Was this my perky daughter and her exuberant chassan? What was happening between them? Was everything okay?

Devora: I’m willing to do everything possible to help my daughter. Why won’t you share what’s going on?

Ayala: My primary obligation is to your daughter — and right now that means respecting her privacy.

Devora

Miri wasn’t answering her phone. Again.

Calm down, I told myself. It’s probably nothing. She’d only been married a few weeks, after all, and I knew only too well what the all-encompassing intensity of shanah rishonah could be like.

But still, something felt a little… off. Miri was my oldest daughter and we were pretty close. I would’ve expected her to call me back within a day or two, or at least send a quick text. I’d invited the couple for Shabbos, but it was already Thursday and I hadn’t heard back from them. Miri was a bubbly social butterfly, and she loved schmoozing on the phone. What was going on?

Navigating a new marriage isn’t easy. Give her space, I told myself, but I couldn’t help but worry a little. Was Miri okay? Was anything wrong?

On Friday, Miri finally texted that they’d be coming for Shabbos, sorry she forgot to reply earlier. Oookay. I threw together a couple of extra side dishes — luckily I’d prepared a roast in addition to the chicken, on the chance that the couple would be joining us — and asked my younger daughter Estee to run and buy some more desserts. Preparing the guest room at the last minute was a little inconvenient, but honestly, I was just relieved she’d be coming, and I would get to see her for myself, check if everything looked okay.

M

iri and Shmuli arrived a half hour before Shabbos. Miri looked picture-perfect in her Shabbos sheva brachos dress and flawless makeup, kallah jewelery sparkling. But something looked… a little off. Had she lost weight?

“Come inside, come take something to eat,” I said, trying to mask my worry as I passed out plates of kugel and cake.

Miri thanked me quietly and Shmuli gave a half-hearted nod. They both perked up after eating something; I guess fresh kugel will do that to anyone. But… was this my perky daughter and her exuberant chassan? What was happening between them? Was everything okay?