“Mama, I don’t think you should be telling me…”
Unperturbed, Bessie continued, “I pulled a clean dress over my head, walked to the general store and returned with a skein of yarn which I left on the couch in the parlor then found a policeman and brought him back to my bedroom. I explained to him, your father came home drunk this morning after a night of boozing, gambling and, I suppose, whoring. I suggested someone felt cheated and came here to get even. I remember, the policeman stared at the body with the barely recognizable face…then at me.”
Bessie sighed and grabbed her daughter’s hands in both of hers.
“I asked him to have the undertaker stop by for the body. He asked, ‘Mrs.–were you angry with him?’ I replied, ‘Why would you ask that?’”
“He said, ‘There’ve been rumors he was beating you and the kids.’”
“My husband of twenty-one years? Respected by all who knew him? Why would anyone say that? He stared at me for a while then shrugged and agreed to tell the undertaker. When passing through the parlor, the policeman paused and glanced at the fire.
“Warm day for a fire,” he said.
I told him, “Thank you for asking. I felt a chill earlier but I assure you I’m fine now. I remember I smiled at the fire and whispered, There’ll be no more hitting.”
“He asked what I said. I gave him a sweet smile. Knitting, I told him. There’ll be no more knitting…until after the funeral.”
“Mama, please. You can’t tell anyone what you’ve just told me.”
“I won’t. I simply thought you should know your mother finally stood up for her children.”
They stared at each other, then joined in a tearful embrace.
Chapter Thirty-Four: Children Making Matches
After Sabbath services many of the families conversed in the courtyard of the small building which was used for their synagogue. Sophie saw Nathan sharing laughter with William and Celeste Kaplan. She stood next to her mother and brother when her eyes widened, she stood a bit taller, and then smiled as Nathan walked up to her.
“Shabbat Shalom, Sophie.”
“Shabbat Shalom, Nathan,” she said with a radiant expression. “I enjoyed hearing you chant the Haftorah blessings. As you said, they lifted my heart.”
“It’s a lovely day, Sophie. I was wondering if you would like to go for a walk with me and afterwards have dinner at my parent’s home.”
Nathan held out his arm. Sophie put her hand on it and said, “I would love that. Allow me to introduce you and your family to my mother.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Gershom,” Myra replied.
“My pleasure, I assure you. This is my son.”
“Hello Mordechai,” William said. “How’s the arm?”
“Doesn’t hurt so much today, Doctor.”
Matis’ father was watching them. His eyes became so huge, Sophie thought they might explode. With his throat choked with righteous anger he approached the them and demanded, “Take your hand off my future daughter-in-law.”
Nathan said, “I’m sorry to correct you but Sophie has her hand on me.”
His anger turned to rage. “Remove your hand. Who the hell do you think you are?”
Others in the crowd turned to see what the commotion was.
Nathan pulled Sophie’s arm against him. “The man who’s going to marry her.”
“No. Absolutely not. A match has been made and it doesn’t include you.”
“I again respectfully apologize but Sophie and I have other plans.”
“Who gives a damn what the two of you planned?”
Nathan’s smile evaporated. He leaned toward Matis’ father and radiated anger, the likes of which, Yaakov the butcher had rarely experienced. In a low and measured voice, he said, “Your son’s happiness is worth more than a financial arrangement.”
Red faced Yaakov opened his mouth but nothing came out.
Sophie stood on her toes, looked for Rose and waved her to her side.
Matis approached and held out his arm. Rose politely thanked Matis as she placed her hand on his arm. Matis turned to his father, “He’s right. You should care what we think.”
Now rattled, Yaakov asked his son in a quivering voice, “And why is that?”
“Because your grandchildren will be living in Rose and my home.”
Rose tightened her grip on Matis’ arm. He smiled at her.
Matis father starred daggers at his son then Nathan. He yelled, “Who the hell are you?”
Nathan’s smile returned, “Do you know Rabbi Moshe Rifkin?”
“Of course. Everyone knows that blessed man. He comes from a long line of learned Rabbis. What’s that got to do with you?”
“I’m his grandson.”
Sophie experienced momentary shock, sucked in her breath, and felt her knees trembling. She leaned against Nathan to steady herself.
Nathan held out his hand to Yaakov the butcher. “I’m Rabbi Nathan Aaron Rifkin.”
He, along with many others in the crowed, turned to look at grinning Dov Rifkin who said, “Rabbi Nathan is my nephew.”
Barely able to talk, Yaakov mumbled his wife’s name while introducing her as he shook Nathan’s hand.
Matis turned to Nathan, held out his hand, and said, “Thank you for the lesson about the word Tzadik, Rabbi Nathan. Perhaps one day, you can teach me your fishing technique and we’ll have another lesson.”
Nathan shook his hand. “I’ll look forward to that.
“Matis,” Sophie said, “will you and Rose please accompany Nathan and me. We’re going for a walk, then to his parent’s home for dinner.”
Matis looked at Rose who nodded.
“We’d be happy to,” Matis replied.
* * *
As they proceeded on their walk, Nathan teased, “You didn’t ask my permission to invite Rose.”
