by Eli Hai
“And who is this man?” the parents asked together.
“You must know that this match is difficult for me. The difficulty is both on the bride and the groom’s side. It requires a lot of effort and many meetings. Therefore, for that reason, this shidduch, naturally, costs a bit more,” she answered and waggled her fingers to indicate the salary she deserved.
“Don’t worry, Gietel, you’ll get what you deserve down to the last cent,” Moishel said. He took a deep breath and asked somewhat apprehensively, “How much are we talking, more or less?”
“Not more or less. Exactly. Five thousand,” she replied.
“Five thousand is a lot… but, nu, what can you do? Go on, tell us who he is,” he prompted her.
“The Birnbaums, a very respected family, have a boy a bit touched in the head. Not something serious you should worry about. He functions like a normal person. He even has a job,” Gietel said.
“So, what’s the problem?” Yehudit probed.
“Sometimes, you know, he has these unexpected rages, and when that happens, it’s a bit unpleasant to be around him,” she explained apologetically.
“In other words, you’re saying he’s crazy,” Moishel interpreted her words.
“God forbid! Not crazy crazy. Those kinds of people are put in the madhouse. He’s just a bit touched. So, like I said, a month ago, the parents came to me and asked me to find someone appropriate for the boy. What do you think?” Gietel nervously followed their reactions.
“How old is the boy?” Yehudit asked.
“Thirty-three.”
“Thirty-three? You’re crazy! As old as that, and you call him a boy? Under no circumstance! Find her someone else. Our daughter, despite what she’s done, deserves something a bit better than that,” Moishel said angrily.
“The choice is in your hands. This is the situation, unfortunately. There aren’t a lot of options. You want it, take it. You don’t, God will have mercy. From above, someone else will be sent.”
“What do you say, Rivkel? Why aren’t you saying anything? This is your future we’re discussing, daughter. Say something,” Moishel addressed Rivka, who hadn’t said a word since the meeting had started.
“What? Sorry, what did you say, Papa?” Rivka jerked as though awakening from a long, exhausting dream.
“I asked what you think about the match Gietel suggested.”
“I’m not interested in a match, and I don’t want anything. Do whatever you want, just leave me alone.” She got up and went to her room.
“Leave her alone now. Things are very hard for her. It’s understandable. The higher they climb, the harder they fall, that’s what she feels. She’ll come to terms with the new situation in a couple of days. Anyway, I want to ask you to think carefully of what I offered.” Gietel got up and made to leave.
“I don’t think it’s a good match. Look for something else,” Moishel expressed his opinion and glanced at his wife.
“Are you serious? Tell me, are you serious? Do you think she’s better off with a lame or blind man? Because if you do, I have several of those, if you want to listen.” Gietel, who had them right where she wanted them, sat back down.
“No! We’ve had enough for today. Give us some time to think it over, and we’ll give you our answer next week,” Yehudit dismissed her.
“By the way, I forgot to ask. It’s very important for the shidduch. Is she still a virgin?” the matchmaker asked in a whisper.
“Yes, she’s a virgin! Now leave,” Moishel bit out and walked her to the door with a furious expression on his face.
“Heartless, greedy woman. For a thirty-three-year-old meshugeneh, she wants five thousand dollars,” he complained.
“Thirty-three-year-old meshugeneh or ninety-three-year-old meshugeneh, what other choices do we have? That’s the will of God and that’s what will be,” Yehudit said in despair, and Moishel looked at her quietly.
Chapter 12
From his seat on the fifth floor, Jeff surveyed the floor in satisfaction. Masses of people swarmed all over the department store and bought everything in reach: clothes, household utensils, cosmetics, toys, electrical appliances, and computers. Long lines waited at the checkout stations. Jeff took his eyes off the crowds and looked at the CCTV monitors on his desk. He started following the employees in the various departments. The large team looked like a well-oiled orchestra playing harmoniously, with him as the conductor. A tremendous sense of satisfaction filled him. At that moment, he didn’t have a shadow of a doubt; the business was succeeding even more than he and Eve had dared to hope in their wildest dreams.
