“For your information, Devory Weiss, I’m part of the family whether you like it or not”

"I’m on my way!” Mrs. Levy shouted into the phone.

“Ma, what happened?”

Mrs. Levy slammed down the phone. “Everything is okay, but Tatty was in a car accident.”

“NO!”

“He’s okay, baruch Hashem. That was Hatzolah. They’re taking him to the hospital, but he’s not hurt badly.”

“I’m so scared.”

Mrs. Levy grasped Rikki’s shoulders. “Rikki, he’s okay.”

Rikki searched her mother’s eyes for the truth, but wasn’t sure.

“I have to go to him. Do you think you’ll be okay here?”

Rikki’s eyes widened. “What about Chaya?”

“She’s sleeping. So are the boys.” Her mother rushed to the closet and pulled out her purse. “Listen, if you like, you can call Ruchie to come over and keep you company. She can sleep here.”

Rikki looked at her watch. “Okay, it’s only eight forty. I’ll call her.”

Mrs. Levy riffled through her purse for her keys. “I’m sorry, sweetie, to leave you like this. I’ll call Dina and ask her if she could stay the night with you.”

“Stay the night!”

“Just in case. I hope not, but…”

“Okay, don’t worry about me, really, Ma. Just please call me as soon as you can, so I know how Tatty is.”