“Old,” Surie said, right as her daughter said, “Obese.” They stared at each other. Surie felt a terrible pain in her stomach. She tried to smile. “I’m excited,” she said. “They’ll keep me young.” “Stop it!” Tzila Ruchel said. “Uch, it’s so disgusting! I don’t want to think about it anymore!” She backed away from Surie, who continued smiling. “I can’t even look at your face.” Would Yidel react this badly? The other married children? Surie’s lips were so dry that they began to crack.
