Is this grown woman really asking a community chesed organization for help taking care of her own baby?!

“M

iss Shochet, is this spreadsheet for real?” asked Rabbi Richman, leaning toward his computer screen.

Ahuva shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”

“We received the phone call about the Waxman family less than two hours ago and according to this,” Rabbi Richman pointed at the screen, “supper is being delivered every night, the kids have rides to and from school, and the family has babysitters every afternoon for the next two weeks. Even cleaning help has been arranged.”

Ahuva smiled and high-fived her co-worker Shevy, but then her expression turned serious. “As far as I know, Mrs. Waxman has already been hospitalized. Her kids are gonna finish school in just a couple of hours, so we couldn’t really wait until tomorrow to make arrangements, could we?”

Rabbi Richman shook his head. “Unfortunately, we can’t plan in advance for a medical crisis, but Beaumont is lucky they’ve got you at Zichron Zalman.”

Ahuva had barely thanked Rabbi Richman for the compliment when the phone rang again.

“Uh-huh,” Ahuva said into the phone, twirling a strand of hair.  In just two months I’ll be twirling a sheitel.  The thought sent a shiver of excitement up her spine. This call didn’t sound all that pressing and she’d let her attention wander. She tuned back in to the caller.

“…so, you know, I’m just so exhausted all the time. I can’t wake up a million times a night and still function for my other kids. I was hoping I could get a baby nurse for a few nights.”

A baby nurse? Is this lady for real? When I was 15, I used to wake up all nightlong for Bentzi and get the other kids out in the morning and I did just fine in school the next day. Is this grown woman really asking a community chesed organization for help taking care of her own baby?!

“So, um, we don’t really have baby nurses.” Ahuva coughed into the phone to cover the laugh that almost escaped — no matter how ridiculous the request, no one deserved to be laughed at. “But I can see if I can try to find you a high school girl to take your kids out for an afternoon, so you could get a good nap.”

The woman on the other end sounded doubtful, but she thanked Ahuva politely after Ahuva entered her information into the computer and promised to be in touch with contact info for a babysitter.

When she saw the next number on her caller ID, Ahuva couldn’t help but smile what Shevy called her goofy smile as she grabbed the phone.

“Yaakov! What are you doing calling my work number?” She carefully modulated her voice, trying desperately not to sound like a giggly teenager.