Touchdown Read online

  Touchdown

  Yael Levy

  Avon, Massachusetts

  This edition published by

  Crimson Romance

  an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.

  10151 Carver Road, Suite 200

  Blue Ash, Ohio 45242

  www.crimsonromance.com

  Copyright © 2013 by Yael Levy

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author's imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN 10: 1-4405-6272-5

  ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-6272-3

  eISBN 10: 1-4405-6273-3

  eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-6273-0

  Cover art © 123rf.com

  Dedication

  To Anna O, Sangeeta, Chel, Dara, & Shif:

  Couldn’t have done this without you. Really.

  And to Dan:

  Forever is not that long.

  Acknowledgments

  With much thanks: David Fulmer, Gilan Gertz, Gershon Kagan, Dr. Michael Berger, Leah Cypess, Mom & Dad, Morgan Stewart, Darryl Aldridge, Ruchama King, Harrison Demchick, Laura Alford, Greg & Ilana Herman, Jennifer Lawler, Tara Gelsomino, Jess Verdi, and the staff at Crimson Romance.

  Forward

  “Love is strong as death,

  Jealousy hard as the grave,

  Its flashes are flashes of fire, the flame of God.”

  —Song of Songs 8:6

  “Walk a mile in my shoes.”

  —American Proverb

  Glossary of Yiddish Words

  Schmatte: dishrag

  Schmendrick: doofus

  Bubbaleh: sweetheart

  Ponem: face

  Fakakteh: messed-up

  Dybbuk: spirit

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Forward

  Glossary of Yiddish Words

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  About The Author

  More from This Author

  Also Available

  CHAPTER ONE

  “I’m in love,” Goldie Fischer said to her sister, Mindy. It was the end of summer in New York as Goldie studied her reflection just outside the dressing room at Brenda’s Boutique—the place to shop for couture on Long Island. Goldie twirled around like a model on a catwalk, observing her appearance from every angle. Petite and thin with her long, dark hair (which she had straightened weekly at the beauty parlor before her mani-pedi appointment), Goldie looked taller than usual in her four-inch Jimmy Choo heels.

  Mindy nodded. “I know you’re in love. That’s why you’re getting married on Thursday.”

  “Not him.” Goldie laughed as she preened in front of the full-length mirror. “This blouse. Do you see the stitching? The sequins?”

  Mindy shrugged and scrutinized the pink frilly garment. “It looks like something a clown might wear to the circus.”

  Goldie fingered the blouse. “This is perfection. This is love.”

  “Right,” Mindy said as she sat back in the plush plum-colored chair and scrolled through the songs on her iPod. Her ear buds were in her ears, but Goldie knew Mindy could still hear everything she was saying. “I’m sure Avner would be happy to hear he was beat out by a shirt.”

  “Somebody is cranky today,” Goldie sang as she tossed her dark hair. “Did you have enough carbs or are you PMSing? Let me know if you need me to buy you chocolates.”

  “I’m not cranky. You know I just hate shopping. I only came because you made me,” Mindy said.

  “How anyone can hate shopping is beyond me,” Goldie said as she twirled one final time then went back into the private stall and tried on the next outfit in her vast collection.

  “It’s boring.”

  “Nonsense,” Goldie said. “Every female loves to shop. It’s in our DNA. You’re just a late bloomer.” She clucked sympathetically.

  “Goldie! I’m twenty years old and I still hate shopping. I love music and good books—shopping is just not my thing,” Mindy concluded.

  “That’s a terrible thing to say.” Goldie sniffed and emerged from the stall, changed back into her own clothes. “Maybe if you made yourself more attractive, you’d have a better shot at catching a man.”

  Mindy stared in the full-length mirror; her gentle blue eyes examining her reflection. “It’s not like they’ll be beating down the doors for me, no matter what I wear.”

  Goldie glanced at her sister. She wore outdated Reebok sneakers, a long denim skirt, and a shapeless T-shirt. Frizzy dirty-blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face, which showcased an unsightly harelip. Even though Mindy had had corrective surgery when she was a child, she was left with a scar from the procedure that stretched from the top of her lip to the bottom of her nose. Goldie knew that in their part of town—in Long Island’s city of Lawrence, New York—Mindy would have a hard time finding a husband because of it. She did pray that one day a man would love her sister for her inherent goodness and enjoyable personality, but she wasn’t holding her breath for that to ever happen. Who in New York could possibly love someone just for his or her soul?

  “Well, if you won’t get a man, you might as well be productive. You could always join the army. Or the coast guard,” Goldie teased. She picked through the enormous mound of clothing, finally selecting the pink top.

  “Yeah, they’ll really want me—they must have a shortage of kindergarten teachers.”

  Goldie waved her hands, the blouse waving like a flag. “So join a convent or something.”

  “Don’t think the convents are looking for Jewish gals, Goldie,” Mindy said dryly. She threw her head back and sighed. “Remind me why I put up with you?”

  Goldie leaned over and pinched Mindy’s cheek. “Because you’re my little sister and we love each other. We put up with each other. That’s what we do.” Mindy smiled and brushed at the soft purple velvet on the chair.

