by Eli Hai
“They really were the chastity squad, but my brother, Yehuda, was their leader. He’s such a hothead. First, he acts, then he thinks. Truthfully, when I’d heard she’d come to visit you, I was mad at you both, but especially at you,” Ahron said.
“Me?”
“Anger was my initial reaction because I thought you’d initiated the meeting. Then I spoke with Rivkel, and I realized it wasn’t your fault,” Ahron softened his words.
“Leave it, it really isn’t important now. Forget about it…we’re all human beings, and we all make mistakes sometimes. Let’s meet. I have so much to tell you.”
“We’ll see. Maybe sometime in the future…”Ahron declined politely.
“Listen, buddy, I’d really love to come over. I really miss Miriam and the girls. But unfortunately, I understand that it isn’t possible. But you can come over here. To 3rd Avenue. Between 46th and 47th streets. There’s this department store, Eve’s. Do you know it?”
“No.”
“I work there. Come and visit me whenever you want, and I hope it’ll happen soon.” He hoped his new vocation would tempt Ahron to come.
“We’ll see. I don’t want to promise,” Ahron said disappointingly.
“Anyway, I’ll call you.”
Jeff laid his phone on the desk, and thought about what he’d just heard. Rivka was in Israel! Good news! The girl, whose fate seemed entwined with his, realized her dreams, broke free from her parents’ chains, and immigrated to the land of the Jews. It had worked. His correspondence with Ahron had succeeded. When he passed him the letter via Rico, he was convinced he’d receive an answer but wasn’t sure the money would be used for the purpose he’d sent it for. He’d feared Ahron would find a way to return the money. He knew that his integrity and honor wouldn’t allow him to hold on to someone else’s money, not even for a brief period. When he didn’t receive an answer, he assumed the money had reached its destination. But lately, his confidence had been shaken, and he wished to know what had happened to Rivka. He had already seriously considering sending Rico on another surveillance mission. When Ahron called, he felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart.
Now, he was wondering about the tiny country Rivka had traveled to. First, he googled “map of Israel” and clicked on one of the sites Google had found for him. To his surprise, Israel was a tiny dot on the globe. After an hour of visiting endless sites, he learned a bit about the little country and its difficulties. One day, I’ll visit there, he decided. Maybe I’ll even suggest to Eve a holiday in the birth country of Jesus Christ.
He felt that all that he had to do now was meet his friend and settle matters between them. It was important to him to maintain the warm relationship with the kind man who had helped him out when things were rough for him, when he’d just arrived in the city. He was convinced they would come full circle and that his friend would arrive some day for a visit. But his heart told him it wouldn’t happen soon.
Spring, summer, and autumn passed and winter stood at the city’s gates. A cold wind started blowing, dragging yellowing leaves of autumn that fell, one by one, from the trees. Rays of sun disappeared, and the top floors of the skyscrapers were covered with heavy clouds that brought about a gloomy atmosphere. The many tourists swarming the streets in the summer evenings had disappeared, as though the wind had carried them off to a secret place. The city lights, which glowed at night, illuminating the skyline with a vast light, suddenly looked dim and weak. Wintry New York wrapped up warmly, preparing itself for a long, hard winter.
At “Eve’s,” things continued as usual. Masses of consumers continued visiting the store, and the sales increased and with them, the partners’ profits. The lively store became a kind of home for Jeff, where he spent most of his day. He didn’t hide the pleasure he derived from the successful business. He dedicated most of his energy to it. To Eve’s displeasure, his loyalty upset their evenings together. In order to lawfully employ workers without burdening them too much, work was divided into two shifts. At the end of the shift, all the employees were replaced. Jeff worked both shifts, and if that wasn’t enough, at the end of the day, he stayed to count the till and lock up the store. Eve, on the other hand, if there weren’t any unusual events, arrived home hours before he did, right after the stock market closed. During those hours, she’d expectantly wait for his return. To her disappointment, Jeff would come home exhausted, take a quick shower, and go to bed. On the one hand, she was pleased by his hard work and loyalty to the business, which proved to her that she was right when she gambled with her money on her successful man. On the other hand, he, like her father, like all the other men she knew, had become a workaholic. She laughed when she recalled that not so long ago, she was exactly the same way. There was no doubt that her man had changed her completely.
“I think you’re overdoing it,” she told him more than once. “Nothing will happen if you let Rico take charge once in a while or bring in a store manager who’ll manage the store in your place during one of the shifts.”
“The main reason for the business’s success is because I’m there all the time. A business managed by remote control is destined for failure. That’s what you want, for the business to fail?” he insisted stubbornly.
“You know very well that I don’t. The investment and profits are mine, too. But I love you, and I want us to be together. I feel like we’re wasting away our most beautiful years on work,” she said sadly and seemed to grow smaller as she sat on the sofa.
“I love you, too, beautiful. But you have to understand that the company is a new one, and we have no choice but to dedicate most of our attention to it. As far as I’m concerned, work with me in the store. That way, we’ll be together all day long,” he said, stroking her hair.
