Ten

Tell us what’s happening at the Fair” became the standard request when Leo came to dinner on Thursdays. Rifke had learned to delay serving the soup until he had answered.

“I worked on the State of Florida’s exhibit for two days. Do you know where Florida is?”

“It’s south,” Sarah said, “and looks like a leg sticking out into the ocean.”

“Right, Sarah. It’s warm there and they grow delicious oranges. I helped build a tower ten feet high for the Florida exhibit. We filled the spaces in the tower with a thousand oranges!”

“Can you take one to eat?” Sammy asked.

“Here is food you can eat,” Rifke said, bringing a bowl of cabbage borscht to the table. “Everyone sit down.”

Leo savored his first spoonful. “Hmmmm, Rifke, this borscht should be part of the Russian exhibit.”

“I’ll give you a jar of borscht to take home, Leo, even without the compliment.”

Jacob passed the plate of challah to Leo. “Maybe with the compliment, he hopes to get two jars.”

“I have news for Mister Sam.” Leo’s eyebrows flew up and his eyes widened. “Hull House is opening a public playground. The first one in the city! It will have swings and monkey bars and—”

“Is this one of your made-up stories?” Fanny demanded.

“Leo? Make up stories? The grand opening is on the same day the World’s Fair opens. May first. The happy month of birds and flowers.”

“And romance,” Fanny said. “You should take a girlfriend to the Fair, Leo.”

“I know some very nice young women—”

Leo interrupted Rifke. “Why, tell me, do I need a girlfriend with three such beauty queens right here?” Leo put his arm around Rifke, and reached for Sarah and Fanny.

And so the evening went. They all slept very well that night.