#thank god i decided to check my switch tonight because the sale ends TOMORROW

[sockiesock]

I JUST BOUGHT THE GREAT ACE ATTORNEY CHRONICLES FOR $17.

[mynameisjaxx]

Daichi x Y/N

(Stuff happens, so read if you want to.)

I'm currently a first year at Karasuno and it's almost time for spring break. Since starting at the high school, I had special circumstances at the beginning of the year. Mostly because my parents had just died and I had no other living relatives or god parents to take care of me. Due to the fact that I was 15, I was given the choice to stay at a half way home or to go out on my own. Knowing full well, I would never get adopted for being a teenager, I decided to opt out and remain living on my own. For the most part, it was okay, I would crash at a few friends houses every so often to wash my uniform in a place that had actual laundry detergent. It wasn't long until the manager at the store I worked at started letting me have the left overs that didn't sell.

I guess, he got the hint that I was shedding pounds like no tomorrow. So one night, he flipped the sign to close and asked me to step into the back room.

"Hey, kid, how's it going?" He started.

"I'm okay." I shrugged.

"Don't lie to me, now." He  lit up a cigarette.

"Well, if you gotta know, I'm currently living with the snacks I you let me have and couch surfing." I narrowed my gaze.

"What happened with your folks?" I look up and through the wisps of smoke, he was looking into my eyes and waiting for an answer.

"They're dead."

Silence. It last a few minutes and then he took a pull.

"Sorry, kid."

"Yeah, it's not something I'm ready to talk about." I wipe the single tear that fell from my right eye.

Tch.

"Alright, I have an idea, but only if you feel absolutely 100% comfortable with the idea."

"Shoot."

"I have a spare room, if you want you can stay there, instead of couch surfing or staying out in the streets." He takes another pull.

"I don't know, I don't feel right about just staying there. Is there someway for me to repay you?" I look up to him determined.

"Well, you can take on some extra chores around the house and we can call it even." He shrug.

"Alright then Mr. Ukai, thank you so much!" I bow.

"Don't worry about it kid, I just don't want you to end up hurt somewhere. You've been really good working for me the whole summer, and I see you like a little sister." He puts a hand on my shoulder with a light squeeze.

"I promise that I will do my best to not be a burden." I declare.

After our chat, I spend my time minding the store until closing time. I double check the floor and restock what's low and keep the journal of the day's sales. I make sure to keep everything organized before putting together a list of the things we need to order for the next week. Keishin came out with the broom and the mop, he swept and I mopped the floor behind him. We were done rather fast and put away the cleaning supplies. Stepping through the back of the store we take out the trash to the dumpster and then walk a little to the house behind the store.

"Well, this is home." He says.

"It's very nice."

"Thanks." He closes the door behind us, we remove our shoes and I walk in barefoot, taking my socks off and feeling the cold floors.

"Hey put these on, they should fit." He hands me a pair of gray slippers that seem my size.

"Thanks." I slip them on and he shows me around the house.

"So, living room is here, to the left is my room, the right is yours. The kitchen is down the hall and the bathroom is also down the hall. The is a small backyard if you ever want to sit outside and take a break." He rubs the back of his neck.

"Wow." Amazed at how neat and warm the house felt.

"Yeah, I haven't the heart to change a few things because its the way my mom left it. I just do upkeep." he shrugs.

"Well, I will be sure not to move things too out of place on cleaning day." I make a mental note.

"I appreciate that. For tonight, I'll make dinner. What do you want to eat?" He peers into the fridge.

"How about I make dinner and you tell me what my chores are while I work?" I counter offer.

"Oh, Okay." He steps aside.

I pull out the left over rice he has in a tupper ware, the shaved steak left overs, 3 eggs and a mixed veggie tray. Julienning and then sauteing them for a little color, I add the shaved steak to mix in with the juices from the veggies, adding a pinch of onion powder and a few dashes of soy sauce, I stir until the white rice has an even browning.

"So, we would be alternating cleaning duty, you'll get bathroom and kitchen and I'll do living room and front of the house. Following week, we switch. Cooking is up to you. I'm limited in what I know how to make, but it seems like you can definitely throw down in the kitchen." He motions to me.

"Well, I had to learn while my parents were at work, I made myself dinners." I smile.

"That's very smart." He compliments.

Adding the rice into the meat and veggies and adding a splash of water to make the rice a little fluffy again, I cover it. Cracking the eggs into a bowl and scrambling them before hand.

"So, you learned all this from being home alone?" He grabs plates out of the cupboard.

"Yep, we would have left overs and I'd take them to make them into a meal for myself. I hope you like it." with a half smile as I add the eggs to the same skillet. While the eggs cook into the fried rice, I clean all the utensils I used to cook, leaving just the wooden spoon I was using to help mix everything. Almost like a 6th sense, I could feel that it was ready, so I turn off the heat and proceed to spoon out a few into each bowl.

