This was really not a dynamic she wanted to be involved in.

Chava got off the bus at Shamgar and walked up the block, searching for Devoiry’s storefront. Last time she’d been here, the place had been an empty room. Now, she was about to see what it had become.

Chava self-consciously flattened her skirt as she neared the address. She hadn’t been sure what one wore to her daughter’s Grand Opening event. She felt like the mother of the baalas simchah arriving at the hall, only she didn’t know what her role was supposed to be.

Hostess? Saleswoman? Should she just stand in a corner and smile awkwardly?

Elisheva had said she’d go straight from school (“Devoiry told me to bring as many friends as I can”), so Chava was on her own.

“Mommy!” As soon as Devoiry saw her, she drew her inside, excitedly introducing her to anyone in earshot. Chava put a wide smile on her face and nodded again and again until, blessedly, Elisheva arrived, a crew of friends in tow, and Devoiry left her to go greet them.

Chava moved to a corner of the crowded room to observe in silence. She had to hand it to Devoiry; she’d designed this with class. From the velvet chairs to the vintage mirrors, she’d made this a place where women came in to feel good. To splurge on themselves. (How much had she spent doing it?)

“Hi, Mrs. Edelman!” Tammy Hurwitz suddenly appeared by her side. “Mazel tov on Devoiry’s new store. It should be with hatzlachah.”

“Amen.”

Chava had forgotten she might see Tammy here. They’d been speaking a lot in the past few weeks, with her new supervisory role — and that just made it all the more uncomfortable.

She cleared her throat and tried to make small talk over the din of voices. “How’s Shimmy doing?”

Tammy blinked rapidly. “Oh… okay. We spoke the other day. She’s still looking for something to do with herself. I’ve been encouraging her to find some sort of local seminary program, but it’s tough because she lives out of town. Still, at least she’s going for therapy, and she actually seems to like her therapist, which is huge—” Tammy stopped and squinted at Chava. “Wait, didn’t I tell you this already?”