The Chanukkiyah
Back to a full complement of 5 ficlets today, with the theme of "menorah." All of them can be read as gen, though the last could be mild slash and hey, this is TS, most gen can be read as slash. ;-)
Title: Miracles
Word Count: ~490
Type: gen
Rating: G
Note: follows "In the mood"
Author: banbury
Miracles
Naomi watched the menorah before her and remembered how Blair and she’d used to light candles each night and talk about miracles and life. As a kid, Blair’d admired the idea of the miracle. They’d used to go through the year’s events each Hanukkah and decide which one was a miracle. Naomi smiled wistfully, listening to her son’s words over the phone line.
“Sweetie, I…”
“Mom, do you…”
They laughed and Naomi tried once again, “You know, sweetie, I was thinking, did you find your miracle this year?” She heard an amused chuckle from the other side.
“Yes, why? You’d come to wish me Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.”
“Oh, no, dear. I mean - the real miracle, like you’d used to do before.”
“Oh, you mean that miracle.” She thought she actually heard Blair smiling. “I’m not… uhm… actually, maybe, though I’d need your assistance to confirm it a miracle.”
Naomi held her breath. She didn’t anticipate anything special, she just anticipated the process of revealing a miracle. “I’m here, sweetie.”
“Do you remember the time we’d spent here when I was six? We’d been there for the whole three month and left after the Christmas. Do you?” There was something almost childish in his voice now and Naomi smiled sadly.
“Of course, sweetie. You’d found friends here and didn’t want to leave.”
“Really?” She heard quick steps as if Blair began to pace the room. “Do you remember them?”
“Sorry, sweetie.” Naomi closed her eyes and pictured the bunch of kids, standing beside their friend’s porch waiting for Blair. “Sorry, I’d never really met them.” She heard sigh and suddenly remembered her own question. “Oh, dear, I was wondering… I’ve seen two candlesticks the other day in the loft. You know the ones in the shape of the lions?”
“Uhm?”
“Where did you find them?” Naomi held her breath, not sure what she really wanted to hear.
“Me? No, mom, they’d belonged to Jim’s mother. Why?”
“Oh!”
“Why, mom?”
“Do you remember my friend Ce, years back in Portugal, the one you’d liked to go with to collect that herbs.”
“Mmm… perhaps. Why?” Blair seemed to be preoccupied with his own thoughts and Naomi rushed ahead.
“She’d been the one who gave me that candlestick to give her family. That’s why we'd come here in the first place.”
“You mean… you mean she was Jim’s mother? So…” Naomi waited for the next words. And waited. And waited.
"Blair?" She heard shuffling and mumbling and then sudden bang.
"So we’d gone there and whoa! Mom, thanks, I think I have my miracle this year! Major miracle! The hugest miracle ever…”
“Blair?” Naomi was relieved to hear her son happy but still couldn’t understand.
“Mom, I’ll tell you later. I have to go. Call me. Happy…” She smiled hearing loud bang and swearing and then the line was cut off. Blair was happy and she was happy. The other will wait.
Title: "The Chanukah Song"
Word Count: 210
Type: gen ("unspecified," really)
Rating: G
Notes: Warnings for silliness and for only passing mention of "menorah"; thanks go to Adam Sandler for endless entertainment from all the versions of this song. :-)
Author: ainm
"The Chanukah Song"
"When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree,
Here’s a list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me:
David Lee Roth lights the menorah,
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess who --"
"Hey, put that back!"
"What?"
"I love that, don’t change the station!"
"Paul Newman's half Jewish, Goldie Hawn's half too,
Put them together, what a fine lookin' Jew!"
"Happy?"
"Yeah -- now hush!"
...
"OK, you can talk now."
"I have to say that I'm... surprised."
"What? It's funny."
"You're not really known for your sense of humor."
"Hey, I've got a sense of humor!"
"You've never given any sign of being a particular Adam Sandler fan."