"It smells delicious!" He takes a whiff before carefully putting the steaming hot food into his mouth and hums something that sounded like 'yum'.

"Glad you like it." I laugh a bit.

That was my first night, it was very nice. It really did feel like having an older brother, despite knowing that I was practically alone in every sense of the word. He really made me feel welcomed. We worked out a deal for when I would get to school.

So while I did some early morning shifts to help prep all the sandwiches and meat buns to be sold for the day, he would take care of the store and then I would do homework while I worked the counter and he would take his break and go over to the house and prep dinner for us later.

It's been about 2 months with the same routine and there was this man, Takeda. He comes in once a day to ask where Keishin was and if he could spare a moment, everytime, he was turned away until yesterday. Kei actually agreed to whatever that Takeda man asked him to do.

"I'll be at the school gym tomorrow, so I want you to go there straight after practice. I'm not letting you out of my sight, kid." He sighs as he goes towards the back room.

"Oh, okay, but who will mind the store?"

"I'll get my nephew to watch the store." He pulls out his phone and dials a number.

"Alright, well, I'm off to school, sandwiches are ready to be stocked, coffee is in the machine brewing for the day, and the meat buns are in the steam tray." I put on my shoes.

"Alright, hon, have a good day at school and don't forget to meet me at the gym." He shouts after me as I jog out to school.

The school day was boring and quite frankly, I was just hoping to see what was going to happen after school, but I still managed to take down good notes in class. I wonder why Takeda wanted Keishin. Guess, I'll find out later.

The day ends and I bolt out of class and head to the gym, right outside is Takeda and Keishin, talking a bit.

"Hi, y/n." Takeda bows.

"Hello, Takeda Sensei."

"Lets see what we are working with." Keishin grumbles and puts out his cigarette.

Inside were boys, shouting and running around. They were playing a 3 4 on 4 game of volleyball. There were 3 boys I recognized as my senpais since one of them gave me a tour around the school my first day and introduced me to the other 2. Sugawara was very nice and detailed with directions, Asahi was super shy and told me I was scary until we spoke a bit more and then there's Daichi. He was just, woah.

Suddenly I'm down on the ground, my chest hurt a little. I wasn't sure what just happened. I definitely got the wind knocked out of me, somehow.

"Woah n/n! Are you okay??" Keishin bends down to check on me.

"Y/N!" Daichi runs over and slides right beside me.

"We are so sorry." I hear the boys shout in unison.

I cough a bit trying to breathe. Daichi helps me sit up.

"Hey, Kiyoko, toss me my water bottle!" Daichi looks at the blue haired girl.

She nods and tosses the water bottle at him and he catches it with ease.

"Here drink some. It'll help" I nod and do as he says.

A sip and I try to breath but it sounds like a heavy wheeze. He takes my loose hairs and tucks them behind my ear.

"It's alright, take your time." He stands.

"Alright, Ennoshita, sub for me. I'm going to look after her during this set."  He takes my hands into his and helps me to the bench. He sits straddling the bench and pats the space in front of him.

"Sit with your back to me." He orders.

I do and his chest is warm. I hum.

"Alright, I'm going to rub your upper arms and I want you to take deep breaths with me." He whispers into my ear.

I could feel my face turn red and my chest tighten, but I nod.

After a few breaths, I feel much better. At some point I had closed my eyes and he had stopped moving his hands on my arms and just held me.

"Hey, earth to y/n. You okay now?" He whispers, bringing me back.

"Yes, thank you, senpai." I reply.

"Please, call me Daichi." He insists.

"Well, now that you are a bit better, please go to the bathroom and check if you're bruised, if you want take Kiyoko with you. She'll be able to help with ice or if you would prefer a salve." He motions to her and she comes over.

"Okay" meek and quiet, I leave with Kiyoko to the bathroom and she comes in with me.

Unbuttoning my school uniform, I see the yellow and blue starting to form.

"What would you like for me to do? Salve and bandage or just an ice pack?" She offers, cleaning her glasses on her volleyball jacket.

"Whichever would make the bruise slow down faster." I shrug.

"I'll get the salve and bandage, wait here." She hurries out.

She returns and quietly buzzes about, tending to the bruise.

"Thank you, senpai." I mumble.

"Of course, let me know if you have any discomfort." she guides me back to the gym and I sit quietly on the bench and watch the rest of the 'set'. In between sets, Daichi comes back over to me and asks me once more if I was okay and I nod, choosing to keep talking to a minimum since my chest was still in some pain.

"So, you have yourself a coach, Takeda." I over hear Keishin shaking hands with Takeda Sensei.

"Thank you. The practice game with Nekoma are in a few weeks. Here's the details and I will need you to come by the office tomorrow so we can formally fill out your paperwork as new head coach of Karasuno's boy's volleyball" He's super excited.