They’d opened the store only five months ago and had been successful from day one. Eve had two business ideas. The first was to establish a construction/renovation company. “We’ll start small, and in the future, we’ll expand to skyscrapers, like Daddy,” she said enthusiastically.
“Aren’t you overestimating my skills?” Jeff laughed. “I just worked as a handyman for a few months. Window cleaning, repairing tables, and changing door hinges isn’t construction.”
“So tell me what kind of business you’d like. Maybe a department store?” she suggested hesitantly.
“First of all, it’s important that the business be the kind we’ll be able to operate without other people’s help. I also prefer the business to be in one place so we won’t have to run around. A small department store, for example, could be appropriate,” he replied, and the more he thought about the department store, the more his enthusiasm grew.
“Okay, then. So we’ll open a big department store. We’ll sell everything a person needs: clothes, food, electrical appliances, household utensils, etc.,” she refined the idea.
“Good idea, but I’m afraid a large shop will be too much for us. The risk is too high,” Jeff said. The idea of owning a large store scared him. Just a little more than a year ago, he had been an assistant cook at a small diner in a god-forsaken town. How would he suddenly manage a large department store?
“You’re right,” Eve reconsidered. “It’s a big risk. And also, the investment is enormous, perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars, and possibly even more. I’ve already heard of similar businesses that went bankrupt. I think we can succeed only if we proceed wisely and cautiously. Every step should be calculated to the last cent. If we see that the risk increases, we’ll focus on something smaller. I’m willing to risk some of my money, not all of it.”
“I don’t know. Calculations are your strong side, and I trust you. I think we don’t have to risk a lot of money. We can purchase part of the merchandise on credit, and we’ll settle our debts to the suppliers from the sales. If the shop is at a good location, I have no doubt that a lot of consumers will come.”
“Let’s start with the idea and see where it takes us,” Eve concluded.
At first, Jeff studied their idea day and night. He trudged from location to location; asked questions and researched products and suppliers; and collected documents that included advertising, price quotations, and more. He passed on the information to Eve, who worked for days on a detailed business plan. She calculated all the possible expenses, including rent, taxes, equipment investment, and inventory costs. She examined the data from every possible angle, and the more she studied it, the more promising she thought the results looked. Nevertheless, the required initial investment was large and a bit daunting. When she finished the business plan, they started searching for an appropriate location for the store. They chose a location on 3rd Avenue, between 46th and 47th streets. The store was in a huge building in which renovations had just been completed. The entire building was owned by Eve’s father. When he heard that Jeff and his daughter were planning on opening a department store, he rushed to offer them the building.
“It’s an excellent location for what you’re planning. I’ll give you twenty-four months rent-free, and later, when the business is established, pay me eight thousand plus two percent of proceeds from sales per month. What do think, fair offer?
”
“Very fair offer,” Eve rejoiced, who had calculated rent would be three times more expensive.
Thus, the opportunity they hoped for opened before them.
To the disappointment of her managers, Eve took a two-month vacation and flung her entire being into the start-up stages. In the beginning, they established a company called, “Eve’s Department Store.”
“Eve’s is a good name. There’s something glamorous and prestigious about your name. What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” she replied self-consciously.
“I love your name...and you, too, of course,” he added immediately.
“I love you, too,” she replied excitedly. His suggestion, although embarrassing, flattered her. No doubt, her man loved her a lot.
During the first month, they were busy building the store. They were busy renovating and purchasing equipment and furniture, and in the end, they bought the computers and inventory. In order to finance the initial activity, Eve invested four hundred thousand dollars of her own money. Jeff contributed all of his money— twenty-four thousand dollars. They agreed that Eve would have the right of priority to withdraw money from the initial proceeds until their investment was balanced. After that, they would divide the proceeds fifty-fifty. They also decided Jeff would work in the shop and manage it. In the beginning, he would earn a modest weekly salary of seven hundred and fifty dollars. The bank would give them the further credit of a sum similar to their investment, and they’d get the rest of their funding through credit from their suppliers. Buying inventory was done very carefully. They bought everything they needed, but in small quantities. Then, they were busy recruiting workers and placing them in the various departments. Of all the workers chosen, there was one choice that especially excited Jeff.
