Aha, so the spy gets spied on for a change, I thought with a sense of satisfaction I will not try to deny

Illustrated by Esti Saposh

Previously:

A wheelchair-bound Nachum spends his time on the mirpesset, learning Gemara and observing the routines and rhythms of Jerusalem city life. Aryeh catches Minchah at Shtilerman’s, a local shtibel, and notices a beautiful menorah set up for Chanukah. Later that day, he and Nachum are discussing their dirah’s Chanukah programming when they spot a drone in the sky, which Nachum warns is heading straight for them.

Thursday evening, December 11th

N

achum was not mistaken.

The drone’s mini propellers spun until it was directly above him. Slowly, it began to descend until it was eye level with him in his wheelchair. Then, it dropped two packages onto his lap before beginning to fly upward. We watched it disappear into the night sky.

“That was cool,” I said. “But what are those packages? Are they safe to open?”

My roommate was holding one to each ear. “I have already determined that they’re not explosive. The next question is whether they contain poison.” He sniffed them. “I think they’re fine, but if I start reacting, Rosen, kindly call MADA immediately.”

With some trepidation, I watched Nachum’s fingers slowly start to peel back the brown wrapping paper.

The first one was a… bouquet of flowers? Attached to its stems was a teddy bear with the words, “refuah sheleimah.”  The second package was a boxed silver menorah.

Nachum set both down on the mirpesset with a bit more force than was necessary.

“Well then, I think we can safely assume who they’re from,” he said.

Just then, Nachum’s phone rang. I could discern the distinctly nasal tone of Nachum’s older brother, Myron. (Myron is a Mossad agent who uses his counterintelligence resources to both foil terrorist plots and pick on his younger brother.)

“Fine, I’ll put you on speaker,” I heard Nachum say.

“Hello, Aryeh. Nice sweater you’re wearing. I enjoyed reading the ‘Case of the Kohein Club’ on your Substack. The writing is slowly improving, but your syntax could still use some work. And dear brother, is that how you thank me for taking time out of my busy schedule to send you a get-well and Chanukah gift? By throwing them on the floor? If you don’t put the flowers in water, Nachum, you’ll never see the daffodils open.”

“I don’t care about the daffodils.” Nachum’s fingers were tightly gripping the sides of his wheelchair.

Aha, so the spy gets spied on for a change, I thought with a sense of satisfaction I will not try to deny.

“I’m up to big stuff,” Myron’s high-pitched voice continued. “Can’t tell you more about it at the moment, Nachum. Strictly confidential. Suffice it to say that I’ve just returned from Doha and you’ll be reading about something big in the news tomorrow. How about you? Found a kid’s missing shoe? Well done!”

Even in the dark of night, I could see Nachum’s face changing colors.