“Maybe you can talk to Devory,” Rikki said. “Tell her that her father is suing for so much money, and the Friedmans will lose their house!”

"You must be hungry,” Mrs. Weiss said to Devory.

“A little.”

A two-word answer. Progress.

“What do you feel like eating?”

Devory shrugged. “Anything is fine.”

Three words!

“More like toast and tea, or macaroni and cheese?”

Devory’s eyes flashed. “Why do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Pretend! I know you’re upset. Maybe even sad, but you’re always smiling!”

“It bothers you?”

Devory glared at her. “Yes. I hate it.”

“So do I.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I walk around on eggshells all day,” her stepmother said. “It means that I never know what kind of mood you’ll be in, so I’m always on guard. It means that I also have feelings, but somehow it seems that that doesn’t matter. It also means,” her voice was gentle now, “that when I married your father, I thought life would be brighter.”

“Maybe for you.”

“And you, Devory. And Malky and Benny and Eli, and Miri too. I wanted it to be brighter for everyone.”

Devory snorted. “If you wanted things to be brighter, you should have asked me first instead of barging in here and taking over.”

“Is that how it seems? That I barged in?”

Devory rolled her eyes and looked away.

Mrs. Weiss walked closer to her. “Devory, look at me.”

Devory breathed through her nose, her chest heaving, but didn’t turn her head.

“You’re right,” Mrs. Weiss said. “I should have spoken to you. I— I’m sorry.”

Devory looked at her. “You’re sorry?” Her tone was doubtful.

“Yes. I should have talked to you. I should have asked you about your thoughts. You have as much right to happiness as I do. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in and take over.”

“It’s too late,” Devory scoffed.

“So what should we do about it?”

Devory’s mouth opened. “W— what do you mean, what should we do?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Your father and I are married. Happily married, Devory.” She searched Devory’s eyes. “How can we fix things so you’re happy too?”

Devory’s shoulders lowered. “I don’t know.”

“You know that I’m not going anywhere.” Mrs. Weiss grinned. “I kinda like it here.”

Devory’s lips twitched.

“I want you to like it here, too, Devory.”

Devory’s eyes filled with tears. “So do I.”

“Any ideas on how to make that happen?”

Devory sniffled. “No.”

“I have some ideas.” Mrs. Weiss put an arm around Devory and wasn’t surprised to feel her stiffen.

“Give me a chance, Devory,” she said softly. “It’s the only way. I know I’ll never be Mommy, and that’s okay. I don’t want to be. I can’t ever be. But let me try to be Ma.”

Devory’s shoulders trembled.

She lifted Devory’s chin. “Will you give it a try? We’ll take it slow.”

Devory wiped the tears that coursed down her face. “Okay,” she whispered.