“You did it!” Rikki jumped up and threw her arms around her sister

"Tatty!” Rikki shouted. “I’m so happy you’re home!” She shifted her backpack to her other shoulder and leaned down to hug him.

“It’s good to be home.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Baruch Hashem. A little achy, but okay. Ma told me how much you helped her while I was in the hospital.”

“There wasn’t really that much do.”

“I heard what a nice time you had with Chaya, too.”

“Yeah. It was kind of nice. Did Ma tell you that she sang with Ruchie and me?”

“She sure did. Maybe later, you can sing with her, so Ma and I can hear it.”

“Okay. You’re not going to believe it!”

Mrs. Levy entered the living room with a tray in her hands. “Oh, hi, sweetie pie. Surprise, Tatty’s home.” She placed the tray on the coffee table.

“Looks delicious, Rena,” Mr. Levy said.

“Fresh out of the oven.” She glanced at Rikki. “There’s more in the kitchen if you want.”

“Yum. Thanks, Ma.”

Rikki followed the mouthwatering aroma to the kitchen. Chaya and Maddy were sitting at the table, eating hot muffins.

“She sure likes blueberries.”

“Who doesn’t?” Rikki dropped her backpack on a chair, then plucked a muffin from the platter and sat down.

Chaya grunted, and Maddy laughed. “Guess I’m not quick enough.” She stuck a fork into a piece of muffin and popped it into Chaya’s waiting mouth. “She can probably eat it on her own, but I already changed her top twice today.”

“You like it, Chaya, don’t you?” Rikki said.

Chaya eyed her sister, then reached for the muffin Rikki held.

Rikki gently took hold of Chaya’s hand. “Like, hi, that’s mine. You have your own.”

Chaya held Rikki’s fingers, and Rikki squeezed her hand playfully. Chaya smiled and squeezed back.

“Okay, you win, again.” She slid her muffin closer to Chaya.

“Why don’t you feed it to her?” Maddy said.

“Me? I don’t know. I’m not so good at those things.”

Maddy placed the fork down in front of Rikki. “You know what they say, ‘practice makes perfect.’ ”

“No, really Maddy, I can’t.”

Maddy hopped out of her chair. “Oh, I just forgot, I left something upstairs. I’ll be back soon.”

Rikki opened her mouth to protest, but Maddy was out of the kitchen in a flash.

Chaya took the muffin and slowly brought it to her mouth.

Rikki held her breath, scared any sound would break Chaya’s concentration.

Chaya leaned forward and took a bite.