Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 60 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Mike, in the end I’m going to die of this anorexia—and it will be your fault. Why don’t you agree to bring me to where you are? I’ve lost almost thirteen pounds, and Mom is very worried. But when I look in the mirror, I still feel like I’m fat, and that I need to eat even less than I’m eating. I know it’s not normal, and that I need treatment, but I’m not sending you any more faxes if you don’t answer me, you annoying brother!

Mike crumpled the paper in frustration. Dr. Skulholt looked at him from the side. “Don’t be so angry, Mike. It’s not healthy. Not for the body or the soul,” he said softly. “Do you still believe she’s doing this on her own?”

“Absolutely!”

“Lower your tone, please. What do you think we are supposed to do? Bring her here and get in trouble with the law? She’s a minor, you know that, and you need to understand us.”

“Then at least I need to see her.” The idea suddenly popped into Mike’s head. “You are so good to me; you’re helping me so much, and I’m really doing well. What’s this obstinacy? Did I ask to kidnap her? If I bring her here for two days, and leave a message for my parents, they won’t worry.”

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 59 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“The biggest problem is that time is very, very short, and we’re afraid he won’t be able to get a passport in time to leave in a normal way,” Dov told Hinda later that evening.

“A passport?” Hinda, mending the hem on Dov’s Shabbos pants, raised her eyes to look at him. “How did he get into the country?”

“With his passport, of course. But after the accident, when he ran to Michoel’s house, the passport disappeared.”

“He had it that evening?”

“Apparently, but in the emergency room he discovered that it was not in his pocket. The lawyer, Schwartzman, looked into it, and the police say they didn’t take it. And that no one else did either.”

“If you can believe them… So maybe he left it in the dorm that evening?”

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 58 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Hello, Hinda?”

“Michoel, how are you?”

“I’m…good, baruch Hashem. He should continue to help me. Tell me, what’s with Yosef?”

Hinda swallowed. “It’s not simple,” she said carefully. “Like I’ve told you, he hasn’t been feeling so well lately.”

“Do you remember that I suggested that you send him here, to me?”

She sighed. “It’s certainly not noge’a now, Michoel.”

He ignored what she said, as if he was trying to utilize every moment of the conversation. “And remember that I asked you, jokingly, if you think they kidnapped me and that I want Yosef to help me escape?”

“Yes, you said something like that.”

“Well…it wasn’t quite a joke.”

“What?!” Hinda sat down on the nearest chair. “You were kidnapped?! That sounds…”

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 57 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Dr. Jerry Skulholt decided to have their semiweekly conversation on the open balcony this time. It was the first time Michoel had been out on the rooftop space. Gazing all around, he followed the doctor, who used his key to open the door. He gasped at the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounded them. They weren’t really mountains—more like hilltops—but the horizon was mountainous, against a cerulean background, with a few clouds at the peaks.

“Amazing scenery,” he said. He didn’t ask which mountains they were, because he knew he wouldn’t get an answer.

“It is,” Skulholt said with satisfaction, and led him to a wide sunshade umbrella that stood over a plastic table and two chairs. The table was surrounded by plants, and in general, green was the dominant color on the balcony.

“We’ve been making some progress recently, huh?” Dr. Jerry said as he took his seat.

“Progress with me?”

“Yes. Don’t you also feel it?”

“Sure I do.”

“How are the memories? Inundating you?”