"He's got some talent..."
"Nor are you Jewish."
"Well... you are, does that count?"
"I... 'm not sure."
"I just... I like the idea of it."
"The idea of it."
"Well, yeah."
"What idea of it?"
"Jeez, Sandburg, what's the big deal? It's a funny song. I like that there's a song for people who are feeling not part of things, not like everybody else, especially at a time when 'everybody else' is really rubbing it in."
"Whoa."
"Shut up."
"I just --"
"Shut up."
"Happy Hanukkah, Jim."
Title: untitled
Word Count: 100
Type: Gen
Rating: G
Author: maaaaa
The woman was a hundred if she was a day. She had a wizened face, a toothless grin and a crumpled body, but her eyes twinkled with sparks of intelligence and mischief.
“Shalom, come,” she welcomed in a heavy accent, gesturing Blair inside.
The place smelled of sweet spices and candlewax and Blair immediately felt at home.
He sang the songs with her as she lit the candles and remained for the prescribed time.
At the end of the evening, with a single tear track dappling her cheek, she solemnly wrapped the menorah and gave it over to Blair’s keeping.
Title: untitled
Word Count: 100
Type: gen
Rating: G
Author: roslynsmuse
“Why don't you use an electric menorah, Chief? It's modern and can 'burn' all night long instead of just a couple of hours like the wax Hanukkah candles. Bright enough to light up the entire loft.”
“That kinda defeats the purpose, Jim. The candles aren't merely for physical lighting, but for spiritual enlightenment. That's why an extra candle is lit and put above the others; it's for practical purposes, like lighting the other candles.”
“That last day, there's nine going all at once in those thin holders.”
“So?”
“So, I'd better be up to date with my fire insurance premiums.”
Title: A Light That Shines
Word Count: 444
Type: gen, smarm, mild slash, you decide...
Rating: G
Author: janedavitt
A Light That Shines
"Do you know what this middle candle is called?" Blair traced the central holder of the menorah, set a little higher than the ones that flanked it, four on each side. Only one other held a candle, on the far right of the menorah.
"I don't," Jim admitted. He knew the history behind the menorah in a vague way -- something about the oil lasting for eight days, not one -- but he wasn't sure of the details. He didn't even try bluffing and pretending that he knew more than that; not with Blair.
"It's the shamash," Blair said. "It's the candle used to light the other candles as they're added, one more each night. It means 'helper' or 'servant'."
"Okay," Jim said after a moment. Blair lit the shamash. The flame leaped high, like a joyful shout, and then settled down to burn steadily, a bright point of light in the dim loft. "Are you going somewhere with this, Chief?"
Blair used the shamash to light the first candle and then stepped back from the window where he'd placed the menorah, his face serene.
"Not really. I just -- it's what I do for you."
"Help me?" Jim dismissed the servant part. Blair had more excuses for skipping his turn to do the dishes than anyone Jim had ever met. He smiled, made generous by the moment. He'd expected to feel awkward, out of place as Blair chanted softly before lighting the candles on the first day on Hanukkah, reciting a short prayer, but it had been oddly moving. Blair had looked so contented, the light in his eyes pure happiness. "Yeah, you do. A lot. More than I ever expected you could. I owe you."
Blair nodded. "Thanks."
The flames were small, but Jim stretched his senses so that he could feel the heat beat like a tapping finger against his face; hear the hiss of wax melting and see the rainbow of colors captured in the golden light. Beautiful.
He turned his head slowly, reluctantly, and met Blair's gaze. He'd said enough, he knew, even with those few stilted words; Blair didn't look expectant or disappointed, but Blair deserved more than that, so much more.
Jim cleared his throat. "Blair --"
"You shine," Blair said matter-of-factly. "A light in the darkness." He touched his fingertips to Jim's cheek, where the candlelight had warmed it. "I help you do that."
Jim covered Blair's hand with his own and held it against his face for a moment. "I couldn't do it without you."
