Page 32 of The Twins

Tev pats the bed near me to get my attention. “Your secret is out now,shvager.There’s no escaping themishegas.”

“I think I’ll be fine.” And I will. I’ve got Tovah, as unconventional as our marriage may be.

“Wait!” Gertie yells, silencing her husband and daughter. “You didn’t change your name.” Tovah smirks, quirks an eyebrow and looks at me.

I raise my hand slightly, “No. I did.”

“Why?”

“I had no use for the Mostafa name. And at the time we got married, Yak had discovered some rumblings from forgotten relatives looking for me and some of the other refugee children you rescued. They had ties to some hard-core extremist groups. If they found me, it would have been bad enough, but to learn that I had been living with Jews and converted to Judaism…I would have never survived. We talked about getting married; those rumblings moved up our timeline. And I took Tovah’s last name for further protection but also…it felt right.”

“They won’t be a problem anymore?”

Tovah and I laugh, “No, Dad. You remember the vacation Yakov and Monty took about 6 years ago?”

“The only vacation Yakov hasevertaken? Yes, I think I recall it.”

Tevye snaps his fingers. “They went hunting.”

Our eyes clash and Tovah smiles at me. “They sure did.” I can never repay Yakov for what he and his buddy Monty did for me. Though to hear him tell it, they owe me for as much fun as they had.

Tevye growls, crosses his arms over his chest, “Bastard didn’t take me with him! I love hunting wabbits.”

Tovah 22.

So, I’ve taken a few punches in my life. You don’t run around with a mouth like mine and not expect a little pushback. Trust me, the other guy always looked worse. I’ll give you one chance, you better make it count, then I’m coming for you.

However, first time I’ve been shot. Zero stars, do not recommend.

I figured, while I was down, might as well get everything out in the open. My family is capable of some unscrupulous things but hitting me while recovering from surgery isn’t one of them. Much to my surprise, they all seemed to handle the news of my marriage well. We had a few speedbumps, but all in all, it could have been worse.

My only regret is that Masud was alone when he told them. I want to protect him, especially his fleshy soft heart. And telling the mishpocheh that he’s been secretly married to a mafia princess for seven years put that heart in a vulnerable position. My family is human, they make mistakes. They aren’t always right, but they aren’t bad people. Just caught up in their own shit like most people. They don’t look down on the people in their periphery, but they don’t always pay much attention to them either.

That’s how Ruthie ended up in the situation she did last year. Based on my conversations with my parents over the last couple of days, and Aunt Esther and Uncle David, I think they will try to be more mindful of everyone in our lives, not just our immediate family. The people of the Kosher Nostra are loyal to us and they deserve the same loyalty in return.

“Hey, Tov.” Opening my eyes, I glance at the doorway of my hospital room and see a hesitant Moshe staring back at me. Masud straightens in his chair, then stands as the Avinu enters. “Masud. How are you?” Moshe extends his hand to my husband and after Masud’s initial surprise, they shake.

“I’m well, Avinu. Thank you.”

“Gefilte-father. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?”

Moshe sighs loud and long, then plops down in one of the empty chairs. Elbows on his thighs, head in his hands, Masud and I trade a look, I shrug, and we wait him out.

“Tovah…I have never known you a day in my life to hold back.” I smirk at his assessment. “You are one of the strongest women I know.” I scowl and he chuckles. “My wife has an inner strength, as does Ruthie.” I tilt my head back and forth in consideration and then concede his point. “But you…both of you…have I or my father ever given you the impression you could not trust us?”

“We didn’t tell you—”

“Not about the wedding. Although, we would have welcomed you far sooner into the family, Masud, had we known.”

“Thank you. I…I was not ready for that.” Moshe stares at Masud, then nods in understanding.

“What I mean is that…your life was in danger. We saved you once, what made you think we wouldn’t save you again? You are an integral part of the Kosher Nostra.” He holds up his hands when I open my mouth. “Masud, you have provided a service for years that is unfathomable to most. The Pharaoh strikes fear in our enemies. We owe you a great debt. Why…why couldn’t you come to us?”

Masud glances at me, then inhales deeply before replying to Moshe. “It is because your father and the men and women of the Kosher Nostra saved me as a child that I did not want to burden you with the issue. Tovah and I were able to work out a plan, and Yakov was more than happy to execute…it.” I snicker but otherwise keep quiet, letting my husband explain. “I am nothing more than a foot soldier, Avinu, replaceable, expendable. My safety and family drama should be of little concern to you, when you are dealing with so much already.”

“I respect that you and your…wifewanted to handle it on your own. But…I am only the Avinu because everyone within the organization wills it so. My power comes from the belief of every single member that I am the right person to lead. If no one follows, then I’m walking around in circles talking to myself. Moses was not infallible. And neither am I. As the Avinu, I am grateful that this incident has brought an important issue to the forefront. The family will be taking a greater interest in each of our members, ensuring that their sacrifices are not in vain. Our dinner table is only so big, but we want everyone loyal to us to feel welcome to sit at it with us.”

Moshe stands, moves closer to my bed, and leans down. I jerk, my head rearing back, but he just chuckles and kisses my forehead. “As your cousin, I am relieved to learn that you do in fact possess a soul.” He smiles down at me, “And I am immensely overjoyed to know that you have found someone who completes you as my Seril does for me. I do not know what your future holds, but I am sure that the love you share will always be the linchpin.”

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