Yesterday Kiff was on his phone with his mom who just says the darndest things.
Last year she asked Kiff to build her a coffin, all Faulkner style. She said she would store it in her basement. That she had heard Jewish people just have simple pine coffins. She doesn't want anything ornate. (she has, sweetly, become interested in things Jewish since meeting me - I don't know if she has had a Jewish friend before).
It has clearly been on her mind, because yesterday she said: "Now don't get upset when I say this, but there is a large aging population, and I think you should look into making coffins - it is a real niche market."
Then she said: "Oooh...there is this book that I really think you and Adina should read."
What is it about?
"Jewish prostitutes"
What about them?
"I'm not sure." (looks around for title) "Ummmm....It's about prostitutes who are Jewish. Very interesting"
UPDATE: I think she meant This Book - a story of polish jewish women sold into sexual slavery in South America in the guise of marriage (started in the 1880's). I think they were called "the polacas". It IS an interesting, actually, if a familiar story for all poor communities: Poor. oppressed villagers believe their daughter is going to marry into respectable homes and be sent far away. Instead she is sold into prostitution.
