Chapter 10
The night air was chilly, yet the breeze was edged in a softness that suggested the warmth of impending summer as Rachel and Noah walked toward Rachel's apartment. "Have you eaten, Noah?" Rachel inquired. "You worked so hard; you must be starving."
"Why, would you like to stop and get a bite?" he suggested.
"I would, but I'd like to uncrate Maisie. She's been locked up most of today."
"Does she need a walk?" he asked.
"No, Larry took care of that for me," Rachel confirmed. "Why don't I make us a little something?" she offered.
Although the tone in her voice suggested nothing more than a snack, Noah realized that the situation had the potential to carry over into other, more adult activities. Granted, he was all for that to occur, but he decided to take his cues from Rachel rather than risk the best (and first) real relationship he had ever enjoyed. "That sounds great, Rachel, thank you!" he appreciatively accepted her offer. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well…it's a little late for a big meal…maybe breakfast?" she mused. "I could make pancakes, or I have a waffle iron or…I know; how about fried matzoh?" she asked with a smile.
"You know how to make matzoh brei?" he asked excitedly.
"Of course, Noah," she responded, "you seem surprised."
"My Nana used to make that for me when I was a kid," he explained.
"Well, then, I hope I can do it justice," she gently teased him, "after all, nothing tastes as good as when your Nana makes it."
Once they had entered Rachel's apartment and closed the door, before she had a chance to let the dog out, Noah embraced her, arms encircling her waist, and kissed her; Rachel responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss with equal fervor. Before things could become too heated, Rachel gently extricated herself, reminding him with a shy smile, "Noah, I have to let Maisie out." He came with her, his arm returning to her waist, somehow needing the reassurance of physical contact. He released her momentarily as she squatted down to unlatch the crate, allowing the dog full run of the apartment. She greeted Rachel and Noah briefly, then trotted over to her bed in the living room, where she settled herself, sighed contentedly, and drifted back to sleep.
"A dog's life," Noah rhetorically commented with a thoughtful smile.
"Well, the first few years were pretty harsh," Rachel reminded him, "but she has a good life now."
"Now, where were we…" he mused, pulling Rachel close and kissing her tenderly. Rachel sighed into the kiss and smiled as she parted her lips, allowing the kiss to mutually deepen.
Still standing when they broke apart for air, Rachel demurely inquired "Aren't you hungry, Noah?"
He eyed her lasciviously, eyes darkened with desire, and answered, "Only for you, Baby," pushing a tendril of hair behind her ear that had fallen forward during their passionate embrace.
"Well," Rachel paused, looking coyly up at Noah and smiling slyly, "I suppose we can eat later."
"Are ya' sure, Rachel?" Noah asked. Rachel nodded in reply, a delicate blush forming on her cheeks. He picked Rachel up , slinging her over his shoulder once again. This time, she broke out in laughter.
"Noah, what the heck are you doing?" she asked, greatly humored by his antics.
"After all, this is how we first met…" he explained.
"OK; works for me," Rachel concurred with a giggle. "Bedroom's to your right…"
Upon entering the room, Noah deposited Rachel gently on the bed. He sat down next to her and took her hands in his. He began tentatively: "Rachel, I could feed you a lot 'a lines right now; hell, I could probably write a book." Rachel's eyes were shining as she gazed adoringly at the man who had been a stranger not two weeks prior. He continued: "Truth is, I've never felt this way before…" Rachel's unshed tears began to silently roll down her cheeks. Noah stopped and wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs. Rachel expressive eyes reflected deep affection and unmitigated lust as her gaze locked with Noah's. As if pulled by a magnetic force, their lips met. One kiss quickly followed another, each with increasing intensity. Buttons were undone, zippers unzipped, and garments removed…and, as passion escalated, words became unnecessary...
