“I have principles. And red lines I won’t cross. I’m where I choose to be, and no Raphael Beigel can drag me down”

Gedalya loves Beit Shemesh,and on Friday night, when he emerges from shul into the open space and fresh air, he decides that he’d prefer to go on living here, even if some anonymous benefactor were to offer him an apartment in Jerusalem.

“Gut Shabbos!” Kibelevitz greets him as he reaches the corner of Rechov Chazon Ish. “How’s it going, Reb Gedalya?”

Gedalya’s two boys walk ahead a bit. His fingers curl around his gartel. “It’ll be all right,” he says. “My daughter got sick, literally, from the idea that we’re collecting money for her.”

If only this were a story for him to mark up in Hamehadhed. He wouldn’t let this happen to a family. In the very next chapter, he’d have them win first prize in a big raffle. And in the chapter after that, the girl would be flying to America for her transplant, and in the next and final chapter, she’d come home with a perfect new ear. The end. Let the whole office complain about it, he would stand his ground. Why did he have veto power, if not for a time like this?

Kibelevitz shakes his head pityingly. “There’s no reason for her to take it so hard. Obviously I can’t share any secrets, but if she only knew how many girls in her school are getting support from the fund… Quite a few families are. That’s life. Sometimes you give, and sometimes others give to you.”

“Yes. But my daughter…” Gedalya doesn’t feel comfortable discussing Tovi. “It threatens her whole self-image, if you know what I mean. She’s used to doing well, she’s popular in school, and she feels like it’s all exploding in her face.”

“Kol hakavod.”

“What… are you laughing at me?” Gedalya stammers.

“No, I’m complimenting you that you managed to raise her with such a healthy outlook.” Kibelevitz pauses. “But sometimes kids mirror their parents.” A gust of wind hits them, sends discarded plastic bags swirling in the air. “Maybe… you might want to look inward a bit, to see if you yourselves aren’t feeling some ambivalence about your decision.”

We don’t need to look inward, Gedalya thinks when he arrives home to a set table and glowing candles. Of course we’re ambivalent.