#scarsdale

"Zara..."

"But I didn't trust her. She... she's been bright up by him. and was... twisted, aye? She thinks I want to compete with her, for his favor. And I did not think, if I gave myself up... I did not think she would actually release Earl..."

"Zara...." Overcome. "You're... you have ... so much. You're.... how? How does anyone stand against you?"

"Mama?" She reaches for her mother's hands. "No, Mama... "

Hannah's hands are warm, against Zara's cold flesh. "Zara..."

"I'm sorry I scared you. I was scared, and... and I thought... I was scared he'd be hurt, so I just went..."

"You went after the man you... you love?"

"I.... I think I do. We aren't ready to Oath, not yet. But, Mama, I love him very much."

"That's enough." She is settled. "Hirim and Rachmiel be damned. So. You are intimate with him? Earl? Sex?" Matter of factly.

"Mama!"

"What?"

Oh, she's bright pink.

Very, very pink.

"What???"

"Yes or no? Or... some?"

"Some is ok!"

"We... I went to the doctor, to... be safe..."

"Zara...." There entails, wanted or not, a thorough ... discussion. About... related stuff. And babies. And how... and stuff.

Hannah covers old ground and speculates on new ground.

Graphicly.

Zara hides her face with her hands, mortified, peering at Hannah through her fingers.

"So?" She checks.

"I have been careful, Mama."

"So no... no .... I shouldn't hold my breath?"

She nods. "I went to the Planned Parenthood. They had... you know. I mean, I have to finish school, and then college, and then get married..."

"Oy... yes. Yes, so ok, so... Yes." She fusses and tuts.

"What..... what kind of wedding, then?"

"So nevermind, anyway."

"Don't tell your Uncles. Or Aaron."

"I know. I haven't. Hehe would plotz."

"But, oh, he's asked about converting... I don't think... maybe if in a few years..."

"He.... oh. Well. Is he...???"

"Well, I've not encouraged it."

"No, Bubalah... is he... you know. Ready?"

"I think he would if I asked him. And... and that isn't the right reason, is it?"

"Lot fewer rules as a gentile. And any children, they'd be jewish because of me. So..."

"Children?" A small smile.

She nods, a dreamy look. "Don't care if they are kinain or kith. But I think I want two."

"And I'd be a librarian, and Earl could have a painting studio in the garret..."

Hannah smiles softly. "You and the ...boychick, yes?"

"And...children? So he... could. He could give you children?"

"Probably? I'm trying not to have any right now..."

"The Farm, though... they... Farm magic is about growing things. I mean, 1122 made babies there, and he's clockwork..."

"I don't think that that was actually supposed to be possible..."

"Zara!" Alarmed. "Zara, princess.... you should maybe stay home?"

"Mama, we are careful! Not there!"

A pause.

"Not HERE."

"Come home." Firmly.

"To our house, yes. Come home."