Page 31 of In Just a Year
Interesting.
Esther scooted up on her bed and pulled the covers back so that a tip from the covers came between her legs. She pulled up her nightgown and considered the matter for a moment.
Then,she trailed her fingertips along her thigh down toward her knee and back up along her inner thigh like she would in a practice of scales up and down the piano keys. If this were Ben’s hand, his fingers would be larger. She opened her palm flat. His fingers were long and muscular, wider than hers, and his nails short and always clean. He was a jeweler after all and quite dextrous.
Esther lifted her head up and thought about what her sister had said. The insertion would be here. She pulled her labia apart and touched the spot that had grown slick.
And then she understood Ben’s letter.
The next morning,Esther sent a letter back.
Dear Ben,
Even though I did as you asked, there are no words.
But something happened that left me feeling empty. I miss you so much—more than ever.
E.
She was pathetic.Angry with herself, Esther tore her letter into pieces and set the paper aside. She’d stooped so low as to dream while awake and imagine conversations she’d never had.
Ben would ask, “Have you missed me before?”
“Since you asked, yes,” she’d say.“You were my best friend and then you left.”
“I didn’t leave, I went to university. And I shall return when I’ve found what I am looking for. And I missed you, too. As I do now. So much.”
“Esther!” Father stormed up the stairs to her room, burst through the door, waving a letter with a broken green seal. She shook off her daydreams and her stomach lurched as she recognized the seal.
“Papa?”
“What is the meaning of this?” His thunderous voice trailed off when Esther stood and folded her hands. He held the letter out for her to read.
Gideon emerged behind him, holding another envelope and something else, but Esther didn’t have time to investigate it.
“Why is Benjamin Klonimus asking for your hand?” Father asked.
Esther tried not to jump with joy, but she couldn’t suppress a grin. Was it truly possible that Ben had read her heart beyond the line she’d sent? She pursed her lips, trying to find the right words but her father’s omniscient gaze read what was in her soul.
“Esther!” His frown deepened and then a gleam sparked in his eyes. “Is it true?”
Esther looked at Gideon, who stood in the doorway and waited like a young boy, hoping to have a turn to speak.
“Esther! Did you know anything about this?” Father handed her the letter.
She read it quickly. Her eyes teared up as they swayed over the words.
Sent from the Government House, Belvedere, Raj Bhavan of West Bengal, Calcutta.
Dear Rabbi Solomon,
I humbly request your daughter’s hand in marriage. I am fully aware of the sacred duty and immense trust bestowed upon any man to whom you shall permit such an honor, and I pledge to fulfill it with unwavering dedication and unconditional love.
Considering the extended period that a letter takes, my brother will deliver my proposal if you grant me the honor of your blessing.
Yours most humbly,
Benjamin Klonimus
