Misunderstandings and Manipulations

Last Shabbat we thought Nora had gone for a walk.  We couldn't figure out how she would have gotten outside without opposable thumbs to open the doors, but since we searched the house multiple times, it seemed the most logical conclusion.  Actually she'd managed to get locked in one of Gavi's dresser drawers.  She was comfortable, and so, she was quiet.

In the midst of our worry Jesse and I took a late evening stroll through the neighbourhood.  Sean, knowing we were on top of this, and having to be at shul in the morning, went to bed.  Every Shabbat morning, when he's in town, Jesse reads the fourth aliyah at Pride of Israel.  It gives Larry a break (not that he needs it).  It presents an image of lay/teen involvement (if only more individuals would follow in Jesse's shoes, although some have). It gives Jesse a chance to hone his, already impressive, skills as a baal koreh, (proud mom alert) for which he's already been paid by another congregation to read Megillah on Purim.

What does this have to do with Nora?

Jesse, as a prodigious Torah reader, rarely learns his reading before Friday night.  Unfortunately our Friday night was spent searching for a cat who was not lost.  Additionally, since we didn't find the not-lost cat, Jesse's morning was also focused on the search.  Before we left on our evening search, Jesse went into our room to tell Sean that it was too late and he was too worried to learn the reading, and could Sean please do it.  If you have read "Twenty Snippets for Twenty Years," you may remember that Sean can have complete conversations in his sleep, and that he cannot remember these conversations.  Well this was one of those times.  Unfortunately for Jesse and for Sean, Jesse did not know Sean can do this.  I asked Jesse multiple times if he'd told Sean he wasn't reading in the morning. Jesse assured me he had.  Sean assumed that Nora was still missing when he came home, and that was the reason Jesse did not come to read.  However, after the story of Nora not being lost was made clear, and after I stopped laughing, I realized the misunderstanding between Jesse and Sean about the Torah reading, and explained to Jesse that Sean can do this.  Yes really, entire conversations, seemingly coherent, although with eyes closed.  And then the light bulb went off.  You never know what Sean will say in these conversations.  It's the perfect time for Jesse to ask for permission (like can I take the car) for things I'll never say yes to.  Luckily, I am a light sleeper.  I'll be listening too.