Free The World Outside by Eva Wiseman

asked.
    “It’s the only time she’s free, and I didn’t want to refuse her. She’s failing math. It’s a mitzvah to help her.”
    Mama nodded. “I know, I know. Just give Moishe his snack before you leave.”
    I didn’t dare argue, but Moishe must have sensed my impatience, for he was restless and took longer than usual. As soon as he finished eating, I ran to my roomand threw on a light sweater, hooked my schoolbag over my shoulder and headed for the kitchen. Mama was at the stove once again.
    “Don’t be late for dinner!” she said.
    “I won’t.”
    I felt guilty for lying to her, but there was no other way.
    I ran most of the way to the park and was hot and sweaty by the time I got there.
    David was sitting on the bench, looking at his watch. He broke into a huge grin when he saw me. “I was afraid that you wouldn’t come.”
    “I’m sorry. Mama made me give Moishe his snack. Have you been waiting long?”
    “Just a few minutes. It doesn’t matter.”
    I sat down on the opposite end of the bench and used my schoolbag as a barricade between us. His knapsack was lying on the grass. He picked it up and began to rummage through it, finally pulling out a sheaf of documents. He thrust them into my hands.
    “Have a look at these,” he said. “I picked up an application form for you at Juilliard. It includes a request for financial aid.”
    I didn’t know what to say. All kinds of thoughts crowded my brain as I turned the documents over in my hands. I remembered that Papa had told David he was wasting his time in college, and that the Rebbe hadtold us to devote ourselves to religious studies. But then I remembered how happy I felt when I sang.
Hashem gave me my voice out of the kindness of His heart
, I said to myself.
How could I ignore such a gift
?
    “I have to think about this.…”
    “Don’t wait too long. The deadline is next week. You’ll find a stamped envelope among the papers. Put your application in it and mail it on your way to school.” He reached into the pocket of his jeans and took out a folded-up piece of paper. “This is my address in the dorm. Use it instead of your own information on the application.”
    “Why are you in a dorm? Doesn’t your family live in New York?”
    He sighed. “In Manhattan, actually. Both Mom and Dad have apartments close to my college. My parents are divorced. It’s easier to be in the dorm than to choose sides. I pay for my room and board by working as a lab assistant during the summer session. All my mail comes to the dorm. I’ll give you your letter from Juilliard as soon as it arrives.”
    “What if you don’t see me?”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll get it to you somehow. I’ll keep learning with Yossi until you hear from Juilliard. That should make him happy, and it’ll give me an excuse to come to your house.” He chuckled. “Everybody will get used to me roaming around Crown Heights. Nobodywill think it strange if I hang out around town and happen to run into you.”
    It took a moment for what he was saying to sink in. I jumped up and began to pace the grass.
    “Are you learning with Yossi just because of me? Don’t you see the beauty and the rightness of what he’s trying to teach you? It’s the Rebbe’s wish that he reach out to you!”
    He stood up and faced me. “I can see what Yossi is doing, but mostly I just want to see you.”
    He must really, really like me
, sang my brain. But then I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I had to make him understand somehow, for his own sake.
    “Don’t you see that Yossi is teaching you what Hashem wants for us?”
    “I realize that your beliefs come from your heart,” said David. “As do Yossi’s. It’s my religion too.” He leaned toward me. “But your lifestyle isn’t for everybody, Chanie. It’s beautiful and pure, but it’s not for me. I couldn’t follow all your rules and regulations. I don’t even want to.”
    “Hashem wants us to! Living a Torah life binds us closer