After Fiddler Part 9
Golde glanced over at Tevye as she put her head veil on. He had been terribly sick for the past week. She couldn't let him go to work that day. She carefully walked out of the bedroom, grabbing her shawl as she went.
The cold wind whipped Golde's face as she walked up the road. She could see the Irish family's house, it was just up the hill. With every step she felt colder. Golde wrapped her shawl tighter around her. It reminded her of the day they had to leave Anatevka.
Golde knocked on the door of the house. It was larger than Abrum's! after a few moments a woman came to the door, she was finely dressed, in velvets and silks.
"How may I help you?" she asked, pleasantly smiling. She had a very thick Irish accent.
"I'm Tevye's wife," said Golde hesitantly had she gone to the right house?
"Oh of course, come in" said the woman stepping aside allowing Golde to pass. "So why're you here?" she asked
"Well," started Golde "Tevye is feeling very ill. I came to tell you or whoever he works for that he couldn't come today."
"That would be my husband." said the woman. "I'm Morgan by the way." she said, nodding to Golde
"I'm Golde." she replied smiling, though still feeling fairly uncomfortable.
"Well, come into the parlor and have a cup of tea. As long as there's no rush." the woman said, gesturing to a door down the hall. Golde shyly nodded and the Morgan lead her to the parlor. It was quite grand. The walls were white with gold, painted vines.
"So," said Morgan pouring a cup of tea for Golde and herself " how long have you 'and your family been here?"
"Almost a month now." said Golde wringing her hands nervously
"I see, where'd you come from?" asked Morgan curiously, sitting down and sipping her tea.
"Anatevka, Russia"
"So I'm guessin' your related to Mr. Abrum some how." said Morgan
"He's my brother." said Golde playing with her wedding band
"We always invite him to our Christmas ball but be always turns us down." said Morgan beginning to drift off subject.
"We're Jewish." said Golde confused
"Aye but you have your big holiday then so it's in the spirit of the season." Golde shrugged, looking at the floor.
"Perhaps you and your 'usband would like to come this year." said Morgan smiling and reaching across the table to touch Golde's hand
"I don't know…"
"Please?" said Morgan pouting at Golde
"Well-"
"Good. It's on the eve of Christmas. It's fairly formal so don' be afraid to dress up a bit. Perhaps you can even get that grouch of a brother of yours to come to and bring your family." said Morgan.
Golde nervously smiled. "I should be going. My daughters will be wondering where I went." said Golde standing, Morgan nodded.
" Have a good day then and tell Tevye to get well soon."
"I will. Said Golde smiling and opening the door.
Tevye was extremely angry with Golde. He knew he wasn't fit to go to work but they needed the money. The sooner they got away from Abrum the better. Plus Golde kept speaking of this Christmas ball that they were to attend. What happened when she had gone over to the McGee's?
Golde finished ironing her Sabbath gown. The ball was that night. Abrum had refused to go, but everyone else was extremely excited. Shprintze and Bielke were already dressed in their best dresses. Chava and Fyedka would be meeting the rest of the family there. Yente was staying with Abrum.
Golde looked out the window. They were told to be there near sundown and it was almost sunset. Golde finished ironing and went to her room with her dress. She quickly put it on and put her hair up in a tight bun. She was just pulling her pearl necklace out of a drawer when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" she said quietly.
Tevye entered. He was also wearing his Sabbath wear.
"Are you almost ready?" he asked her
"I was just putting on my pearls." she said smiling.
Tevye walked over and took them from her.
"Allow me." he said holding them up.
Golde turned around and Tevye brought the pearls over her head and fastened them behind her neck.
"Thank you Tevye." she said, turning around and smiling at him.
They both exited the room arm in arm.
