Read Online A Late Divorce by A. B. Yehoshua - Free Book Online Page B

with the baby, he’s only six.” (Seven.) “He sounded so sad.” (He always does to her.) “And the old man was sleeping.” (That’s what she calls him, even though he’s a year younger than she is.) “What’s the matter with him? Is he sick or is there something up his sleeve? He didn’t even bring Gaddi a present. What sort of egotism is that? Did he bring anything for you?”
    â€œNo. It’s not important.”
    â€œI knew he wouldn’t, and here you are trying to get him his divorce. Is that poor crazy thing really ready to agree?” (She’s always made her out to be sicker than she is.) “To think of him throwing her to the dogs like that.” (I hold the telephone away from my ear and stare out the window.) “Why must you involve yourself in it?” (Here I can’t deny she has a point.) “He isn’t paying you after all, is he? Is he?”
    â€œNo. Why should he?”
    â€œI knew it. So why get involved. If afterwards there’s trouble, you’ll be held responsible. Don’t you have enough work in the office without looking for more? In the end there’s bound to be bad feelings and who will he hate for it? You. They’ll take it out on you because you’re not one of theirs, so why are you wasting your time always running to sec her? Don’t you have an important trial coming up? You know, the one your career depends on, that trial you’re preparing for, that if you get that rapist acquitted ...”
    â€œMurderer.”
    â€œThat makes it even bigger. It will make you famous, you’ll be able to open a big office. So instead of getting ready for all the questions you’ll be asked you go running gratis to insane asylums. What will come of it all? Yesterday I thought I’d go say hello to him, but all this sleeping of his scared me off. And what’s with Ya’el? Smiling her quiet smile, I’ll bet. Didn’t you once tell me that you fell in love with her because of it? Didn’t you, Yisra’el?”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œWell, you’re free to decide what you want. Your poor father once said something deadly about that smile, something you’re not going to want to hear. Do you want to hear it?”
    â€œNot now, mother.”
    â€œSo I’ll see him the night of the seder then. It’s rather strange to insist on a divorce at his age, don’t you think? What does he need it for? He’s separated from her anyway. But I suppose he wants to get married over there in America. People have no idea what sex does to old people. Your own father when he was in the hospital ... do you want to hear about it?”
    â€œNot now, mother. I’m in a hurry. Some other time.”
    Levana enters noiselessly she puts the rag by the sink she washes her hands.
    â€œWill you drop by today? I’ve made those meat patties that you like.”
    â€œI don’t think so. I have a crazy day today.”
    â€œI have a delicious pie too.”
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t. What sort of pie?”
    â€œApple.”
    â€œWell, I’ll see. Goodbye.”
    She’s still washing her hands.
    â€œAre you done?” I ask gently. “You seem to have misunderstood. I meant you should just clean the sign, not the whole street ...”
    She flushes her eyes going wild.
    â€œYou have to comment on everything!”
    â€œWhat??”
    But she doesn’t answer.
    â€œWhat??”
    But she doesn’t answer her head is bowed her hands twist a piece of paper she’s actually trembling.
    And I’m already outside. Feeling hassled. They’ve hassled the hell out of me Ya’el my mother and now this little darkie too. Just imagine if every darkie around here should start opening his mouth and saying dark things. It’s not enough that ninety percent of them are in court all the time. They want to give us lessons in etiquette