"Devory told the girls in her clique to give you the silent treatment today”
Miri absentmindedly twirled the strands of hair that had come loose from her ponytail.
“Ma,” she said, “I think Shoshi’s mother is sick with something serious.”
“Oy, I’m sorry to hear that. She should have a refuah sheleimah.”
“It sounds like they need help at home.”
“Did Shoshi say so?”
“No, but the house was really messy when I was there, and the way Shoshi speaks…”
“I’ll speak to Ta. Maybe he knows an organization that can help out.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want Shoshi to feel like a nebach. Can’t we just help them?”
“I don’t know Shoshi’s mother, and she may feel uncomfortable if we get involved. Let me give it some thought. By the way, I’m going out with Ta tonight in about an hour. Will you be okay, you know, staying home?”
You mean, “with Devory”?
“You’re going out?” Miri said louder than she intended. “For how long?”
“Not too long. I didn’t want to say anything to the others, but I’m going to tell you.” She leaned closer to Miri and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I was thinking that maybe we should move.”
Miri’s eyes widened in delight. “You mean from this house?”
“I see you like my idea.”
“Yes, because…”
“Because maybe it will be easier for everyone if we started fresh,” her mother interjected. “No one will have the upper hand, so to speak.”
“I wish!” Miri said. “Then Devory wouldn’t own the room or the house.”
“It’s that bad?”
Miri frowned.
“Who knows, maybe moving will make things better.”
“Does he also think so?”
“I haven’t told him yet about wanting to buy a new house.”
Miri’s eyes promptly dulled.
“That’s why I’m going out tonight,” her mother said. “I made an appointment to look at a house. I think once Ta sees it, he’ll like my idea.”
“You’re not going to tell him first?”
“No, it’s a surprise. I looked at the house yesterday. It’s perfect for us. I know Ta will go for it.”
Miri hoped so.
The phone rang.
“Miri!” Benny shouted. “Phone!”
“Hello?” Miri said after picking up an extension.
“You were right!”
It took Miri an instant before comprehension sunk in. “I knew it! Who did you call, Shoshi?”
“I don’t want to say, but she’s very reliable. She said that Devory told the girls in her clique to spread the word that they should give you the silent treatment today.”
