I was doing a favor for a neighbor in crisis — so why was I the target of so much resentment?
I was in the middle of cooking supper when I heard knocking. I waited for about five seconds, hoping one of my kids would get it, then wiped my hands on my apron and opened the door. It was Rikki, my neighbor.
The two of us were friends — we’d lived in the same development for years —and I greeted her warmly, noting that she looked stressed.
“I need a favor,” Rikki said.
“Sure, what is it?” I asked. Maybe she wanted to send the kids over for the afternoon, or have one of my daughters babysit tonight?
Rikki was choosing her words too carefully. “So, you know that Shmuel got laid off recently?” She paused a moment, then plowed on. “Anyway, baruch Hashem, he found a job. Yesterday. And he’s starting next week.”
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