“That’s what this Grub wants you to think, him and his followers. That’s why he’s gotten away with this for so long! I’m sure the menuvel on the bicycle who did this to Leah is a close relative of his, another grosse tzaddik. He probably cut the tires, too. Believe me, it’s only a few bad apples. And they are only angry and helping Grub because they don’t know the emes. Yaakov, you said you had a name, a girl who you saw with your own eyes coming out of his office, crying?”

“Yes, but she won’t testify against him. She wouldn’t even agree to talk to me.”

“Never mind. Give me the name.”

“What are you planning to do? Please, Bubbee! Don’t start with these people. You could also be in danger.”

“I should be afraid of these nishtgutniks?” She scoffed. “Let them threaten the bedbugs! I’m too old for that. Besides, I have a plan.”

“Please, I beg you, don’t get mixed up in this, Fruma Esther, please!” Leah begged her, truly afraid.

“Yaakov, give me the name of the girl, and give me the car keys. Leah, you call your mother and pack up for the trip. I’ll try to make sure the car is ready for you around noon. Don’t leave it out front, Yaakov. Drive away as soon as you get it back. Are you listening to me?”

“But what are you planning to do?” Yaakov asked her helplessly, unable to think of any alternative.

“Never mind. Sometimes old people have an advantage that young ones don’t. I ask you to trust me.”

Defeated, Yaakov gave her the car keys and the note with the name of the girl. He was out of ideas and out of hope. He had to trust that the God he loved and believed in really could work miracles that were beyond his comprehension, and that Fruma Esther was His messenger.

33

A DANGEROUS MISSION

“I’m not bothering you, k’vod harav?” Fruma Esther asked humbly, her arms filled with plastic containers and tinfoil-covered pans.

He stood by the door, smiling at her. “I’m disappointed. Last time, you promised to call me Shimon Levi,” he admonished her with mock severity. “Here, let me help you.”

“It’s all right, all right. I can manage,” she insisted, but he wouldn’t budge, taking the heaviest parcels from her, scrupulously careful not to touch her in any way. She followed him into the kitchen, automatically leaving the door open behind her because of yichud.

He looked at her quizzically. “What, it suddenly became safe in Boro Park?”

“Oy, the door!” She went back, locked and bolted it, then pulled up the shades.

“It’s all right?”