Chapter Text
The first thing Alox says when he comes over with a sleepy Nell isn’t Shabbat Shalom as would be tradition or even hello was would be expected but rather “what happened to your kippah?”
The kippah had been Alox’s first before he outgrew it. A simple blue with white thread at the edges, worn texture from years of use, and treasured by Holland.
Holland shrugs, trying to pretend everything is normal as he sets the table. “Lost it.”
True enough if he pretends ‘lost’ is close enough to ‘taken by neighborhood kid’.
Because older boys see a child with a weird hat and see a target for mischief. Because Holland is small and quiet and unlikely to fight back even when he should. Because even though he’s local, he isn’t the right kind of local.
Because only boys wear kippahs and sometimes people assume he doesn’t count.
Alox narrows his eyes before settling Nell, quietly grumpy from waking after a nap, in her seat. “Which kid took it and where can I find them?”
“You aren’t supposed to pick fights on Shabbat,” he mumbles, making sure the candles and challah are in their proper places.
“Only for the next twenty-four hours.” Alox takes a seat, letting the matter go for now.
Work and troubles are meant to be left at the door on the day of rest. None of those worries should reach Holland in this quiet sanctuary.
Their mother is nearly late, getting home just as the sun sets. Her eyes are tired; they’re always tired these days. It’s optimistic to hope this day of rest is enough to bring things back to normal.
Holland’s hands rest over his eyes as Alox stumbles his way through the candle blessing, a familiar cadence as he’s not quite mastered the pronunciation. Holland has memorized all the words, even if he freezes when expected to recite them.
Then the blessing of the cups of wine (or rather grape juice), then the tearing of warm bread, and then finally they can eat.
All familiar, all comforting.