“Getting ready,” Mimi says, taking a deep breath. “Um, I wanted to tell you… Kayla’s coming with us”

“Slight technical problem,” Tzippy announces on the phone.

Mimi yawns. 7:50 a.m. is too early for problems.

“My sister isn’t feeling well. She can’t drive us.”

“Slight problem, ya think?” Mimi sits up, sweeps her hair back with one hand. “Um, so what are we doing? Weren’t we supposed to leave in, like, an hour?”

“Yup,” Tzippy confirms cheerfully. “I spoke to Ella, but apparently, Juanita doesn’t have a car.”

“Ha, ha.” Mimi’s hand drops. The makeshift ponytail tumbles over her shoulders. “Did you guys come up with any brilliant solution? And did anyone call Shoshana?”

“Not yet.” Tzippy answers both questions in one shot. “But maybe one of your parents could drive us?”

Her parents. They haven’t said a word about midwinter plans, about Kayla. Not since Ma asked her, that one time. They’re disappointed, she knows, but they’re not going to force anything.

Only… they’re not going to be happy to drive her and her friends, minus Kayla, either.

There’s only one option.

“I can ask my parents,” Mimi says slowly. “They’ll probably even say yes. But…” she adds, over Tzippy’s whoop of joy, “it’s going to come at a price.”