you deserve it. she wonders if he says that because she said it earlier —- if he did, it made her happy to know he was actually paying attention to her, and remembering their conversations. hodel glances down at the cake in her hand, smile still remaining as she brings it up to her mouth and takes another bite. ❛ it really is delicious. i will have to see if my mother has any recipes like this. it won’t be the same, i’m sure —- but at least i will be able to share it with my family. ❜
she takes a moment —- just one —- to glance down at the spread in front of her. bread and butter and mendel’s dessert —- it was a sight to behod, truly, and one any person in the village would be jealous of. how lucky she felt to be here with him, and that he seemed to want to be with her as well ! ❛ thank you for meeting with me today. i like talking to you. ❜
he almost offers to give her the exact recipe -- he knows it very well, almost my heart -- but then he remembers the very reason he brought it. kosher chocolate isn’t afforded by a milkman’s family, as evidenced by the bread && butter she’s brought (which, while delicious, is very indicative). the recipe would be of no use.
&& in any case... surely, his knowing of the recipe wouldn’t bode well for his reputation. men don’t cook.
“if i- if we manage-- my father && i, that is, to find the ingredients again, i’d love to share some with your family.” then, on accursed impulse, pushing the box in her direction: “why don’t you-- um. take the rest home with you ?? we couldn’t eat it by ourselves. the rabbi-- he- he has little appetite nowadays, && it dries quickly...”
her words tug a nervous smile onto his lips, && his eyes flicker down. in a somewhat odd motion, he scratches the back of his neck (then does the same to the other side, to make sure of symmetry).
“i should be thanking you, hodel. i’m sure you’re a busy girl, with little spare time, but you’re spending it with me.”