I can’t tell Chaimke, because he’s sleeping, and anyway he wouldn’t understand. There’s nobody I can talk to about it. So I’ll just talk to Hashem

Uncle Shmaya is very happy to hear Shua’s voice. Yes, of course, he’s heard about his cousin’s granddaughter who needs ear surgery. Baruch Hashem, isn’t it wonderful what modern medicine can do, and of course, he’ll be very happy to do his part, he’s already arranged that just a little while ago with… “Mit der geshmak shvogger,” he says in European Yiddish with a heavy British accent.

“Which brother-in-law?” Shua and Nechami look at each other, puzzled. Sari wants more chicken, and Yehudit is floating toothpicks in her pumpkin soup.

Nechami has four brothers, and each of them might be described as geshmak. Which one managed to beat them to it and get hold of Uncle Shmaya today, right before them?

“Yes, he gave me all the details, just a couple of hours ago,” Uncle Shmaya tells Shua. “And baruch Hashem, I phoned in my contribution right away, I put it on my credit card. I even got a receipt already by email. Kol hakavod, the way you’ve got it so well organized. The little girl should only have a refuah sheleimah.” Shua shares a few more items of family news, and after wishing a hearty mazel tov on the muzhinkele’s upcoming marriage, Uncle Shmaya ends the conversation.

“Mi hu zeh, v’eizeh hu?” Nechami demands.

This is so unfair. Of course she knows they’re all working for a common purpose — the point is to raise enough money for Tovi’s procedure, that’s obvious. But why did her brothers have to snatch Uncle Shmaya away from her? They’re all doing so well at reaching their goals, while she has nothing!

“It’s all min haShamayim,” Shua says.

Nechami makes a face.

“Are you wishing you’d called me earlier, while I was in kollel?”

“No.”

“But then we could’ve gotten to your uncle before your brother did.”

She doesn’t answer. She calls Tzvi. He answers right away. Uncle Shmaya — amazing idea, he says. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of asking him! But l’maiseh, I already reached my goal. Now I’m just adding in small amounts from here and there.”

“Oof,” says Nechami. “I’ve hardly raised anything at all.”

“Oh, well,” her brother in Belgium says oh, so nonchalantly. “So for once in your life you’re feeling a little challenged.” You two have always been the perfect ones, he doesn’t say. It won’t hurt you to feel what’s it’s like to be lagging behind all the others.

Nechami picks up the message loud and clear. She, too, keeps silent.