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“And winked at, let’s not leave that out of the story”

“Wait until you hear the band You won’t see theo up to dance, but that’s Benny Goodman’s band”

Rainy frowns “This is mad! I shouldn’t be in a place with these people! AndI don’t think I dance”

“You don’t think you do?”

“Well, I a at the Stork Club in front of Frank Sinatra”

But she does dance after a few more cocktails and fortified by a ular folks aren’t supposed to be getting, ith there being a war on

It is a glittering, wonderful evening, but Rainy has to work at enjoying it This is not her place, not her people Her people wear green uniforms, curse frequently, smell usually, and complain constantly But within Rainy’s limited ability to relax and enjoy life, it is an enjoyable, even so

Be honest, she scolds herself, it’s better than so

E into the fresh air afterward they find the rain has stopped, leaving the streets wet and shining The washing that often hangs froone, the sidewalk vendors have all fled, and the streets feel empty and clean There’s a metallic smell that is at once chemical and sanitary, as if the city has just been mopped with ammonia

An aging Hasid, his beaver hat sparkling with raindrops, casts a disapproving look at them, and only then does Rainy realize that Halev has taken her hand Ultra-Orthodox Jews do not likehands, let alone aa uniform

Rainy feels Halev’s hand shrinking in hers, and she tightens her grip in defiance Let the alter cocker sneer, she will not be shamed by those people She will not be shamed by anyone

And if he wants to kiss me?

Halev insists on walking her ho that she was the one who at their first ht and not the other way around Still, a gentleman does not let his date roaht

They are a block fro, black Ply the wet street behind them Halev notices it too “Let’s walk a little faster, shall we?”

“Actually, Halev, I have a feeling that may be my ride”