Read One Fine Day the Rabbi Bought a Cross for Free Online

increase in the size of the aneurysm. And with each successive examination, taken at three-month intervals, over the course of the year, there was no change and his fear had practically dissipated. But now he wondered if it would be wise to take the trip to the Mideast that he had planned. He put the matter up to the doctor.
    â€œHow long are you planning to be gone?”
    â€œAbout a month.”
    â€œOh, I think it would be all right. Where are you planning to go?”
    â€œThe Mideast, Greece, and Israel.”
    â€œWell, I can give you a report on your condition that you can show to a doctor there. I don’t imagine you’d have difficulty getting competent medical help in Greece, at least not in Athens, and also in Israel. Are you going to Jerusalem? I can give you the name of a doctor there.”
    So Grenish confirmed his arrangements with his travel agent, who gave him further assurance that adequate medical assistance was always available.
    A couple of days before he was scheduled to depart, he got a call from El Dhamouri.
    â€œAbe? El Dhamouri. You all packed and ready to go?”
    â€œNot all packed. I’ve got all day tomorrow, but I’ve taken care of everything else.”
    â€œAnd this business in the belly you told me about?”
    â€œYou mean my triple A?”
    â€œTriple A?”
    â€œYes, that’s what I call it, aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. It’s fine. I was examined only a few days ago. No change.”
    â€œAnd you can eat everything? You’re not on a diet of any kind?”
    â€œNo, no restrictions at all.”
    â€œGood. Do you know the Château on Route Ninety-three? It’s a very nice restaurant. I’ll pick you up.”
    â€œBut I’m going to be here at Northhaven and it’s out of your way. I could meet you there.”
    â€œNo, Abe, I’ll pick you up. I thought we’d have a few drinks, and we might get carried away, in which case it might not be wise for either of us to drive. I’ll pick you up.”
    Of course, Grenish felt pleased and flattered at this evidence of El Dhamouri’s regard for him. And his pride was almost bursting when El Dhamouri’s chauffeur-driven limousine drew up to the Northhaven Faculty Club and several of his colleagues saw him enter as the uniformed chauffeur held the door for him.
    They ate leisurely, sipping at the wines El Dhamouri ordered, so that at no time did Grenish have the feeling of uncomfortable fullness. They talked largely of academia and of their problems with their respective administrations and colleagues. In the back of his mind, Grenish had the sense that it was not purely out of friendship that El Dhamouri was giving him dinner at this obviously very expensive restaurant, that he wanted something of him, perhaps to deliver the letter he had mentioned in an earlier meeting. But El Dhamouri said nothing, and it was Grenish himself who finally brought it up over their coffee.
    â€œWas there a letter you wanted me to deliver to someone in Jerusalem? You mentioned it a couple of weeks ago.”
    â€œOh, yes, to my cousin. But I haven’t received the information I need as yet. It may take another week or two.”
    â€œThen you’ll just mail it to him?”
    â€œNo-o, I can’t do that. My cousin thinks his mail is being intercepted”—he chuckled—“by his wife’s sister, who lives with them and who he claims has the evil eye, and perhaps by one or more of his clerks, whom he thinks she might have subverted, and maybe even by his wife. You see, this is a matter of clan lands and …” He broke off as a thought struck him. “Look, according to that itinerary you showed me, you are planning to be in Jerusalem for about a week at the Excelsior, I think you said. So why can’t I send it to you?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œIt will probably be there when you arrive, or it will arrive in a day or two. By