In the quiet of dawn Gavi stepped out of the car and closed the door softly. He cast a furtive glance at the little house on the other side of the street. Curtains drawn. Blessed silence. He focused on the construction site in front of him rubbing his hands together for warmth.

“Morning Beloff.”

Gavi went still. “Do you ever sleep Mr. Redlick? Or do you wait up for me all night?”

“Sure I sleep. It’ll be more soundly when you get your trash heap off my block.”

Stay calm Gavi. He’s just trying to get under your skin.

“As I have assured you in the past everything here is legal. I have every permit in order. Once again I apologize for the noise.” He walked briskly toward the car.

Redlick’s lips curled into a sneer. “The petition’s gaining steam Beloff. Lots of signatures. I hope you’ll still visit once this project is shut down. I’ll miss these little chats.” He let out a gruff laugh.

Gavi pulled the car door closed and sat still until he saw Redlick disappear back into his house. Then he slammed his fist into the steering wheel. He’s going to cause problems. If he starts digging... Gavi shook his head unwilling to let his thoughts go down that path.

As he drove Gavi’s thoughts wandered back to that day eight years before when his future father-in-law had walked into the beis medrash of the Elmway Yeshivah. It had been at the end of morning seder a cold day like this one.

Gavi had looked up from his Gemara to watch the Rosh Yeshivah usher in a distinguished-looking man. “Who’s that?” Gavi asked nudging his chavrusa Moish.

Moish looked up. “You live under a rock Beloff? That’s Norman Krugman. As in the Krugman Beis Medrash of Elmway Yeshivah. The Krugman dormitory. The Krugman dining room… The guy is loaded.”

There was something fascinating about him: The perfect cut of his suit the way when he spoke he seemed certain of being heard and yet he leaned in to catch the Rosh Yeshivah’s every word.

“I wonder what they’re talking about” Gavi mumbled.

“Word on the street is that he has a daughter in shidduchim. His older daughters both married guys from the yeshivah. Living the good life now. Think I should apply?” Moish winked.

The Rosh Yeshivah suddenly nodded in their direction. Moish and Gavi quickly looked into their open seforim.

“Amar Rava…” Gavi lifted his eyes slightly and saw the Rosh Yeshivah looking directly at Moish. Of course. Moish comes from a great family. He has a good head. Puts himself together.

“No need to apply” Gavi said quietly. “I think the Rosh Yeshivah just did it for you.”

Color flushed through Moish’s cheeks. “Where were we…”

A few minutes later Mr. Krugman walked over and sat down. He listened in as the chavrusa went back and forth. Knowing how important this moment was for him Gavi ceded to Moish a few times. By the time Norman stood up he had a smile on his face. It’s a done deal.

When the Rosh Yeshivah called him into his office a few days later Gavi was blindsided.

“I’m going to be blunt. Mr. Krugman was impressed Gavriel.” His voice was grave his usual smile absent.

Gavi’s eyes opened wide. “Um… Moish…”

“I suggested Moish. A good boy. A better fit for the Krugman family to be honest.”