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Josh hands our tickets to an elderly woled top, and then we follow the croards the party in the Medieval Sculpture Hall He leads entle couples move in a similar fashion They look as if this stilted sort of behaviour is routine, but it’s a first for us I want to walk against hiled in one htens uidesquartet – aside the h a narrow rooh another rooht into the bustling Sculpture Hall The roo as I’d remembered Banners of heraldry indown on each side Below thes and ladies in arb And in the centre of the room – the clear star of the collection – is a ate From previous visits, I know it’s a choir screen from a cathedral in Spain
Centred before the screen is an equally rave;che figures froels and cherubs and lights that look like candles It’s dranostic Christmas," Josh says "Welcome to the most Jewish Christmas party in America"
I smile
"There" He smiles back "More of that"
We scan between the alabaster sculptures for his parents Best to get this over with We find the statue of a clown When we get closer, I realize that the statue’s pointy red hat is a pope hat It doesn’t matter that I didn’t say any of this out loud I still feel stupid
Josh’s parents have their backs to us They’re holding glasses of white wine and conversing with a short e Lederman," Josh whispers indeal
"Joshua" The judge smiles and waves us over
I try to act like it’s nore to know my boyfriend on a first-name basis Josh’s parents turn around Their initial reaction is happiness, but it’s quickly masked by a demeanour better described as professionally pleased With a layer of curiosity And perhaps another layer of uides ine that I look like a e Lederood to see you" How bizarre to hear his interview voice being spoken live froirlfriend, Isla Martin"
The judge shakesyou are"
Gross I smile "It’s nice to meet you, sir"
"Mom, you remember Isla," Josh continues as if our last encounter wasn’t a shairlfriend Isla, this is my father"
"It’s nice to meet you, Senator"
Wait Was I supposed to call him Senator? Mr Wasserstein? Senator Wasserstein? I should have said "sir" Why didn’t I say "sir"? Oh no! I called the judge "sir" Was I supposed to call him "your honour", or is that only in court? But Josh’s dad s pair of familiar dimples He pumps my hand "Great to meet you I’ve heard so many stories that I feel like I already know you"