“Can I take Saturday off, Mr. Lefkowitz? I’ll work on Sunday if you want, or extra hours on Monday”

Marjorie stared at the poster. Its message was blunt: We need rent money. Can you help?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, honey, but I came to the Haight to see the old neighborhood and visit an old friend”

Fred Burton stopped shouting. His face crumpled, as fury gave way to anxiety and hurt. “You’re right, Mrs. Levine, and I’m sorry. But it was such a shock”

Papa hadn’t given any details. He’d just said that Marjorie had disappeared and they needed Annie’s help

Whatever the reason, Marjorie surprised herself by beginning to speak about her “yesterday”

Stop thinking so much about your own problems, Annie. Think about Moey

“So where is this other stop, the one you really want to make, using this shivah business as a pretext?”

Marjorie glanced down at the Chai pendant. I’ll think about what I should tell them while I’m packing

But stay? Forever? Eating endless potatoes and talking to the old fogeys who wanted to marry her off to just about anyone?