“Okay, good.” Ruchie’s face was flushed. “So, let’s forget about what I said. It was totally lashon hara”

Ruchie was out of breath when she stepped back into line. “I couldn’t find them.”

“It’s okay,” Rikki said. “I guess we’ll meet up with them after we get snow cones.” She motioned toward Miri. “By the way, this is Miri.”

“Hi,” Miri said.

“Hi. I’m Ruchie.”

“And,” Rikki continued, “that’s Eli, her adorable brother.”

Ruchie bent down until she was eye level with the little boy. “Hi, Eli. Are you having fun?”

Eli nodded, then hid his head in Miri’s skirt.

Miri stroked the back of Eli’s soft hair. “He’s not usually so shy.”

“He’s too cute!”

“Come on, Rikki!” Ezra pulled his sister by the arm. “It’s our turn.”

Avi grabbed her other arm. “I want red and blue and orange mixed.”

“Me too!” Ezra said.

Eli’s head popped up. “Me too.”

“He’s precious!” Ruchie said.

“Thanks.”

“Look at this.” Ruchie flapped the paper in her hand. “I got this brochure. It’s a map of the carnival and stuff. There’s going to be puppet show in a half hour.”

“I bet Ezra and Avi and Eli will love that,” Rikki said.

The line moved forward, and soon everyone was licking snow cones.

Miri saw Malky and Benny standing in a line for popcorn. She hoped they wouldn’t see her. She wasn’t sure how to introduce them to her new friends. Stepbrother and stepsister? Or brother and sister?

“This carnival is really nice,” Rikki said. “There’s so much to do. They thought of everything. It’s amazing.”

They found an empty spot and sat down.

“Do you come every year?” Rikki asked Miri.

“No. This is my first time.” Miri wondered which of her little brothers was the reason Rikki’s family was invited to participate. “What about you?”

“It’s my first time, too,” Rikki said. “We’re here because of my sister.”

Miri’s gaze instantly flew to Ruchie.

Ruchie laughed. “Not me. I’m Ruchie Friedman. Rikki’s friend.”

Miri blushed. “I mean, I was wondering…”