The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, rousing Noah from his contented, albeit brief slumber. Rachel's head rested on his shoulder, her right hand on his chest over his heart. His arms encircled her small frame and their legs were intertwined. The man who never spent the night with a woman had made a quick 180, realizing that he wanted to fill all his nights with Rachel. He kissed her softly on the forehead, and her eyes opened slightly, adjusting to the light. She looked up at him, smiled dreamily, and snuggled in closer, attempting to sleep in a little longer.
"Mornin', sleepyhead," he whispered.
"Is it morning already?" she asked, eyes barely adjusted to the light.
"Yeah," he admitted, "almost time to wake up."
"I'm so comfy; can't we stay here all day?" she coyly suggested. He moved his hands to smooth down her bed-strewn hair.
"I'd love nothing more," he averred, "but we both have to work today. Gotta eat, ya' know, pay the bills and all…"
"I suppose," she sighed dejectedly, attempting to move as Noah's arms retained her. "Noah, if you'll release me, I'll make breakfast," she coyly offered.
"Shower first, then breakfast?" he asked hopefully.
"That sounds lovely," she accepted.
Noah released his gentle grasp and he and Rachel disentangled themselves from each other, Rachel being the first to sit up. She modestly covered her bare chest with her arms. Noah joined her, sitting on the side of the bed, and drew her close again. "Rach, you're so beautiful; please don't be embarrassed around me," he tenderly persuaded. She leaned against him, each taking comfort in the close proximity of the other.
"Thank you, Noah," she replied, accepting the compliment as well as his reassurance.
"Come, then," she encouraged, "let's take a shower, and then I'll make you that fried matzoh I promised." He grinned broadly at the prospect and stood up, reaching toward her, not only to help her up but also to reinforce the physical connection they had attained (and his overwhelming desire to touch her, even in some small way). He grabbed his clothes from the night before and she pulled out something comfortable from her dresser. Before they exited the bedroom, she gently reminded him "Condom, Noah." He smiled again at the prospect of further intimacy with Rachel and made sure he was duly armed with protection before they made their way toward the bathroom.
When Rachel and Noah emerged, hand-in-hand, Maisie was at the bathroom door to greet them. "I'll need to take her for a walk, first," Rachel advised.
"I'll go with you," Noah confirmed.
Rachel quickly gathered her dog-walk necessities (sunglasses, keys, poop bags, etc.), latched the dog to her leash, and she and Noah, with Maisie in tow, left for their brief morning constitutional. While the dog searched for her perfect toilet du jour, the humans engaged in conversation.
"Noah, the band was fantastic last night," Rachel complimented. "You all could be full-time musicians."
"Thanks, Rachel," he replied appreciatively. "When I was a kid, I dreamed about the 'Rock n' Roll' lifestyle; by the time I got to NYU, I realized that it wasn't for me…on the road nonstop, surrounded by a bunch of sycophants…" He chuckled when he saw the incredulous look on Rachel's face. "Hey, I'm working on my Master's, I know what that means!" he teasingly defended himself. "Bottom line, I'm more a behind-the-scenes kind of guy who stays put than a front man with no roots." Satisfied with his explanation, he wrapped his arm around Rachel's waist and pulled her closely while they watched Maisie complete her morning "business".
"Are ya' sorry that I'm not a big star, Rach?" he queried.
"Heavens, no!" she quickly responded. "I was just blown away by your talent…everybody's talent."
"Thanks, Rach. Coming from you, that means a lot," he confirmed. "Arranging and composing, writing music; that's really more for me," he confided. "Performing's just for fun."
"If I hear of anything, I'll let you know," she offered. "In the theater, there are some people who write the songs but can't orchestrate for the life of them. Today's workshop might blossom into tomorrow's blockbuster; you never really know."
"Thanks, Rachel, I'd appreciate that," he responded, and leaned in for a kiss, which she happily reciprocated.
As soon as they returned to the apartment, Rachel prepared breakfast first for Maisie. After she had been fed, Rachel washed her hands and began getting the kitchen ready for their meal. Noah entered, grabbing Rachel from behind and holding her closely, and planting a kiss on her cheek. "Anything I can do to help?" he asked hopefully.
