AN: Hello. So minor change.
I found that the Holocaust actually ended in 1945, so I needed to push the time up a bit to match where I wanted the story to go.
Winter came and it was the first time that New York was beginning to feel like home to Farkle. The weather felt normal and welcoming even as his fingers nearly caught frostbite. He settled into his school life. Farkle made exemplary grades and he even joined the Astronomer's club, to be more social. That was Riley's idea. He attempted his hand at athletics, much to Charlie's persuasion but after landing on his back in every different sport, he decided it wasn't for him. Maybe he'd never be an athlete but it didn't matter to the closest people in his life, the Matthews.
Farkle still felt a little awkward sometimes but he adored living the Matthews' family. The feeling was mutual. Topanga appreciated how helpful he was and kind. Auggie and Farkle became best friends, as neither of them was used to having a brother. He was grateful of Cory and a confidant to Riley. Topanga wouldn't force him to crash Riley's dates anymore because he became a part of the gang. Maya and Lucas liked him well enough. Charlie thought he was odd but harmless. So, he didn't mind that he lived with Riley or when Riley would go to see him when he was working at her mother's restaurant. It would usually be after cheerleader practice or watching Charlie at one of his games.
The door bell jingled and Riley shook out her cap of fresh snow. "Hello, Katy!"
"Hiya, kid! Hold on, let me get your partner in crime. Farkle!" She turned to yell as the boy was washing dishes in the back. "Break time!"
"I am almost finished washing, Miss Hart!"
"Farkle Minkus, you put down those dishes right now or I will drag you out here by your pretty, little ears, you hear me?" He could definitely tell the resemblance between Katy and her daughter. Farkle met Riley in their own booth as Katy cooked up her specialty tuna melts. Riley just liked a pop with hers, meanwhile Farkle enjoyed his main course, home fries and a bowl of french onion soup. Thanksgiving was a real treat for him.
Farkle was washing down a cherry soda, while watching Riley struggle with some math problems. She had already asked him questions and he answered them to her satisfaction, so she claimed. Seeing her distress, he wanted nothing more than to help her. Besides, he finished his homework almost 15 minutes ago.
"Riley?" He said carefully.
Her brown eyes peered up at him the same way, "Yes, Farkle?"
"Are you sure you do not need more explaining?"
"Yes." Her thick eyebrows knotted in concentration.
"I would not mind doing it for you."
Riley snapped, "I don't want you to do it for me, Farkle." Seeing him shrink, she softened. "I'm sorry, Farkle. I'm just jealous at how easy this is for you. I know you want to help me but I have to learn this. I mean, I suppose I do."
"You suppose?"
"Girls don't go to college to get careers; they go to college to get married. My mom did it, Maya is planning on it. I probably will too." She sighed.
"Well... is that what you want?"
Riley tilted her head, as if she didn't understand the question. She was hearing it for the first time. "It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I mean, I do care about Charlie and really like him. He comes from a good family and he treats me all right. He wants us to go to Cornell and be married. Then, I'll... have kids and just live life as Mrs. Gardner." She bowed her head and played with her food.
Farkle thoughtfully bit his lip, "But... that is not what you want, is it?"
Riley made a rueful smile, "Not completely. I want my own life. I - " She brought her voice to a whisper, like she was telling a secret. "I've always wanted to be a writer, you know? I want to go to New York University." She dreamed of crafting the next great american story on her type writer, with a cup of coffee and maybe even a cigarette in an ashtray. Beside her would be a bookshelf of all her favorite people, Jane Eyre, Huckleberry Finn and Ethan Frome.
"Well, why not do that?"
She was refreshed yet frustrated by his ignorance. "Because, of all the things I just said Farkle. I don't have many choices. Besides, I don't think I'm any good." Maya's seen her stories and said they were good but she seemed slightly confused by them. Once, Charlie read some of her work over her shoulder and he laughed. After seeing her face, he apologized later but Riley never forgot it.
Farkle puckered his lips before asking, "May I... read your work, sometime? I... I may not understand everything but... I like to read. I'd like to read your stories, Riley."
She cracked a grin but took it back, "I don't know. You may not like them. I wouldn't want you to waste your time."
"Reading your thoughts could never be a waste of my time, Riley. Please, I would love to read your writing But only if you are willing."
Farkle's honest eyes made Riley bring down her guard and grab her notebook. "OK, but remember: it's a work in progress! And, when you're done you have to be completely honest with me! Don't worry about my feelings. Honesty always, OK Farkle?"
He took the book with a great, big and excited smile, "Always."
Farkle convinced Riley. He gave her short stories good reviews and constructive criticism, then said he thought they're certainly good enough to apply to NYU with. His encouragement was all that she needed to send in her application. Farkle said it wouldn't hurt to try and even though Riley knew that was false, she trusted his instincts and intelligence. This thrilled Riley, but she had to wonder if he was just being kind and a bit naive. After all, this was the same boy who thought Lucas brandished a real gun upon learning he was from Texas and he didn't even know what Christmas was.
"WHADDYA MEAN YOU DON'T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?" Andy Dixon's light brown eyes burned at Farkle's question. The red-headed juggernaut of a being gave him a laser stare across the lunch table. Captain of all sports teams except baseball (Lucas creamed him), Andy snarled at the new kid and almost foamed at the mouth. He didn't like him. He was a wimpy, wise-guy and he spent too much time with his best friend's girl. He wasn't to be trusted. "Well?!"
