Thomas was asked to stay home for the day. The Mendelsson family were planning on being up and into the hotel room before around 3 pm, so they could get changed and not have to travel in dress clothes up to Houston. Once they arrived at the center where the Rosh ha-Shana service was going to be held, Thomas was given a key to the hotel room he would be staying in. The Mendelssons took a room near them down the way.

  About an hour into getting settled in, the door opened and in walked a man in his mid-to-late 20s.

  Iona: "Hey Thomas, it looks like we are going to be roommates for the weekend."

  Thomas: "Hello. So, how do you know my name, and who are you?"

  Iona: "Oh, I thought they would have told you. My name is Iona. You know, like the prophet Jonah. The one that took a swim on his way to Nineveh."

  Thomas: "So, are you related to the Mendelssons? Or did someone figure I was single in this room and you were put with me?"

  Iona: "I guess you could say both. First, I am related to the Mendelssons. Actually, I am very much related to Shoshana. From what I hear, my sister seems to think that you are someone special."

  Thomas: "I think that she is too."

  Iona: "I was also not sure if I could get down. So, it wasn't until this last week that I found I was going to be free for the Days of Awe."

  Thomas: "What are the Days of Awe?"

  Iona: "It is another name for the period of time between Rosh Ha-Shana and Yom Kippur."

  Thomas: "Okay, I guess I got more to learn."

  Iona: "You know, then this is going to be fun. You will never guess what I have been studying."

  Thomas: "I am not sure I could have said that Shoshana even had a brother, much less what you do."

  Iona: "I am the next best thing you could have sitting next to you besides Shoshana."

  Just then, the door opened, and entered a woman who looked like Shoshana but a little older.

  Tamar (looking at Iona): "There you go trying to tell someone that you are about to become a rabbi. Hi, I am Tamar. Let me see if I got this right. They are still calling you Thomas?"

  Thomas: "What do you mean they are still calling me Thomas? That is my name."

  Tamar: "Not if you are staying in this family. I have the weekend to find the name for you."

  (Thomas checks his head.)

  Tamar: "I am here to make sure that I get the both of you down early enough to enjoy the apples and honey."

  Thomas: "That sounds good. But why apples and honey?"

  Tamar and Iona (in unison): "It is the symbol of having a happy new year."

  Tamar: "I will let Iona explain that to you when we get down to the reception area. Come on, let's go."

  Once down in the reception area, small round tables lined the edges of the room, while several large tables stood in the center, adorned with bowls of sliced apples. Smaller bowls of honey sat nearby, each with spoons and small plates for dipping.

  Thomas was led by Tamar and Iona, deliberately keeping his eyes away from the entrance—until Shoshana arrived with her parents. Then, they turned him around to see her in her new dress.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Thomas (eyes wide, nearly popping out of his head): [Insert your line here!]

  Tamar (smirking): "Okay, so the interest definitely goes both ways."

  She glanced at Iona, then back at Thomas, just in time to see him and Shoshana moving toward each other. Both Iona and Tamar rushed to position themselves next to them.

  Tamar (to Iona): "I guess we’re going to have our hands full this weekend."

  Myriam: "Oh, come on, you two—it’s only been two weeks! You’d think they hadn’t seen each other in two years."

  Thomas: "How could I not? I’ll say this—she’s the prettiest one in the room. She has her mother and sister to compete with, but she’s the only one who has my eyes."

  (Shoshana blushes and smiles.)

  Tamar: "Mom, you didn’t tell me he was a charmer. And what are we going to do about that name of his?"

  Thomas: "What’s wrong with my name? It’s a family name on both my mom’s and dad’s sides."

  Iona: "Don’t take her too seriously. It’s just that all the names in our family are clearly Jewish. This is her way of saying it’s nice to have you with us."

  David (looking at Iona and Tamar): "Looks like you two will have your hands full this weekend."

  (Iona and Tamar exchange a playful, exasperated look.)

  David (turning to Shoshana): "I thought I heard you two were defining rules on appropriate levels of affection between you and Thomas."

  David: "I’m just reporting what I heard. So, what was it?"

  Shoshana: "I think we agreed that we could get away with holding hands and sitting next to each other—we’ve already done that once. There are still some questions about hugging and kissing."

  (Suddenly, Sholomoh speaks, surprising everyone—they hadn’t noticed when he arrived.)

  Sholomoh: "I think it’s good that we’re having this conversation—but let’s continue it later. It’s almost time to go in."

  Sholomoh (to Thomas): "I know this is completely new for you, so just take it all in. You have a guide right next to you—if you have any questions, ask Iona. Iona, please stay close to Thomas so that if he has any questions, you can answer them and put your rabbinic education to good use. Shoshana, you sit next to Thomas on the other side, with Tamar beside you."

  (The family began to move toward the main hall to be seated.)

  Iona (leaning close to Thomas): "I thought you would have asked a few more questions. Are you sure you are alright? You seem to zone out there for a little bit."

  Thomas (quietly): "I really do not like being surrounded."

  Iona: "Oh, you should see Shoshana sometimes. There are times she gets too much stimulation, too. But that is fine. If you need a break, we can always go back up to the room where you won't be sort of dead by people. It also will allow you to ask questions without worrying about disturbing people."

  Thomas: "Quick question: what did it take to become a rabbi?"

  Iona: "Unfortunately, that is not a quick question. I actually have a degree in psychology. I wanted to make sure that I could counsel people in more than just on Talmudic Law."

  Thomas: "Talmudic law. How does that differ from biblical law?"

  Iona: "Let me get a book out of my bag."

  He goes digging through his suitcase and pulls out a booklet.

  Iona: "No, that is not the Talmud; that is just part of a section of the Talmud. But it is portable. I was only planning on being here for a week."

  Thomas: "So, what is it?"

  Iona: "I guess the closest way to describe it would be a bunch of people—religious lawyers—arguing over religious law for close to six hundred years."

  Thomas: "That sounds interesting. But I do not understand how that is applied to religious life."

  Iona: "Do not feel too bad. There are people raised Jewish who have the same question."

  Thomas: "Can I ask you a question?"

  Iona: "Go ahead."

  Thomas: "Why does everyone start to laugh when I say I do not know enough to ask?"

  Iona: "Let me ask: They keep saying you will understand in the spring?"

  Thomas: "Yes, but why spring?"

  Iona: "I will see if I can get down here with my wife."

  Thomas: "You should not have left your wife for me."

  Iona: "I would have brought her, but she is creating a new generation. Her mother was more than happy to have her for The Days of Awe. Plus, I know you have been told this, but you are the first guy to really catch my sister's eye. I wanted to meet the goy who could do that."

  Thomas: "She is pretty."

  Iona: "How many girls have you liked? I am betting just a handful."

  Thomas: "How do you know?"

  Iona: "I will describe that later. I am here to get to know you better. But I use my degree and experience to figure you out. I imagine that they have you doing studying on Shabbat. So, did you pack a book, or would you like to study with me?"

  Thomas: "I have my religious books, but I forgot to bring Summa Theologica."

  Iona: "Hey, show me your medallion."

  Thomas pulls out the medallion he got from the SBSO.

  Iona: "Do you know what it says?"

  Thomas: "I think I have an idea, but I cannot read it."

  Iona: "It is Hebrew, which translates to something like 'Heart of Service'."

  Thomas: "I can see why they chose that."

  Iona: "Avodah covers many types of service. Even prayer and study can be considered a type of service. I would find it a big service to me if you could be my study partner for the week."

  Thomas: "I do not know how much help I can be. But I am more than willing to listen and discuss with you whatever you are studying."