With pretend anger in her voice, Sophie said, “Listen to me, Reb Rifkin. You may be the famous Rabbi to other people but in our home you won’t be more than Nathan Aaron.”
Nathan laughed so hard he stopped walking. He repeated her remark to Matis and Rose who joined his laughter.
As the continued their walk, Sophie leaned toward Nathan and quietly whispered, “Rose is laughing at Matis’ silly butcher jokes. I dreaded hearing them but she’s enjoying them. They’ll make a great couple.”
“So you’re acting like a rabbi’s wife already by putting those two together.”
“She appreciates him for who he is. The way he’s looking at her now, I know they’ll be great together.”
“You’re right and I’m happy for them.”
“When did you know I was Jewish?” she asked.
“I saw your mezuzah the first day we met.”
She smiled and fingered the tiny mezuzah she always wore. “Why didn’t you tell me your full name? And that you’re a Rabbi?”
“I was assigned a bride a few years ago by my grandfather. When I met her, it was apparent that she was in love with the idea of marrying the grandson of a famous rabbi but didn’t have any interest in getting to know me. Did I hurt your feelings by not giving you my real name?”
“No…but you could have told me. Should I be embarrassed that I argued Torah with a learned Rabbi?”
“You may not be embarrassed…because I loved arguing with you. Besides, we weren’t arguing. We were discussing.” He smiled at her. “When did you think we might have a future?”
She squeezed his arm against her side. “My Tzadik stole my heart the same day an eagle stole a fish from an osprey.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Nathan noticed Sophie grimace.
“What’s wrong?”
“After I fell in your brother’s office, my arm tingles and I’ve experienced a headache which worsens each day.”
* * *
As Sophie and Nathan continued up the street, he said, “That’s my parent’s business.” He pointed to the Kaplan-Kaufman signboard.
“Myra and David K
aplan are your parents? You’re a helper at your parent’s business?”
“Yes, they are and yes, I am until another opportunity begins. I lost my birth-parents when I was two. They took me in and raised me as their own. Out of respect for my birth-parents, and with the Kaplan’s permission, I took my father’s name for my middle name and changed my last name back to Rifkin after I finished rabbinical school.”
After introductions were made at David and Myra’s home, Myra asked Sophie and Rose to help set the dinner table.
“So you’re the one making him crazy,” Myra said to Sophie as she handed them dishes. “Since he went out one morning for a walk along the river, he can’t leave the house without asking me at least three times if he looks okay.”
Sophie grinned then turned to Rose, “Matis is positively in heaven when he looks at you. He never looked at me like that.”
The family and guests sat down to dinner. Sophie kept twisting on her chair.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about Sophie, we’re just ordinary people,” David said while spooning peas into his shirt pocket. Noting Sophie’s amazed expression, he said to her, “Saving these for later.”
As everyone became hysterical laughing, Nathan covered his eyes with his hand and shook his head. Myra playfully punched David in the arm.
“What?” he said raising his shoulders and hands in a gesture of innocence.
“You’re embarrassing Nathan.”
“I know but now Sophie’s not nervous.”
Celeste said, “I apologize, Sophie, Matis, and Rose but that’s what it’s like to be around our family.”
Jonah said, “Uncle Nathan has lots of amazing abilities. Wait until you see his technique with his spear.”
Sophie blushed. “I wasn’t aware that was a proper subject for dinner conversation…but I’m looking forward to the day when he demonstrates the use of his spear.”
There was immediate silence after which the family became hysterical laughing, Nathan quickly whispered to Sophie.
She closed her eyes and lowered her head as her cheeks reddened further. William told Matis and Rose, “He really does own and throw a spear.”
As the meal ended, Myra said, “Nathan, take a moment and give Sophie a tour of the upstairs. Also Nathan, tell Sophie about you know what if you haven’t already.”
David whispered to Myra, “You sent them upstairs?”
She replied in a whisper, “Sophie is still nervous. A little time alone will help. Besides, I think this is a good time for him to tell her about the other thing.”
* * *
They wrapped their arms around each other the moment they were alone and engaged in a long kiss.
Sophie asked, “What did your mother want you to tell me?”
“I’ve been educated as a rabbi but after I finished rabbinical school I spent the next two years studying medicine and that will be my primary career. I learned that in ancient times you were required to be a doctor before you could become a rabbi. That’s what I did but I got the order reversed.”
“What?” Sophie said, as she noisily collapsed to a sitting position on a hallway couch. “I’m overwhelmed.”
“Don’t be. I need you in my life to remember I’m just Nathan Aaron.”
“You don’t think I should be impressed that you’re a learned rabbi and a doctor?”
“I’ve been invited to Spokane, Washington to set up a medical practice and become a part-time rabbi for a small Jewish community until they grow sufficiently to hire a full time Rabbi.”
“Are you going?”
“Will you come with?”
“We’d be away from family.”
“Spokane is a train ride away.”
“What will it cost to move?”
“They’ll pay for the move and pay one year’s rent for a medical office. They’re also willing to help me equip the office.”