  Chumie Stern—assistant to Brenda of Brenda’s Boutique fame—entered the dressing room lounge. Stepping past the embroidered couches and French country-style mirrors framed in gold leaf, Chumie slowly exhaled as she tried to balance a pile of boxes. “We got in the outfits you ordered from Paris,” she said.

  “Oh, those.” Goldie pursed her lips. “I changed my mind.”

  Chumie stared at Goldie, and her dark eyes flashed. “You called me three times a night for a week. I spent hours tracking them down.”

  “They’re too last month,” Goldie said as she reapplied her mint-colored eyeliner, which she knew made her green eyes sparkle
like a wildcat. She blew herself a kiss.

  Chumie slowly put the boxes down on the floor and crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s what you said last month about the previous shipment,” she said.

  Goldie flourished her hand, dismissing Chumie’s point. “Somebody is being negative.”

  Chumie shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Somebody has to answer to Brenda when we have excess inventory.”

  “That’s business,” Goldie said as she turned her head, trying to decide which angle made her face look the best. The right side seemed more even—though her left side photographed better.

  “Right,” Chumie said abruptly. “The Versace silk skirt—did you want to see it in size six or four?” She ran her stubby fingers through her straggly black hair.

  Goldie meandered back into the dressing room. “Avner’s meeting us for lunch so we must be going,” she said, then shot Chumie a winning smile. “Let me take both and return the one that doesn’t fit?”

  “You know Brenda hates when you do that.” Chumie glared at Goldie. Her normally ruddy pallor had turned ashen at the mention of Goldie’s fiancé.

  “C’mon, can’t you do it for me?” Goldie winked at Chumie. “For old time’s sake?”

  Chumie sighed. “Fine. Whatever. But which Juicy do you want?”

  “The pink velour that says Daddy’s little princess.” Goldie freshened her coral lipstick. “Should I spell that out for you, Chumie?”

  Chumie huffed at Goldie. “I know how to spell princess. Should I ring this up?”

  Goldie smiled. “That would be great. Just charge it to Daddy, okay? Allen Fischer.”

  Chumie mentally scanned the items. “It’s gonna be a big bill. You sure your father is okay with that?”

  Goldie shrugged and collected her lavender Louis Vuitton purse. “That’s what daddies are for.”

  “Maybe your daddy,” Chumie muttered.

  “Excuse me?” Goldie turned to Chumie, her smile frozen on her face. “Did you say something?”

  “Me?” Chumie shook her head and bared her teeth in some resemblance of a smile. “No, just wanted to wish you good luck on your wedding.”

  Bags in hand, Goldie exited the boutique with her sister and headed toward the Chinese restaurant. Adjusting her Burberry shades, Goldie sashayed down Central Avenue as if on a runway.

  “God, that Chumie can be such a witch,” Goldie said to Mindy as they walked. Pedestrians parted and heads turned as Goldie maneuvered down the street; Goldie was used to the attention she received by being a woman of substance.

  Mindy shrugged. “You do drive her crazy.”

  Goldie laughed. “But that’s her job.”

  Mindy shook her head. “No, it isn’t.”

  “Now whose side are you on?” she asked accusingly.

  “I’m on the side of decency.” Mindy turned to stare at her sister. “You can’t treat people like that.”

  “I don’t treat everybody like that,” Goldie interrupted. “And you don’t know our history. It’s . . . complicated.”

  “I see. So you still can’t forgive her for besting you in the sixth grade spelling bee?”

  “Oh, please. Of course not. Though it was fixed,” she added as she examined her nails.

  Mindy threw up her hands. “Goldie! Nobody fixes a spelling bee. And you still couldn’t spell if your life depended on it,” she exclaimed.

  “Maybe I can, and maybe I can’t.” She sniffed. “But who’s the one getting married to Avner Finkelstein?”

  “Ouch. So you are obnoxious to Chumie because she has a crush on your fiancé?”

  “More than a crush. Ever since she was toilet-trained, all she could talk about was Avner this and Avner that and how she couldn’t wait to marry him, blah, blah, blah.”

  Mindy stopped walking. “So you flaunt that you got him?”

  Goldie shrugged. “It’s not like he’d ever marry her.”

  “How do you know?”

  Goldie shook her head and ticked off Chumie’s faults on her fingers. “For one, Avner told me he only liked her as a friend. Two, she’s not as pretty as me, and three—we’ve been friends since kindergarten and frenemies since high school, so don’t take this as judgmental—but she’s a witch.”

  “What?”

  Goldie nodded. “I’m telling you, Chumie Stern is mean and spiteful. And she plays with people’s minds. I’ve seen her do terrible things. She gets people to see stuff that isn’t there. I wouldn’t put it past her to . . .” Goldie turned her head and caught a glimpse of a man walking past. She knew that face—but from where?

  Mindy tapped her sister. “What?”

  Goldie pointed. “Did you see that guy who just ducked into that doorway?”

  Mindy looked toward the door they’d just passed. “I don’t see anyone.”

