Tina's Story Chapter 23 Of Men and Golf
#8 of Tinas Story
Dr Goldstein sat in his darkened office. For days, sleep had eluded him. He was taken by surprise by the events of the other night, and had spent the last week coming to terms with it. His wife was still upset, and he hadn't spoken to Ray. As time crept by, he understood what he had to, what he needed to do. Slowly, deliberately, he picked up the phone. He dialed the number with purpose. Then waited....it rang....he almost hoped the call would not be answered, when......
"Hello?"
"This is Abe Goldstein; Is this Mr Russel?" he inquired
"Yes, and call me Stan" Tina's dad replied
"What happened the other day was....troubling."
"To me as well...."
"Why I called....what I'd wanted to do.....was talk."
"I'd like that as well"
"Do you play golf?" the doctor asked
"Well, actually, no."
"Care to learn?"
It had actually been kind of a silly question. Working multiple jobs, Mr Russel had no time for hobbies. And for many years, no hybrid would have been allowed on a public course, much less a private one...But Stan Russel was a decent man, who wanted what was best for Tina. So, .....
"Er, uh...I guess so. Fine."
"How's Wednesday?
"Perfect. My day off."
"Mine too."
Stan found it odd that the doctor got a weekday off; he thought of that as something working folk did.
"7:30 Wednesday, then?"
"I'll need an address for the cab; I don't guess the club is on the bus route..."
"I'm sorry, Stan, I'll pick you up. See you Wednesday."
Each hung up the phone, not knowing what this meeting would bring. But each was sure that talking was better than not....
Wednesday dawned bright and warm, a perfect day to be outside. The doctor's black Mercedes arrived at the Russel's simple row house at exactly 7:30. Mr Russel was waiting at the curb. The two exchanged pleasantries, but talked little on the way to the club. The club was the oldest, and grandest in the area, looking like an Antebellum plantation, straight out of 'Gone with the Wind'. As they pulled up the long drive, Stan marveled at the beauty of it all.
"It's beautiful! he exclaimed
"Should be, for what it costs to run." the doctor groused
they pulled into a reserved spot by the front door, and walked down a brick path, past manicured hedges, and millions of flowers. When they reached the door, an elderly black man opened it for them. This made Mr Russel very uncomfortable.
"Mornin, Dr G! Nice day for a round"
"Hello, Harrison. Yes, it certainly is.....
The truth is, that when the club was founded, it didn't accept Jews. That changed after the Second War, when such things were no longer considered acceptable. Still the membership was mostly male, white, old....and human. this was not lost on Stan, as he walked down the long hall, where portraits of past presidents hung, to the locker room. Sitting down to put on his cleats, Stan felt the sharp glances of the members. While there were not many around this early,he knew what they were looking at.
"I hope...this doesn't cause you trouble" he offered apologetically
"Just let 'em say something!' the doctor snapped I'm the membership chairman."
After they changed, they walked toward the first tee. The doctor selected a club, and the lesson began.....
"Now, you start from tee with this club, the driver, or wood. Take it like this" (he showed the proper interlocking grip) then stand at right angle to the ball. Position yourself, feet slightly apart, ball centered. Then bring the club up, slightly cock it, then bring it down in an even arc, to hit the ball..."
THWACK!"
The doctor's shot was straight and true, about 300 yards.
"Now you try"
Stan followed all the steps, just as he had seen, then...
SNICK!
The ball went straight up, fell and bounced left.
"Not bad. You connected. Let's try again."
This time, the ball went 50 yards, and mostly where it was pointed.
The first three holes took some time at this rate. As they approached the fourth, the doctor began to speak....
"I have two sons. Ray has always been...special. Things came easy to Ray's brother. He was smart, popular, an athlete. Ray struggled. It was harder, because Ray always got compared to his brother, even by my wife. Ray was a little, chubby....got teased a lot. School wasn't a great experience for him. It was all we could do to convince him to graduate. But Ray was a wizz on the computer. He took to it right away. By 13, he was doing jobs for people on his computer. When he got out of school, he left for Silicon Valley. That was the time of the tech boom. He got a great job, really did well, till it all came apart...After that, Ray came home. That was probably a mistake. He just...fell into depression. sat there. Finally he got the job with the state. He did well; people saw his skill. he got promoted, and runs the DMV IT department. He is well liked by his employees. But, it's not a challenge. He became bored, moody. Then he met Tina. Your daughter changed his life. I've never seen him so happy...so positive.He's the Ray I saw growing up. She brings such joy to him; how can a father not be happy?" he asked, turning to Mr Russel
"I'm guessing your wife could offer some reasons" Stan guessed
"Yes, indeed she could. Stan, I've made mistakes in my life. As a young doctor, my work was my life. I was always at the hospital. I felt guilt, so I indulged my wife financially. Sadly, this became a sense of entitlement. Even though she is an observant Jew, her real God is money. Her worship of money doesn't allow her to respect what Ray has done" the doctor said sadly "My other son, the stockbroker has her respect. But he's on his second marraige, drinks too much, and still doesn't have a dime to his name. Now, I ask you, who is the success?"
Stan knew what his answer would be. He felt the doctors words were from his heart; he spoke as a father would speak. Stan felt it was his time to talk....
'Tina is a very special child. When I met her mother, she was already pregnant with Tina. She's a good woman, but she has suffered at the hands of humans.....We married, and I raised her as my own. We did everything for her...worked three jobs for years, just to send her to Parochial school. I don't expect you remember, but hybrid children didn't go to public school then, We....her mother and I, didn't want her to live the life we did. Well, in school, she blossomed. The sisters took such an interest in her. And she thrived in their care. She was a hard worker, smart, and got excellent grades. Still....children can be so mean. She knew she wasn't like the others, but she was always so cheerful, so happy. Her mother and I are so proud. It was a big day when she got her own apartment, and a job....working for the state! I understand she just got her driver's license...(he turns to the doctor) None of my family ever did that. She's a wonderful girl, doc....
Stan needed to stop, as he began to well up. After a time, the doctor inquired gently
"She Is" the doctor replied "How's your wife doing?"
"I expect about like Mrs Goldstein. My wife has been through....things. I understand how she got where she is, but I don't neccesarily support it. At some point, the past needs to be put in the past! Buried. Over. It's a new world, Abe; a world where dogs play golf....."
They arrived at the tee, and Stan set up and addressed the ball.
THWACK!
It sailed straight and true for hundreds of yards, the black Poodle harnessing the strength within
"Nice shot" observed the doctor
"Good teacher" Stan responded
They walked and talked for a long time. After the round, they stopped at the clubhouse, and had a drink at the bar. On the ride home, they talked of many things, but man stuff, leaving the issues of the family behind for now.
Stan entered the house, where his wife sat, watching TV
"Well, look what the cat drug home" she sniped
Stan went over, and turned off the TV
"Georgette, this charade has gone on too long. We have to tell Tina the truth."