Avraham Azrieli - The Masada Complex

“I guessed that much!” Dr. Gould chuckled. He must have attended a seminar on breaking bad news to patients. Be cheerful!

“We were planning to move in together soon.”

“Good. It’s important to have the support of a committed partner, especially with your medical history and age. Not that I foresee any complication.”

“I already knew it in my heart,” she said.

He shook his head, still smiling. “Women always do.”

Elizabeth was determined not to cry. “How advanced is it?”

“That’s for Doctor Nelly to tell you.”

“I’d prefer you to take it out, not some stranger.”

“Take it out?” He examined his fingernails. “Is that your choice?”

Nausea rose to her palate, chased by a sense of dread. Cancer! What bad timing, just when she was winning a coveted promotion and David was about to leave his wife for her. Could she handle a deputy director’s workload while going through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation? David would help. They would survive it together. “I’ve been through a lot. I’ll beat this thing.”

“You’ll be fine.” Dr. Gould stepped to the door. “Let it sink in, give it a few days.”

She supported herself on the desk, fighting her tears. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”

“That’s the spirit!” He handed her a note. “Talk to your fiance. Maybe he’ll convince you to keep it.”

She paused, looking at him. “ Keep it? ”

“Why not? The clock is ticking. Your body surprised us this time, but I doubt it’ll happen again.”

“Again?”

He clucked his tongue. “Old fashion is charming, Elizabeth, but I got to tell you, this isn’t Palestine. Nobody’s going to blink an eyelid. It’ll keep you young.”

She realized he wasn’t speaking of cancer.

He let go of the door and grabbed both her shoulders. “Elizabeth, I understand the hesitation, with your traditional upbringing and all, but these days a lot of career women do it later in life, after they’ve achieved everything else. Go for it! What do you care if some kindergarten teacher thinks you’re Grandma?”

Rabbi Josh Frank stood at the foot of his wife’s grave, finishing the Kaddish. “ He who makes peace in heaven, He will bring peace upon us and upon all his people of Israel, and we say, amen. ”

The others repeated, “Amen.”

The rabbi kissed the top of his son’s head. “Thank you all for joining us today. It warms my heart to know that Linda’s memory brings together the Temple Zion community, even after five years.” He pointed to the round wreath on top of the stone. “Thank you Marti and Esther Lefkowitz for the beautiful red roses-Linda’s favorite.”

The florist and his wife nodded in unison.

“I prepared something to say.” Hilda Zonshine unfolded a piece of paper and put on her reading glasses. “I remember when our rabbi brought Linda to Temple Zion the first time, I told Al that she was the best-looking redhead I have ever seen. And my husband agreed with me, which was rare even before he became MIA from home.”

On the other side of the grave, Al half turned, showing his back to his wife, and mumbled, “Damn right.”

A few people snickered. It was common knowledge that they had separated a few months ago after he became obsessed with Masada El-Tal.

“Linda was beautiful on the outside and the inside,” Hilda continued. “She became part of our congregation, always available to help with family celebrations or with sad events. I remember how gracious she was when I woke her up at four in the morning because a member of my household had nightmares and needed to talk to the rabbi.”

This caused chuckling around the gravestone.

“I miss Linda, but she’s with God and all the other righteous people who are too good for a world where people hurt each other.” Hilda glanced at Al. “But at least we have our rabbi and the baby.” Choked up, she placed an age-spotted hand, laden with cheap rings, on Raul’s head.

“Thank you,” Rabbi Josh said. “Now, as Raul is turning five today, he prepared a speech.”

Raul looked down at the gravestone. “Dear Mom.” He filled his lungs for the next sentence. “I don’t know you, but I love you, and my hair is red like yours. I mean, like yours when you were, you know, alive.” He looked up at his father. “I’m starting kindergarten next month, but I already know letters. Also numbers. My dog’s name is Shanty and she’s a golden retriever.” He inhaled deeply. “But I think Daddy misses you, because you are not here anymore. So, that’s it for now, okay?”

Everyone laughed and wiped tears.

Rabbi Josh picked up his guitar. It had been his custom to conclude the memorial by singing. He closed his eyes, allowing Linda’s face to appear in his mind.

“ A woman of valor, who can find?

Greater than pearls, her worth,

her husband’s heart trusts her,

he never lacks in wealth;

She pours goodness upon him, none bad,

all the days of her life. ”

Rabbi Josh could sing no more. He continued strumming while the group hummed the familiar tune.

Elizabeth drove back to the office in a daze. A baby! At first she had thought Dr. Gould was wrong. With multiple abortions many years ago, several surgeries on her abdomen, and rare, irregular periods, she had long accepted her infertility. David himself had seeded her weekly for five years without results. Why now?

The answer came to her just as the light turned green at Third Street and Osborn. This was no coincidence. Her subconscious mind sensed their true commitment, a safe future for a child! “ Allah hu Akbar ,” she whispered in awe of the great God she had not worshiped in decades.

Elizabeth parked at her assigned spot and stepped out of the car. A wrought-iron fence separated the parking area from a yard where hundreds of immigrants queued up to enter the building and file their applications. Their eyes followed her to the staff entrance. Was there a pregnant woman among them, standing in line between the rails, exposed to the August sun?

Upstairs, she hurried down the hallway. David would jump with joy. He loved kids. Now their little family would start with the gift of a new life.

David was not in his office, and his secretary was away from her desk. Elizabeth left him a note to come by ASAP. She tried to work on a case that was scheduled for arguments the following week, but couldn’t focus. It was a boy, she was certain, and he would be tall, like his father, not short like her, his mother! She almost laughed out loud. A single piece of news had turned her world upside down. She would be a good mother. And a good wife. David needed guidance. He was effective in the courtroom, with his boyish good looks and his all-American charm, but his inattention to details could hurt his career. And why shouldn’t she help him? He was her partner!

Impatient to share the news, Elizabeth went to check David’s office again.

His secretary, a new girl with a nervous look, was back.

“Is David back?”

“No, I’m sorry.” The girl blinked. “He’s gone for the day.”

Elizabeth walked into David’s office and sifted through his cluttered desk, hoping to find his calendar. “Call his mobile for me.”

A moment later, David was on the line. “Good afternoon, Elizabeth.” His formal tone indicated his wife was nearby.

“Hi, sweetheart. Is everything okay?”

“What is the issue?”