Menoracycle*

Ella goes to Sunday school and since she’s learning for her Bat Mitzvah, they want parents to join as well. Phoebe and I switch each week. The other weekend Phoebe wasn’t able to go, so I went twice. I don’t mind. I get to do learning.

But I digress.

After class Ella wanted to pop into the gift shop. It’s been years since I’ve been in a synagogue gift shop. Last time was in Des Moines when I was about Ella’s age. I remember looking for a Star of David necklace for my mom. Or maybe it was a Chai (חי). I can’t remember. Anyway, as we entered the gift shop I saw a menoracycle in the window behind the counter.

“Oh,” I said pointing. “Can I see that?”

The woman brought it over.

“Mom said you’d like that,” said Ella.

“She did, huh?”

When we got home I put the menoracycle on the kitchen island. I was making lunch when Phoebe came in. It was hard not to see the menoracycle.

“No,” said Phoebe. “You didn’t!”

“I did.”

“Did you get it at the synagogue?”

“No, we stopped by the 7-Eleven. There were a bunch of-”

“Did Ella tell you I saw it there the other week?”