“Why am I insensitive? This kid has everything. Big deal if her housekeeper cooks instead of her mother"

  
Devory coughed into her elbow.

“Are you sure you’re feeling well enough to go to school?” Mrs. Weiss asked.

“Yes. I’m feeling much better.”

“I think you should give it one more day. You don’t want to relapse.”

“But,” Devory coughed again, “it’s going to be so hard to make up all the work.”

“It’s only one day, Devory. How much work can there be?”

“I’m really feeling okay.”

Mrs. Weiss touched her forehead. “You’re warm. It’s not really fair to go to school. You don’t want anyone to catch this from you.”

Devory panicked. If she didn’t go to school today to take back her accusation, Miri would be in for an awful surprise.

Her father entered the kitchen, holding his tefillin bag. “Good morning, Leah.”

“Hi, Moishe.”

“I met my lawyer in shul. He has an idea to reopen my children’s facility.”

“Great news!”

“Yes, it is. I closed Happy Vistas due to the money I lost, but it seems I can get funding to reopen if it’s in a new, closer location.”

“I’m so happy for all the children who need it.”

“Me too.” Mr. Weiss noticed Devory. “Hi, kiddo. Uh-oh, you look feverish. Why are you in your uniform? I hope you don’t think you’re going to school today.”

“I guess I’m not.” Devory dragged herself up to her room and closed the door. The clock on the nightstand said 7:50. It was still early. Hopeful, she picked up the phone and dialed Yael’s house. She’d tell her that she had made a mistake, and Miri hadn’t taken anything. She’d ask Yael to make sure to spread the word.

The phone rang three times before someone picked up.