"Alright boys, line up." Daichi commands.

"Thank you for coming." They say in unison.

"Boys, let me introduce you to your new coach. Coach Ukai. he's the former Coach's grandson, he also happened to play for Karasuno when he studied here." Takeda lets Keishin take center stage.

"Alright, so the rematch against Nekoma won't be for another few weeks, and I have 'til then to whip you into shape to even be close to a tied game with them. I have faith in what I witnessed today that we will beat them. Maybe not in our first game but definitely in our second." Keishin riles them up.

"Come on, clean up and then you are free to go home." Daichi claps.

The boys grumble. Just like that time passed in a flash, somehow in that time I became the co manager of the team with Kiyoko and we've become really good friends. Though I know I won't see her around much after this year, with her being a third year and all

The practice game came and the boys played their hardest, in the end, they lost making it really close to a tied game. They were absolutely devastated but definitely not discouraged. After the game, Keishin treated them to dinner. As a way to show them that even in their losses they will learn and adapt, but for now eat and work on your strength. Some of them cried and others remained stoic.

It was weeks later that Takeda slipped by the door and announced that Nekoma had invited us to join in on their training camp. Takeda and Keishin shared a glance, one I knew all too well. 'The I'm not sure we can afford it' look. An idea popped into my head, so I decided to go up to Kei and whisper it.

"Doesn't sound bad, I bet if you got the guys to help then it would definitely go a lot faster. I mean you've got the skills." He nods.

"Takeda, I'm not sure if you know, but y/n is a wiz in the kitchen, can they borrow the cafeteria on Thursday night? Y/N wants to have a bake sale for the team. Of course if the boys help out then I know they'll be in good hands." He pleads.

"What a splendid idea, I'll run it by the principal tomorrow morning and have an answer by practice. Just give me a list of what you wanted to bake and what the cost to profit is, I'm sure it will work out just fine." He looks at a determined y/n who's already scribbling away in their notebook the recipes and how much the items would cost, specially through the store as a vendor they knew they could get a bit of a discount.

On a new sheet of paper, they write down the cost to profit and hand over the menu to Takeda, who looks in awe of the menu.

"Are you sure you can make all this?" He asks.

"With help, of course. I just need to know if I have permission before I go asking the team for help." I nod confidently.

"alright then, I will pass this along." He puts it into his folder of to-do.

The following day at lunch I got the approval of cafeteria use for the thursday night which was in 3 days. Yachi who was the other new co manager created posters to put up around the school and town. The school wrote a check for the cost and I gave it to Keishin when we ordered the ingredients. The entire team agreed to help, even salty Tsukishima. It was a nice night, we took off of practice and spent the evening working hard. The boys followed my every order, I was running a tight ship that night.

By nightfall, we were all packing up the small bundt cakes in the wax paper and twine. The muffins were placed into boxes to contain them for the night and the sweeter things we baked, we left for the afternoon. The entire day Kiyoko and I were manning the cash box, and thanking students for buying and donating the change.

At the end of the day we had made back what we spent on ingredients and more than tripled our profit. We gave back the initial investment that the school spent and we took the rest to the bank. Got the coins changed into larger bills. Gave the money to Takeda who in turn, put it towards the bus to take us to the training camp and food for those two weeks. Even after that we had a little left over, which we had decided we would save for any club emergencies.

"We did it!!!" We announced.

"We're raised enough money to go to the training camp!" Yachi jumps up high like Hinata.

"Yay!" He jumps even higher.

"Rest up, we leave next Friday after school and get there by evening. We are going to be there for 2 weeks." Keishin reminds them.

Time flies and it was just a a few hours by bus to get there. It was finally here, training camp weeks with Nekoma and Fukurodani. Being the last to arrive, the Nekoma team are the ones to greet us.

Everyone is polite enough, though the tension between the captains is so awkward. It makes me want to be a turtle and hide inside my shell. Being here was incredible. The days were spent between exercise and practice games. There were many losses for the boys, but with each game they learned more about their opponents, which in turn they adapted their strategies.

The night before the last day Daichi approached me with a concerned look.

"What's wrong sen-Daichi." I tilt my head.

"Well, tomorrow there's the barbecue and I think we have enough, but I'm not sure. If there's a shortage would you mind going to the store with Kiyoko and two of the boys to help you bring things back?" He places a hand on my shoulder.

"Of course, what kind of a manager would I be if I didn't take care of my team." I laugh it off.

"Thank you for taking such good care of us, if it weren't for your idea, we probably wouldn't have been able to participate." He squeezes.

"It's no big deal, besides, Yachi's posters were also a tremendous help with donations and you guys helped me back and pack all those tiny pastries. It's my pleasure, honestly." I raise my hands in front of me.

"Thank you." He smiles and walks away.