And the light in Blair's eyes leaped high, sang out, just as the shamash had.
Title: Miracles
Word Count: ~490
Type: gen
Rating: G
Note: follows "In the mood"
Author: banbury
Miracles
Naomi watched the menorah before her and remembered how Blair and she’d used to light candles each night and talk about miracles and life. As a kid, Blair’d admired the idea of the miracle. They’d used to go through the year’s events each Hanukkah and decide which one was a miracle. Naomi smiled wistfully, listening to her son’s words over the phone line.
“Sweetie, I…”
“Mom, do you…”
They laughed and Naomi tried once again, “You know, sweetie, I was thinking, did you find your miracle this year?” She heard an amused chuckle from the other side.
“Yes, why? You’d come to wish me Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.”
“Oh, no, dear. I mean - the real miracle, like you’d used to do before.”
“Oh, you mean that miracle.” She thought she actually heard Blair smiling. “I’m not… uhm… actually, maybe, though I’d need your assistance to confirm it a miracle.”
Naomi held her breath. She didn’t anticipate anything special, she just anticipated the process of revealing a miracle. “I’m here, sweetie.”
“Do you remember the time we’d spent here when I was six? We’d been there for the whole three month and left after the Christmas. Do you?” There was something almost childish in his voice now and Naomi smiled sadly.
“Of course, sweetie. You’d found friends here and didn’t want to leave.”
“Really?” She heard quick steps as if Blair began to pace the room. “Do you remember them?”
“Sorry, sweetie.” Naomi closed her eyes and pictured the bunch of kids, standing beside their friend’s porch waiting for Blair. “Sorry, I’d never really met them.” She heard sigh and suddenly remembered her own question. “Oh, dear, I was wondering… I’ve seen two candlesticks the other day in the loft. You know the ones in the shape of the lions?”
“Uhm?”
“Where did you find them?” Naomi held her breath, not sure what she really wanted to hear.
“Me? No, mom, they’d belonged to Jim’s mother. Why?”
“Oh!”
“Why, mom?”
“Do you remember my friend Ce, years back in Portugal, the one you’d liked to go with to collect that herbs.”
“Mmm… perhaps. Why?” Blair seemed to be preoccupied with his own thoughts and Naomi rushed ahead.
“She’d been the one who gave me that candlestick to give her family. That’s why we'd come here in the first place.”
“You mean… you mean she was Jim’s mother? So…” Naomi waited for the next words. And waited. And waited.
"Blair?" She heard shuffling and mumbling and then sudden bang.
"So we’d gone there and whoa! Mom, thanks, I think I have my miracle this year! Major miracle! The hugest miracle ever…”
“Blair?” Naomi was relieved to hear her son happy but still couldn’t understand.
“Mom, I’ll tell you later. I have to go. Call me. Happy…” She smiled hearing loud bang and swearing and then the line was cut off. Blair was happy and she was happy. The other will wait.
Title: "The Chanukah Song"
Word Count: 210
Type: gen ("unspecified," really)
Rating: G
Notes: Warnings for silliness and for only passing mention of "menorah"; thanks go to Adam Sandler for endless entertainment from all the versions of this song. :-)
Author: ainm
"The Chanukah Song"
"When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree,
Here’s a list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me:
David Lee Roth lights the menorah,
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess who --"
"Hey, put that back!"
"What?"
"I love that, don’t change the station!"
"Paul Newman's half Jewish, Goldie Hawn's half too,
Put them together, what a fine lookin' Jew!"
"Happy?"
"Yeah -- now hush!"
...
"OK, you can talk now."
"I have to say that I'm... surprised."
"What? It's funny."
"You're not really known for your sense of humor."
"Hey, I've got a sense of humor!"
"You've never given any sign of being a particular Adam Sandler fan."
"He's got some talent..."
"Nor are you Jewish."
"Well... you are, does that count?"
