She was still taken aback by the pettiness of Dini’s reaction earlier today

Ayala flipped through the Newcomer’s Guide, searching for familiar names; even someone as socially reclusive as she ought to know some people in Yerushalayim. After all, she’d lived there for three whole years. She squinted at Laufer, Moishe and Rina; hadn’t there been a Laufer from Ramat Eshkol in the twins’ daycare?

Ayala bit her lip. Even if it was the same person, how bizarre would it be to call her out of the blue after 11 years and ask her if she’d like to make a meal on behalf of Chesed Tzirel?

Way too bizarre. And, come to think of it, the name might have been Levenstein.

She threw down the phonebook. This was ridiculous. How was she supposed to arrange meals for a family that lived all the way in Sanhedria Murchevet?

Her twins, who were washing and drying the dinner dishes, looked at her in surprise at the sound of the thud on the table.

Ayala blushed. “Sorry, the book slipped.”

Layale raised her eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

“Nah, all’s good.”

At their identical incredulous looks, Ayala gave in. “Okay, I’m trying to arrange meals for a family in Yerushalayim, and I don’t know who to call.”

“Doesn’t Mrs. Blumenfeld usually do that?” Tziri asked.

Ayala looked away. “Yeah, but she’s too busy right now, so I’m taking care of it.”

She was still taken aback by the pettiness of Dini’s reaction earlier today. I’ll have to think about whether I have the time to take this on right now. Fine, she’d wanted to respond. Let’s all take a moment to acknowledge your shock that I didn’t jump for joy over your unilateral decision that I quit my job. Now can we get over it and focus on what’s really important?