Practice felt like it flew by and the coaches had already started the grills to heat them up. The captains of each team was manning the grills and making sure that everything was cooked to perfection. Daichi gave me the look so I took Kiyoko's wrist and she understood. Looking around the only two boys that seemed the least busy were Tanaka and Nishinoya.

It was a short walk to the store, but while we were there, we had a slight hiccup. Some guys from Fukurodani's regular students were there. They had chosen to hit on Kiyoko and she looked uncomfortable. I tried to distract them from her, but failed. It didn't help that Noya and Tanaka got involved, until I stepped in between and diffused the situation a bit.

"Listen guys, I know she is really beautiful, but she can't go out with you, because she is with me." I step in.

"Yeah, sorry boys. Can't split up the happy couple." Tanaka makes his iconic intimidation face and Noya has a demonic look in his eyes.

"Now, if we can all go about our respective days, that would be amazing." I insist and drag the boys away with Kiyoko and the food cart in tow.

We paid and we left, thinking it would be the last of it. We got back in time with the meat and more soda. The boys celebrated our return and immediately took the items out of our hands and began prep work while the last of the meat had just been put on the grill, but the time it was cooked, the meat we had brought was being put on. The rest of the afternoon goes on with lots of laughter and a light atmosphere.

It was evening by the time the teams had began slowly breaking off to go shower and hit the sack. The captains and a few members stayed behind to help with clean up. Between us we finished up in an hour and placed the trash into the dumpster. The sun had already set and the navy blue sky, like a blanket being pulled over the day to rest.

I wasn't tired so I didn't go back yet, instead I decided to walk around a bit, take in the last views of the school before morning, since we'd be leaving around 7 am to get back by noon and send the team home to rest and study for the exams the rest of the week had instore for us. Thinking over the checklist of things that I could do to kill time, I thought it would be a great idea to go to the store for a last minute run, pick up some cereal bars, or jell-o cups, some kind of snack that didn't need much prep incase the team got peckish on the ride home. Mostly because we weren't going to make breakfast, just pack up, clean and leave.

Apparently the boys from earlier just didn't know when to stop. They just had to follow me at a distance, but I didn't even realize it. It wasn't until I had gotten closer to the gym that they started vandalizing school property. I saw them, with their trash and the faint smell of alcohol hit my nose. I took out my phone and dialed Keishin but he didn't pick up, so I called Daichi.

"Hey y/n, what's up?"

One of the guys had ran towards me and I dropped what I had in hand and my cell phone, luckily it didn't cut off the call.

"Hey, back off, you can't be here."

"Like hell, we can do what we damn well please," one of them slurred.

"Come on cutie, drop the bluenette and come have fun with us instead."

That was all he needed to hear to grab the team and race outside to where I was. Surrounded and trying to find a way out. Nothing seemed viable so I did what I thought and tried to duck under their arms and run, but they caught me by my jacket. I unzipped it and left it in their grasp. I ran until I bumped into something that was soft but sturdy.

"Where are they?" A stern voice.

"Back that way" I answered with my eyes closed still waiting to hit the floor.

"Noya, Tanaka, and Suga, go in first. Rest of you, stagger in." He orders.

"Hey, they didn't touch you right?" He lifted my chin up and I opened my eyes.

"No, but it was really scary." Tears pinching the back of my eyes, just thinking about what could have happened had I not worn the volleyball jacket.

"Shhh, it's okay now. You're safe." He tried to comfort me.

"I tried calling coach but he didn't answer."

"It's okay, we told Kiyoko to stay behind and look for all 3 coaches." He pet my hair.

We stayed like that for a moment until he pulled away first.

"I don't want you walking back alone so come with me and stay behind me. I'll make sure they don't lay a hand on you." He promises.

"Okay" I hesitate.

So of course it caused a commotion and a brawl broke out. Someone called the cops and Noya, Tanaka and I were taken in because of the fight. Daichi had driven to the station with Keishin and Coach Nekomata. While there, the boys were placed in the holding cell while Noya and Tanaka and I were sitting, cuffed on a bench.

"I'm taking the fall, you guys just say it was me that did all the fighting and that they tried to attack you so it's self defense. Okay? I started the fight. You guys can't get into trouble, they'll kick you out of school or something. I'll be fine. So don't fight me. I am your manager and I will hear no protest." I turn to either side of me and they nod in defeat.

After questioning about what had happened I made up a story. About how I was walking back to campus and they were just drunk and spewing nonsense. I tried to get them to leave until one of them grabbed my wrist and I pushed him off as defense, which escalated when his buddies joined in and I fought back, having called my coach to alert him of what's happening. Noya and Tanaka said similar things so the detective gave us all breathalyzer tests to fact check.

We we let go after a few hours.

"Kids!" Keishin is waiting in the lobby to pick us up.

