Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 39 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.
“Thanks for being here with me, Bayta,” Tzippy said. She put her Tehillim into a bag as her sister-in-law came back to sit next to her, after disappearing for a few minutes. She looked with distaste at the croissant that Batya offered her. “What’s this?”
“This? It’s yeast dough, rolled up and baked,” Batya said with a little laugh. “Maybe there’s some chocolate filling inside—I have no idea.”
“You just bought it at the cafeteria?”
“No, my mother sent some food along with my father.”
Instinctively, Tzippy looked behind her, where she saw the profile of the mechutan, Batya’s father, sitting in a corner far across the room.
“I hope it doesn’t bother you that my father came here,” Batya said, playing with the paper bag that held the croissant. “My parents don’t think it’s appropriate for two young girls, even if one of them is married, to be sitting alone in the family waiting room.”
“That’s true,” Tzippy said. “And it’s really nice of your father to come. Chumi’s friend’s mother offered to come, but I didn’t feel comfortable being here myself with her. And it’s for sure not a good thing for Chumi herself to be here—she’s too sensitive.” She leaned back, her eyes fixed on the corridor that led out from the huge room. Was that where the doctor or nurse would come from, to update them about the progression of the surgery?
Over the door was a large screen, with constantly changing numbers. Every patient had a number, and that was the only update she had right now about her father’s status. Until half an hour earlier, it said that S67 was in preparation for surgery, and now he appeared on the list of those who were already in the operating room. The next stage would be recovery, but she had no idea how much time would pass until her father’s number would be transferred to that column. Or rather, until her father would be transferred into recovery.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by anamericanjew 
