Tina's Story Chapter 66 Little Stan Becomes Jewish
Tina's Story Chapter 66- Little Stan becomes Jewish
The Goldstein house was busy on this beautiful Spring morning. Stan and Georgette Russel had come over very early. Georgette helped feed the babies, then got Faith and Hope bathed and dressed. This was a most important day, so Georgette dressed and groomed the girls with special care. She and Tina had picked out matching dresses, one in pink, the other lavender. Each had a matching bow in her hair. Georgette then set to work on Little Stan. She bathed him, and fixed his hair just so. She then dressed him in the special white gown that he was to wear today. He hardly made a protest, which was typical, as Stan was a very happy and contented child.
Meanwhile, Ray and Tina dressed upstairs. Since Ray didn't actually have any 'dress' clothes, they had to go shopping. Tina found him a handsome black suit, and had it tailored to fit him. There was a new white shirt, and a silver and black striped tie. Ray bristled at this, but Tina put her foot down. Tina even got him a pair of black leather shoes. Ray had never owned a pair of leather shoes. From childhood, he wore only sneakers. This took some adjusting on his part.
"Uh, Hon, these things don't fit. I think I'll have to wear something else..."
Tina heard his protest; she continued tying his necktie.
"Quit being such a baby. They're just new. Once you've worn them a bit, they'll be just fine. You think these heels you love are any picnic?"
Realizing the futility of protest, Ray decided to give in. With Ray mostly dressed, Tina could finish dressing herself. While shopping for Ray and the children, she got herself a white blouse that buttoned up to her chin. She also got an ankle length black skirt. When she had her hair done, she had it put up in a bun in the back.
"Are you sure you want to do this? It's not too late" Ray offered.
"Yes, I'm sure; and it's probably way too late to back out now." Tina observed. "Here, help me with these"
Tina handed him a string of pearls that she would wear today. Together, they looked every bit a proper Jewish couple. That is, other than Tina being a white Poodle.
"Is everyone ready? I've got the car out front" Stan yelled up the stairs.
"Hold on, Dad, we'll be right down."
Stan Russel, Tina's father had many virtues, but patience wasn't one of them. He fumbled around, looking at his watch while the rest of the family prepared for the big day.
You see, this was the day of Little Stan's Brit Milah ceremony, or 'bris', the ritual circumcision that every Jewish boy baby undergoes. Traditionally done on the eigth day of life, Stan was of course a fair bit older. Doctor Goldstein solved this by getting a doctor friend to write a letter that he was 'physically unready' before now. This was at least partially true. No one had ever really done a bris on a hybrid. Finding a Mohel to perform the rite was challenging. In the end, Doctor Goldstein found one in New York City. The ritual itself was an issue. Since the bris was in effect a circumcision, there was a problem, since dogs don't have a foreskin. Instead, Stan would have a hatafat dam brit, where the end of the penis is pricked, and a drop of blood taken.
The whole bris thing was instituted by Ray's mother. Some time ago, she had gotten it into her head that little Stan needed a bris. Seeing a chance to end the estrangement, Doctor Goldstein used the occasion to try to broker a peace deal between Tina, Ray, and the elder Mrs. Goldstein. Which seems to have more or less happened. After Ray and Tina agreed, the doctor set up the religious part of the ceremony. Mrs. Goldstein, for her part, handled the entertaining. There were flowers, caterers, serving people, even an ice sculpture. Then there was the guest list, which was the source of more that a little controversy. In the end, Ray's family would be there, along with the Russels, Colleen and Lydia, and KC and her doctor.
Tina drove her mother and the babies in the Scion; Ray drove Mr. Russel, as there was no one car big enough for everyone. Since his illness, Ray had taught Stan to drive. He even had his license now, Still, he was a new driver, and everyone felt better with Ray behind the wheel.
"Will you look at this!" Georgette proclaimed, as Tina drove up to the Goldstein estate. "I've never seen anything so...so....GRAND!"
Georgette's eyes were as big as saucers, for the Goldstein's place was, well, grand. Everything about it was big, bold, bright, over the top, from the giant gold 'G' on the front gate, to the stone gargoyles on the slate roof.
"Who's that on the lawn?" Georgette asked.
"Oh, those are the gardeners." Tina replied
"Can you imagine that! Wait till your father sees that! Imagine him ordering a bunch of people around the garden..."
"I think they could do your yard in about 5 minutes." Tina observed.
The Scion pulled to the center of the big circular drive, followed by Ray and Stan in the Golf. After gathering up the babies, and their things, they approached the front door.
They walked up the wide brick stairs to the front door. After ringing the bell, the giant double doors were opened by a butler, in traditional costume.
"Oh ....my....GOD!" Georgette proclaimed
Ray leaned over to his mother in law.
'It's not real." he whispered
'But he LOOKS real" Georgette countered.
'Well, he is a real butler" Ray laughed." But he's been rented to impress you. It's not like he's here all the time.
Real or not, Georgette was certainly impressed as they were shown inside.