"We're okay coach, a little shaken and roughed up, but we'll be fine." Noya answers.

"Let's go back to campus and you can retell what happened." He looks me up and down to make sure I was okay.

Once back, we went to an empty class on a different floor than the one where everyone was sleeping. I retold what actually happened and the lie we told the cops.

Tch.

"But, they didn't touch you, right?" Kei knelt in front of my seat.

"No, Kei, I'm fine. Scared, but fine." I assure him.

"God, kid, I don't want to think about what could have happened." He engulfs me in a hug.

"I know" muffled into his chest.

Headed to the floor where the rest of the team was, they couldn't sleep. Too anxious about what happened. They try not to crowd me and I bow.

"I'm sorry for worrying you." A few tears slide down my cheek without meaning to.

A chorus of 'don't' could be heard and I couldn't help but feel relief. They ended up giving me a group hug and then they let go after a little. I smile and wipe the tears.

One of the boys managed to grab the things I had dropped and brought them inside. The bag from the store was pretty intact, but my phone sadly was not. It was cracked and had a few scrapes on the exposed metal.

I take my phone and put it in the bag with the things I got. Leaving to the managers room, the tears flow freely. It was scary. I was alone until the guys came to my rescue. I was too scared to lash out. I couldn't move. God I was so stupid.

"Hey, hey, you're safe now, honey." I heard a soothing voice.

"I know, but I could've screamed, done something."

"No, no, none of that. You called us, you did do something and escaped them before we got to you." He cups my face.

I sob a little, but he leans close and looks into my eyes. Its like I was over come with warmth. Like a security blanket wrapped around me. Taking even breaths he thumbs away my tears and gives me a small smile. I flush and my cheeks start getting warm, feeling the blush spread, I look away but he follows my gaze. So I place my hand on his wrist.

Suddenly our lips are just whispers away from touching.

"Are you sure, because I don't want you to feel pressured." our noses grazing each other.

"Kiss me"

It was the sweetest kiss. So soft and gentle, he was treating me like a fragile, porcelain doll.

"I-"

"How about when you feel up to it, I take you out on a date. I'll make it special."

"I would like that." I blush having forgotten all those scary thoughts.

[sarajoymerkin]

Yankel and the Days of Rest

Yankel and the Days of Rest

“Yankel! You fool, wake up,” Yehuda, the town butcher said.

Yankel woke with a start.

“Whaaaa... Yes. what?” he stammered.

Yehuda chuckled and slapped Yankel on the back. “I saw you doing this yesterday too. You might want to stay awake if you’re going to finish learning Jonah by Rosh Hashana. The Kollel doesn’t like slackers.”

“I was not... I...” Yankel said. “Did the Rebbe notice?”

“Not this time. But be careful. The Rebbe will take away your salary if he finds out. And who knows, someone might tell him.”

Yankel glared at Yehuda as he made his way back to his seat to continue his daily Torah learning. At least I didn’t cause the entire Kollel to eat non-kosher chicken, Yankel thought. He gathered his Tanakh and commentary books and hurried to leave, ashamed of himself and the mean thoughts he just had.

***

That night Yankel decided to go to sleep an hour early, much to his wife Rochel’s chagrin.

“I have to finish Jonah in two weeks for Rosh Hashana or I will lose the money. The Kollel needs me. Everyone is learning different sections. If I don’t learn mine, we won’t be able to finish the entire Tanakh in time for the holiday” Yankel said.

“We always go to sleep at ten,” she complained, “Almost every night since last year when we were married, we have gone to sleep at ten. I don’t see why we need to change our entire schedule because you fell asleep a few times at the Kollel. I was hoping to finish my book tonight but now there will be no time.”

“I didn’t say you had to come with me,” Yankel mumbled.

“Fine then. But if you wake up early tomorrow because of all this extra sleep, you better not wake me too.” With that said, Rochel stomped off to the den to read her book.

Yankel headed to bed and said his nightly prayers. Shema Yisroel Hashem Aloheinu Hashem Echad, he whispered with his right hand covering his eyes. Then he continued with a prayer of his own, please Hashem, help me stay awake at the Kollel tomorrow. Rochel and I need the money. My tailoring business is not doing well this winter and the Kollel is all we have, I don’t want the Rebbe to find out and lower my stipend, please Hashem please. I know that I have been distant lately. But I’ve just been so busy and haven’t had the time to pray three times a day like I’m supposed to. Oy. What will I do if Yehuda tells the Rebbe to get back in his favor. Hashem listen to my prayers and help me. Amen.

***

The next day Yankel woke up at his normal rising time. He put on one of his many white button-down shirts, black pants, and his worn-out shoes. Rochel was waiting for him in the kitchen with fresh bread and his favorite black tea; a peace offering. He nodded to thank her, washed his hands, and said Baruch atah Hashem Aloheinu melech haolam hamotzei lechem min haeretz, the traditional blessing on bread.

