I need a new couch. The couch that has been a source of
comfort and support to me for the past seven years has
begun to tear and come apart. I tried covering it with
a sheet but it didn't stay in place so I started
vocalizing my need to buy a new couch.
"But it's a dream of a couch," my son protested. "We
don't need a new couch." I tried sewing up the tears,
but they just moved to new places. "I love the couch,"
my son continued to protest at my renewed intentions to
procure a proper sofa. I went to an upholsterer who
made a house call and diagnosed my whole living room
set, not just my couch, as beyond help, the result of
cheap labor, and belonging to the dust bin.
"Yes, but how much to recover it?" I asked, trying to
remain dignified after the dignity of my furniture had
been slighted.
"1,800 shekels." A bit much since I had procured the
three-piece set for only 1,500.
"It's a waste of money; the couch is fine," declared my
son. He belongs to the Yaakov Ovinu school of "I have
everything." My son, bless him, is happy with his lot
and set on keeping the settee.
I went to look at a warehouse of reduced couches, only
I couldn't find it. The truth is, I like my couch. It's
comfortable, but it's coming apart at the seams and so
am I.
My son is presently sitting on the couch reading. If I
persist in the need for a new sofa, I'm going to have
to couch my words differently or find a way to pull the
couch out from under him.
Or perhaps, the insightful lad is right. After all, my
son IS sitting on the couch, reading. So, thank G-d, I
have everything.
[By the way, there are great deals to be had at second-
hand stores, often better than private people
advertising who often overprice their furniture, partly
for sentimental reasons. Anyway, if you're buying
second-hand, and I am sure Rosally approves of this
economy, you're not so uptight about upkeep, and can
afford to buy another in seven years' time. I just got
a 3 + 1 set for 500 shekel, a dream. (10 shekel for
shaatnez testing.)]
