A

lone in her room Adina paced. Three steps turn. Three steps turn. It was a small room with nowhere to go.

That’s how she felt. Trapped. Nowhere to go.

No one to talk to either. Sheva — gone. Leah and Fraida — no way. Shiffy wasn’t home probably at that job of hers. Guilt churned. Adina changed direction pacing from the window to the door but it didn’t help.

Think she told herself sternly. Think. Think!

She had to talk to Sheva. Adina stopped pacing and closed her eyes. There was nothing in the world she wanted more at this moment than to have Sheva appear right here in this room so she could throw herself at her feet and say… what?

What could she ever say to Sheva? What could she ever do or say that would make up for the things she had already done and said?

Adina buried her face in her hands.

In a couple of weeks the school year would be over. And then Sheva would leave and her chance would be lost.

Not that she blamed Sheva for wanting to leave. She had been trapped too for far too long and under far harsher conditions.

What could she do to make it up to Sheva?

She was just puny little Adina. What in the world could she do for Sheva that could be big enough and important enough to show Sheva how much she regretted her actions? She had no money no resources. Her family had no connec— wait.

Uncle Ari.

Uncle Ari!

How had she not thought of this before?

Uncle Ari was her father’s brother. He lived in Israel he was a real-estate developer he was everything the Cedar Park Silvermintzes were not and most importantly he had connections to everyone.

The door to Adina’s room banged loudly as she threw it open but she didn’t hear it.

“Ma!” she called loudly. “Ma where are you? I need Uncle Ari’s number!”