That day, he did everything he could to say awake. He drank two cups of Rochel’s strongest tea. He wore his itchiest pants and a white-button-down with sleeves that pinched his arms when he bent them. He even stuck snow down his back to stay cold. He started by learning that week’s Torah portion, the parasha. Stories about the Jews in the desert. No problem. After an hour, Yankel decided it was time for him to to switch to Jonah.

He slept for four hours that day.

He woke up to a piece of crumpled paper hitting his head. “Hey Yankie! I thought you were supposed to be learning Jonah, not about Joseph’s dreams,” Yehuda called from a few rows back. A couple of the men around him laughed. Yankel grumbled and wiped his eyes. He glanced around and was relieved to see the Rebbe sitting up in front with a group, oblivious to what had happened.

Yehuda smiled as he watched Yankel look around the room. This could be my chance to be a part of the community again, he thought.  

Yehuda was infamous around the Kollel for the time he shechted a chicken incorrectly. In order to do it properly, one had to take an exceptionally sharp blade and slice the chicken’s neck as quickly as possible. This lowers the animal's suffering and leaves minimal space for fault. But, if there is even the smallest imperfection on the knife, the chicken is rendered non-kosher. Yehuda knew this law quite well. He studied for years in advance to becoming a trust-worthy butcher and was checked up on daily by a special Rabbi, called a mashgiach. But one fateful day, Yehuda accidentally shechted ten chickens with a faulty knife. He realized afterwards what he had done and made the choice to package and sell them as kosher. The mashgiach had already visited and knew nothing of it. Later that day, the Rebbe of the Kollel stopped into Yehuda’s store and purchased all ten of the non-kosher chickens. Yehuda didn’t say a word. The Rebbe used it to make his town-famous cholent – the stew that was served to the congregation weekly after the Shabbos prayers. Two weeks later, while drunk on Purim night, Yehuda blurted out to the Rebbe what he had done. The Rebbe called for a mandatory one-day fast among the congregation and instituted a full-time mashgiach at Yehuda’s shop. Business slowed for him and Yehuda began to spend more and more time in the Kollel, hoping to find a means of atonement in his learning.

***

The biting cold Polish wind smacked against Yankel’s face as he ran home. He worried that Yehuda would tell the Rebbe about his sleeping issue. Despite the Torah’s strict laws against speaking ill of a neighbor, Yankel wouldn’t be surprised if Yehuda used this chance to get closer to the Rebbe and prove himself to be trustworthy once again.

He barged through the door and fell in Rochel’s arms. She was taken aback by this since they rarely showed each other physical affection other than the rare fingertip touch while passing the salt, and their monthly attempts at childbearing. Yankel was lucky that Rochel was not in niddah at the time, the period after a woman menstruates but has not purified herself, or they would have sinned for simply touching.

“I feel asleep again today,” he choked out amidst catching his breath.

“Oh dear, maybe this was God’s way of punishing you for disrespecting your wife’s wishes last night.”

“Not now Rochel, this is serious. Jonah will take me at least a month to get through and at this rate I won’t be done until Yom Kippur. The worst part is, you know the Rubins’ son, that butcher Yehuda? He keeps giving me trouble.”

“Those Rubins. His mother Chava stole my place in line at the baker's last week and got the last Challah. Not a trustworthy family I tell you. Oh! But have you tried speaking to the Rebbe?”

“I couldn’t. He'd stop my Kollel payments and you know how slow my tailor commissions get in the winter.”

“Yankel you need to go to the Rebbe, he will be understanding. We need this money.”

“No Rochel I just couldn’t. I’ll be the laugh of the town. Poor Yankel can’t stay awake...”

“Just go talk to the Rebbe,” Rochel snapped.

“I can’t I—”

“I’m pregnant Yankel.”

“Pregnant?”

“I was waiting a few more weeks to tell you so there would be no i’yin hara on the baby. I’m already two months pregnant. But, please Yankie. We’re going to need all the money we can get right now, and I can’t have you losing it. See what the Rebbe has to say.”

“We’re having a baby? A son? My son? Oh Rochel. But the Rebbe—”

“Yankel.”

“I can just pretend I did the learning. I’ve done Jonah before I can just use old knowledge if anyone asks me about it. I can do that it will be fine. The Rebbe doesn’t need to know. It will be fine.”

“Yankel, if you don’t tell him than that Yehuda will. Go.”

***

Yankel hurried back out into the snow to go see the Rebbe. He reached the Kollel just as Yehuda was leaving for the night.

“Back again, eh? Thinking about spending the night?” Yehuda said.

“Yehuda, not now please.”

“Someone’s in a mood, perhaps a quick nap would help.”

“I said NOT NOW. Rochel is pregnant and I need this money and I can’t have—”

“Wait. Rochel is pregnant?” Yehuda’s face softened.

