Miri felt like a proud grandmother. Seeing her stepfather take interest in Eli filled her with immense joy

"OMG! Miri,” Rikki said. “It sounds like you know him.”

Miri smiled nervously. “I’m just saying.”

“Come on, guys,” Ruchie said, “Let’s stop talking about it. Let’s just have fun. Kay?”

“You’re right, Ruchie. Sorry for bringing it up.”

“I know you really want to help, Rikki Dee. Thanks.”

Miri instantly thought of Shoshi. They would also do anything for each other. She made a mental note to bring her back a souvenir. Something special.

“Our turn, finally!” Ezra said.

The balloon man, dressed as a clown, twisted an array of long, colored balloons into exciting shapes to the delight of the three little boys.

“So cool,” Miri said.

The clown pulled balloons from his overstuffed pockets, and his quick hands shaped them into a teddy bear. He handed Miri the bear and bowed.

“Thanks!”

“So cute!” Rikki said.

“I know, right? I’m totally giving this to my friend Shoshi. She’ll love it. It’s so her type.”

“I want to bring one back for my mother. I feel so bad she couldn’t come.”

“I know, mine too,” Miri said. “She had to stay home with—” Her face became hot. “Um, my sister is sick, so she’s home with her.”

“Is she older or younger?”

Miri felt moisture collect over her top lip. How would she explain that they were the same age?

“Hey, look,” she pointed. “He made you each a teddy bear too.”

The clown was holding them out to the girls.

“Thanks,” Rikki and Ruchie said.

Miri blew out her breath. Disaster averted. Whew! “Let’s see when the puppet show is starting.”

The girls happily complied. Miri saw a familiar man in a suit coming her way. Her stepfather!

“Uh, why don’t you go find seats in the tent?” she said. “I’ll get churros from the stand over there and bring them.”

“Oh, yum! Great.”

Miri watched them enter the tent, then took Eli’s hand. “There’s, um, Ta.” The word felt rubbery on her tongue. “Wanna go say hello to, uh, Ta?” She let the “T-word” bounce on her tongue before she tried it a third time. “Run to Ta, Eli.” It rolled off easier now.

Eli tightened his grasp on Miri’s hand.

“Eli?” She looked down at him. “You don’t want to go?”

Eli’s face puckered.

Miri’s heart broke in half. She wasn’t sure whom she was sadder for, father or son. They were both missing out.