“What’s wrong? Wait, did you already make plans with someone else?” She took a breath as unexpected hurt rose inside. “It’s okay, you can tell me”

ZeeZee stalked into her bedroom, glaring at the phone in her hand. She’d just finished speaking to Chana Malka, and her niece had smugly informed her about her Chanukah vacation plans. It was completely mortifying that Chana Malka, of all people, should be giving her advice about how to have fun.

“The Kinar is having a deal, if you want to do the Kinneret. Or if you prefer the Dead Sea, the mehadrin hotels are…”

“I can make my own plans, thanks,” ZeeZee had snapped.

Now she regretted it; Chana Malka would probably go report to her mother that something was going on with ZeeZee. Before she knew it, Gitty would be calling Mrs. Edelman and Rabbi Freund and who knew who else, and they’d stick her in therapy to deal with the trauma of having an anorexic roommate.

ZeeZee turned to Rusi, who was sitting as usual at her desk, studiously writing in her notebook.

“What in the world are you writing?” ZeeZee asked. “We don’t have homework. We’re on vacation!”

“I’m copying over my hashkafah notes. I was writing so fast in class, they came out messy, and since this is definitely something I’m going to want to review in the future, I decided to rewrite them.”

ZeeZee rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ll know who to turn to when I’m 40 and want to remind myself why I married a ben Torah who’s looking to grow.”

“Yes, you will, and boy, will you apologize for making fun of me now.” Rusi put down her pen. “What d’you want, ZeeZee?”

ZeeZee glanced at Shani’s empty bed, which had been standing in what felt like silent rebuke these past few days. Deliberately, she turned her head away.

“I hope this doesn’t sound insensitive,” she said uncomfortably, aware that sensitivity was not her strong point. “But, um, we really need to make our vacation plans. There are only six more days of Chanukah.”

Rusi was silent for a moment. Then, looking down at her notebook, she said slowly, “That’s nice of you to be sensitive. Lots of girls have been talking about making reservations at these fancy hotels. Don’t they realize how crazy expensive that is?”

ZeeZee’s brow furrowed; she was missing something here. Did Rusi mean that it was more insensitive to enjoy themselves at an expensive hotel when their roommate was in the hospital?