Jerry was going home to Anat in about 10 days. She had so much work to do. She spent a fortune on clothing in Bloomingdales, Gap Baby, Lacoste and Ralph Lauren. She went to Crate & Barrel and ordered furniture for him. She had to room painted light blue. She wanted him to be a Red Sox fan. But knew she had to let him make his own choice. Of course, mom would influence him. She would still love him if he rooted for the Yankees. She decided at the beginning not to post any posters of Pedro, Yaz and others. But she found a Babe Ruth photo of him in a Red Sox uniform. She couldn’t resist. It came as a pair. It had the Bambino a Red Sox uniform and then the uniform of champions, the Yankees. She removed the Yankees photo. She would let him decide what he wanted in that slot. So much for letting him make a free choice. She would let him listen to whatever music he liked. She just hoped it wasn’t country.
She hadn’t heard anything about Jay. She has not heard at all from Alana or Marc since they went to Reno. She knew when they were coming home. She was busy. She did plan on inviting them over for dinner once she was settled with Jerry. She and Dan were getting closer. She thought of reaching out to her parents. She hasn’t spoken to them in nearly three decades.
While Anat was getting herself together to be a mom, Alana was discharged from the hospital. She wound up ok. She had a sprained ankle that was on the mend. She did many CT scans and MRIs. She didn’t have a head injury. She texted Marc.
Marc was better from his battle with Jay. He was determined to take out Jay. He has been working from home and training in the gym. Marc saw Alana’s text. His heart sank. She told him to stay home. She felt well enough to drive. She would be coming straight to him. They had much to discuss. She put herself back into planning Anat’s baby shower. Much work to do.
Candle lighting time approached in Anat’s home. Dan was coming over. Anat still lit. She did it in memory of her grandparents. She baked challah, made salmon, chicken schnitzel, rice and beans. Dan brought a lovely bottle of Kishor red. Anat loved that wine. It was produced on a kibbutz by disabled people of all ages. Money made from sales of it went to help the winemakers.
She thought long and hard as to why she was still lighting candles and preparing this meal. She wanted to believe her change and newfound happiness was a result of her devotion. But in many ways, she believed it was due to her choice to change. Coupled with the beating she took from Alana and Marc. She wasn’t 100 percent sure it was some higher being. She often wondered where he was for those with disabilities, job loss and if he was a myth.
She was mixed. She kept trying to believe. She had many moments when she’d throw it all away. She wasn’t mean. She always knew she was different. Perhaps if her parents paid attention to her she wouldn’t have been such an unusual kid.
But that didn’t stop her. She still did well in many areas.
Dan walked in. She helped him lead the blessings over the wine and bread. They did a L’Chaim and settled in for dinner.
Mitchell's thoughts, photos, etc. 