“Yudi,” he gasps out. He can’t find Yudi when he reaches for him. Everything around him is fire and black smoke, acrid and deadly

“I think Yudi’s past chances, isn’t he?” Chana says reasonably. “You have a blind spot for this boy, Naftali”

The trip had been the only thing in school this year that Yudi had spoken about with enthusiasm. Losing it must be crushing

“You don’t want these incidents on your record next year. Yeshivahs look at those records when they’re considering boys”

“You’re always trying to help,” Chana snaps. “You’re so convinced that we need help.” Her voice rises, hoarse and frustrated and defensive

Naftali has never felt more like a cautionary tale

What will it look like here, at the principal’s house? What will all these new parents think of the school if the menahel’s brother drives the bus?

She can almost hear Rivky’s voice in her head. You’re making excuses. Like it or not, Chana has to extend some tough love now

Eliezer winces. Whoever had put Yudi into a classroom with explosive chemicals clearly hadn’t thought it through

“Wednesday,” Naftali echoes, suddenly exhausted. “You’re picking out a sheitel for Wednesday? It’s Monday”