Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 20 of a new online serial novel, If Anyone Is Listening, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

A phone call from Ruchi’s mother is very unusual, certainly at the hour that I am finishing my breakfast. I tense, especially in light of the fact that Yudi did not answer or return my calls a whole day yesterday.

“Good morning,” I say as I carry my plates to the sink, aware that I’m not able to suppress the trace of anxiety in my voice. “Actually, good evening to you.”

“Yes, yes,” she says. “How are you?”

“Baruch Hashem.” I hesitate for a moment. “What’s doing? Is everyone okay?”

“In general, yes, but I wanted to speak to you about the specifics.”

“Of course.” I move aside the jewelry catalog that’s been sitting on the counter since last week; my daughter’s neighbor told her that right now, her suppliers are struggling financially, and she isn’t up to opening new branches. “The orthopedist appointment was yesterday, right?”

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 19 of a new online serial novel, If Anyone Is Listening, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

The stern-faced secretary’s first question is, “Have you brought cash?” and Ruchi’s mother immediately opens her wallet.

The sectary waits with frozen politeness until the woman across from her puts three hundred dollars down on the desk. She takes the bills, quickly scans them, and then asks Mrs. Katz to please wait.

“Come, Yudi,” his father-in-law says, while his mother-in-law pushes Isamar’s carriage to the waiting area. But Yudi stays standing at the desk, his foot shaking nervously.

“I prefer to wait here,” he says finally, “to see when it’s our turn.”

The secretary glances at him fleetingly and then goes back to her work.

“They will call us when it’s our turn,” Mr. Katz says.

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 18 of a new online serial novel, If Anyone Is Listening, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“You are not supposed to announce on the recording that we only got a response from one person!” Rubinson sounded furious. “People might think our hotline is not popular! The fact that you got only one response to your private initiative means nothing. Please, don’t mention any numbers from now on, okay?”

“I won’t. And what do you say, should I continue with the music?”

“I think so.”

In his home, Yaakov Shlomo took his suit jacket off the hook on the wall. “I need to go, Abe,” he said. “It’s almost shkiyah, and I haven’t davened Minchah yet.”

“You? It’s not like you to wait for the last minute.”

“There are some things that are not dependent on me,” the other man said quietly. “Hatzlachah, be well.”

“You, too, Yaakov Shlomo,” Rubinson said. He suddenly coughed. “And by the way, you should know that I happened to have had a chance to listen to that specific shiur, and I actually enjoyed hearing you sing and play. So yes, I think you should continue to do it. Maybe it will draw more listeners.”

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