Naomi 6

Our staff room is stark, functional. For each of the four of us, a small metal desk, hard chair and four drawer file cabinet. Not enclosed in cubicles, along the wall. An interior door leads to Prof Cohen's 8 foot by 10 foot domain. A few battered easy chairs, where we had our meeting, and the ubiquitous coffee pot. One terminal, shared by all five.
After last class, I'm usually there an hour or so, plug away while traffic dies down. As I enter today, I catch Avraham in the act, "ah ha, third time I caught you reading sci fi. Told me you hated it."
With a slight blush, "some things creep up on you. This is Heinlein, of centuries ago. Cohen considers him the greatest of all time."
"Is he?"
"Don't know yet, but I'm on my third book of his. So far, so good."
Prof Cohen enters, "how are you enjoying the book?"
"Great, now I see why you like this guy. US Navy officer prior to writing, so any fleet stories ring true."
Prof smiles at me, "care to borrow one, Naomi? High Holy Days coming up, always depressing."
"Which would you suggest?"
He goes into his office, brings out "Starship Troopers". "Like most Israelis, you are more oriented to army than navy."
"Thank you so much, I'll give it a try."
Prof goes into his office, Avraham grimaces, "don't you just hate the holidays? At least once, have to show up, endure the so-called 'perfect family' of relatives."
"Consider yourself lucky, at least your ex kept her stupidity outa the headlines."
"It's like an annual rite. Some people hate and fear the dentist visit; others, doctor; others, the annual Reserve call up. But everyone less than 100% successful hates the holidays, right?"
I nod, pointless to debate the obvious.
He continues, "the difference between what you are and what you 'should' be, that is measured in guilt. The guilt season is upon us."
I tuck the book in my bag. Why not? My experience is the worst of books beats the best of newspapers.
I decline to bore you with my ordeal by fire and ice with brother, sister-in-law and children. Suffice it to say, dinner comes with a heaping side serving of guilt.
If you're Jewish, you understand. Even you Christians, it isn't that hard to visualize. Just imagine Christmas dinner where you are the 'black sheep' of the family.
Prof Cohen was right, the book was great.
Given my salary, at 1 1/2 times the legal minimum wage, coffee houses are social events, not daily indulgences.
Karen's news is bombshell. Engaged, he has one child, adorable age, was given custody. She shows me photos.
Further, this is her exemption from Reserves, as she is now let off due to child care.
As she talks, part of me is happy for her. The other part is more bitten. I don't ever make new friends, keep on losing old.
For days after, I feel grunged out. But then I think of Heinlein. All his heroes and heroines were can-do people. Regardless of difficult situation, they chugged along.
So I've become a sci fi fan like Cohen and Avraham, must be getting old.