Recap: Aliza is reading the journal. Aida’s father has not contacted his family since he left on a business trip. Aida heard from her friend that there was an arrest and she’s worried if her father was arrested. Her mother is unwell and needs to leave the country for medical help. Aida runs to Rabbi H’s house to ask him for help.
I raced towards Rabbi H’s house. A Muslim policeman crossed right in front of me and I almost tripped. “Where are you running to?” he jeered.
I stopped short and tried to catch my breath. I had to think quickly. “My mother is ill. I’m heading to the pharmacy.”
Walk like a dignified person, Musawi, not like a Jew.” He spat on the ground and strode away.
I slowed my pace so as not to catch anyone else’s attention. Now, I would have to go to the pharmacy or that policeman would be suspicious. I glanced behind me and continued strolling towards the pharmacy on Main Street. I entered and took a few strides around the store hoping that would be enough time. I purchased a small tube of toothpaste and left the store.
When I finally reached Rabbi H’s house, Rebbetzin H let me in. “The Rav is not home right now, but you are welcome to wait in the sitting room,” she said.
The room was small but there was a cozy feeling. There was a grandfather clock in the corner and a bookcase filled with s’farim. There were two brown velvet couches and a wood rocker with a knitted Afghan blanket with lavender and sky-blue squares. A yellow canary in a cage was singing by the window.
The Rebbetzin brought me a cup of mint tea. “Fresh mint from our herb garden, “ she said.
There was a knock at the door and a man with a dark beard and wearing a dark business suit, entered. He was carrying a small briefcase.
“Is the Rabbi home now?” he asked.
“He will be soon. Please come in.”
The man wiped is feet on the door mat and then pulled a kipah from his pocket and placed it on his head.
He sat on one of the couches.
I squirmed in my seat, feeling uncomfortable to be sitting here with a stranger.
The Rebbetzin brought him a cup of tea.
The grandfather clock donged.
Rabbi H strode in. He looked tired when he greeted his wife. There were dark circles under his eyes. He glanced at the man and at me.
“You have some visitors,” the Rebbetzin said.
The Rabbi ushered the man into his office.
“I’m sorry that you have to wait a bit longer. He had to see that man first.” The Rebbetzin apologized.
I nodded and fidgeted in the seat.
A short while later, the man strolled out of the office and hurried towards the door.
“Good night,” he mumbled to the Rebbetzin as he left.
The Rabbi then came out into the living room. “So, what can I do for you, young lady?”
“Please, Rabbi. I’m so worried. I heard there was an arrest.”
The Rabbi put his finger to his lips and motioned me to follow him into his study.
“The walls have ears, my dear. I’m sorry. Tell me what you heard.”
“My friend told me. Stella Arsig. She said there was an arrest of a Jewish businessman and, well, we haven’t heard from my father in three weeks and he always––”
Rabbi H lifted his hand. “It is very possible, Aida. I can’t verify until I speak to the authorities. Let’s hope he wasn’t detained by them.”
So, there was hope. I had to hold onto that thread of hope.
“I will see what I can find out.”
“Rabbi H, I’m not sure what to do. My mother is not well. I don’t want her to know that there is any possibility of––”
“Don’t say anything. We must think positively. Come back tomorrow. G-d willing, I will have more information by then.”
He walked me to the door. “Don’t say anything to your mother now. She should have a r’fuah sh’leimah.”
“Amein.” I headed out the door. The sky was filled with sparkling stars, but I felt only darkness and dread. I trudged home, davening that Hashem should please send Aba back home and we should hear from him today.
To be continued…
Susie Garber is the author of an historical fiction novel, Flight of the Doves (Menucha Publishing, 2023), Please Be Polite (Menucha Publishers, 2022), A Bridge in Time (Menucha Publishing, 2021), Secrets in Disguise (Menucha Publishers, 2020), Denver Dreams (a novel, Jerusalem Publications, 2009), Memorable Characters…Magnificent Stories (Scholastic, 2002), Befriend (Menucha Publishers, 2013), The Road Less Traveled (Feldheim, 2015), fiction serials and features in Binah Magazine and Binyan Magazine, “Moon Song” in Binyan (2021-2022), and Alaskan Gold ( 2023-2024).
