“What does ‘a while’ mean?” Shani’s mother continued, her voice rising higher.

“A couple of months, it seems.”

“She hasn’t been eating for months, and I’m just hearing about this now?”

Chava had expected this. “I know, it was upsetting for us, too, to realize this has been going on for so long, but I’m sure you understand, it can take a while until a pattern is noticed. A girl will give an excuse that she’s not feeling well, or she had a snack earlier, or she doesn’t like the school food and she’s going to pick up something later from the store.”

Shani’s mother didn’t seem to have heard her. “Yes, but months?” she repeated. “I’m sorry, but that’s just irresponsible!”

Chava closed her eyes. The words stung all the more because, on a certain level, she wondered if the accusation was true. She’d already been aware for several weeks that there was something going on with Shani. But Tammy Hurwitz had kept insisting everything was under control. And even though she’d had a niggling suspicion that Tammy wasn’t the appropriate person to handle this, still, she’d refrained from getting involved — until yesterday, when ZeeZee Keller had come to speak to her.

“Mrs. Edelman, Rusi and I are worried about Shani. We think she has an eating disorder.”

Chava hadn’t exactly been shocked by the revelation, but the way ZeeZee had expressed it so baldly, and the genuinely frightened expression on her normally carefree face, had shaken Chava. Especially when ZeeZee had begged her to call Shani’s mother and get her help before it was too late.

“You’re right,” Chava said now, quietly. “I wish we’d picked up on this sooner. But now that we have, please tell us how you want to proceed. Would you like us to make her an appointment with a therapist? We have some excellent ones we refer to.”

“No, I’ll take care of it,” Shani’s mother said, and the ice in her voice made Chava shiver. “I see it was a mistake to send Shani away from home. I didn’t want her to go, in her fragile state, but I thought I could trust the seminary to take care of her.”

Chava wanted to ask her what she meant by Shani’s “fragile state.” But she knew it was pointless to continue this conversation.

“As you wish,” Chava said, trying to keep her voice polite. “But I’d recommend getting on it right away. Shani should be getting help as soon as possible. Of course, we’ll help her with transportation or whatever else she needs.”

“Fine, so do something,” the woman spat. “Take her to a doctor. I want to hear a professional medical opinion first. Then I’ll decide if I need to fly in and take charge of this in person.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Chava said. She hoped she sounded sincere, because, as she hung up the phone, she had to admit she wasn’t looking forward to meeting Shani’s mother.

It was well after midnight. Tammy was already on her way home from the seminary when Shani called.

“Mrs. Hurwitz,” she said, her voice choked. “I need to speak to you right now. Are you still in the dorm?”

“No, I’m almost home.” Tammy stopped, fear rising inside. “What happened? Are you all right?”

“No!” she gasped. “I just got aw-awful news!” Shani began to sob.

Sickness. An accident. Death. Frightening possibilities instantly popped into her mind. “What is it? Someone in your family?”

“Yes! My mother! She just called to tell me…” Shani was silent for a moment. Then, in a small, childlike voice, she asked, “Can you come back? I don’t want to talk on the phone. I’d come to you,” she added, “but, y’know, curfew.”

Yes, Tammy knew. And she certainly didn’t want a repeat of the awful sleepover incident. She instantly swiveled around and started heading back toward the school. “Okay, I’m coming. I’ll be there in five.”

This is my job, she thought defensively, in answer to the argument that the Yehuda in her head was making.

Five minutes later, she was sitting in an empty classroom, watching Shani sob into her hands. She was on edge as she waited to hear the terrible news.

“I’m s-sorry I’m such a m-mess,” Shani said, blowing her nose. “It’s just… I was so shocked by my mother’s call tonight.”

“What is it?” asked Tammy, leaning forward.

Shani wiped her eyes and took a shuddering breath. “My mother called me up screaming hysterically about the fact I’m starving myself.”

Tammy blinked, feeling a distinct sense of anticlimax. This was the big emergency that she’d rushed back for? The Yehuda in her head shot her an I-told-you-so look.

“But doesn’t she often talk to you about your eating?”

Shani shook her head. “You don’t get it. She got specific information that I’ve been skipping meals for a few months already. She went literally ballistic. ‘Are you trying to kill yourself? Are you trying to kill me?’ ” She put her hand over her eyes and hunched forward. “It was so awful.”

Tammy wrinkled her brow. “I don’t understand. Who told her this?”

Shani looked up. “Mrs. Edelman,” she said darkly. “She called my mother today. Apparently, she was worried about me.”

“Really?” Tammy frowned. “Why would she do such a thing?” Too late, she realized that this wasn’t the most appropriate thing for her to say.

But seriously, she thought, anger welling up, what had Mrs. Edelman been thinking? When Tammy had told her, repeatedly, that she was actively helping Shani? Why hadn’t Mrs. Edelman at least consulted with her first? Tammy could have told her that calling Shani’s mother was a really bad move.

She reached out and gently touched Shani’s shoulder. It was a mark of her improvement, Tammy felt, that Shani no longer recoiled from touch. And anger seethed once more. Why did Mrs. Edelman have to go and interfere?

“I’m sorry,” she said. “It sounds like you had to deal with a really rough conversation.”

Tears were spilling from Shani’s eyes again. “It gets much worse. My mom decided she can’t trust me anymore on my own here. She’s coming in person to see what’s going on.”

Shani’s face turned white, and she started shaking. “Doesn’t she realize I came to seminary to get away from her?” she whispered.

to be continued…

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 747)