“Well, the people are a mixed group—some are black hats like me, and some are knitted skull caps, but there was no talking at all. They all seemed really devout. People asked me all kinds of questions about my studies in kollel and accounting. And then one of them said to me, ‘We are looking for educators, men like yourself who have been in kollel so many years.’”

Leah’s heart did a somersault. “Really? Do you know who the person was?”

“It was the rabbi, someone told me later. Such a young, kind man. He said, ‘If you want, we could also help you set up your own accounting firm here. Everyone in the Jewish community would go to you, and all of us have jobs in businesses downtown.’”

Inside her, a small flicker of hope ignited with a sudden flare. “Wow!”

“And after davening, some of the men took me to see the local religious day school and kindergarten. They even have a small kollel! It was gevaldig. Imagine, in a place like this, so far away.”

“From Brooklyn, the center of the universe,” she murmured, smiling.

“All right, laugh at me. But I never knew.”

Just then, her phone began a series of dings. They came fast and furious.

“What?” he asked, but before she could answer, his own phone rang. He put it on speakerphone.

“Hello?” It’s my boss, he mouthed to Leah silently. “Yes, I took another vacation day.”

“When do you think you’ll be back?” the male voice asked—anxiously, she thought.

“The day after tomorrow. I’ll fly in.”

“Excellent, Jacob. And listen, about that talk we had … not to worry. It’s all been settled.”

“What happened?” he asked instinctively and then thought better of it. He had, after all, promised to take care of it. But he had done nothing.

“Well, damnedest thing. I have just heard back from all the clients who were complaining. Not only do they want me to drop the subject but they suggested switching their accounts to you! And they wanted me to be sure to let you know.”

He was speechless.

“Jacob, are you still there?”

“Yes, well, that’s great. Thank you for letting me know. We’ll talk about it when I get back.”

“Of course, of course. Have a safe trip back and regards to the wife. Leah, is it?”

“Yes, thank you. Well, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

The dings kept coming to her phone, but she ignored them, her eyes wide. “What was that all about?”

Yaakov slammed a flat hand on the dashboard, his laugh exultant. “I have absolutely no idea! But I have my job back, even though I haven’t done anything!”

“That’s fantastic, Yaakov!” she said, finally looking down to check all her incoming messages. “You’re not going to believe this! All those dings? They are messages from my former clients, all asking to come back.”

“Baruch HaShem!”