Curiously, Maya, Lucas and Charlie waited for Farkle's answer. He didn't even mean to bring it up; they were all talking about some the worst gifts they've received from their families and Farkle said he couldn't relate. Riley didn't know what to say or how to help. Farkle gulped, trying to recreate a believable backstory in his head. Then, he thought of how he considered them to be his friends. Well, at least Maya and Lucas. Charlie was nice enough towards him, he felt. Andy always looked at him as if he belonged on the back of his size 14 shoe.
"We... my family doesn't celebrate it. It's not - it's not our way." Farkle managed.
"The american way isn't your way?" Andy continued to interrogate.
"C'mon Andy, why don't you lay off?" Lucas defended him and got a hand in his face. Farkle's eyes traveled downwards.
"What are you?"
Gradually, Farkle's blue pupils met Andy's, looking straight into his eyes almost menacingly. "I'm Jewish."
There was silence at their table. Instead of studying everybody's reactions, Farkle just glanced at Riley. She was nervous, biting the side of her lip but there was the making of a smile at the corners.
"Jewish? Wow." Lucas whispered.
"Huh." Charlie said.
Farkle told the rest of his story, "I'm not american; I'm from Germany. I arrived to New York in the summertime. The Matthews' family was generous enough to take my father and I into their home."
"Wow." Lucas repeated, after awhile.
"So, that explains all the strange things about you." Charlie concluded with a smirk.
Farkle narrowed his eyes and replied, "I suppose so, Charlie."
"Well, heck, everyone's from somewhere else right? Who cares?" Maya made a bright grin and Riley returned it, grateful. "You're one of us, Farkle. None of that matters."
"Right. All that matters is that you're a good person, Farkle. And you are, so, it's OK." Lucas agreed. Andy and Charlie shared a glance at each other but said nothing. Underneath the table, Riley was holding Farkle's hand the whole time.
"Hey, Schmarkle?" Auggie said, holding a bowl of popcorn. Riley was threading the pieces with extra cranberry and beads. Farkle was helping decorate the tree from top to bottom. He took the custom tinsel wrapped it around the tip of the tree because he was the only one who could reach.
"Yes, Schmauggie?" Farkle answered him and Riley giggled at their silly nicknames for each other.
"Where's your mom?" Riley paused and slapped her little brother upside the head. "Ouch! I'm telling mommy, poodle!"
"And I'll tell mommy you were being rude, greaseball!" Riley retorted.
"Riley, it's all right." Farkle told her. Then, he returned to hanging up silver and gold ornaments. "Truthfully, Auggie, I don't know but I think she's an angel now."
"What happened?" He asked.
"Well, before coming to America, my father and I got separated from her."
Auggie frowned, "You must miss her a lot."
"Everyday." Farkle gave a heartbreaking smile.
"Well, she's in Heaven now, right?! So, she's being taken care of. She's all right, Farkle. Don't worry." Auggie comforted.
"I won't, Auggie. Thank you." Then, they both her the subtle sniffles coming from the girl in the middle of them. Riley's brown waves hid her face as she wiped her tears.
"Aw, what're ya cryin' for, Riley?" Auggie chastised her.
Later that night, Riley couldn't sleep. She kept trying to imagine Farkle's life before the bad things that happened. She saw a happy and smart boy, with a mother and father who loved each other. He was safe and secure, without any true cares. In the blink of an eye, it all changed. The stability, the security, his mother - gone. How was he coping? How could anybody? Here she was, with her future pretty much ready and waiting, and she despised it. Meanwhile, Farkle has to start from scratch. Riley thought he had options and the world at his feet now, but everything was still so new. He had all this freedom that he had no clue what to do with or how to use. It was all so unfair.
There were creaks coming from down the hall and the faint sound of a lullaby. Farkle was singing again. Usually, Riley would ignore it because it sounded pretty but this time, she crept to the attic to knock on his door. The singing stopped and was replaced by his footsteps. Riley thought her heart had stopped beating. The door opened and Farkle was in his pajamas.
He closed the thick book in one hand and fiddled with his glasses, "Hello, Riley. I am sorry if I am disturbing you - "
"No, no. I just... I was just wondering, Farkle... do you actually believe in Heaven? I mean, is there a Heaven in Judaism?"
Farkle seemed taken aback but then replied, "Yes and no. I mean, honestly Judaism does not focus very much on the after-life but we do believe the soul to be immortal."
"But you told Auggie - "
"I wanted to explain it to him in a way he would understand. Also, it is a nice thought."
In the dull light of his room, gold reflected in Riley doe eyes. "Farkle, what are you always singing?"
"Singing?"
"Every night, you sing this song. You were doing it just now."
"Oh, I was praying." He bashfully blushed. "I'm sorry you heard it."
"No, it sounds beautiful. Actually, I was wondering if you would mind that I... watch? And learn?" Farkle's eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked - "
"No, no, Riley! I... I would love to teach you."
"You mean it?"
"Of course. Please, come in."
Farkle took a rest from his normal prayer choreography to sit next to Riley. She followed his finger over the Hebrew that he barely understood himself. She even tried to mimic the sounds and tones of his voice, making for a duet that went on until the last star in the sky disappeared.