you find 🪞 huddled in an alley, exhausted and wheezing. there's something in their lap, wrapped up in their cloak.
at your voice, they look up at you, the fear in their eye quickly sapping away into relief. they say — no, try to say something. your name, maybe? but all that comes out is a strained, breathy sound.
To keep the wolf from the door, she still sees a couple of regulars. *snifles* You must think I'm an idiot.
I think you're the first Shelby in history to have a legal license for anything. What would our grandad say, eh? He'd be turning in his grave. Honest bloody money? In this house? Here?
*laughs* I forgot we used to do voices when we were kids.
Well, we're not kids now John.
But we still have to look out for each other right?
Born in 1917, P.ittsburgh, P.ennsylvania, Ezra was the child of two J.ewish U.krainian i.mmigrants. After completing medical school and his internship in C.hicago in 1943, he was commissioned into the U.S. A.rmy Medical C.orps at the rank of C.aptain. Serving overseas as a B.attalion S.urgeon for two years, Ezra was stationed in B.elgium as part of the 28th I.nfantry Division.
By his return home in 1945, he’d developed a very deep respect for life, believing it should be lived to the fullest. As a physician, he would say that it isn’t merely a profession, but a monumental responsibility — and those blessed with such a gift were obligated to do all within their power to heal their fellow man. However, he never liked to speak of his time in the war, preferring to keep the past buried precisely there. Once settled, he took a job at St. Clair Hospital as a surgeon.
Ezra met Odelia Levy in 1946 at a party held by a mutual friend. Those who’d witnessed their meeting would say the pair were instantly smitten despite their tendency to argue. Ezra greatly admired Odelia’s wit and tenacity, while she adored his sense of humor and ability to listen so intently. He proposed spontaneously at least six times before she finally said yes. Married in May of 1948, the pair had three children: Abram, Caleb, and Maria.
Due to the incompetency of their only grandchild’s parents, Ezra and Odelia stepped in to raise Michael in the Summer of 1979.
A heavy smoker all his life, Ezra died in 1993 from lung cancer.
Influence on Robby:
While Ezra’s occupation certainly inspired Robby, it was his outlook on it that really solidified the desire to follow in his footsteps. From guiding principles, morals, to handy knowledge like building his own car, household repairs, and the like, Ezra is responsible for teaching Robby everything he knows about being a man, as his own father fell short of the role.
ODELIA ROBINAVITCH (nee LEVY)
Odelia was born in W.estern R.ussia, 1923. When the G.ermans invaded the area in 1941, her parents urged her and her sister to flee. Settling in Pittsburgh, she contributed to the war effort by training in welding and working in the local shipyard. Resilient, resourceful, and quick witted, Odelia was adept at forging the best from her circumstances. Eventually, her sister married and moved away, leaving Odelia to walk her path alone.
In 1946, she met Ezra Robinavitch at a party held by a mutual friend. Those who’d witnessed their meeting would say the pair were instantly smitten despite their tendency to argue. Ezra was charmed by Odelia’s cleverness, and she by his ability to challenge her. Odelia took pleasure in torturing Ezra, making him propose six times before finally agreeing to marry him in May of 1948. Together, the pair had three children: Abram, Caleb, and Maria, and Odelia took on the job of defending a new homefront entirely.
Devout in her faith, she and the children attended s.ynagogue regularly. Ezra would attend on major holidays and occasionally when he had time off, using work as his excuse for such sporadic attendance, though he spent most of his post-war life grappling with his faith, having witnessed too many horrific atrocities. Even so, he encouraged each of his children to pursue the spiritual avenue of their culture. Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, Maria decided to hitchhike to California to become an actress, much to her parents’ chagrin. Though she promised to write, the family never heard from her again.
During the conflict between the U.S. and V.ietnam, Abram was K.IA and Caleb left with severe P.TSD, rivaling that of his father’s. This led to a.lcohol a.buse that eventually resulted in Odelia taking on the full time care of her only grandchild in the Summer of 1979.
Odelia passed away in late 2005 of natural causes.
Influence on Robby:
Just as she was with her children, Odelia was heavily involved in the spiritual shaping of Michael’s adolescence. He would recite prayers with her and attend s.ynagogue regularly. It’s in honor of her memory that he does so during the holidays. Having basically raised him, Odelia was Robby’s source of maternal comfort. She instilled in him good moral ethics and freely imparted all the wisdom she had to offer.
Performing his residency in New Orleans, Robby aided several victims during H.urricane K.atrina. Due to the strain of the disaster, he wasn’t able to visit Odelia as originally planned. Unfortunately, she passed away soon after, leaving Robby to grieve and blame himself for not being at her side when she needed him most.