Vandy 8.
Avoidance is the name of the game. Distraction. Keep busy, keep moving, just keep swimming…so thoughts of the tallest, hottest man I’ve ever met and the way he masterfully claimed my mouth last week don’t have time to settle, fester, completely take over my every conscious thought. And some unconscious.
I never knew dreams could be so erotic. Except, when I get close to cumming, screaming out Tevye’s name as he drives into me, I wake up because I have to pee. Damn you, troublesome tiny bladder!
Since I’m successfully NOT thinking about a certain earth-bound Jewish god, I have managed to be quite productive over the last week. While he was gone during the day at work, I was granted entrance to his suite at the family compound. I compiled easy to follow lists of good foods and lists in bright red ink of the bad foods that can compromise Arlo’s system. His little body is unable to break down specific amino acids that are often found in high protein foods. This buildup can cause lethargy, irritability, decreased appetite and lead to developmental delays and metabolic crises. It’s taxing on the body, and though Arlo is very big for his age, thanks to his dad, his body is still ill-equipped to handle it. The name of the disease, Maple Syrup Urine Disease comes from the tell-tale symptom of sweet-smelling urine, ear wax, and sweat. It can come on quite quickly, and a metabolic crisis can often turn deadly if not treated swiftly, as almost every organ system can be affected.
The good news is that it can be managed through strict diet, and vigilance. Constant monitoring can mean the difference between life and death. His immune system is sensitive, and, in some cases, a common cold can send him into a metabolic event. Arlo isn’t there yet, as his symptoms are less severe than others I’ve read about, but eventually, he may require a liver transplant, since the liver is where many of the enzymes that break down amino acids are created.
I can’t imagine having to sit by while my child suffered, waiting for someone else to die so they may live. My goal this week was to set Tev up with the tools he needed to make sure Arlo had a chance to thrive.
In addition to the dietary restrictions, I’ve left at-home urinary testing kits to quickly check Arlo’s metabolic levels. I was assured by Tev’s mom, Gertie, that Arlo is seeing the best specialists, receiving top notch care. Doing a bit of my own research, as I am not familiar with MSUD, I would have to agree with her. Money does not seem to be a problem when considering medical care for their loved ones. That is a rare situation, I know so many who would benefit from such freedom.
Considering the two families Esther set me up with for consultations this week, I guess Esther and Seril are looking to make it a more common occurrence. One family at a time.
And Bailey is wonderful to work with. Sweet, detail-oriented, and a chihuahua on the phone with recalcitrant suppliers. After my initial assessments, she didn’t bat an eye at my requests for equipment, and I’m excited to go back in a few days after everything arrives.
Our official offices in the Mishpocheh Consortium building are tastefully decorated, spacious, and inviting. It’s funny because both Bailey and I are unable to fully relax, waiting for the catch. Seems too good to be true, in all honesty. Didn’t help that my parents were concerned when I spoke to them last night. My mother did commend me for not being stupid enough to quit my job at the hospital just in case.
I poke my head into Bailey’s office and see her dopey smile aimed at her phone. “How’s Ernie?” I ask, startling her. She blushes but her smile grows so big thinking about her man. I’ve met him twice now, and he’s a very nice man, and so smitten with Bailey. It’s adorable how cute they are together.
“He’s good. He’s coming to get me for lunch after he showers.”
“Oh, did he just get up?” I glance at my watch, smirking when I see its nearly noon. “Keep him up late, did you?”
“No. I mean, yes. I did. But that’s not why, he had to dispose of—” She cuts herself off and my mood plummets. Her words serve as a stark and necessary reminder that Ernie and Tev are part of a deadly organization. Yes, my research into the Kosher Nostra exposed an extensive history of philanthropy, community outreach, and being some of the top employers in the state in several fields. But the quiet whisperings speak to a seedier side that scares me.
I can’t imagine what my mom would say…
“He just got some schmutz on his clothes.” Her heavy pause has me sitting up straighter in the seat I’ve taken across from her desk. “Are you close with your family?” Her question takes me by surprise.