  “Tall-ish guy, sandy hair, white suit. Now who would wear a suit in this heat? Although it was sharp. And so were his shoes, from what I could tell.” She pondered for a minute, and then shrugged.

  Mindy shook her head. “There’s nobody there, Goldie.”

  “I could have sworn I saw him hanging around Brenda’s when we walked in.”

  “I haven’t seen a soul,” Mindy said.

  “Well, then. No worries. I’m probably just having wedding jitters.” Goldie smiled as she waved ahead. “Hey, Avner!” she called out to her fiancé as she spotted him waiting for her in front of the restaurant.

  “Hey, Goldie.” Avner smiled and nodded to Mindy. “Extreme shopping?”

  Goldie held out her bags to Avner. “Extreme? I’d say I scored a touchdown!”

  Avner laughed as he led his fiancé to the door. “So you bought out the whole store?”

  “No,” Goldie said as they entered the restaurant. “Just half.”

  Avner looked at his bride and smiled. “Then you’re all set for the wedding?”

  Mindy smirked as they were seated at the front table. “She’s set for the next decade.” She sat down heavily.

  As the waitress brought them some water, Avner ordered fried rice with spicy stir-fried chicken and veggies for the table, while Goldie asked the waitress to be sure to use fresh oil for the order so Avner wouldn’t get an upset stomach. Goldie also reminded the waitress to bring Avner extra fortune cookies because they were his favorite dessert.

  Mindy sat back. “So did you guys decide where you’re going for your honeymoon yet?”

  Goldie’s eyes lit up. “I’m thinking the Caribbean—beach and shopping. Avner wants . . .”

  “Israel. Spiritual retreat, maybe hang out in Jerusalem and watch the sunrise over the Temple Mount, or spend time in Safed, the birthplace of Kabbalah . . .”

  “Avner!” Mindy nodded. “That sounds awesome. I would so do that if I ever got married. Goldie, you could go shopping in Israel, too.”

  Goldie shrugged. “I suppose.” She glanced around the restaurant, noting the tacky checkered tablecloths. They practically screamed retro.

  “Anyway,” Avner said, leaning close to his fiancée and running his fingers through his curly black hair. “I have a surprise for you.” His dark brown eyes sparkled with merriment.

  “Earrings?” Goldie guessed.

  “Better,” he said, his grin getting bigger.

  “What could be better than earrings?” She pondered for a moment, while Avner pulled out a magazine from his briefcase and handed it to Goldie.

  Goldie took it. “A magazine?” She looked up at him, puzzled.

  “Read it,” Avner nudged.

  “Touchdown by Avner Finkelstein.”

  “Oh, Avner!” Goldie squealed. “Your poem—it got published! I’m so happy for you!”

  Avner smiled. “I wrote it for you.”

  “That’s sweet, Avner,” Goldie smiled. “But where’s the surprise?”

  Avner paused. “That was it. The poem.”

  Goldie stared at her fiancé. “Right, I knew that.”

  Mindy interjected. “Why do
n’t you read the poem out loud, Goldie?”

  “Um . . . all right,” she said, and she read aloud:

  From the bleachers I see

  Your soul on fire.

  Hurtling through the air, touchdown.

  Your love is all that I desire.

  Avner stared, glowing, at his fiancée. “The editor asked me for more.”

  “That’s nice,” Goldie said as she helped herself to more fried rice. “But do you have time for that?”

  Avner looked at her earnestly. “I could make time.”

  “I just wouldn’t want your little hobby to distract you from the business.”

  “Little hobby?” Avner bit his lip. “You know I love writing poetry.”

  Goldie stared at Avner.

  He glanced at his watch. “Look, my dad wanted me to join a conference call to Hong Kong. I should be getting back to work now.”

  Mindy glanced at her sister, then back at Avner. “It’s a really nice poem, Avner. Congratulations. Goldie’s really touched. Right, Goldie? It’s a love poem, Goldie. For you.”

  “Love.” Goldie sighed then turned to her fiancé. “Thank you, Avner, it’s sweet of you to write me a poem.” She smiled. “So call me as soon as you’re done today? I need to show you the watch catalogue so that you’re happy with my gift, and I also have some wallpaper samples we need to review.”

  “Wallpaper. Right.” Avner exhaled. He paid the check and left without looking back.

  Goldie left Mindy at the table to freshen up in the bathroom. She walked to the secluded antechamber that led to the men’s and women’s lavatories.

  There he was again—the man she’d seen earlier. The one she was sure was following her. The guy in the white suit. She stared at him. She knew him—she was sure of it—but could not remember who he was or how they’d met. He pretended to be checking himself in the hallway mirror, but Goldie knew better.

  He looked at her, his eyes so blue that Goldie thought she could see straight into his soul. And they were beautiful. Yes, she knew those eyes. A chill ran up her spine as she remembered the place where they’d met: in her dreams. She closed her eyes for a moment and recalled the dream she’d had sporadically over the years: of her dancing slowly with that man in a grand ballroom to the sound of a mournful tune. What was that song? She heard the music again. It seemed like it was from another time, another place . . . But how did she know him? Why had she dreamt of him? And more importantly—who was he and why was he following her?