Page 28 of The Twins

“Tovah, I need to know, are you sure?” I glare at him unamused at his delay. “You and Masud…are unconventional. You may be happy now, but a prolonged relationship like yours may not be sustainable.”

“Wow. Do you carry a thesaurus with you now? I don’t remember you sounding this pompous before.”

“Tovah. I’m fucking serious.” I step until the toe of my high-heels touch Yakov’s boots. Our faces inches apart.

“Me too. That man,” I point into the judge’s chambers where my intended waits for me, “is my future. I have never towed the line, Yak, never cared much for the opinions of others, I ain’t gonna start now. I love that man without hesitation, without expectation, without limits. You love someone, you meet them where they’re comfortable. I am a strong fucking woman; I can carry his past and look damn good while doing it.” Discreetly, I pull the knife Masud gave me years ago from its sheath in the concealed pocket of my dress. Yak’s eyes drop to where it digs into his abdomen. “You wanna tattle to my family? Go ahead, let’s see how far you get with your entrails dragging behind you.”

“On second thought, I think you’ve got this.”

I tap the tip of the blade against his sternum. “Smart man. Don’t forget the additional paperwork.”

“I’ve got it.” There’s a long pause as I cross the hallway. “Tovah?” With a heavy sigh, I stop with my hand on the doors, my back to him. “You two…you two are what love is all about. I’m privileged to witness your wedding, and I’m honored to help you and Masud in any way I can.”

“Don’t get mushy on me now, Yak.” He did this on purpose. Throw me off my game, ninja attack me with emotions. I’ll get him back. Right now, I gotta marry my best friend.

The ceremony is short and to the point. We say our “I do’s”, sign the wedding certificate and the other papers, and stand in front of one another pledging our lives to ensure the other’s eternal happiness.

We were inevitable. I had no intention of ever letting this man go. His family in Iraq and Egypt…they just sped up the timeline. And added a few more signatures. I will do anything to keep him out of their hands. You wanna crawl out of the woodwork nearly 30 years later, I’ll stomp you like the fucking cockroaches that you are.

The judge pronounces us man and wife and tells Masud he can kiss his bride. I already told him it wasn’t necessary, or just a peck on the cheek, whatever he was comfortable with is fine with me. He surprises me, though, steals the breath from my lungs when he dips his head and softly presses his lips to mine. I can feel him trembling and know this has likely cost him a great deal. My hands itch to grab him; my arms feel heavy with wasted purpose that I cannot wrap them around his neck.

It's a couple of seconds, and a chaste kiss by even a nun’s standards, but it’s the best kiss of my entire life. My first kiss with my husband. I pray it won’t be my last.

He stands straight; his eyes wild as they dart around the room looking for an exit. “Hey. Husband. Just you and me.” It takes him a second, but he acknowledges me with a grunt. “You ready to celebrate, Mr. Frenkel?” If my family ever finds out, they probably won’t be surprised that he took my last name. I just have that kind of personality. He wanted to, to forget his past, to hide from his family, to start over as someone new. I don’t care what his name is, so long as I can call him my husband.

“I am, Mrs. Frenkel.”

Tovah 20.

Smile on my lips, I want to linger in my dreams, my memories of Masud and I, but as I stretch in bed, my shoulder and chest pull painfully. I hiss, my eyes snapping open. I’m in a hospital room, surrounded by my family…and husband. Oh, that’s why they all look pissed off.

Well, they were bound to find out eventually. Though, I would have rather been the one to tell them…mostly to see their faces. And so Masud didn’t have to stand alone.

I look up at him with a soft smile. Ignoring the surprised gasps around the room, I focus on my husband. “Are you alright?” I ask, my voice strained. He nods, extending his hand toward my face. I hold still and keep my smile in place as he explores the contours of my face with the tips of his fingers. After not nearly enough time, he snaps his hand back. My smile only grows, knowing he reached his limit.

“Tovah, you better fucking explain and do it fast,” Dad growls from the end of my bed, a scowl contorting his face. Mom stands beside him, her hand on his tense back, Tevye on his other side. I wink at Vandy who mirrors my mother, and meet my father’s eyes. It pains me more than I can say to see the disappointment and hurt in them.

Tevye starts before I open my mouth to respond. “Married? Fucking married? And you never told me? As much as you and I are capable of having best friends, you are mine. We were Wombmates for fuck’s sake! We’ve joked that you were Satan’s offspring, but I’ve never thought you were evil.”

“Tevye—” Vandy tries but hospital bed or not, he won’t make me fucking feel bad for my actions.

“Oh, get off your fucking high horse! My relationship with Masud doesn’t concern you or anyone else. The details of our life together aren’t up for discussion or debate.”

“Who’s Masud?” I’m gonna fucking kill Zilv. I press the button to raise my bed, it’s slow and ruins my attempt at intimidation. Pretty much my entire family is in my private room. Thank God we don’t skimp with donations, or they wouldn’t fit.

“I love you. All of you. I know you might not understand how I love, but there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my family. And that includes Masud.” I glare at Zilv. “But that’s part of the fucking problem, isn’t it? We’ve been at the top so long we’ve forgotten the people who prop us up. The Pharaoh,” I point at Masud. “His name is Masud. You’d know that, you fucking dickless degenerate, if you took the time to get to know the people around you. No matter that he is flesh and bone, heart and brain, a wounded soul…as long as he tortures and maims and carries out bloody justice for the Mishpocheh, who cares what his name is? Right, Zilv?”

“Well, when you put it that way.”

“I’ll get off my high horse when you get off yours. How long have you been married?”

I stare at my brother, then gaze up at my husband. “7 years.”

“Moses, Miriam, and Aaron.” Dramatic much? I swear Aunt Esther nearly passes out.

“Why would you…why would you keep it from us? Why wouldn’t you…you married someone without us. I didn’t get to walk you down the aisle. Give you away. You stole that from me, Tovah.”

“Dad—”

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