Grandfather Zvi

In our house there was no such thing as an alarm clock.

Everyone gets up when they want.

You can see why I threw a lava lamp at my babysitter...

I'm just not used to having anyone wake me up.

I went down to the kitchen, where my morning always began with an English lesson.

The teachers who came to teach us knew how to wait.

It was a rare opportunity for them to eat in the fresh air.

96, Saratov is a city that leaves no room for culinary delights.

“Today you are studying in Class” -

That's what my father called the room on the third floor.

In practice, this is where he locked himself in with his business assistant.

When the snow or security did not allow him to leave the house.

Already on the stairs I smelled perfume - bittersweet.

And there, as always, Victoria, an English teacher, was waiting for me.

Her accent made me cringe

But apparently my father liked her image.

She was 19 years old and had been involved in gymnastics all her life.

And today it’s established - much more than usual.

I entered the classroom - sorry, Class -

And this time there really was a book on the table.

But she, like everyone else, could not relax.

Around ten o'clock my mother suddenly came in:

“Oleg met Zvi. They're on their way.

We'll go downstairs in ten minutes."

she said

And my mind froze.

That my mom wakes up before 12?

And what is she even doing at home?

I went downstairs with Vicky, holding her hand,

And I'm just at the market.

The house was always full of people...

But I've never seen them all together

and stand still.

I'm the chef, I'm with my sister,

And I’m with my brother (who, of course, is the biggest - he’s the smallest) -

They are all dressed coherently, as if it were a state event.

My sister's personal trainer arrived wearing a crimson jacket.

And with boxing gloves in his hands.

It was similar to the May 9th ceremony.

If Morozin had not existed...

The head of the house, while setting the chicket on fire

I'm trying to light the fireplace

which will never turn on.

And I'm standing on the stairs

Vicky still holds my hand

And I peed my pants.

maybe out of excitement,

Maybe it's just because I have anorexia.

Then Grandfather Tsvi came in,

with his royal retinue.

The first words I heard from him in my life were:

"Ti Tzu Abusalsa"

(did you piss yourself?)

Freely translated:

-Have you changed?

In emotional translation:

An internal conflict that would accompany me for the next 29 years.

Even when I was beaten for the first time at school,

Even when I'm stuck in the back of a car

When Aberchil's soldiers tried to make my father a "red cap" in Eilat,

And also when my partner stole me.

The conflict always remains:

Do I really deserve to be part of this family?

To be the grandson of Zvi Migdal?

In the meantime, I just...

Johnny Phoenix.