“Here are the children,” said Mrs. Levy, switching back to English and sweeping her arm around the room proudly. She pointed at ZeeZee. “You try, yes?”

ZeeZee stole a glance at Mrs. Edelman, sitting next to her in the cab. ZeeZee didn’t feel self-conscious very often, but riding in the back seat of a taxi with her teacher definitely came under the category of Majorly Awkward Moment.

At least Mrs. Edelman wasn’t making it worse by trying to make strained small talk. She was leaning back in her seat, eyes closed, while ZeeZee stared uncomfortably out the window.

“B’vakashah, Giveret.”

Mrs. Edelman blinked and sat up as the driver pulled up next to a low building that looked like it was in the middle of construction.

“Um, are we in the right place?” ZeeZee asked.

Mrs. Edelman chuckled as she paid the driver and stepped out of the car. “Like many other institutions here, they built this several years ago and stopped in the middle when they ran out of money. But don’t worry, the first floor’s perfectly safe.”

ZeeZee stared skeptically up at the scaffolding as they headed toward the entrance. “This is, like, legal?”

“Yup.” Mrs. Edelman’s eyes twinkled. “But I’m sure they’d be happy to accept a donation to finish the ZeeZee Keller wing.”

ZeeZee laughed, once again surprised by her staid teacher’s unexpected bursts of humor. Her stomach fluttered as they walked into the building. But the lobby was filled with cheery, colorful paintings on the wall and pictures of smiling kids, and a peek through a door on the left showed her a fully equipped Gymboree. As ZeeZee looked around, she began to feel more at ease. This experience might even have genuine chavayah potential.

If only Mrs. Edelman weren’t with her, dogging her every step.