Anita 6

After school, weather being nice, Lily suggests we sit on Ogden Point Breakwater. We watch the ocean, chat. I decline to bore you with dialogue, just a summation of overall feeling.
As I listen to her, I realize we are vital to each other. She needs to see a little more insouciant attitude to life just as badly as I need to know more about Earthlingism.
Twenty years from now, we'll look back, realize we were a big influence on each other.
As we part company for the day, I realize I've become closer to her than any friends back home, where ultra superficial was the norm.
Of course I keep the two library books hidden away; don't wanna give Mum strange ideas.
As I read that evening I understand the author she selected. Lily doesn't want to scare me away with characters that are too Jewish, just get my feet wet.
As we walk to school next day, I speak of the first half of the book. She handles it quietly, just interjecting the odd comment to help out.
The boy Chad shows with purple spiky hair and a neon green track suit. We ignore him.
Next day, it's a silver track suit and he boldly follows us around.
Lily touches my arm, I stop, she takes out the book I will return to the library, turns to face Chad, "look at this, now what does it tell you?"
I see the wheels turning, but he's not getting traction.
Patiently Lily continues, "you saw us at lunch two days now. What did she do with the food?"
Flood of comprehension, "gave you the ham."
"Don't you think Chad, a nice Jewish girl and you would be a poor match?"
He blushes, "I'm real sorry Anita, yes I am. I would never clown around, knowing you're religious."
I decide to be gracious, "Chad, there's plenty of girls looking. If you say clowned a bit less, you wouldn't scare them off."
"Thank you so much Anita, I'll try that."
It works rapidly. Friday afternoon, we're in the washroom, at the row of sinks.
Nervously a nearby girl says, "ah Anita, ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Well ah, that is I saw how you fight, be deathly afraid of offending you. So, is it really true, you and Chad aren't an item?"
Easy smile, "it is true; I have no property rights."
"Thank you so much, well nice talking, gotta run."
As we exit we see the pair headed to the convenience store across the street.
Lily grins, "ever think that clown would find someone?"
I laugh, "not in a blue moon, but he does look different done up neat."
"So," she grins, "they say nice weather tomorrow. So we could walk around in the morning, lunch at my house, TV in the afternoon."
"Sounds wonderful."
"And don't let my Dad scare you off. He's nowhere near as Jewish as he lets on."
We agree on a pre-arranged signal. Any time Dad is overacting, Lily will wink or failing that, kick me gently under the table.
And so, I start to get a practised eye, see the games Earthlings play.
By now, I'm less judgmental, know Judaism is only partly religion, but partly way of life and partly social group. In any grouping, either back home or here, there will be those who take things seriously and those who only pretend.
Seen in this fashion, her Dad is like a lab exhibit. And as Lily points out, may as well learn to spot em earlier than later.
As we file in Monday morning, we are greeted by a huge stack of library books on teacher's desk.
"Originally we planned to just give you titles. Realized that's unfair, someone else could have checked out the book or some other teacher assigned the same one. Only fair way, everyone gets a book in hand. No swapping, I have a list."
I sense 30 inward groans.
"Now the whole purpose is not just to read willy nilly, any fool can do that. It's to get you a learning experience too. Now as you notice who gets which book, you'll suspect there is a pattern. To save the time of arguing it out, I'll give it to you.
"Everyone here fits neatly into one of two groups. There are those over identified with culture of origin, relatively unconnected to mainline Canada. For these, a book to help you better understand the mainstream.
"Then there are those somewhat or totally disconnected from culture of origin. For these, a book to help you reconnect, at least some.
"There will be no arguing, you get what you get. When I call your name, come up front."
I'm unsurprised to see Lily get a mainline book.
I can't believe my eyes as teacher hands me a Judy Blume book, the first one I read.
As I sit, I ponder. What are the mathematical odds of that? Slim.
So maybe, just maybe, the Earthling Fates (I'd hate to use the word god or gods) like me. A little anyhow.
As teacher drones on about some math nonsense, I have time to ponder.
By now I'm getting worried. So far, in my relationship with Lily, it's been me taking all along. Meaning if I don't find some way to pay back, at least some, things could get rocky.
As Lily is called to the board to do a problem, I snap out of my reverie.
No question, she looks lame at it. Teacher's face conveys the sense of first time seeing this.
Now to apply logic, teacher is likely nanoseconds away from realizing the lion's share of the answers in Lily's book came from mine.
I ponder the likely effect of offering help. I'm afraid too, unsure of Earthling mores, I could insult her dignity quite by accident.
So I pull a trick from back home. Rhythmic thought patterns, telling her she needs help.