Light Years Away: Chapter 25

“You can’t give up on the best option for your daughter because of money. We have to figure this out, and find a solution”
"I'm not sure we’ll be flying to America at all. We may just have the procedure done here.”
Chaya’s engagement party is proceeding apace, and Gedalya has found a table along with his brothers and brother-in-law. They’re all curious to hear about his upcoming trip. This piece of news — delivered with offhand confidence — strikes them as strange.
“You said the best procedure for her can only be done in America, no?” Yoeli asks cautiously. “Did something change?”
“No.” Gedalya’s playing it tough. “Nothing’s changed.”
In Israel, he doesn’t tell them, they still only restore the outer ear. And they have much less experience. They don’t open the auditory canal — certainly not during the same procedure.
“So then… you’re reconsidering?” Yoeli is being so sensitive, so delicate. The others just listen, letting him do the talking.
“Do you really want to hear?” Gedalya asks.
His face shows quiet despair. It’s startling to see. Gedalya never gives up, even when he has to explain to an advertiser for the umpteenth time why their ad can’t appear in the paper in its present form.
“Gedalya, is everything all right?” Now it’s Shua speaking. “Because we’re happy to help if you need anything.”
They’ve already offered to take the kids for Shabbos while Gedalya and Shifra are away with Tovi, and to pitch in for whatever help is required before and after.
“I need two hundred-fifty.”
“Two hundred fifty what?” Now it’s Dudi asking.
“Thousand shekels.”
“Two hundred fifty thousand shekels. A quarter million.”
“That’s right.”
“And I’ve already looked into gemachim, medical aid funds… whatever you want,” Gedalya adds after a moment’s pause, warding off any annoying suggestions. Especially not you, Tzvi, with your rich shver. “Not to mention that even if I find a gvir who’ll lend me that much, I won’t have any way to pay it back.”
After a moment, they all start talking at once.
They all stop talking, laugh, and apologize.
“I’ll say what everybody here is thinking,” Dudi volunteers. “You can’t give up on the best option for your daughter because of money. We have to figure this out, and find a solution.”
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