Abe or The Goldfinch

Chapter 13

Earth-4076361

Abe says -hey grandpa- turning to Benjamin and asking -didn't you want to talk to the Rabbi about giving me a Bar Mitzvah someday? When do the talks start...?- with some amusement.

But this seemed to upset Benjamin who says something uncomfortable -yes, I don't think it's a good idea for now son- leaving the dining room plunged into silence.

Abe asked surprised -but I thought you wanted...?- in a somewhat perceptive tone, Rebecca answered instead -you don't have to worry about that sweetheart- Amir nods and adds -the main thing now is that you recover, there will be time later-

Benjamin nods and adds - waiting one or two years is not that important, many kids do it-

He then turns to look at his other grandparents and asks - do you not want me to go to the temple now either? - Amir answers - Abe, don't be rude... - in a serious tone.

Salim then shifts uncomfortably and answers - actually, since you mention it... - Aida adds - we are not going to the mosque anymore habibi-

Abe asks surprised -Why?- Amir says tired -Mom, please...- but she gives him her motherly look and says -he should know, it was his actions after all-

Rebecca says -okay, that's enough, let's eat in peace plea...- but her son got up angrily from the chair and walked to his room upset.

Benajmin asks -what now? What if there is a bad Bar Mitzbah... what if there isn't, it's bad too-

Boris calmly answers -I think he's angry because you guys aren't... hey, are the cookies baked?-

Some time later Rebecca opens Abe's door, without going in, and sees him lying on his bed with a frown on his face.

She sighs and mentions -we'll go take your grandparents- he didn't answer, he just stood there, Rebecca closed the door again, leaving the boy in the darkness.

Outside the house Salim approaches Benjamin and asks - would you mind taking me home? - the old Jewish man looks at him strangely and then sees Aida's face in the back of the couple's car and asks - is it going to be that bad?-

Salim nods and Benjamin rolling his eyes opens the door of his car to let him in.

Inside the family car Rebecca says - well, we're alone now. What did you want to tell us Aida?-

To which she answers without hesitation -it's because of that European boy... they have to get rid of him-

Amir snorts and says tiredly -mom, not again, please...- but she continues -I'm serious, there's something wrong with him-

Rebecca raises her hands and says -okay, now your opinion is clear, now can we just...?- but Amir interrupts her -no, and waits to hear the rest of her theory- with an annoyed tone.

Aida looks at him annoyed, but takes a deep breath and says -it's a Djinn...-

Rebecca turns to look at her incredulously and asks -What?- Aida explains -an evil spirit, sent to torment us and...-

Amir ironically says -yes, of course mom, Why don't we put some gold bracelets on him, so he can grant us 3 wishes?-

She answered with a phrase in Arabic, which although Rebecca didn't fully understand, she knew it was the tone of "don't use that tone with me, young man" her mother used it a lot, and she herself did too if she had to be honest.

Finally Aida calms down a bit and continues -I'm not speaking literally, but...- Amir answers -mom, please, those are old wives' tales- she asks -and what do you think I am? An Adhra?... I know how I sound, I grew up in the 60's, my first date with your father was going to see "Freaky Friday"-