“The role of the Purchasing Manager is a very important one. We need someone who’s hardworking, and above all, trustworthy and dedicated,” Eve demanded.
“I think I have someone…”
“Who?”
“Rico.”
“Who’s Rico?” Eve asked.
“He worked with me at window cleaning. He’s not the smartest guy in the world, but he’s experienced and hardworking, loyal to his job, and last but not least, he’s as honest as they come. We can trust him with our eyes closed.”
“I trust you, Jeffie. And anyway, you have to get used to the idea that you’re the boss, and the responsibility of managing the store is on you. For my part, in another week, the dream ends and I go back to work,” she reminded him.
“That sucks.”
“What sucks, that I’m going back to work? No choice, sweetie. If the business tanks, we’ll need another source of income to tide us over. So we don’t find ourselves on the street,” she laughed.
“And can it tank?” he asked worriedly.
“I don’t think so. I believe in this place. We’ve done recon by the book, so why shouldn’t we succeed?”
The next day, Jeff invited Rico to a business meeting.
“Rico, meet Eve, my girlfriend.”
“I hope he told you only good things about me,” Rico chuckled, unable to tear his eyes away from Eve.
“Don’t worry, only good things.” She winked at him.
“I know you,” he told her. “Only through the window, of course,” he added and burst into laughter.
“I have an interesting offer for you,” Jeff said.
“Offer?” Surprise was evident on Rico’s face.
“Eve and I are opening a department store on 3rd Avenue,” Jeff began.
“Department store? You? When did you become rich?” Rico couldn’t believe his ears.
“It isn’t me, it’s her,” Jeff laughed. “I’m looking for a purchasing manager. Someone to manage the entire matter of inventory. It isn’t an easy role. I know it’s unfamiliar territory for you, but I trust you. No more window cleaning and renovations. What do you say?”
“But I have no idea how to do the job. I know how to do the shopping for my wife in the supermarket, but a purchasing manager?” Rico joked to hide his unease.
“It’s not so complicated. You have to track the inventory, find appropriate suppliers, and bargain with them on their prices. I remember you did it at Menachem’s,” Jeff encouraged him.
“Well, if you want to employ someone as inexperienced as me, bless you. I certainly won’t refuse the offer.”
“During the first year, your weekly salary will be eight-hundred dollars,” Eve concluded. “If the business succeeds, your salary will increase by ten percent next year. What do you think?”
“Great. Couldn’t have hoped for more. To tell you the truth, I’m not as young and strong as I used to be. It’s really difficult for me to do the jobs I’m doing now. So in that sense, your timing is just perfect.” Rico couldn’t hide his satisfaction at the tempting offer.
“Great. Now we’ll raise a toast to success. I’m sure the three of us will take the business to incredible heights,” Jeff said. He opened a bottle of wine and poured the red liquid into three wine glasses.
“Cheers!” the three of them exclaimed and drank it all in one gulp. “To our success!”
When spring came, “Eve’s” opened to the public.
Jeff moved the mouse to the Excel sheet. He reexamined the sales figures for the last month. The result indicated a sum that was twenty-five thousand dollars higher than the turnout required to cover all of their expenses, as calculated by Eve. Meaning an annual profit of three hundred thousand dollars before taxes, and all this in only their first year.
He rubbed his hands together in pleasure. The success of the business pleased him, yet, surprisingly, his pleasure was incomplete. He thought about Rivka, and these thoughts kept him awake at night. From time to time, he remembered the taste of her sweet tongue and the intoxicating scent of her body. He found himself yearning to catch a glimpse of her, to hear her voice. Most of the time, he was preoccupied with store matters, but when he came home, late at night, especially when he lay in bed, he would think of her and of what had become of her. Judging by the violent visit he received on his last day in Brooklyn, he understood that the helpless girl’s secret had been found out. “If I’m unlucky enough to get caught, they’ll find me a third-class shidduch,” he remembered her saying. That was probably her current situation. He didn’t feel guilty, yet nevertheless, he was plagued by a weird feeling that he had to help her get out of the mess she was in. He sensed the girl was in terrible despair and that there was no one to save her.
