Underwood Productions

Chapter 4

The Calm

 

 

 

 

6:07 pm.

“I’m just saying that you need to be more careful, Jack. You’re the godfather of my children.”

Wood looked from Mary to her children and back again. “Oh, I agree. But what is life without a little bit of risk. Besides, I had to go.”

Rachel grinned from the floor. “Yeah, Mommy. He had to go.”

Wood grinned down at her. He was glad to be back home, even if it did cost him the use of an arm to do so. His mother came into the room.

“I’m going to need some help setting the table.”

Mary stood up, as did the men who could. Wendell looked after her as she left. He sighed. “We both have been worried that you wouldn’t come back, Jack.” He turned. “But we are glad that you were able to.”

“I know, Wendell, I know.”

Meanwhile, Petrova and Burns were talking about her work.

“You have to understand, Doctor Burns, that, while I don’t have to be at my synagogue every day, I still have to find one.”

“I agree, lass. But I don’t see how I can help.”

Petrova scratched her chin. “No, I can’t either. Also I’m not sure how long I can work on the Sabbath.”

“I think we only work have days on Sunday.”

Petrova sighed. “Jews observe the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Which is my point. I don’t want you to come in on Saturday nights for me.”

Dr. Burns put a hand on her shoulder. “I sometimes do work nights. I’ll just do it on Saturdays from now on.” He winked and smiled at her. “One of the benefits of being Chief Coroner of the city.”

There was a tap on Petrova’s other shoulder. She turned to see Ethel Wood. “You’re a Jew?”

“Yes. Is that going to be a problem?”

Ethel smiled softly. “No. I just heard you talking and thought I’d let you know that we have a Rabbi living on the third floor. Rabbi Brown is his name. You should go see him after dinner.”

Petrova smiled then nodded her head.

Charlotte and Mary comes out of the dining room. Charlotte puts her hands together. “Dinner is on the table.”

As they made their way into the dining room, Fin held Wood back. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about something.”

“Oh?”

“It’s about me and Michael.”

Wood put his good hand on Fin’s shoulder. “What you and Michael are or are not doing isn’t hurting anybody. I don’t see any reason to tell the authorities about what I saw you doing.”

Fin gave a nervous smile. “I thought for sure that you were going to tell.”

“War changes people.”

Fin’s face fell. “You want to talk about it?”

Wood was silent for a moment. “Let’s eat.”

The table was piled with some vegetables, a small chicken, some mashed potatoes and a small boat of gravy. Charlotte smiled from her end of the table. “I realize this is not the great feast you wanted when you got home, Johnson. Rationing has been dreadful these past few months.”

Wood sat down. “It looks fine, Mother.”

As they sat down, Arthur gestured to the guests. “We have a tradition in this family that guests should say prayers for dinner. Since we have so many guests today, I would like to ask for a volunteer.”

Petrova raised her hand. “I’ll do it. I have to say a prayer before dinner anyway.”

Arthur nodded and everyone made ready to pray, Wood with difficulty. “Ready when you are.”

“Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam HaMotzi Lechem Min Ha’Aretz. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Borei Pri HaGafen. Baruch Atan Adonai, Eloneinu Melech Ha’Olam, Sh’hecheyanu, V’Kiyemanu, V’Higianu, LaZman HaZah. Amen.”

There was a chorus of Amen’s and Rachel giggled. “You talked funny.”

Petrova smiled slightly. “I’m sure that you have heard funnier talk.”

“Mainly from Uncle Jack and Aunt Ethel.”

Wood pointed at her. “I like to think that Ethel and I talk funnier.”

Mary snorted contemptuously. “That ‘funny talk’ as you call it would not be said in our house.”

Petrova looked at Mary with narrow eyes. “Just what do you mean by that?”

“I think you know exactly what I mean.”

Wood put his hand. “Ladies, please, don’t fight. Though I would appreciate you not insulting the other guests, Mary.”

Mary turned to Petrova and said, “I’m sorry.”

Petrova narrowed her eyes and turned back to her plate.

7:30 pm.

Petrova knocked on the door of apartment 314. The door opened and a man with blonde hair (topped with a yarmulke) and green eyes, in his late 50s, looked out. “Yes?”

Petrova introduced herself. “Oh yes. Arthur said that you might drop by. Please come in.”

They stepped into the room, which was modestly furnished. There were bookcases, filled with Rabbinical tomes and Hebrew texts. There were a table and chairs in the centre of the room. They sat down at the table.

Rabbi Brown smiled. “Now what can I help you with, my child.”

Petrova explain what was going on, as best she could. “So you see, Rabbi, I want to be a good Jew, but…”

Rabbi Brown leaned back and sighed. “You say that you will be working for the police.”

“Yes, Rabbi.”

“And the Hospital.”

“Yes, Rabbi.”

“This is a problem. But it is not prohibited work as far as I can tell as you are working to protect life.”

Petrova smiled and gave a relieved sigh. “Thank you, Rabbi.”

“All I ask is that you come to Friday evening services and Saturday morning services.” He went to the desk in the corner, wrote something down on a piece of paper and walked back as Petrova stood. “Here is where to temple is located. It is two blocks to your right on the corner.”

“Thank you, Rabbi.” Rabbi Brown held open the door and Petrova exited.