Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 90 - Experiments Of All Kinds

April 2nd that year brought many things. Spring break was over for everyone, and so Matt and Ashley started their new routine of driving to classes at UCLA from the Abernathy's house and or working every day. Zackary and Jessie went back to school too, trying to convince themselves that since there were only ten weeks left before the school year ended, there wasn't all that much school left.

That evening, the Abernathy's quietly celebrated Jessie's 12th birthday. Aside from Matt and Ashley, nobody outside the Abernathy household joined them. Susan made Jessie's favorite dinner, which this year consisted of hamburgers with all the fixings. They had a small, homemade birthday cake for dessert, and Jessie opened a small present from Susan; but when she looked vaguely disappointed that there weren't more, Greg reminded her that this year would be different. Most of the gifts she would receive would be part of her bat mitzvah, which was less than two weeks away.

"Are you ready?" Matt asked curiously.

Jessie nodded. "I've been studying. I've been spending a lot of time practicing with Papa. And Rabbi Sloane says I'm already good at reading in Hebrew. He says I'm ready."

"You probably are," Greg told her and Jessie grinned.

"What are we doing for Passover, Papa?" Jessie asked. "That starts tomorrow."

"Julie is hosting the Seder this year. Alan, Cindy and their family will be staying with her for a couple of nights since Mama and I will be busy caring for Melody," Greg told her.

"Are you going?" Matt wondered.

"I may ... depending on how Melody is doing following her treatment, but I don't expect your mother will," Greg said.

"I'm staying overnight with her in the hospital," Susan told them all.

"Are you going?" Matt asked looking at Zack.

Zack shrugged. "I don't know. I know Jessie wants to go and she sort of needs a ride, so I'll probably take her."

"Are we supposed to go?" Ashley asked her new husband.

"I don't think so ... are we Greg?" Matt asked.

"You would be welcome, certainly if you are interested and would like to come, though you shouldn't feel obligated," Greg told the young couple.

"Isn't Passover generally a family celebration?" Ashley wondered, thinking of the celebration she and Matt participated in last year at the Abernathys.

"It is, however Passover is also primarily a Jewish observance. My family understands that. They will not be offended if you decide not to attend," Greg said.

"We did last year," Ashley remembered, looking doubtfully at Matt.

"That's because of the way Mom did it, as part of Holy Week," Matt reminded her.

"Is it different when a Seder is held that is not part of Holy Week?" Ashley wondered.

"Not significantly," Greg told her.

"Would you like to go, Ash?" Matt asked curiously.

"Sort of," Ashley told him. "I think it might be really interesting."

"Even if Mom and Greg aren't there?" Matt wondered.

"Zack, are you and Jessie definitely going to be there?" Ashley asked.

"If Zack will take me," Jessie told her.

"I will, Jess. I know this is important to you, the same way it was when I got baptized," Zack said.