The light filtered softly through the east facing window. They say the city never sleeps but for a brief few moments, it seemed to nap a little. The honks and shouts had subsided and Amarissa's focus narrowed on the beautiful creature before her. The cyclic motion of the ribcage rising and falling. The brief flutters of eyelashes as a dream teased at the edges of their consciousness. A part of her was tempted to slip from the bed and draw the scene before her but to do so would undoubtedly break the spell and she wouldn't dare do that. And so she laid there, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. 

Last night had been...fun. Like a fine wine that one only tasted on special occasions, she'd reveled in the high that was flirtation and seduction. Like any dangerous past-time, she wondered briefly about the consequences of her actions, but like one staring in awe of a butterfly, Amarissa could not tear her eyes from her. 

Reality it seemed would only wait so long and soon Amarissa slipped as quietly as she could from the sprawling mattress and slipping into some lounge pants, found her way into the kitchen. 

The smell of bacon wafted quickly through the small high rise apartment and Amarissa smiled as she felt a soft body slip up behind her, arms wrapping around her waist. "Well good morning beautiful" she chuckled. 

"Mmm, good morning. I thought you were Jewish" the sleepy voice of her lover mumbled in her ear. "Jewish yes, kosher no" Amarissa laughed and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Why don't you go get dressed? Breakfast is almost ready". It didn't seem to take too much more convincing before her guest nodded and wandered back towards the bedroom. 

Soon breakfast was served and the two young women happily recharged with little small talk. Talk of the day ahead found its way into the conversation and Amarissa shook her head with a laugh at the idea of staying in. "Much as I would love to," she noted "I have some errands I simply must do." 

"Oh like what?" the teasing voice answered. 

"Well" Amarissa took a deep breath wondering how much to explain. "its almost Sukkot. Me and my grandmother would always visit the Holocaust Museum down near the water. Her brother...well he wasn't as lucky. She'd go and talk with him. You know how old people do. Well she passed away last year. I feel like I need to go you know?" 

"Oh wow. I had no idea Rissa. Ya, ya of course. You should go."

"And after that, I need to help Dad build a sukkah in the back yard.."

"A what?" her friend laughed

"A sukkah, my family is kinda traditional about some things" Amarissa shrugged "it's like..a tent. Kinda. They eat there during the holiday. Its tradition"

"Traditional huh...are they...do they know..." her friend seemed to ponder a potential issue she hadn't considered. 

"That I eat bacon? Ya totally" Amarissa grinned and received a playful shoulder shove for her snark. 

"No silly, about us, about...like do they know..you know?"

"I think they've guessed. I haven't outright told them..." 

"Well they gotta wonder why you're not married yet" 

"Mom keeps trying to set me up with her friend's sons" Amarissa laughed. 

"Ya but that won't ever work will it?"

"I mean, I don't know, one was handsome but the compartment upstairs was vacant if you know what I mean"

"Oh so you'd..." 

"Ya I guess. I don't...really care. I just want intelligent conversation you know? I find it's more abundant in female company but I'm not opposed to the idea if it can be found in a male brain I suppose." Amarissa shrugged. She watched her companion carefully to gauge her reaction. She'd been burned before by those less enticed by one who played both fields.  

"Hmmm, well I guess I'll just have to keep your interest I suppose" her friend laughed and teased. 

Amarissa grinned and leaned in for a kiss. "I suppose" she noted as their lips met "You will". 

----

The halls of the memorial were silent as her laced up boots clipped crisply along the stone floors. Walking respectfully to the corner bench her grandma had always chosen, Amarissa sat down slowly. 

"It's just me this year" she started quietly. "I don't know if she's with you somewhere or if you're both just...gone together but at least she's not sad anymore" Amarissa took a deep breath and sighed. "I..always loved her laugh. I'm sure you did too. Her eyes always looked like she was hiding some crazy idea up her skirts and she normally was too!" 

"I wish...I could have met you. Grandma was sure there was no way you made it out of those camps. You couldn't have. But I always wondered. Always made up stories where you escaped somehow. But then you wouldn't have stayed away so long. You would have found her. She missed you" Amarissa said softly. 

She sat for awhile longer, lost in thought and memories of twenty plus years of visits. Twenty plus years of shenanigans and adventures. What else where grandmother's for?
The cold crept in around her and after some time she gathered her coat closer to her chest and took one last look at the museum walls. "Goodbye Isaac. Take care of her."

----

The crisp crunch of fallen leaves and the brisk wind quickly brought a smile to Amarissa's face. Fall was always her favorite time of year and this year was no different. The taxi had dropped her off down the street as she requested and as the wind danced with her long braided hair, Amarissa could not help but grin. 

"Dad? Mom?" she called out as she walked in the front door. Out her they could safely leave their door unlocked for a few hours at least so she didn't think much of it. Still there was always a hint of worry when they weren't there to greet her. It was abated as soon a Samson's deep barks greeted her though and soon she found them out in the back, working on the sukkah. 

"Samson, you just get more handsome with age don't you" she teased as the big newfoundland grunted and rubbed up against her for ear rubs. 

When she'd separated herself from the overly affectionate canine, she made her way around to giving hugs to both her parents. "Amarissa! Tsk tsk, are you eating over there in the big city? You're skin and bones!" 

"Yes mother" Amarissa sighed and rolled her eyes while giving her father a long hug. "How's it going?" 

"Oh good. Slow but good" her father laughed. "Some help is coming by. Just for the heavier beams"

"Some help? What do you mean? I can help"

"No no, you can help your mother with the cooking we'll get it"

"We? Dad, who are you talking about?" 

"Well you know...the neighbor boy, he offered and"

"The neighbor boy... you mean my ex? He's hardly a boy. Dad, how could you? He..."

Her voice cut off as Samson's loud bark filled the air and the sound of a hundred and fifty pound animal went scampering across the lawn to the back gate. 

She remembered once she'd wished never to see him again. That wish still felt pretty fresh right now.