He was saving the world. But she needed him home
She knows that; learned it her first day on the job. A dozen years later, she still knows it (and if she forgets, Eli reminds her). But still, it doesn’t stop her heart clenching a little in frustration when he picks up the phone, again, makes that little apologetic sign with his hand and gives her a half smile that says, “This is super important, I’ll be back later.”
It’s not that she doesn’t appreciate what he does. She gets reminders all the time — thank-you gifts and Erev Shabbos flower deliveries and of course, there’s always a fan club waiting to pounce on her in the grocery aisles. “Your husband saved our son,” they say, sometimes with a tear or two springing from their eyes. And she’s so happy. But also, in the deepest depths of her heart, the tiniest bit frustrated. Dare she admit it?
She sighs and then quickly switches on a smile for the kids. It’s not their fault. It’s Chol Hamoed, and they’ve been up early in anticipation of the day’s plans. Someone has to be there for them.
“Let’s get ready for the trip!” she says, mustering cheer.
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