"Tina! Ray! Stan and Georgette!" Doctor Goldstein came out to greet his guests warmly.
"Where are we doing it?" Ray inquired cautiously
"In the library. I figured that was as good a place as any. Come, meet the mohel......"
A short time later, everyone assembled in the Goldstein library. With the mohel and Ray at the front of the room, Georgette Russel carried Little Stan into the room. Reaching the front of the room, she handed him to her husband. Big Stan in turn handed the baby to Doctor Goldstein, who served as sandek. The sasndek holds the infant during the procedure, and, as here is often a grandfather. With Little Stan settled onto Doctor Goldstein's lap, the mohel began.....
"Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Thy commandments, and has given us the command regarding circumcision."
As the doctor held him, the mohem pricked Stan's penis, just enough to draw blood,. Though he winced a little, Stan never lost his beautiful smile. While he did this, Ray spoke:
"Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with his Commandments, and has commanded us to make our sons the covenant of Abraham our father."
Then the others in the room responded:
"Even as this child has entered the covenant, so may he enter the Torah, the nuptial canopy, and into good deeds."
The mohel then said a prayer over a cup of wine, then declared Little Stan's Hebrew name of David. He then placed a drop of the wine on the baby's tongue, then handed the cup for Ray to drink. Once he had drank from the cup, it was carried out to Tina, who following tradition, was not in the room.
When the ceremony was finished, Doctor Goldstein carried Little Stan back to his mother, who accepted him gratefully.
"What a beautiful boy. He was a good as can be."
The doctor kissed Tina on the cheek. She smiled, and when she looked up, she was face to face with Mrs. Dr. Goldstein. Tina held her smile, and froze. Little Stan, on the other hand kept his smile, and stretched out his arms to his grandmother. Taking the cue from her son, Tina offered Little Stan to her. Now, Miriam Goldstein was kind of stuck. Reluctantly, she took the offered baby. Stan immediately took hold of his grandmother, closed his eyes, and went to sleep. Then a srange thing happened. Little Stan cast his spell on her. There was almost a smile on her face. And why not? In his little white suit, and fluffy black coat, Stan was nearly irresistable.
"He's so....cute" she correctly observed.
Looking for an out. Miriam did as best she could.
"Would you like you see the house?" she inquired, handing the baby back to Tina.
"Here, let Aunt Colleen spend some time with you"
With that, the two were free to walk the house.
"Who was that?" inquired Miriam
'A dear friend, my former boss." Tina replied
"And her friend?"
"Spouse" corrected Peteena
With that, Miriam rolled her eyes. Tina shrugged. Then much to her surprise, Miriam laughed. Then they took a tour of the house..
Tina had, of course, seen it all before, which of course she did her best not to reveal. She almost blew it, as she was shown the bedroom.
"That's such....that is such an incredible LOOKING bed" she said, catching herself mid mistake.
In the bedroom, there was a little sitting area, where Mrs. Goldstein sat in front of the French doors that opened into the garden. Tina sat down, too. Neither woman spoke, both pretending to take in the Spring garden view. As they sat, Miriam played with her necklace, a gold Star of David. She had seen a similar one that Ray always wore. After a time, she spoke:
"When Ray was born, his father gave me this" she said, fingering the gold necklace. "and another. the one that Ray wears. For years, it symbolized....at least to me. the bond between us. I think.......I think that you should have it now. "
"But, Mrs. Gold...."
"No. It's settled. Ray's wife should have it." then she corrected "YOU should have it." and then she almost smiled. "Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable calling me' Miriam'" she placed the necklace in Tina's hand, closing her fingers around it. Just as she was about to speak, Miriam rose to her feet.
'What are we thinking! We have guests downstairs!" And she was off.
There was a wonderful party that day. Everyone had a good time. There were knishes, and blintzes, and motzo ball soup, and borsht, and all manner of wonderful things to eat and drink. As the afternoon wore on, the doctor and Big Stan found themselves in the library.
"Well, Stan, what do you think?"
'Seems a lot less painful being Catholic'
"Drink?'
"Am I allowed?"
"You don't live longer if you don't drink, Stan, it just seems that way. Cigar?"
'What would my heart surgeon say?"
"I don't know. Why don't we ask him. Hey, JACK! Get in here....."
"You called, Dr. Goldstein?"
"It's Abe....but only for today. Can your patient have a cigar?"
"Well, it is smoking, and you know...."
"He says just this once."
Meanwhile, Ray and Tina had wandered out to the poolhouse. They walked it hand in hand.
"So this is where it all began....while we were upstairs, your mother gave me this...."
Tina held out the necklace.
"The match" He held up his own.
"She said it belongs to me now. Like her son?' Tina wondered.
"Like her son" Ray replied
Tina turned to Ray, and kissed him.
"Raymond, I'm so in love with you" she welled up with tears "I can't imagine life being any better."
Ray took Tina in his arms.
"Nor could I."
They looked up in time to see the sun set over the swimming pool, the hot tub, and the hedge where Tina crashed her car.
"Bring me back someday, and make love to me all night on that incredible bed"
"Promise."