“You know what? I’m game. Really. I’m willing to give up everything so we’ll be together,” she replied, and for one fleeting moment, she felt she really meant it. She even imagined them making love clandestinely in his office, addicted to each other while listening to the tumult of the crowd.
“Are you out of your mind? I was just kidding. Working together can ruin a couples’ relationship. I’ve heard stories of fights and divorces that started as work disputes.” Jeff regretted his words and hoped Eve would forget about her weird decision. The great Eve Klein leaving Wall Street in order to work at a department store. Really!
“You may have forgotten, but we aren’t married, so there’s no fear we’ll get divorced,” she scoffed, pleased by his reaction. Finally, the conversation was focusing on a subject that had been bothering her so much lately.
“Eve, be serious. Your entire life, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are. Don’t turn your back on that success. Take advantage of these years to make money. Soon, you’ll have kids. Taking care of children is a job in itself. Then, you’ll be able to retire from your job,” he tried a different tack.
“Before you have kids, you have to get married. That’s the correct order, right?” she pressed the issue, happy that the conversation was going in the desired direction.
“Of course, I wasn’t thinking differently,” he replied uncomfortably.
“And when will that happen?” she asked, resting her head on his stomach, staring at the ceiling, her entire being attentive to what he would say next.
“Whenever you want,” he answered, bemused, and hurried to hug and kiss her on her lips.
“Wait, I don’t understand. Are you proposing to me?” she asked in surprise and tore herself away from him.
“Sounds like it, doesn’t it?”
“Ah,” she murmured. This wasn’t how she’d hoped he’d propose.
“This isn’t good. This wasn’t how I planned to propose to you. Let’s start over, and do it right this time,” he said, as though he’d read her thoughts.
“You’re right. I’m waiting.” She sat up, stretched, and stared at him curiously.
Jeff sat up, looked straight at her, and began in a serious voice. “Eve
, the most beautiful, smartest woman in the world. I, Jeff, confess to you that I love you deeply and profoundly, and I’m asking you to be my partner until the end of our days. Will you agree?”
“Yes, my love,” she said amid tears of joy. His proposal had made her very happy because it had been bothering her for quite a while. More than a year had passed since Jeff had moved into her house, their love had flourished, and they got along great. Yet, he never said a word on the matter. Why hadn’t he raised the topic of a wedding or even hinted slightly about it? Was it because of the thriving business that had most of his attention and that had caused him to forget how love should eventually be realized? Or perhaps it was something else?
After that evening, Jeff decided to put more of an effort into his love for her. He felt compassion for his sad beloved, who would soon be his wife.
Occasionally, he’d emerge from among piles of inventory and customers and surprise her. On her birthday, he came home early and cooked dinner himself. They had a candlelight dinner, accompanied by a bottle of champagne. He even went as far as to write her a love poem to which he added a gift, an expensive watch that had her name carved on it. The poem had thrilled her so that she read it three times out loud. Then, she stuck it to the refrigerator door.
“Every time I open the door, I’ll read first what you wrote to me,” she said excitedly, and Jeff was happy that his love was as thrilled as a little girl from his gesture.
“You’ll do it once or twice, tops,” he chuckled. “But I’m not seeing you standing a year from now before the fridge, reading that poem, and only then taking out a beer or ice cream. But don’t worry, darlin’, next year, I’ll write you a new love poem.”
“To tell you the truth, you surprised me. I didn’t know you knew how to write so beautifully,” she praised him at the end of the evening.
“When you love someone, things become easier and simpler,” he smiled, pleased from the success of his poem.
But love tends to become routine, and despite the many gestures of love he lavished on her, with time, the subject of the wedding slipped his mind.
However, it didn’t slip Eve’s mind. After Jeff’s proposal, she told her parents about the upcoming nuptials. Her parents received the news joyfully, even though they’d only met their future son-in-law a handful of times. But they became fond of the handsome southern man, who was rugged yet honest. Jeff, in contrast to her, decided to postpone the conversation with his mother to a future date.
“What do you think about a spring wedding?” Eve suggested several days later. “The flowers blooming always make me feel good. April or May seems fitting. I’ve always dreamed of getting married in April.”
And Jeff agreed. Despite his apprehensions regarding the upcoming wedding, he loved her very much and enjoyed doing various things for her. He even did as she asked and appointed a foreman to take his place on the evening shift. And how unsurprising that this time, like the last, he also knew exactly who he wanted for the job.
The next day, he called Ahron, who immediately apologized for not visiting the shop.
“Never mind. Now, you have an opportunity to visit. I have an offer that might interest you.”
“What is it?”
“I prefer you come here, and then I’ll tell you. Since it’s about my place of work, it’s better that you’ll come here and see with your own eyes.”
A week later, Ahron arrived at the shop. The meeting was emotional. To someone viewing from the side, the connection between the two might seem puzzling and odd. Yet, that’s not how the two friends felt.
“Come into my office,” Jeff invited Ahron respectfully.
“Wow! This is your office?” Ahron said with admiration and made himself comfortable in a cushiony armchair facing Jeff, who sat in a manager’s armchair.
“Yes, this is my office.”
“Well then, the beating my brother gave you was worthwhile.” Ahron burst into laughter.
