It had been an awkward night, an awkward morning, Raizy and I tap dancing around each other, being perfectly polite and perfectly cold

“You’re staying with us tonight, you can’t be home alone,” Aunt Chana says, like it’s obvious. “There’s plenty of space, you can share Raizy’s room”

“Hello? Hello. I’m calling from… my grandmother’s house, she fainted—” Raizy’s babbling, her words are incoherent

“So you moved to a brand-new place, with no family, and you just stayed there until you got married?”

What, she was expecting me to crumble and tell her I’m failing in all subjects and have no friends?

But always remember that you have the strength inside of you. I believe in you, Ashira