"Sure," she replied with a smile, "there's some cantaloupe in the fridge that you can cut up, and you can set the table."
Rachel indicated where everything was, and as Noah did as he was requested. Rachel started the coffee maker, and then began to make the main course: she moistened the broken matzoh, mixed in the eggs, salted it, and started frying up the concoction. Soon the delicious aroma of matzoh brei filled the kitchen. "Oh, man, this smells like my Nana's kitchen," Noah happily commented, kissing her on the top of her head.
"It should be ready soon, Noah," Rachel advised. "Please sit down and help yourself to some fruit; I'll be there in a minute."
Noah filled small fruit bowls with the cut up melon for each of them. He took the freshly brewed coffee and placed it on a trivet on the table after pouring out two steaming mugs. Rachel arrived at the table, frying pan in hand, and served each of them some of the tasty mixture. Noah took a bite while Rachel looked on expectantly. His face broke out in a huge grin as he exclaimed "This is awesome, Rach! It tastes just like my Nana's."
Rachel smiled, modestly replying, "Thank you, Noah. My Bubbe taught me, so I guess she deserves some of the credit, too."
"Well, thanks to your Bubbe, and thank you, Baby!" Noah responded. "This is amazing!"
Although both of Rachel's fathers were good cooks, she was primarily taught by her Bubbe, who was the closest adult female role model in her life. When Rachel was learning how to cook, her Bubbe would say "Rocheleh, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach". Rachel smiled nostalgically at the memory, and, for the first time, actually hoped that it was true.
As they were enjoying breakfast, Noah's cell phone pinged, indicating he had received a text message. "Rach, do you mind if I look at this?" he asked.
"Of course not, Noah; please take it," she encouraged.
He looked at the cell phone and glanced up, saying "It's from Beth. She says 'Hey, BD!'…"
"BD?" Rachel interjected.
Noah chuckled, explaining "Yeah, 'BD' stands for 'Bio-Dad'; that's what she calls me. Anyway…'Sent email. No answer. Will be in NYC next wknd for show choir Nat'ls. Parents 2. Meet 4 dinner?' That'll be so cool, Rach!" he happily commented, before texting back "Sounds gr8! Pls email w details. Thx, BD"
"Noah, how many are in their group, do you think?" Rachel curiously inquired.
"I really don't know, but I can find out; probably no more than 20, including chaperones. Why do you ask?" he questioned her.
"I know I can't get that many free tickets, but I'm sure I can get a good discount for the Friday night performance, if you think they'd be interested," she explained.
"If you could swing that, I'm sure they'd love it. Thanks, Rachel!" he accepted. "I'll find out from Beth and let you know."
"I'm happy to do it, Noah," she replied graciously.
Breakfast completed and dishes washed, the time had come for Noah to take his leave, returning home to change into his uniform before going to work. They walked to the door, his arm around her shoulders and hers encircling his waist. Now facing each other, clutching as if holding on for dear life, they kissed passionately. "You're an amazing woman, Rachel," he commented earnestly, then whispering in her ear, "And you're all mine, now." Rachel turned beet red, burying her head in his chest, and smiling as if she had just heard the best secret ever.
"I'll pick you up after the show tonight," he advised her.
"Until tonight, then, Noah," she replied in a soft voice. She reached up, cupping his jaw gently with her right hand. They tenderly kissed once more, and then Noah reluctantly left, heading home to pursue more mundane activities.
Author's Note: "Bubbe" is Yiddish for grandmother.
Although I have a non-Jewish acquaintance who thought that frying "crackers" sounded extremely unappetizing, I can personally testify that matzoh brei (rhymes with "try") is actually delicious.
"Rochel" (guttural "ch") is Hebrew for "Rachel"; adding "leh" onto the end of a name makes it an endearment.