"I... 'm not sure."
"I just... I like the idea of it."
"The idea of it."
"Well, yeah."
"What idea of it?"
"Jeez, Sandburg, what's the big deal? It's a funny song. I like that there's a song for people who are feeling not part of things, not like everybody else, especially at a time when 'everybody else' is really rubbing it in."
"Whoa."
"Shut up."
"I just --"
"Shut up."
"Happy Hanukkah, Jim."
Title: untitled
Word Count: 100
Type: Gen
Rating: G
Author: maaaaa
The woman was a hundred if she was a day. She had a wizened face, a toothless grin and a crumpled body, but her eyes twinkled with sparks of intelligence and mischief.
“Shalom, come,” she welcomed in a heavy accent, gesturing Blair inside.
The place smelled of sweet spices and candlewax and Blair immediately felt at home.
He sang the songs with her as she lit the candles and remained for the prescribed time.
At the end of the evening, with a single tear track dappling her cheek, she solemnly wrapped the menorah and gave it over to Blair’s keeping.
Title: untitled
Word Count: 100
Type: gen
Rating: G
Author: roslynsmuse
“Why don't you use an electric menorah, Chief? It's modern and can 'burn' all night long instead of just a couple of hours like the wax Hanukkah candles. Bright enough to light up the entire loft.”
“That kinda defeats the purpose, Jim. The candles aren't merely for physical lighting, but for spiritual enlightenment. That's why an extra candle is lit and put above the others; it's for practical purposes, like lighting the other candles.”
“That last day, there's nine going all at once in those thin holders.”
“So?”
“So, I'd better be up to date with my fire insurance premiums.”
Title: A Light That Shines
Word Count: 444
Type: gen, smarm, mild slash, you decide...
Rating: G
Author: janedavitt
A Light That Shines
"Do you know what this middle candle is called?" Blair traced the central holder of the menorah, set a little higher than the ones that flanked it, four on each side. Only one other held a candle, on the far right of the menorah.
"I don't," Jim admitted. He knew the history behind the menorah in a vague way -- something about the oil lasting for eight days, not one -- but he wasn't sure of the details. He didn't even try bluffing and pretending that he knew more than that; not with Blair.
"It's the shamash," Blair said. "It's the candle used to light the other candles as they're added, one more each night. It means 'helper' or 'servant'."
"Okay," Jim said after a moment. Blair lit the shamash. The flame leaped high, like a joyful shout, and then settled down to burn steadily, a bright point of light in the dim loft. "Are you going somewhere with this, Chief?"
Blair used the shamash to light the first candle and then stepped back from the window where he'd placed the menorah, his face serene.
"Not really. I just -- it's what I do for you."
"Help me?" Jim dismissed the servant part. Blair had more excuses for skipping his turn to do the dishes than anyone Jim had ever met. He smiled, made generous by the moment. He'd expected to feel awkward, out of place as Blair chanted softly before lighting the candles on the first day on Hanukkah, reciting a short prayer, but it had been oddly moving. Blair had looked so contented, the light in his eyes pure happiness. "Yeah, you do. A lot. More than I ever expected you could. I owe you."
Blair nodded. "Thanks."
The flames were small, but Jim stretched his senses so that he could feel the heat beat like a tapping finger against his face; hear the hiss of wax melting and see the rainbow of colors captured in the golden light. Beautiful.
He turned his head slowly, reluctantly, and met Blair's gaze. He'd said enough, he knew, even with those few stilted words; Blair didn't look expectant or disappointed, but Blair deserved more than that, so much more.
Jim cleared his throat. "Blair --"
"You shine," Blair said matter-of-factly. "A light in the darkness." He touched his fingertips to Jim's cheek, where the candlelight had warmed it. "I help you do that."
Jim covered Blair's hand with his own and held it against his face for a moment. "I couldn't do it without you."
And the light in Blair's eyes leaped high, sang out, just as the shamash had.