You were glad when what happened?” The Rabbi growled.
“I caught them, Rabbi. It was their first kiss by the looks of it,” Gideon said in a man-to-man tone. Gideon had been married for a while now and was just over thirty. There was no point pretending to be a green boy with Tate, the father of eight children himself.
“Second,” Esther mumbled.
“Second,” Gideon said with a smile. “Mazal tov,Esther.” Gideon congratulated her.