“Yes, and I can’t have you—”

“Yankel mazol tov woah. I’m so sorry for making fun of you I had no idea. Mazol tov, mazol tov.”

“What?”

“Listen, the Kollel salary is barely enough for me to support my six children, and ever since last year with the chicken, you remember?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, my meat sales have been down, and I’ve been struggling to get by. Oy what a fool I was to give you so much trouble. Forgive me Yankel please! I didn’t mean any harm I just hoped the people would finally forget about me with you falling asleep like that. And I—”

“Yehuda calm down, it is fine, now I just need to go in there and face the Rebbe.”

“No. Don’t. I thought I could go to him about the chicken and I haven’t heard the end of it. Let me try to help you stay awake. It’s the least I can do.”

***

Rochel was already asleep by the time Yankel returned that night. She left a plate of meat and potatoes out on the table with a note that read: Yankie, I’m off to bed since I do not know how long your talk with the Rebbe will take. I hope it went well. This baby has made me more tired than I thought I would be. So, make sure you clean up after yourself. I don’t need more work than I already have. Also, do not wake me tomorrow morning. Doctor Schwartz said I should get as much rest as I can with all my stress right now. Layla Tov. Sleep well, not like you have much of a problem doing that. Ha!

Yankel smirked and placed the letter aside. Rochel was always making him laugh. It was the reason he chose to marry her over that Leah that the matchmaker tried to set him up with. Leah was from a much wealthier family, but he couldn’t get Rochel out of his head. And now they were going to have a baby together. A baby! Yankel couldn’t stop himself from smiling as he jawed his way through the tough slab of meat.

He decided to sleep on the couch that night. He didn’t want to disturb Rochel and he had told Yehuda that he would be at the Kollel early the next morning.

***

The waves shoved themselves against Yankel’s frail body. He pushed as hard as he could to swim against the rough current, but it felt like he was swimming in place. The whale was not far behind fighting its own battle against the heavy waters. It let out a loud, long wail that shook Yankel’s body as he swam. The whale would catch up to him eventually. This was a truth Yankel could feel. But for now, all he could do was swim.

***

The next day the pair sat together in the Beit Midrash at the crack of dawn.

“Yehuda, thank you again for doing this. Todah rabah. I don’t understand what’s wrong with me, but I just can’t seem to stay awake.”

“Well why don’t we learn a bit of parasha together first and then move on to Jonah?

“I tried that already...”

���Oy okay. How about we just try learning Jonah together then?”

“But Yehuda don’t you have your own portions to—”

“They didn’t give me any.”

“Oh.”

“The Rebbe still thinks I’m impure and won’t let me take part in communal learning. Not until I finish revisiting the laws of kosher and shechting.”

“I’m so sorry I—”

“It’s fine. Now, let’s learn about teshuva huh? I’ll read the first section. Try to keep up.” Yehuda winked and began to read. “Vayehi d’var Hashem el Yonah ben Amitai leymor.” He translated, “And Hashem spoke to Jonah the son of Amitai saying:” But by then, Yankel was already dreaming about swimming desperately through the ocean, chased by a giant blue whale.

Yehuda shook Yankel, who snapped his head up. “Oy” is all Yankel could say.

“Why don’t you try read a posuk instead?” Yehuda said.

Yankel opened his Tanakh to Jonah, section one. He felt his eyelids getting heavy and his heartbeat slow. “I...” He yawned and began to drift off into a continuation of his earlier dream.

Yehuda watched him in amazement. He took it upon himself to nudge Yankel every few seconds to keep himself awake. He would nudge Yankel, Yankel would shake awake, look down at the book, and immediately begin to fall asleep again.

After a few attempts, Yehuda decided it was time to try something new. He poked Yankel. He poked and poked and poked and poked.

“Stop that! I’m not falling asleep but now I can’t focus at all,” Yankel said.

“I don’t know what else to do” Yehuda said, “Maybe it’s time to talk to the Rebbe.”

Yankel sighed. “Tomorrow. For now, let’s at least get some of your kosher law learning out of the way. If I can stay awake for something that boring, how much more so should I be able to for Jonah.”

***

The house smelled of chicken soup and warmth as Yankel entered, trapping the cold wind outside behind him.

“I know it’s only Wednesday, but I was craving a matzo ball,” Rochel called from the kitchen. “I promise I promise I will make another batch for Shabbos. Oh! And don’t worry, I bought chicken from that butcher Tuvia. Did not want to help out that Yehuda Rubin in any way.”

Yankel entered the kitchen and took in the sight of his beautiful wife. He could already see the baby bump forming, or maybe he was just imagining it.

“Chicken soup will be fine for dinner,” he said. “And from now on only buy from Yehuda. I was so foolish to judge him so quickly—”

“What?” Rochel said.