“Then I’m going.”
“You love me that much?”
“I loved you when I believed you were a clerk. I …” Her voice trailed off. She kept trying to speak but seemed to have trouble forming the words. Her eyes widened in fright.
“Sophie. What’s wrong?”
She swayed slightly and collapsed.
Nathan began screaming for William.
* * *
Nathan leaned over her lifeless body, one hand on her cheek. William checked for heart and breathing sounds. He shook his head.
“Sophie,” Nathan said, “started slurring her speech and collapsed. She’d been complaining of terrible headaches.”
“I’m so sorry. With all the head trauma from her father’s beatings, it could have happened at any time.”
* * *
Following Sophie’s funeral, Nathan spoke to David and William.
“I’m moving to Spokane. It’s far enough from Seattle, I won’t see daily reminders of my time with Sophie.”
“We’ll miss you but I think it’s a good idea,” David said.
Nathan walked to the desk in the parlor. He took out a sheet of paper and began writing.
“Dear Ruben, Joyce and Naomi, The last few days may have been the worst in my life…”
Chapter Thirty-Five: Moving On
“Congratulations Doctor Rifkin.”
“For what?” Nathan said to his office assistant while cleaning and bandaging a laceration on a boy’s elbow.
“I just glanced at the calendar. Our Spokane office has been open for six-months today.”
Nathan laughed.
“You have a woman and young girl waiting to see you. Not an emergency they said.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Cornish. I’m nearly done here. Let them know, I’ll meet with them in my office in a couple of minutes.”
Nathan washed his hands and crossed the hall to his office.
“Right this way and have a seat,” Mrs. Cornish said as she seated the twosome across from Nathan’s desk.
Without looking up, he said, “I have to make a couple notes about my last patient. I’ll be right with you.”
“When I received your letter that Sophie died, I thought you might need a hug.”
Nathan looked up; his eyes widened. His pen dropped as did his jaw. “You’re here.”
Joyce smiled. “I wanted Naomi to continue her walks with you.”
“Ruben?”
“Died nine-months ago. They never cured his leg infection.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“You were involved with Sophie.” Joyce twisted on the chair. “Are you…ready…?”
“To move on? Yes. Definitely.”
Relief flooded Joyce’s expression.
After a long silence Naomi asked, “We brought all our stuff out here. What are we going to do now?”
“Climb ladders,” Nathan replied.
“Why?” Naomi asked.
“To gather apples and peaches.”
“Apples and peaches?” Joyce asked.
“It’s harvest time for families who have an orchard.”
“Are we a family?” Joyce asked.
“Am I still in there?” Nathan nodded at her heart.
“Yes. And you?”
“Still have a special place for each of you.”
Sounding exasperated, Naomi said, “But does that mean we’re a family?”
“Come here,” Nathan said as he stood. Naomi raced around the desk and embraced him.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
“Dr. Kaplan,” a young man called out while helping an old woman into the medical office. Grandma fell off a ladder.”
“Right this way,” Mrs. Cornish said.
“Have a seat,” Nathan said to Naomi and Joyce. “I’ll be right back.” He helped the old woman to an examining table. “Just looks like some bad scrapes but that bump on your knee will take some time to heal.”
“Can I watch?” Naomi asked.
Nathan turned to the old woman. “Mrs. Olson, do you mind if Naomi watches?”
“Of course not.”
Nathan began cleaning and bandaging. “Perhaps at ninety-three you should give up climbing ladders.”
“There were three nectarines that looked so perfect, I had to.” She noticed Naomi’s rapt attention. “She’s keeping an eye on you doc.”
“I taught her how to bandage.”
She turned to Naomi. “What are you waiting for Darlin’? Give him a hand.”
“Naomi, move to my right side and hold this for me,” Nathan said as he covered a long thin scrape on Mrs. Olson’s upper arm.
“Remember what I taught you?”
Naomi nodded.
“Go ahead.”
With each wrap, Joyce’s smile broadened.
“Excellent,” Nathan said.
“Will four jars of canned applesauce and three jars of peaches suffice?” Mrs. Olson asked.
Nathan glanced at Mrs. Cornish, nodded, and said, “Yes they will.”
“Do you often receive goods for services?” Joyce asked as they left the office.
“Yes. Mrs. Cornish has a good idea of what things are worth.”
“Do you always leave work at mid-afternoon?”
“Only before the Sabbath.”
“Is your rabbi nice?” Naomi asked.
“I like to think so.”
“You’re talking to him,” Joyce said.
“Oops. I forgot.” Naomi grabbed Nathan’s hand and skipped as they walked.
* * *
“This is my home,” Nathan said, opening the front door for them.
“Where are the fruit trees?” Naomi asked.
“Behind the house and beyond the garden.”
Naomi ran off to explore the orchard.
“Thank you for letting Naomi help.”
“She remembered everything I taught her.”
“Nathan, I hate to do this but I couldn’t sleep coming out here. Not knowing what to expect. You know, just showing up and all. I’m totally exhausted.”
The Pioneer: A Journey to the Pacific Page 20