Her mother brushed away a single tear. “I know, but it hurts me so much that Devory would do this to you”

Devory knew it was bound to happen, and truthfully, she was relieved.

“This is very serious, Devory. Not only did you take the money, but you did it with the intention to blame it on another girl. Your stepsister, no less.”

Devory didn’t look up from her tightly clasped fingers.

“There’s never a good reason to steal, but I’m sure you think you have one.”

Devory’s mouth was a straight line.

“Before we get to your reason, I want to tell you that I’m glad you came to me today on your own accord. I’m sure you feel better about it too. I could have spoken to you yesterday, but I was waiting for you to come to me. Now you have the difficult job of undoing what you did. And an apology to Miri and your teacher is in order.”

Devory still looked at the floor. “I— I will. I’m sorry.”

“I know you are.”

Devory lifted her head.

“Yes,” Mrs. Klein said, “I know what you did came from the pain you’re experiencing. It wasn’t the real you. I’ve known you since you were in preschool. I remember when your mother brought you here that very first day of school.”

Devory bit down on her trembling lip.

“You had no problem with your mother leaving. You went straight to the dolls. Your mother, on the other hand, was very emotional. She sat in this office, in the very chair you’re sitting on and cried. Your first day of school was not an easy one for her.”

Devory’s hands loosened. “R-really?”

“I brought her in here when I saw that she was having a harder time saying goodbye to you than you were to her.” Mrs. Klein smiled. “That’s when I got to know her. She was a special person.”

“I know.”

“She must not be too happy with the way things are at the moment.”

Devory grimaced.

“Tell me, Devory,” Mrs. Klein’s voice was kind. “What was your reason?”

Devory lowered her head. “I was angry.”

“At Miri?”

“Mostly at… at Hashem.”