Hello, Privet! #1: Hello/Привет

Chapter 54

SOPHIE

My mother and I are on our way to my nephew Benjamin's brit milah, that is, the Jewish circumcision ritual. I always try to attend the parties of the Silvermans. The Silvermans, Sharon's family, invite me to all the bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, all the High Holidays, and Hanukah because I'm Daniel's Jewish sister. Most of the Silvermans are already here, as are the Welfords, but the O'Reillys are running late.

Peter is arriving with Connor from DC, and I think Alison has James with her. My mother has been in the city a few days early helping out with the party arrangements.

"Mother," I say. "Is that Uncle Stephen's car?" There's a Lincoln town car pulling up at Daniel's street.

"It is. Or maybe it's Candice."

"Great," I say.

"You neglected to tell me that you still haven't visited Mr. Kirkpatrick."

I look down at my lap. "I've been so busy..."

My mother smiles tightly, not buying it for a second. "Well, I've invited him to grandma's Labor Day party, so you can talk then."

I ball my hands into fists. I've been putting it off for so long. There is simply no way out of it now.

At Daniel's house, instead of fussing over the new baby, Sharon's aunts and my Aunt Grace, hair perfectly coiffed, all wearing tasteful dresses or suits, ask me a lot of questions about my two years abroad.

"I heard about your father, dear. I am so sorry."

"Thank you."

"And you're all right, dear?"

"It's all right. I'm okay. Really."

"And what is this you're wearing?" asks Aunt Grace.

"Aphro made it. Do you like it?" I'm wearing a skater dress made from blue and gold sari fabric.

"What about that nice dress I sent you last Christmas?" she asks. "The Jil Sander one."

"Well, I'm already wearing this, aren't I?"

"A little make-up wouldn't hurt, dear. You're too pale."

"How about some lipstick?"

"Let's touch up your make-up in the bathroom. It'll only take a second."

"But I'm not wearing any make-up," I protest.

"That is precisely why you should, dear."

"Oh, but I'm perfectly happy with my lack of color," I tell them.

"What about your hair?"

"Have you thought about straightening it? I can get you in with my hairdresser at Bergdorf's and she'll give you highlights."

"If you straighten my hair and dye it, I would lose my superpowers," I tell them with a completely straight face. Normally, I would be amenable to a little makeup, especially eyeliner and eyeshadow, but I don't like that all their attention is focused on me. Besides I already have lipgloss on, even if they can't see it.

"Sophie, there you are." Alison sweeps into the room, followed by her husband Topper, who is carrying their daughter. James trails behind them and is immediately approached by my mother, who adjusts his bow tie.

Alison makes a beeline for me. "We have to talk," she tells me.

"What about?" I'm apprehensive. Alison only ever talks to me when I've done something wrong.