“Sit down, let me tell you about what has happened.”

After dinner, Rochel decided that Yankel should go straight to the Rebbe’s house and speak to him there.

“There is no time to waste,” she said. “Rosh Hashana is in two weeks; I’ve even started to cook already! If you don’t figure this out now you will not be able to fulfill your learning in time.”

“I’ll go. But if the Rebbe doesn’t have an answer, I don’t know what we’ll do,” Yankel said.

“Watch your tongue. The Rebbe always has an answer.”

***

Yankel trekked through the icy wind as it shoved itself against his bare face. He reached the house he was looking for and banged on the door, eager to get out of the cold.

“Yankel? What are you doing here? It’s late,” Yehuda said.

“I am on the way to the Rebbe’s house and I want you to come with me,” Yankel answered.

“What? Why? And come in, come in, you look like a ghost.” Yankel walked inside and sat by the fire. “So,” Yehuda continued. “Why should I come with you? My presence surely will not help matters.”

“Yes, but I need someone there to help the Rebbe understand the situation. Please Yehuda come with me. I won’t ask anything from you again.”

Yehuda sighed and nodded.

***

The Rebbe’s house was small and worn out. Some Rebbes chose to live with wealth, but he refused all but a basic salary from the Kollel’s donors—the wealthy Jews from Krakow—and gave the rest to the congregation.

The Rebbe’s face displayed a mix of confusion and exhaustion when he opened the door.

“Rebbe, I am so sorry to bother you at this hour. I have a problem I need to discuss with you,” Yankel said.

“Come in,” the Rebbe replied with a slow gesture towards the kitchen table that sat right by the entrance of the small house. He paused when he noticed Yehuda, and then made his way over to the chair at the head of the table.

"It’s that... I... Well... You see...” Yankel said.

“Oy. What Yankel is trying to say is that he keeps falling asleep whenever he tries to learn his portion for Rosh Hashana,” Yehuda said.

“Asleep?” the Rebbe questioned.

“Yes. And no matter what we did to try and keep him awake it didn’t work. He won’t finish his learning in time. And, if he can’t stay awake, he won’t be able to start at all,” Yehuda said.

“I see. And what happens when you fall asleep, Yankel? Do you dream at all?” the Rebbe said.

“Yes!” Yankel said with a newfound confidence. “I keep having the same dream every time I sleep, not just at the Kollel. I’m swimming and there is a whale chasing me. Sometimes it lets out a huge wail and I can feel it shaking me. But I always wake up right before it catches up.”

The Rebbe thought for a moment. “I see. Yes. I see. Okay. Yankel you must fast for the next two days and treat them as if they were a Yom Kippur. Clearly there is something in your past that requires atonement. The wail of the whale leads to me believe that you have been neglecting your prayers to Hashem. Is that true?”

“Yes, Rebbe,” Yankel said.

“Oy. Say all three prayers with immense concentration, both days. At the end of the second day I will sound a shofar for you, to banish your sins.”

“Yes Rebbe, thank you,” Yankel said.

Of course, if at that point you are still having this issue, I will have to ask you to give up your portion until it is resloved. But I do believe this should work.”

With that, Yankel and Yehuda headed out. The Rebbe shook Yankel’s hand as he exited. He made eye contact with Yehuda and nodded.

“Thank you, Yehuda,” the Rebbe said, “for trying to help Yankel.”

***

“Tekiyah Gedolah,” the Rebbe announced and blew the shofar two days later. A loud trumpet-like noise emerged as the Rebbe’s cheeks turned red. “Best of luck with your learning tomorrow Yankel,” he said.

The next morning, Yankel arrived at the Kollel and was surprised to find Yehuda there waiting for him.

“I figured you might need someone to poke you,” Yehuda said.

The two men sat down at what was now becoming their usual table. Yehuda opened the Tanakh slowly, for dramatic effect.

“Ready?” he asked Yankel.

“Yes.” Yankel took a deep breath, “Okay. Vayehi d’var Hashem el Yonah ben Amitai leymor. Did I do it? Am I awake?”

“You did it!” Yehuda responded. They rejoiced and hugged each other.

Over the following ten days, Yankel and Yehuda spent hours in the Kollel learning all of Jonah. Yehuda supplied chicken for lunch daily, which delighted Rochel since it meant she didn’t have to work to make it for Yankel. By the time Rosh Hashana came, they had not only finished Jonah, but had almost finished learning all of the laws of Kosher.

***

Six months later a beautiful baby boy was born to Yankel and Rochel. They held a bris meliah at the Kollel, with a special chicken cholent, sponsored by Yehuda. When it came time to name the boy, Yankel announced that he would be called Yehuda, after the most righteous man he knew. News of this spread around the community and no more than a week later, Yehuda was invited to the Rebbe’s Sabbath dinner for the first time in two years.