Zeezee didn’t know what she would do when she got there, but she needed to go, to prove to herself that she wasn’t a quitter

"They’re testing you. You know that, right?”

ZeeZee raised a skeptical eyebrow at Rikki Klein, who’d just come back from work, and was now standing in the doorway of her apartment, blocking ZeeZee’s exit.

It was ZeeZee’s first time back babysitting at Rikki’s after her disastrous conclusion to the Yad b’Yad Rosh Chodesh event, and she’d seriously considered skipping today. She was so busy with the Chagigah preparations that it wouldn’t have even been a lie to say she didn’t have the time.

It wouldn’t have been lying — but it would have been chickening out. And ZeeZee Keller wasn’t a coward.

Rikki continued, “These girls are so used to disapproval in their lives that they’re suspicious of anyone who reaches out. They assume you must have an ulterior motive.”

ZeeZee glared at the floor. Ilana’s comment — “I see you’ve moved on to other chesed projects” — had pierced her more than she cared to admit.

“What if I really do just want to be their friends?” she muttered.

Rikki glanced at her appraisingly. “If that’s really true, then show them.”

ZeeZee nodded, but as she walked down the four flights of stairs from the Klein apartment, she wondered what Rikki had meant by “if that’s really true.”

Instead of turning left to the bus stop, she turned right and headed around the corner to the Yad b’Yad center. She didn’t know what she would do when she got there, but she needed to go, to prove to herself that she wasn’t a quitter.

“ZeeZee!” Dafna stood up as ZeeZee entered. “What’re you doing here?”

ZeeZee gave Dafna a hug and sat down on the couch. “I just finished babysitting the Kleins and came by to say hi.”

Ilana was lounging on the armchair opposite her. Without lifting her head, she said, “Chagigah Queen wants to recruit us for another adorable party idea?”

ZeeZee stiffened, but Dafna immediately said, “Drop the attitude, Ilana.”

Ilana smirked, but Dafna’s defense gave ZeeZee confidence. “I actually came for you, Ilana.”

“I bet.”