Page 5 of In Just a Year
Tate harrumphed and sucked in his cheeks. “Don’t worry,maidale.Ven men zukt nokh gerekhtikayt un gutes, vet men farshteln lebn, gerekhtikayt, un oyfnor.” When one seeks righteousness and goodness, one will understand life, righteousness, and honor.
“That’s from the Torah.” Esther considered the proverb for a moment. “So how can anyone ever be too pure and too kind to find goodness in life?”
“Much like you, Izaac learned with an open heart. He was fierce like a lion when it came to his family.”
“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.”
“It’s not when you’re safe, but our people rarely are, at least not for long. And that’s why Izaac feared for his family and those who’d come after him. It’s also why Pavel stays in London. The same problem evoked different reactions.”
“So, Izaac hid treasures all over the world? In case they had to leave England and wouldn’t be safe, while Pavel kept his wealth close for his family to take along?”
“Nobody ever said that, but I’ve suspected it for a while. The Pearlers rose so high, if they were to fall, they’d likely have to leave the country.”
“Then why are they looking for the treasure with Gideon and Aaron?”
“Because of the clues their grandfather left behind. The stories resonate with Fave, whom he’s taught to solve the riddles. The key is a coup of engineering that only Arnold could have figured out. And the quartz hidden—”
“But Raphi Klonimus found that. He’s not a Pearler.” Esther was enthralled, but Tate spoke nonchalantly while fluffing the pillow behind her back.
“That doesn’t mean he’s not someone Izaac wanted to look after. Pavel Klonimus and Izaac Pearler were like brothers. He likely treated the Klonimus boys as if they were his own. Or he would have if he hadn’t died before Nati was born.”
“So, there are two treasures, one for Arnold and one for Fave as his grandsons, as well as one for each of the six Klonimus boys?”
“No, that can’t be right. When Izaac hid the treasures, he wouldn’t have known whether there’d be any more children. I think he hid plenty for all to find.” Tate pulled the covers up, ready to tuck Esther in as if she were six years old.
“Pavel doesn’t like the treasure hunt.”
“No, he worries for his sons’ safety. He wants his Diamond Dynasty close to home. Safety sometimes exists in numbers, but Izaac believed safety came from being spread out and isolated.”
“And Izaac is forcing them all to journey wide—”
“Izaac and Pavel always disagreed about that. They were close as brothers, yet their world views differed like day and night. Pavel wants his children close to him, huddled together under his tallit in prayer before the Torah. He believes in the same close ties of family as Izaac, but he thinks that goodness in the world or something else more powerful than any of us will keep us safe.”
“That’s what you believe, too, Tate.”
“I do. But that doesn’t mean we can rest and wait for goodness to come. We have to forge our own lives.”
“Is that what Izaac Pearler did?”
“In a way, yes. It wasn’t all under his control, I’m afraid. But he is forcing those who come after him to work hard and open their eyes to the world.”
“He’s luring them all over the world to find the treasures he hid. Is this his legacy?”
“There’s much more to his legacy, I’m afraid. He’s left many lessons behind for all of us to figure out. But he’s sending them all over the world to open their eyes to help them grow comfortable with discomfort.”
“How can anyone be comfortable with discomfort?”
“By thinking on their feet, using their wit, and keeping their faith in their heart, no matter where they go.”
Esther thought about that for a moment, but she didn’t understand.
Her father turned the knob of the gas lamp. “We shall continue this another time.”
He kissed her forehead and left, leaving the door askew so some light filtered through from the hall. He always ensured his children could easily find their way to his bedroom. Wherever he was, he wanted his children’s paths to him to be alight. He was always there for them. And yet, Esther felt alone with her thoughts and confusion. Clarity eluded her.
She watched Ruthie’s mellow breathing and twirled some of her soft baby hair around her finger. Ruthie’s eyes moved under her closed lids as though she were dreaming.
And when Esther closed her eyes, she dreamed, too. In her dreams, she saw Ben.
