“You probably want to talk to your wife, right?” When I nodded, he pointed toward a phone reserved for hospital staff. I heard the dial tone and counted the rings until she picked up. Meanwhile, I imagined us living in a new apartment with a view out onto the sea. Her absence at that moment cast a shadow over the strange feeling I had.
“Lily?” I called out in relief.
“Hi, Michael, my man, how are you?”
“I’m at Desert Springs Hospital.”
“Is everything all right?” There was concern in her voice.
“Yes, I’m fine. Dr. Olivier, the doctor I’m replacing, introduced me to the hospital administrators. They want me to start working here right away. I don’t know what to do.”
I poured out all the information I had gathered in the last few hours. I explained about the permits, about private practice, and about the urgent need for doctors here. Lily cut into my words and reminded me that I was a soldier, about to become a career soldier, and that I had to be careful not to disobey orders. But as an “economist,” she said she was sure there was an important financial advantage, and professionally, it might make it easier to get accepted for residencies in desirable places, since I’d also be gaining experience. Still, she insisted I get the authorization before I began working. I promised I would.
“And … and…” I stammered. “They also offered me to rent an apartment in the essential workers’ housing. I’ll check it out,” I added. For now, I kept the purchase option to myself – I decided to wait until I had more information. After all, we didn’t have a cent to our names, and of course we didn’t want to take from our parents. I remembered my reply to my father, “We’ll live in a tent,” when he asked where we’d live after the wedding.
In Eilat, the tent idea would not have worked.
Chapter 39
Encounter with the First Home
In less than half an hour, I was outside building 4009, which was about a five-minute walk from the hospital. I waited for the National Housing Authority representative. According to Amir, the apartment was both for sale and for rent – first come, first serve.
“This is the last apartment on the fourth floor – or more precisely, the third and a half, since the building is built on a slope. Altogether, thirty-eight steps,” said Bill, one of National Housing Authority’s representatives in town.
When I heard that, even before going up, I realized there was no way we would live there. Better not to waste his time. Fourth floor without an elevator? I wasn’t going to live there. Period. At our place in Ramat Aviv, we had to climb about twenty-two steps; this would actually be a downgrade. But Bill, an excellent salesman, managed to convince me that I should at least take a look. There weren’t many such apartments in the city, and this was the last one left for essential workers.
“The location is excellent,” Amir had told me earlier at the hospital. “It’s between the hospital and your base.”
“The location is excellent,” Bill also said. He knew I was a doctor, and the uniform and beret gave away my military affiliation. He added that the apartment had a sea view, was close to the center, and had shops right downstairs. After convincing me, we went up to the apartment. Bill opened the door, and a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Eilat unfolded, stretching from Saudi Arabia to Jordan, from the airport to the Navy base. Everything was visible from the window with stunning clarity. A jaw-dropping view.
“How much time do I have to decide?” I asked, pulling myself together.
“A week, and for Amir – two. Here’s the key.”
I was stunned that he trusted me.
“My wife will come down here at the end of next week, and we’ll decide together.”
“Fine with me. Keep the key.” He turned and left. That’s how it was in Eilat: everyone knew everyone, and everything was based on trust. A different world from the one I knew up north.
When I left the building, I walked down to the base. I still hadn’t gotten used to the idea of taxis.
“My Lily, I saw an apartment,” I shared my impressions with her.
“How is it?”
“You’ve never seen a view like this in your life, and the rooms are big and full of light.” I knew what mattered to her.
“Can you see the sunrise?”
“If you wake up early enough.”
“Is it large?”
“Is there space to hang paintings?”
“Much more than what we have now.”