“Uh…yeah. I’d say so.”
“Hmm. My parents and brothers aren’t bad people, but they aren’t warm and fuzzy either. I still see them for holidays and such. We just aren’t close. Big things happen in my life; they aren’t at the top of my list to tell.” I nod in understanding. “I knew we were different, but I didn’t realize how much until Seril started dating Moshe. The core family is a hodgepodge of personalities. They butt heads. They irritate and overstep and grate on each other’s nerves. And yet, I’ve never met a family, an extended family at that, that voluntarily spends so much time together. Dinners, breakfasts, outings, heck, they all have other homes or condos or apartments, except for Esther and David, and Moshe and Seril, and they hardly ever use them, preferring to stay at the family compound. At first, I thought it was for safety, but honestly, the love they share is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And if I hadn’t felt its warm embrace, I wouldn’t believe it was real.” She blinks rapidly to stem the threat of tears that shine in her eyes.
“You don’t regret…you don’t fear being involved in a criminal organization?”
“Not once.” She smirks, leaning forward like she’s sharing a secret. “And the sex…I can only speak for Ernie, but the sounds I’ve heard and the sights I’ve seen, it is a shared family trait. Even Zeppo and Ezra, though they aren’t related by blood. Now, Tovah and Tevye—” I hold up my hand to stop her. I don’t want to think about him. He’s occupied enough of my brain space already. Her laughter is unwelcome. After a few tense seconds, I sigh, close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Alright, what’s Tevye like?”
“The twins are scary, intimidating, violent when necessary. Tevye isn’t unfriendly but reserved around everyone. He and Tovah both keep their emotional distance.” That wasn’t so bad. Most of it I already gleaned based on our interactions. “Physically though, super friendly.” I raise an eyebrow in question, and Bailey laughs again. “Sexually speaking.” My brain takes too long to put the pieces together. “A whore. He enjoys female company outside of the family compound, he isn’t shy about it, but it’s obvious it doesn’t mean anything. That’s why he doesn’t bring them home to meet the family.” Her amusement disappears, her little brow furrowing as she meets my gaze head-on. “As I said, they are both scary and intimidating and possess more love for those around them than anyone could ever guess. They are loyal to those they deem worthy. Might not be poetic and you probably won’t ever see a sweet gesture from either of them, but you will know when you are in their inner circle, blanketed by their love, despite the scowls they sport.”
“Thank you. For your honesty.” I mean that. She could have sugarcoated it or withheld her insights. I wanted to think that maybe our kiss the other day meant something. We were in the family compound, but I wasn’t there in a romantic capacity, at least before he shoved his tongue down my throat. Maybe it was convenient. An itch he wanted to scratch and didn’t want to leave the compound.
“Seril said that Tevye is obviously interested in—”
“Seril should stick to what she’s good at…hoodwinking people into doing her bidding.” We share a laugh and I’m glad she didn’t take offense at my interruption or statement.
Bailey shrugs, “She’s the Sarai Ima for a reason.”
I’ve heard the term before, but I’m still not sure what it means. “What’s that?”
“Ooh, this is exciting! I get to teach someone else something Jewish!” She claps her hands excitedly and I can’t help but smile at her. “Mother of the Kosher Nostra.” That clicks.
“Oh, she called herself the gefilte-mother.”
“Her mom calls Moshe the gefilte-father.” Bailey giggles, “I love that one. In essence, they are the head of the Kosher Nostra, and the Mishpocheh Consortium. Moshe’s parents were the previous Avraham Avinu and Sarai Ima, before they stepped down several years ago for Moshe to take over.”
This is a lot to take in and process. My mouth is shut, but I’ve been told my face often has subtitles. My anxiety is noticeable.
“Vandy, if I can give you one piece of advice.” She pauses so I nod to encourage her to continue. “Let them show you who they truly are; you’ll be surprised.”