Work Text:
The early morning coolness after a heatwave felt like a miracle, Jezebel thought happily as she entered the local coffee shop, Brook’s Brew. She took a satisfying breath and inhaled all the aromas that made up this little haven.
The charming café smelled like fresh espresso, cinnamon, and something delicious baking. Soft jazz floated through the shop, mixing with the quiet hum of conversations and the clatter of mugs.
Jez spotted her little sister near the counter. Taller, like always, with her blonde curls pulled back loosely. She wore a lovely seafoam green shirt that brought out the light in her eyes and a pair of soft beige capris—perfect for the easy rhythm of summer days: casual, comfortable, and just right.
“Tals!” Jez called with a grin.
Talia turned, glasses slipping just a little on her nose. “You’re late,” she scolded. But the twinkle in her eyes made it clear she was just teasing.
Jez bumped her shoulder, smiling. “Three minutes, tops. That’s still within sister forgiveness.”
Talia smirked. “You’re lucky it’s Shabbat.”
“Yeah, yeah. You say that every week.”
Jez’s rose-red shirt caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, her small frame almost swallowed by her favorite periwinkle tote bag.
Their weekly ritual wasn’t anything fancy—just coffee, quiet, and a break from the world. An opportunity to check in, catch up, and maybe complain about work.
The sisters each got their favorite coffee. Jez ordered an iced coffee; Talia got a ristretto. They also grabbed some cinnamon bagel turkey sandwiches—one of the few things they agreed on.
They found a cozy back corner to enjoy their breakfast. After a few minutes, Jezebel asked politely, “Should you go first, or should I?”
Talia took a small sip of her ristretto and sighed with a little smile. “Summer’s a different kind of busy, you know? I’m working from home as a counselor now that the high school kids are on break, but I’m still juggling phone calls, planning for next semester, and trying to keep my sanity.”
She glanced over at her older sister. “David’s been busy too—the synagogue’s got some big events coming up, so he’s been running around endlessly. Between his schedule and my twin girls, the house feels like a circus most days.” She yawned, clearly drained.
Jez chuckled. “Speaking of twins—are they still driving you up the wall?”
“Oh, every day,” Talia said, recovering with a laugh. “At nine, they’ve got enough energy to power a small city and just enough sass to keep me on my toes. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Jez leaned forward, eyes twinkling. “How was date night, though? You and David?”
Talia’s smile softened. “We went to that new Italian place—Trattoria Fiore. It was cute. Not fancy or anything, but the food was delicious. We just needed a quiet night, you know? No school schedules, no Buttercup meetings, no synagogue talk. Just… us.”
Jez gave an exhausted but genuine smile. “Sounds lovely. I could use some of that slowing down myself.”
She took a sip of her iced coffee. “Work’s been a lot, like always. CPS is a 24/7 job that never takes a break—even in the summer. Jamie’s busy helping run the summer acting program at the community center. He’s loving it.”
She paused. “I think what makes him happiest is that it’s a safe space—for him and his boyfriend—to have fun, teach acceptance, and share their love of acting.”
Her brown eyes softened. “And Ruben’s gearing up for the big bake-off next month. That kid’s been practicing his cupcakes like it’s the Olympics.”
Talia nodded. “Sounds like your boys are keeping you busy too.”
“They are,” Jez said warmly. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Talia traced the rim of her coffee cup before asking, “Have you done any landscape photography recently? I know it’s a side gig to help you relax and stash money for the boys’ college funds. Still, don’t you ever get tired of all the drama events and just want to go chase a sunrise?”
Jez chuckled. “I’ve taken on all kinds of gigs lately. I did shoot some sunrises—they’re mostly for next year’s city calendar. So it’s not all wedding drama and school productions.”
She took another bite of her bagel sandwich before nodding at her sister. “What about you? How are things at the pottery studio? I know you teach ceramics on the side too. That’s your version of relaxing, right?”
Talia smiled into her cup. “The studio’s been good. Slower in the summer, but that’s honestly perfect. It gives me room to breathe and take on the pieces I want instead of rushing between school chaos.”
She picked at the edge of her bagel. “I’ve been teaching a beginner’s class on Saturday nights. Just a few folks who want to learn how to center clay without turning it into a disaster. It’s actually kind of peaceful—everyone’s focused, quiet. No one expecting me to fix their emotional lives.”
Jez laughed. “So, fewer breakdowns than your weekday job?”
“Exactly,” Talia said, grinning. “It’s my Sabbath reset, in a weird way. Slowing down. Making space.”
That opened the door.
Jez leaned back slightly, iced coffee in hand. “Do you ever think about how differently we do Shabbat now compared to when we were kids?”
Talia nodded. “All the time. Back then, it was strict—no TV, no going out, no bending the rules. I remember being scared to even flip a light switch.”
“But now,” Jez said softly, “it’s not about rules. It’s about resting. Slowing down. Being present.”
“And reconnecting,” Talia added. “With family. With ourselves. With something bigger.”
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the kind that didn’t need to be filled. Outside, the breeze stirred the trees, and someone walked by with a laughing toddler.
It wasn’t a formal kind of Sabbath. But it was peaceful. Warm. A small corner of calm carved out just for them.
A pleasant way to ease into Shabbat.