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ZIGGURAT
“This is Dan Feinman,” Sam gestured.
“Nice to meet you,” Dan said. He waved.
“Hi Dan, nice to meet you, too,” she said, and crossed to shake his hand.
About halfway across the room, she changed her mind, instead perching
her idle hands on the back of the couch. She stood there, familiarly close,
for a moment. Her eyes were under-circled by big cups and capped with
long black lashes.
Sam smiled at them from the entryway. He raised his eyes at Dan. Dan
looked back at Batya, who was now intently studying the back of the
couch, pinching the fabric with her fingernails.
“I’ll just run and tell Sarah you’re here,” Sam said, and left, winking at Dan
as he went.
“So you know Sarah from yeshiva,” Dan started.
“Yes, she’s great, isn’t she” Batya smiled at the mention of Sarah, her
mouth closed, her lips pursed together.
“Mm, she’s a nut” he agreed. She laughed, a careless laugh like toys
clinking into a basket.
“A very sweet nut. She tells me you’re a journalist. Is that right”
“Yeah, at least, I’m studying to be one.”
“Oh, I’m a journalist myself. A photographer for the Herald.”
“Are you How’s that” There was something about her hair, the shape
of the waves.
“I enjoy it, but hopefully I won’t have to work forever.” She smiled shyly,
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