Chapter 41: Yaron

I left my parents’ home and moved in with Daniel. We had spent many nights at his place while growing up, so it felt natural. His mother, who was also Jewish, wasn’t happy about my decision, but she kept it to herself.

Daniel had finished his studies in the M.I.T. and returned to Seattle. He and I were inseparable again. Having a friend like him was a blessing. He was my sounding board, the one I could always lean on, and who would always have my back.

Sharing a room with my best friend was exactly what I needed. No drama. No complications. No arguments. We played games on the computer, binge-watched TV shows, and talked endlessly about everything and nothing at all. On sunny weekends, we’d go camping, setting up tents under the stars and forgetting the stress of our daily lives.

My first job was at a well-known health clinic. Having a Harvard degree opened many doors for me, but the reality of working there wasn’t what I had hoped for. The clinic operated like clockwork—appointments were scheduled back-to-back, with only limited time to actually connect with patients. Every patient felt like a number, and the time constraints weighed on me. But it was a solid start. I gained invaluable real-life lessons about what to do and, just as importantly, what not to do.

It wasn’t long before I started craving more control over my work. After a year, I decided to open my own practice. Fortunately, most of my patients were eager to follow me. The problem? I didn’t have the money for the rent, the deposit, or even the furniture to set up a new office.

That’s when Daniel came to my rescue. When he heard about my problem, he offered to lend me the money I needed to get started.

“I can’t accept this money, Daniel. This must be most of your savings,” I said, hesitant.

He shrugged, adjusting his glasses like he always did when he was about to say something he thought was no big deal. “You’d have done the same for me.”

“I know, but it’s still a lot of money.”

“Yaron, come on. Take it. Consider it an advance payment. I expect at least ten free sessions for this.”

I laughed and hugged him. I couldn’t say no to that.

“Okay, but I’m going to need at least twenty sessions to fix you,” I joked.

I found the perfect space. It was a small house not too far from the center of Seattle in a quiet neighborhood. For the first time in a long time, it felt like things were falling into place. My dreams were becoming reality, and I liked where I was heading.

Did I think about Vee? Of course! Some doors take a world of effort to close, no matter how much you want them to. But mostly, I remembered the good times.

Was I happy? Yes. Life was good.

Then, came a phone call that changed everything.

It was from the maid Vee had hired to take care of her father’s house. Luke had been in an accident—a tree had fallen during a storm, collapsing part of the roof on him. She had tried to reach Vee, but her calls had gone straight to voicemail.

I arrived just as the firefighters had released Luke from the debris and the EMTs were taking him to the hospital. He looked terrible. I held his hand and squeezed it gently.

“Luke, it’s Yaron”

He opened his eyes.

“Don’t call her,” Luke whispered, before passing out.

Once I informed the hospital that he was Raven Black’s father, he received the best care money could buy. Vee’s fame ensured that neither funds nor good health insurance were an issue.

Even so, the doctors weren’t optimistic. He had undergone emergency brain surgery, but his internal injuries were severe. One of his legs was shattered into pieces. They didn’t expect him to survive.

Vee was far away, completely unaware. I knew she would never forgive me if I didn’t tell her. After a moment of hesitation, I pressed her number.

She didn’t answer the first time. Or the second. Or the third. But I kept calling until she finally picked up.

“Vee, you need to come home,” were my first words.

As soon, as I ended the call, I braced myself. A storm was brewing—a hurricane named Vee was about to tear into my life again.