Frum Girl

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The smell of fresh paint and new beginnings greeted me when I opened the door of my new bedroom. The unfamiliar walls were painted a light purple, and my furniture a stark white. I can't decide if I like it or not.  I tossed my carry on bag onto the smooth floor as I glanced out at one of the small lilac framed windows. Here. This was my family's home now. Our new middle sized house was nice, our new backyard framed with bushes is even a tiny bit cute, but Carlstown, Pennsylvania can’t even hold a candle to my old life in LA. I narrow my eyes as I close the purple curtains shut, and jump onto my bare mattress, exhausted. Ugh, I realized. My pillows and blankets were all packed away in the back of a uhaul truck, which was outside attached to my family's minivan. I forced myself out of my new bed, as I trudged down the wooden stairs to the front door. “Chana!” my father calls, “Grab the cholent pot, will you? I still want to have my regular recipe on Shabbos.” I rolled my eyes, thinking of my never ending sleep deprivation. “Sure” I called back, “be back in a sec.” I slipped into my sneakers and jogged down the steps towards the driveway. As I finished loading the pillows, blankets, and pot into my hands, an unfamiliar figure walked up the driveway. It was a petit middle aged looking woman, wearing a pink and white flecked tichel, and in her arms she carried a giant basket, filled to the brim with home baked goods. “Hi!” she exclaimed. “Hi?” I answered back, trying not to let the cholent pot slip and fall. “I’m Mrs. Greenberg, we’re backyard neighbors!” she said happily. "Is your mother here? I just wanted to pop in and give her a welcome to the neighborhood.” I nod my head as much as I can muster, and give a small smile. “You can follow me, I'm sure my mother would love to meet you..” Mrs. Greenberg grinned brightly, as we started to walk, the giant basket bobbing along with our steps. “So,” she said, “what's your name, sweetie?” This woman's cheer was infectious, so I decided to answer back as sweetly as possible. “My name is Chana, Chana Stein.” a loose pebble caused my right foot to wobble, as the heavy pot almost fell out of my grasp. I caught it just before it hit the ground. Phew. “How old are you, Chana?” Mrs. Greenberg asked. “I'm 15, turning 16 in a few months.” I responded, trying to turn my focus on where I was walking so I wouldn't trip. Delighted, the cheerful woman turned to me as we neared the steps, causing me to stop in place. “Guess what! I have a daughter that's 14, and a son that's 16! You’ll fit right in!”

 Mothers. 

I smirked beneath the irksome pot. Sure it's cool she has a daughter that's 14, in fact we might even become friends! But her son and I have no possible connection, so It's sorta funny she would mention him to me.  Because the only time a boy and a girl are mentioned together is if they are getting married. Hahahahaha, I start to crack internally. My head begins to spin as I realize my thoughts are ridiculous, I think my lack of sleep is finally getting to me. I turned my head away so Mrs. Greenberg couldn't catch my expression, as we started up the steps. When we reached the front door, we both simultaneously tried to pull it open, instantly colliding with each other. This caused a tremendous CRASH!

Nooooooooo……Ugh, now the cholent pot is on the floor with a big fat crack in it, my forgotten pillows and blankets landing softly on the bottom steps. “Oh my gosh!” Mrs. Greenberg cried out. “I'm so sorry I didn't mean for that to happen!” My father rushed outside and with one glance at my empty hands, and the sullen neighbor, he understood. He silently picked up the now useless pot, and turned back inwards to call my mother. I ushered Mrs. Greenberg inside, as I guiltily led her to the living room. My father really loved that cholent pot, and I feel bad for breaking something that had so much sentimental value to him. Mrs. Greenberg was quiet, and in all my 3 minutes of knowing her, I realized that this silence from her must be a rare thing. This is a guilty silence. It's not completely her fault the pot broke, sure she knocked into me, but mistakes happen! I hope she doesn't feel too bad… We reach the living room, and I slump down on the pristine couch, kicking off my shoes. Mrs. Greenberg stayed standing, still holding the goody filled basket in one hand. My mother entered the room, and she greeted her with a big smile. “I’m Naomi Greenberg.” Mrs. Greenberg says, quietude almost immediately forgotten. She hands my mother the basket, smiling largely. “Welcome to the neighborhood!” My mother is a slim woman even after giving birth to 7 children. Her hair, under her light blue tichel, is a deep auburn and her eyes are even darker. We could almost be twins, besides the fact I have my father's deep blue eyes, and that she's 27 years older than me. Wow, I'm doing math now and I'm not even in school.. I yawn loudly. I think I really am losing my mind. My mother accepted the welcome gift, as she answered back, “I'm Chavi Stein, nice to meet you!” Mrs Greenberg’s smile faltered for a moment as she said, “While I was on my way here there was a little accident involving a door and a cholent pot...” I cringed. My mother sighed “I know..” Suddenly Mrs. Greenberg started to chuckle, I looked at my mother, confused. “I have the most amazing idea! Since I've ruined your Shabbos meal, it's only fair if I invite you to ours this week. That way your family can meet my family, and we can get to know each other better!” the petit woman beamed, and I groaned. Ugh, isn't Shabbos the day of rest? It sure is starting to feel like The day of stress to me..Now I have to actually iron my wrinkled dresses. So fun. My mother considered this for a second, then she looked back. “I'll have to ask my husband what he thinks, but I would love to accept your offer!” Mrs. Greenberg grinned. “Ok, here's my number, call me or text me when you decide if your family can come!” Then she and my mother started to  prattle on about nonsense for the next few minutes, as I pushed all thoughts about meals away. And I finally, finally began to doze off on the couch….. 

A few hours later I woke up in the same stiff position as before, yawning as I stretched myself out of the living room. My mother greets me In the hallway to my bedroom, “Chana! Daddy and I agreed that we will all go to the Greenbergs for the Shabbos day meal this week!” I sighed. Yay. “Thanks for letting me know, Mommy.” I mumble as I stumble into my room, and drift off into another almost immediate sleep...completely forgetting about my pillows and blankets on the front steps of my new home.