Nuremberg Tour 17

The Globe and Mail story is 3/4 of a page. Almost all is positive, his many achievements. At the end, one sentence stating it is likely a suicide, note not mentioned.
National Post praises him even louder, ends with a statement it could be accidental, as in mixing his prescription meds with booze.
Canadian Jewish News also takes the high road.
Our local Jewish paper comes out swinging, prints the note verbatim. Still, to be fair, it is a slow news week.
Pretty much every local Jewish paper in Canada prints, in whole or in part.
The editorials are fierce, no question they are primarily blaming me. You see the other woman was only an Afghan, could not be expected to understand how important an icon he was to Canadian Jewish culture. I, on the other hand, am a total disgrace.
Within days, I'm receiving 500 letters a day: unkind, angry or ranting. Thankfully, I have an unlisted phone number.
Just when I think things can't get worse, they do. Department of National Defence informs me I am to appear for a medical, following the lottery selection of my name.
These worthies class me in sparkling good health, way better than Canadians of my age. Likely reason, you eat real food in Guyana, as opposed to chemicals.
Once they discover I know some German, they are ecstatic. For sure, I will be on the next German tour of duty.
Mr Fraser the plant superintendent summons me, "I ah suppose this depends on how long people keep grudges. Every Jewish customer has signed the petition. If you stay here, they take their business elsewhere. Unfortunately, they have lots of friends, half our customers are on the list."
I nod.
"For now, we can dodge the issue, you're away in the army. But that draft only lasts a year. The critical question is how likely are they to hold a grudge that long?"
"Sir, knowing Jews, they will."
"Have you considered career army?"
"Sir! that is well ah"
"All right then, we'll wait and see. If worst comes to worst, you won't be unemployed. I have lots of contacts, can find you something."
"Thank you sir."
"May I give some personal advice Rachel?"
"Certainly sir."
"Don't run from them, that rarely works. Take that manuscript through to whatever story you choose and jam it down their throats. You'll have lots of free time in the army to do just that."
"You really think so sir?"
Chuckle, "take that Solzenhitzen soundalike, kick those characters' butts into late 1940s Israel. Then sky is the limit for achievement."
I start to laugh, "exactly the story line I was considering. Sir, may I ask, have you read one of his books?"
Wicked smile, "of course, I'm sure you can do lots better."
The Muslim reporter phones, asks to meet me in a coffee house. Relaxed smile, "so, everyone and his dog is trashing you. Not one has thought to ask the logical question."
"And that is?"
"In the suicide note, a duty was left to you. What do you plan to do about the manuscript?"
And so, I lay it out. I will take up the duty. Whatever free time I have in the army may or may not be enough. Don't expect results for at least a year.
As it turns out, Globe and Mail, National Post and Canadian Jewish News all reprint his story with permission. It's so upbeat, such a nice writeup, it silences the mouthy weeklies into shame.
The editorial in Canadian Jewish News said it best. The book is 2/3 done; therefore, 2/3 his text. Give her a chance, see what happens. Guaranteed you'll get more surprises than if Ariel had finished it.
Ariel's publisher is delirious when he hears what I plan for ending. "You know, for years I've tried to convince him to do an upbeat conclusion like that."
I gasp.
"He was running out of gas, less sales with each new book. Sooner or later, every literary well runs dry."
Tasma proves herself a huge help, prevails upon the department head to intervene on my behalf with the university library. I am authorized to borrow 24 reference books to take during my army year.
Kind soul that she is, she even helps with the computer search, to select.
I'm touched when the department holds a get together. Various profs personally loan me books.
It's obvious what most think, they liked Ariel. They'd like his book to see the light of day.