He left his office and rushed down the escalators to the ground floor, where Rico’s office was located.
“I need your help,” he got straight to the point. “Moishel’s Mini Market. You know the place, right?”
“Who?” Rico tried to recall the name.
“You know, Moishel’s grocery, where Ahron works. Ahron, who used to be my friend. Remember Ahron, who was Menachem’s brother-in-law?”
“Sure! Now, I remember. What’s going on?”
“It’s about Rivka, Ahron’s sister. I need you to check for me what’s going on with her. I’d do it myself, but if I go there, they’ll beat the shit out of me.”
“Why?” Rico questioned. So, Jeff told him about Rivka and the violent encounter with the chastity squad.
“Boy, so many broken hearts in such a short time,” Rico laughed. “Remember Laura, my cousin? She fell a bit in love with you, the poor girl.”
“Stop kidding around. This is a serious matter,” Jeff berated him.
The next day, Rico came in late and went straight to Jeff’s office.
“I checked the matter for you,” he notified him.
“What did you find out?”
“According do what Bilha told me—you remember Bilha, she works for Menachem and is a relation—she’s getting married.”
“Married? With whom?”
“Her previous groom left her. Her parents found her another groom. A blind guy. I asked Bilha if Rivka
even wants to marry this guy, and she said she didn’t have a clear answer on the matter. Rumors say she’s shut herself in her room and refuses to come out. Bilha said she thinks Rivka doesn’t want to get married, but she isn’t sure of it.”
“And then?”
“And then I went to Moishel’s grocery. I walked up to Ahron and asked him how his sister was doing. I introduced myself as a good friend of yours. ‘Tell Jeff she’s just fine,’ he said uncomfortably. And then I left. But before I left, I had a feeling he wanted to say something to me, but then he changed his mind.”
“That’s it?” Jeff was disappointed.
“Yeah, that’s it. You know what I think? Judging by what you told me, I think she doesn’t want to get married. That’s evident. And if she wants to leave the Hasidic community, does it make sense to you that she would marry a Hasid, and a blind one at that?”
“The thing is that the choice isn’t hers to make,” Jeff stated thoughtfully and then added, “So what do you suggest that I do? How can I help that poor girl?”
“Try writing to her. Offer her help. In my opinion, she doesn’t know how to contact you. She doesn’t know where you live now or what you’re doing,” Rico stated.
“But letters? Won’t letters make things even worse for her?” Jeff contemplated doubtfully.
“What can be worse than marrying someone you don’t want to marry?” Rico persisted.
“That makes sense. I’ll write to her, and we’ll see what happens.”
“Do it, but don’t let Eve know. So, she won’t think there’s something going on between you two,” Rico advised and winked to a surprised Jeff.
“Don’t be stupid. Everything I do, I talk it over with Eve,” Jeff replied angrily.
“Okay, okay, I didn’t say anything,” Rico chuckled.
So, Jeff wrote to her. His letter was short. First, he sent his regards, then he asked her not to marry. “If you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact me,” he wrote.
Several days passed, and since his letter went unanswered, he wrote again. When his second letter didn’t receive an answer, he decided to do things differently. He decided to write to Ahron. This time, his letter was long and detailed. In the letter, he appealed to his friend’s compassion and urged him to help his sister. “Your sister’s happiness depends on this. You can’t stay indifferent. Take responsibility and do something. Don’t let her life be ruined. If you don’t do anything, your conscience will torture you your entire life. Faith is a positive power as long as you channel it to a positive path. Don’t let it become a destructive force.” In the end, he wrote that he missed Ahron and his family. “You’re like a brother to me,” he wrote. “I’ll never forget what you did for me. My regards to Miriam and kisses to the little ones from Uncle Jeff.” Then he put the letter in an envelope and added three thousand dollars. “Please give the money to Rivkel,” he requested. “It’ll make things easier for her in the beginning until she finds her bearings in a new place.” On the back of the envelope, he wrote his phone number.
