The Question Under the Plate

Ages 12-15

Liora writes the answer on the back of the paper and folds it under.

A candle.

On the front she has written: What grows shorter while it works?

She puts the paper beneath her place mat. Sarit and Rochi are coming after school. Mommy will be home until five.

Liora has two stories ready too. One is about the pigeon that walked into the bakery. The other is about the wrong coat her aunt wore home from a visit.

At the door, Sarit hands her a bag of rolls.

"My mother sent these."

Rochi brings a little tub of spread. Liora takes them to the kitchen table, where Mommy has left plates, cups and a jug of water.

The girls put their schoolbags by the wall. Sarit unbuttons her coat. Rochi takes off one shoe and shakes a small stone into her palm.

"That was in there all afternoon."

Liora starts the pigeon story before Rochi has put the shoe back on.

The pigeon goes beneath the bread rack. A customer thinks it is part of a window display. Then it pecks at a bag.

Sarit laughs at that part. Rochi is spreading her roll. She looks up with the knife still in her hand.

Liora tells the end, and Sarit asks what the baker does with the bread rack.

"Washes it," Liora says.

She waits for another question.

Rochi takes a bite. Sarit folds her napkin and puts it beside her plate.

The paper is beneath Liora's place mat. She slides one corner out.

"I've got a question."

Rochi is reaching for the jug. Liora lifts the paper, and Rochi stops reaching.

"You have to get this one before I turn it over."

"Can I finish this first?" Rochi asks, lifting her cup.

Liora lowers the paper.

Rochi reaches again. She fills her cup, then holds the jug toward Sarit. Sarit puts her cup closer.

Liora pushes the folded answer flat with her thumb. She tucks the question beneath her plate.

Water taps the bottom of Sarit's cup. The jug settles on the table with a small click.

Liora takes a roll from the bag. She splits it along the crease and passes the spread back to Rochi.

Under the plate, the word What is still showing. Liora moves the paper in another inch. A drop of water reaches the edge and darkens it.