The Apotheosis. Darrell Lee
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Название: The Apotheosis
Автор: Darrell Lee
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Историческая фантастика
isbn: 9781946329851
isbn:
“Why do you want this?” Guy asked.
“I don’t love him. The love is dead. It’s been so for a long time. He just wants to keep me at home to do his laundry and cook his food. I want more out of my life. I want a career. I want to respect the man I love and I want to be respected and loved.”
“Ethan’s father is a rabbi and this would be a very big scandal for his family. You will be mesorevet get,” Sharon said.
“I’ll go to the rabbinical court; they can make him,” Amira said.
“What if they don’t? You can never remarry,” Sharon said.
“Maybe I’ll become Baptist!”
“Amira!”
“He actually slapped me and pushed me to the ground during our last fight. It will only get worse from here.”
Everyone sat silently for a minute.
“Where will you stay? What will you do?” Sharon asked.
“I already have a deposit on an apartment, I did it this morning. I move in the day after tomorrow. I’ll get a job. I have a degree and I did work while in college, I’m sure I can find work. Until then, I’ve half of the money Ethan and I have saved.”
“Already you have an apartment and separated the money?” Sharon said.
Amira took a deep breath. “Mother, Father, please. I’m your daughter, you’ve raised me to do the right thing. I’d not do this if I didn’t feel very strongly about it. I need you to trust me and trust my judgment… because… I’m going to need your support.”
Sharon’s eyes filled with tears. She stood up from the table without saying a word and went to the bedroom.
Amira’s father cleared his throat. “It’s okay, she just needs time. She’s just worried about you. We love you, and you do have our support.”
Amira smiled, got up and walked over to her still-seated father and gave him a hug. “Can we stay here for a few nights?”
“Of course. I need to call Ethan and tell him where you and Elona are, though.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” A kiss landed on his cheek.
Amira went to the living room and announced to Elona that they were spending the night at Grandmother and Grandfather Levitt’s house and sleeping together in her old room. Elona squealed with excitement.
THE APARTMENT
The next day, after taking Elona to school, Amira stopped by the U-Haul office. She bought as many boxes as could fit in her SUV, four rolls of boxing tape, and a black Sharpie. When she arrived at her apartment building, instead of her usual reserved spot in the garage, she parked at the curb by the front entrance. She got out and walked to the front door. The doorman on duty, Frank, stood at his usual position. She liked him. He was about fifty, always polite, and looked to be in reasonable shape, so she didn’t mind asking him to help with the groceries from time to time. He opened the door for her as she approached.
“Good morning, Mrs. Shinwell.”
“Hi, Frank. I’ve a favor to ask you. I’ve a bunch of empty boxes in the back of my car. Do you think you could get a cart and bring them up to my apartment for me?”
“Of course, Mrs. Shinwell. David can tend to the front door while I do that.”
“Here’s the key to the car so you can get the back open.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The solitary elevator ride felt odd. The same carpet on the floor, new, installed earlier in the year, same wood veneer paneling on all the walls except the one with the door. Same button panel, yet things felt different.
She opened the door to a quiet apartment. Dirty dishes sat in the sink and on the table. She packed a suitcase with clothes and toiletries for herself and Elona. As she finished, the front doorbell rang. She opened the door to find a solemn Frank standing with a cart full of her collapsed boxes.
“Are you and Mr. Shinwell moving, ma’am?”
“No, Frank, only me.”
“That is too bad, Mrs. Shinwell. You’re one of my favorite people in the building.”
“Thank you, Frank. And you have always been one of mine.” Amira handed him a ten-dollar bill. He handed her the keys to the car.
“I’ve told you before that you don’t need to tip me.”
“And I’ve told you I want to.”
“Let me know if you need anything else,” he said.
Amira ran out of boxes and made another trip to the U-Haul office to buy more. Frank again helped move them from the car to the apartment. As soon as the packing was finished, it was time to get Elona from school. She left the packed boxes stacked against a wall in each room, got the suitcase, and left before Ethan returned from work.
After Amira picked Elona up from school, they made a trip to the mall for a new pair of shoes. She took Elona to the food court for an ice cream.
“How’s the Rocky Road?” Amira asked as she sat across the table watching the wild-haired child concentrate on the tasty task at hand.
“It’s so good. But you never let me have Rocky Road before. Why?”
“It’s because of the marshmallows.”
“But they are the BEST part! Why?”
“It isn’t important. Just know, that from now on, when you are with me you can get Rocky Road any time you want.”
“And when Daddy is with us?”
“You don’t miss much, do you? No, I don’t think your father will let you have Rocky Road.”
“Okay,” Elona said quickly between licks to keep the ice cream off the cone. She didn’t like the cone to get soggy before she ate it. “Aren’t you having any, Mommy?”
“No, I’m not hungry.” Amira took a deep breath. “There’s something I want to talk about with you. It’s important.”
“What?” Elona asked between licks.
“It’s about me and Daddy. We’re having problems.”
“I heard you guys yelling again last night.”
Amira cringed. “Well, Daddy and I are having a lot of arguments, and… well… I think it is best if you and I live somewhere else.”
Elona СКАЧАТЬ