“Thanks, see you soon.”
Amira spent the next forty minutes making a to-do list and sipping her latte before leaving for the appointment. Like all of Boston, maple trees lined the sidewalks of Jacob Street. Metro bus tracks separated the two sides. Businesses and brick apartment buildings occupied most of the block. A Whole Foods wasn’t far away.
The broker, a smartly dressed woman in her thirties, stood in front of a red brick building with rich-toned maple doors. The broker spotted her as soon as she stepped out of the car. They shook hands.
“Hi, I’m Lisa.”
“Amira.”
“Let me show you the place.”
They proceeded to the door and the broker opened it with a security keypad. They took the stairs to the second floor. Just three doors down.
It was everything the ad claimed it to be. Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, domed lights on the ceiling. The bedrooms were down a short hall. Amira fell in love with it immediately. It smelled of fresh paint, new carpet, and new life.
“I’ll take it.”
“When would you like to move in?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“That may be a challenge. There is paperwork for the lease agreement and a credit check. You must pay the first month’s rent and the broker fee of $2,500.”
“If I pay the broker fee in cash,” Amira removed an envelope from her purse, “and made it $3,000, would that help to get the paperwork done in time?” She removed thirty $100 bills from the envelope.
Lisa took the money with a smile. “Yes, I’m sure we can find a way.”
“And perhaps you know a moving company that can find a way to fit me in that day? There isn’t that much to move and I’d being willing to pay extra for the inconvenience.”
“I know just the company… my brother owns it.”
Amira sat in her car, excited and nervous. It’s real and it’s about damn time.
THE PARENTS
Sharon and Guy Levitt were surprised to see Amira and Elona arrive unannounced. The first sign that something was wrong. After supper, with Elona out of earshot in the living room watching cartoons, Amira’s mother seized the opportunity.
“Are you going to tell us or are we going to have to guess?” Sharon said.
“I’m leaving Ethan, divorcing.”
Guy furrowed his forehead.
“All marriages go through rough times. Are you and Ethan sure about this?” Sharon asked.
“It’s my idea, not Ethan’s. As a matter of fact, he even said he would not grant me a divorce.”
“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