A Tale of Love and Darkness Page #4

but you'll also be a man who's

quiet and closed and full...

Like a well

in a deserted village.

You can be both.

I felt a terrible dread

as if on the distant horizon,

a vague disaster

was taking shape.

My mother started having

frequent headaches.

Her migraines

gave her insomnia.

The doctor prescribed

sleeping pills and sedatives...

But nothing helped.

Please don't be

angry with me, Amos.

It's a little hard

for me right now.

You see how much I'm trying

to make things right.

Thank you, Amos.

I know I can rely

on you completely.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Papa?

Sleep... sleep.

I'm so lucky.

I'm so lucky.

It's 7:
00, and these

are the headlines.

This year too, there is

an urgent need to find homes

for innocent children

with foster families

across the country.

Last year alone,

50,000 children were

placed in homes.

Despite this achievement, there

are still 20,000 children,

who will have to spend

the winter months in tents.

10,000 children ages 5-12,

need temporary housing

this winter

across the country.

The roots for children

project appeals to

every home in Israel

to host a child

from the camps...

She's punishing herself.

Just to punish me.

I have done.

I have done.

I have been doing.

I have been doing.

I should have done.

I should have done.

I should have been doing.

Go...

Go play a little outside.

But be careful.

There are

all sorts out there.

Not all women are as kind

and honest as you are.

You can come home

whenever you like.

Do you need anything?

Amos is here.

My father and I told people

that she had the flu

or a particular

sensitivity to sunlight,

or that she gets

very tired.

We didn't tell anyone

what we both knew.

The only one who knew

was my mother's best friend.

Amos.

You're a ray of sunshine,

you know?

Your mother says that

you're her light.

You're such a clever,

sensitive child.

You know,

i have a feeling...

That when you grow up

you will be a writer.

I won't be a writer.

I'm not sensitive!

I'll be a farmer

or a dog-poisoner with

a syringe full of poison.

Have a good day.

You too...

Do you know what

happened when Tarzan met

the cowboys and Indians?

What happened?

Tarzan watched

from a tree as the cowboys

and Indians fought below.

A cowboy caught a snake

by the throat

and poured its venom

into the Indian's mouth!

So the Indian grabbed

a thorny cactus

and stabbed...

The cowboy in his blue eyes.

Tarzan watched from above

and thought

about what to do.

And then what?

I'll tell you tomorrow.

The story was great.

Where did you hear it?

Hey-- isn't

that your dad?

Where?

Ah!

Amos... you're being

very good.

Your mother has

a terrible headache.

Keep your voice down.

And no running

around, okay?

Get the door.

- Do you need anything?

- No, thank you.

Then why don't you lie down?

I'm fine

like this, thank you.

Do you see a doctor?

I don't need a doctor.

Mother, leave her alone.

Don't interfere, arieh.

She's being so dramatic,

as if she deserves the moon.

So what? Moods.

Melancholia.

It just shows that her

heart is still young.

As if she's the only one

having a hard time here!

That the rest of us

are living in luxury!

Behold, I call heaven and earth

today to bear witness

that I have set before you

life and death,

the blessing and the curse.

Therefore choose life,

so that you and your

descendants may live.

Did you finish your homework?

Fania?

How did you sleep?

Well, I finally

slept well.

The new pills

must be working.

I had so many dreams.

One was about someone I hadn't

thought about in years.

In rovno, there was

a rich fur trader

who even got

orders from Paris,

because he had a rare type

of fur, the silver fox.

Furs that sparkled like

frost in the moonlight.

But one day...

The merchant became

a strict vegetarian.

He left his home and built

a small cabin in the woods,

because he felt sorry

for the thousands of foxes

hunters had killed for his furs.

And then

he disappeared completely.

When my sisters and i

wanted to scare each other,

the three of us lay

on the carpet in the dark.

And took turns telling...

How the man who was

once a rich furrier

now roams naked

through the forest.

Maybe he has rabies?

Maybe he howls

bloodcurdling cries?

But anyone who meets the fox-man

in the forest at night...

His hair instantly

turns white in terror.

Excuse me. What is

that supposed to be?

An allegory?

An old-wives' tale?

Sorry.

Don't be late for

school or work, boys.

What's the matter with you?

What's your problem?

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

Today I decided to invite

the two men in my life

to lunch at a restaurant.

Does dad know?

We'll surprise him.

Let's go to his office

and drag him out

like a moth from a book.

Come.

Today, you'll be my cavalier.

What's a cavalier?

A cavalier is a knight.

Cheval is French for horse,

and chevalier is

a knight on horseback.

Thank you.

Arieh.

Excuse me for a minute.

What happened?

Are my parents all right?

Your parents?

Is everyone all right?

Yes, everyone is fine.

We're surprising you.

We're taking you

out to lunch.

Sure. Why not?

Today I'm hosting,

and I'd love

if you ordered the most

expensive items on the menu.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Vegetable soup

and chicken with

mashed potatoes, please.

The same

for me, please.

Fania?

Fania?

Just some white rice, please.

And a cup of black coffee.

Thank you.

Fania?

Fania? Fanitchka?

Mummy, are you all right?

She needs total rest.

I'll take care of it.

Thank you, doctor.

These are the new pills.

They'll help you sleep.

Have some more water.

I don't know how to help you.

I'm not your responsibility.

Fania, I don't know

how to help you.

Maybe I'll take you

to Tel Aviv

to be with your sisters

and get some fresh air.

Yes, fresh air.

It's not reparations. They can't

keep what they stole from us.

And we need the money

to absorb the survivors.

What are

you talking about?

It's blood money.

We can't sell them forgiveness.

A few days in Tel Aviv

and you'll be good as new.

No wonder you're miserable.

You live in Jerusalem.

We're going to pamper you.

All you have to do is rest.

Fania, maybe

you'll try some cake?

I'm not hungry.

You're not

eating at all.

You sound like mother.

The change of scenery

will do her good.

She's from Jerusalem.

She doesn't even know

what a beach is.

Summer here

would be too much.

It's true.

That night,

the ayalon river

overflowed the banks

and flooded part of Tel Aviv.

My mother grew up

in an ethereal culture

of misted beauty

whose wings

were finally dashed

on the harsh Jerusalem stone,

hot and dusty.

Twenty years after completing

her studies in rovno,

that romantic schoolgirl

was confronted by daily life,

the heat waves,

poverty, and violence,

diapers, migraines,

ration lines, marriage.

The promise of her childhood

was trampled underfoot

and ridiculed by the monotony

of life itself.

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