“Chaya.” Rikki rushed to the stairs, Ruchie right behind her. “I’m not sure, but I think she pulled the sound machine off the dresser, and I guess it scared her when it fell. I don’t know what she wants now. I can’t get her to stop crying.”

“Chaya,” Rikki said when she and Ruchie entered the room, “this is my friend Ruchie.”

Ruchie smiled and waved. “Hi, Chaya. I heard so much about you from Rikki. It’s nice to meet you finally.”

Chaya smiled through her tears.

“Keep talking, Ruchie,” Rikki said. “She likes you.”

“So, Rikki told me that you like to color. I also like to color. In fact, my mother just bought me this amazing coloring book. It’s full of intricate flowers and patterns. Maybe I’ll bring it over, and we can color together. You’re going to love it.”

Rikki began to laugh. “Chaya would never be able to color those fancy designs.”

Ruchie grabbed Rikki’s arm and motioned toward Chaya with her head.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Rikki said. “She doesn’t understand what I’m saying….”

“Come on,” Ruchie whispered. “Don’t speak like that. She has feelings.”

Rikki was suddenly aware of her heart beating. “I-I I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize that…” she trailed off.

Chaya held her hand out toward Ruchie and wiggled her fingers. Ruchie laughed and wiggled her fingers too. Chaya began to laugh.

“Rikki, Chaya is the cutest!”

“How did you know she wanted you to wiggle your fingers?” Rikki said.

“I didn’t know.”

“So, why’d you wiggle them?”

“I don’t know. It seemed like the right thing to do.”

“Whatever. I’m just glad that you figured out what she wanted. If you weren’t here, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“I’m sure you would have eventually figured it out too.”

“Now that she stopped crying, let’s go downstairs.”

“We can’t just leave. She’ll feel so bad. How would you like it if someone just walked out on you?”

“You’re right, but we can’t stay here all night.”
    “Just until she falls asleep.”
     Chaya’s head moved back and forth from Rikki to Ruchie as they spoke. When there was a lull, she wiggled her fingers again.

“Look, she wants to play. She really is the cutest, Rikki Dee.”

Rikki grumbled.

“Come on, Rikki. It’s such an easy mitzvah. Just wiggle your fingers.”
       “Fine.” Rikki rolled her eyes and did what Ruchie said. “You know how weird this looks? I’m so akwarded out.”
       Ruchie laughed. “I know, but it’s also fun.” She moved her hands from side to side while wiggling her fingers, and began to hum.

Rikki couldn’t help but laugh and wiggled her fingers to the beat of the song. Chaya’s fingers wiggled slowly to a rhythm of their own.

Ruchie clapped twice, then bent down and spun around.

“Hey,” Rikki said, “that would totally make a great motion for a dance.” She clapped her hands, bent down, and twirled to test it out. “I love it!”

“Yeah, it looks so cool.” Ruchie grabbed Rikki’s hands. “I have an amazing idea! Let’s make up a song, with motions, for the Melaveh Malkah. If it’s in your house, then Chaya can perform with us! It will be a huge hit!”

Rikki’s smile vanished. “No.”

“Why not? All three of us can have matching hoodies and hats. It will be so cute.”

“No!”

“I think you should at least think about it. It’s a great way to introduce her to the girls, and I know they would love it. I think Chaya would love it too.”

Rikki didn’t answer.

“You know, Rikki Dee,” Ruchie said softly, “she’s really cute. I mean, I understand it’s hard and everything, but I really think you should give her a chance.”

“A chance for what?”

“To just let her be who she is, to let the kids in school meet her. What are you afraid of? You think the girls won’t like you anymore?”

Rikki glowered.

“You’re not being fair to her, Rikki. Just think about it. She didn’t ask to be born like this or to be sent away from home.”

“I know that.”

“So then why don’t you just accept it?”

Rikki looked at Chaya’s smiling face. “Maybe,” she said. “I have to give it some thought.”

To be continued…

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 810)