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Tony takes a long look at Avi and examines his actions curiously and, a moment later, he bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
“Avi, I’m really sorry if this isn’t my place, but look how you’re all over this girl. I really don’t know you to be like that. Goo-goo eyes, hugs and caresses. Is everything okay with you? Two days ago, I didn’t even know she existed and now, today...”
“I didn’t know either.” He loses his patience, and his gaze pierces Tony angrily. “Now I do. I think I’m past the age where someone else decides what’s right for me and what isn’t. I suggest you all start getting used to the new situation, and the sooner the better.”
Tony falls silent.
“I’m happy for you, buddy,” he says after a moment of brief amazement, patting his arm strongly and lovingly.
“Thanks, pal!” he replies patiently. “It really feels so good,” he proudly presents me with an empty bowl, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
I say nothing, proudly gazing at this man, loving the way I’m reflected in his eyes. The things we’ve shared, rare moments of openness and honesty, make me feel fortunate.
After dinner we decide to head to the beach and talk. We quickly return to the subject that pains him so, and he again tells me about his grandmother.
“My grandmother lost her whole family in the Holocaust, like most of Germany’s Jews,” he grows sad. “She barely survived the inferno. When she arrived in Israel at the end of the war, she was so broken and tired. And then, miraculously, she met my grandfather, Yitzchak. In a short time, he became her only family, and he gave her a reason to live. She loved him very much.” He smiles and wipes away a tear.
“He’d already settled in Israel; he had a small textile factory and was relatively solvent. They met at the kibbutz where she was processed. After they got married, they wanted kids, to continue the line and ‘choose life’, you surely understand.”
“Of course,” I nod, softly caressing his face.
“But unfortunately, after my dad was born, she found out she couldn’t have any more kids. So she devoted herself to him utterly and blindly. She protected him like he was made of glass. You can’t even begin to understand.”
“So he was spoiled, too?” I smile.
“Very much so! They gave him everything. Sent him to Switzerland to learn medicine back when it was very expensive. She cancelled herself out completely for him and invested all of herself in him. When he graduated, he met my mom, they fell in love immediately and made a home for themselves here. They had this crazy love. He worked really hard, he was a doctor after all, but they always kept the fire between them alive. They both really worked at being happy. Their happiness and their family were everything to them. It wasn’t coincidence that they had seven kids.”
“And you’ve got good relationships with all of them?” I ask.
“Generally, yes. The younger ones and I have a common language. But I’m crazy about my nephews.” His face lights up. “I love kids in general. They have a different kind of truth, a complete innocence of sorts.”
“Anyway, after my dad was murdered, my grandmother took on the role as our mother figure, and my big brother, Dean, became an unwilling father. We’re very close. He knows about all my brokenness.”
“By the way,” I interrupt him, “it turns out I know him.” I smile.
“How?” he asks, curious.
“I was a huge fan of his in high school. He was so talented and handsome.”
He bursts out laughing. “Good thing it’s genetic,” he says, kissing me warmly. “Michael’s that way, too. Say, have you heard the story of how we met?” he wonders.
“Yeah, but I’d love to hear it from your side.”
“When I was seventeen, I visited some famous LA diner with Dean. We sat there talking aloud and laughing. We’d just talked about the IDF conscription notice I’d gotten. Michael was sitting there with his agent at the time. He heard our Hebrew and all the army talk and addressed us. We talked, and that’s how I came into his life. Since then, he hasn’t let me go,” he jokes. “We hung out a few times. Back then he was in very bad shape and pleaded with me to stay with him in America for the rest of summer vacation, and that we’d go to Israel together later when it was his turn to enlist. I took care of him like a child. He was devastated.”
“I can imagine,” I soften.
“We healed our pain together and balanced each other out. He also supported me financially when I was starting the business and invested millions in it. Since then, he’s made lots of money off it, of course,” he smiles, “and so have I.”
“In other words, he means the world to me. Ugh, I’ve talked so much! I’m shocked at myself,” he blushes. “You just fascinate me so,” he pauses and gives me a hot kiss. “Shall we go back?”
“Yeah, I’ll admit I’m getting tired.”
“Not too tired, I hope,” he smiles.
“Don’t worry! I’m sure you’ll find a way to keep me awake. I’ve missed your perfect body,” I smile naughtily.
Chapter 10
