The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller & Dov Zeller

Author:Dov Zeller & Dov Zeller [Zeller, Dov]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tiny Golem Press
Published: 2018-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

LOVE OR WEREWOLVES

AFTER WORK ARI went to get Itche from Talia’s. Mr. Wexler and Josh insisted on meeting him there with the Hertzbergs’ car. Ari found himself sitting on a couch between his father and Josh waiting for Itche to get his things together. “Hashem, why do you punish me so?” he asked silently in the direction of the proverbial heavens. All of this talking to God made him feel like some distant relation to Tevye the Dairy Man. If he were a character in a Sholem Aleichem book would he be Ari the Library Man? Arnold the Noodle Man? Or just plain Noodle Soup?

“This is a very beautiful place you have,” Josh said to Talia, his icy gray-blue eyes all over her and all of her brother’s worldly possessions. “Though compared to your beauty, it’s glaringly mediocre.” Ari could feel the smarmy vibes emanating from his brother. He could almost smell them. Ari elbowed him.

“Ow!” Josh said. “What’s your problem?”

“Josh is absolutely right,” Mr. Wexler said. “If there were a beauty contest between you and this lovely apartment, well, it wouldn’t even be a competition.”

“Because there’s no upstairs here,” Josh said.

“Or downstairs,” Mr. Wexler added.

“Enough,” Ari said.

“Don’t be a bubbie,” Josh and Mr. Wexler said in unison.

Talia smiled distractedly and Ari wondered how offended she was at this point. Was she upset about something, but she looked distracted more than peeved. Was she sad Itche was leaving? Was she upset Ari was here to get Itche? Did she want Itche to stay here? Did Itche want to stay? Was Ari meddling when all they wanted was to be left alone? But Itche did ask to be picked up. Ari felt like disappearing and tried his best to make himself smaller. Meanwhile, Helen gave him and his relations looks of extreme disapproval. Couldn’t she think of anything else to do?

“You should have us over some time,” Josh said, raising and lowering his eyebrows a little. Ari flinched and didn’t dare to look in Helen’s direction. “Your taste is impeccable,” Josh went on. “Just being in here I feel like I’m getting nutrients that can only be absorbed in the home of someone who has insight and discernment.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Mr. Wexler said.

“You’re very kind,” Talia said. “But I don’t live here, you know. It’s Sasha’s apartment. He does have very good taste.”

“Yes,” Josh said. “It’s open and airy. You can really breathe in a home like this.”

“But is it rent-controlled?” Mr. Wexler asked. “That’s the question.”

“I don’t know,” Talia said. “As I said, it’s not my apartment.”

“Do you think Itche’s almost ready?” Ari asked Talia.

“Shut up bubbie,” Mr. Wexler said. He turned to Talia. “You spend most of your time in L.A., then?”

“Yes,” Talia said. “But I love New York. It feels like home.”

“Except for the unfriendly elements,” Mr. Wexler said, nodding in the direction of Helen.

“New York is very friendly,” Talia said. “L.A. has its good points, too. The people there are very healthy.”

“They eat too many avocados,” Mr.

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