“Someone already said that there’s good in every bad.” Jeff joined his friend’s laughter.
“True. We say, ‘out of the strong, something sweet.’ Now, tell me what this is about,” Ahron said, after he’d calmed down from his incessant laughter.
“Okay.” Jeff took a deep breath. “The thing is, after I left the basement apartment, I moved in with Eve.”
“Eve?” Ahron cut him off.
“Eve is my girlfriend and my future wife. The last time I’d visited you, we had just met, so I didn’t have time to tell you about her.”
“Mazel tov!” Ahron instantly remembered the woman Rivka had told him about.
“Thanks,” Jeff grinned.
“Nu, go on,” Ahron prompted him, in suspense.
“Eve is a successful broker in the stock market. She earns an excellent salary. She has a big apartment in the heart if the city. After what happened with your brother, I had no choice but to move in with her. After several months of unemployment, I felt as though I was losing my mind. I couldn’t stand the fact that I was financially dependent on her. You know, I’ve been working since I was a boy. Eve saw my distress and suggested we found a business as partners. This is how this amazing department store was created.”
“Business? You’re talking as though you opened a grocery store or vegetable stand. This is a huge business that requires enormous investment!” Ahron was impressed, curious to learn more.
“Eve brought most of the money, and the rest, we received credit from the bank. The inventory is funded by suppliers,” he explained, happy to show his friend that he, Jeff, understood money management.
“Bravo to her for taking that significant risk. If she did that for you, she must love you very much.”
“Yes, she does love me very much, that is…” Jeff replied thoughtfully. “Now, to the case in question. Several days ago, she complained I was working too hard. She claimed, rightfully, that we barely had time to spend together. She suggested I appoint a store manager so I’ll have a bit more free time.”
“She’s right. That’s why Papa and I employ people, so we’ll have enough time for family and Torah lessons,” Ahron agreed.
“And I think you’re just the man for the job. You have a developed marketing sense, and you have experience running a business. I have no doubt you’ll succeed.” Jeff followed his friend’s reaction tensely.
Ahron looked at him in surprise. His fingers drummed on the desk restlessly, and it was obvious that his brain was working feverishly in order to find the right answer.
“I’m really surprised. I wasn’t expecting this kind of offer. … You know, this is a place where women walk around dressed inappropriately. I don’t know. I’ll have to think it over, maybe even consult with my rabbi,” Ahron replied, and deep inside, he already knew he couldn’t accept the offer, as tempting as it was.
“If you’re going to consult with the rabbi, chances you’ll take the job are nonexistent. That’s a polite way of telling me no,” Jeff replied understandingly. Once again, he had read his friend’s life incorrectly. Ahron was shackled by the chains of tradition. How could he forget how different Ahron was from him?
“You’re right,” Ahron apologized. “Chances are small, mostly because of my parents. After what they went through with Rivka, I can’t give them another blow. But I want you to know that I appreciate your offer. There’s nothing to do, we can’t always get what we want.”
“That’s a pity,” Jeff said. He understood that both of them had missed an opportunity here for professional success, which would greatly help their business and friendship. Jeff thought of Rivka and hoped that at least she’d found her freedom.
Chapter 16
“Ten minutes to landing,” the captain notified the passengers, and the huge Jumbo Jet began its descent. The lower it flew, the greater the pressure in Rivka’s ears. The odd symptom frightened her, and she covered her ears with her hands in an attempt to stop it, but without much success.
“Here, honey, chew. It’ll help y
ou get over the pain.” The old lady who sat next to her saw her distress and handed her some chewing gum, while addressing her in Hebrew.
“Thanks,” Rivka answered in English. Even though she didn’t understand a word, she took the chewing gum and hurriedly shoved it in her mouth. While she chewed, she felt the pressure in her ears lessen gradually. She heaved a sigh of relief.
Feeling better, she leaned her head on the window and curiously studied the approaching ground. Between the sparse clouds, she could clearly see the sea and the people frolicking on its shores. Several minutes later, the sea disappeared, and only the ground remained. She was surprised to see a very small number of skyscrapers. Most of the buildings, unlike those in New York, were small. From above, they looked even smaller. From her seat on the plane, she could see and hear the wheels of the plane unfold. The plane listed sharply to the left and then leveled itself for landing. The passengers burst into raucous applause when the plane landed, and its wheels rolled deafeningly on the tarmac. The plane continued forward and gradually slowed down, until it stopped. Several minutes later, the doors opened, and Rivka, like the rest of the passengers, rushed outside.
The exhausting, almost twelve-hour flight had come to an end. For Rivka, who had never been on a plane before, it hadn’t been easy. She had a difficult time falling asleep, and unlike the rest of the passengers, was awake the entire flight. During those long hours, she berated herself for forgetting her only book at the agency building. She tried to concentrate on the movie projected on the little screen before her seat, but she was too tense and excited and, in the end, she gave up on that activity. At the beginning of the trip, she’d managed to keep herself busy. She read the Traveler’s Prayer again and even added a few chapters from Psalms. New clothes and makeup can’t change my inner world. I still believe in God, she coached herself. When the flight ended, she immediately prayed, “Our praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of all: for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this season.”
