Dini had never seen her husband startle before. He jumped so fast, his kippah nearly slid off his head

Ayala blinked open her eyes, looked at her bedside clock, and gasped. Eight-thirty? How could that be?

She sat up quickly. How had this happened? The apartment was quiet; had Naftali gotten everyone off to school? Yes, she could picture him hushing the kids, telling them that Ima is very, very tired and needs to sleep.

But… Ima also has to be at work! In 15 minutes!

Jumping out of bed, she stood for a moment in panicked indecision. How quickly could she be out of the house? If she called a cab, how fast would she get there? No, not fast enough, the drive was way too long.

Rational thought kicked in. Okay, she wasn’t going to make it in time to the clinic for the first therapy client. She would just have to cancel. She had the mother’s number somewhere; not that she’d reach her in time. They were certainly on the way by now.

It happens, it happens, she tried quelling her guilt as she opened her laptop and searched her therapy notes.  She always recorded the mom’s number… yes, Stein, here it was.

Mrs. Stein was blessedly understanding, but, hanging up the phone, Ayala realized that even getting there in time for the second session would be tight. Bus? Cab? Paying for a cab made no sense; it would cost more than she’d earn for the session. But the bus would get her there late.

Ayala frowned at herself in the mirror as she adjusted her sheitel. She felt so irresponsible; she never overslept.

Her phone rang while she was hastily checking the bus schedule and, without thinking, she picked it up. She nearly groaned aloud when she heard Dini’s voice.

Dini, who didn’t have to worry about rushing off to work to earn a parnassah for her family. Who could have fun with her little logo art project and feel busy and important doing so.

Ayala shook her head at herself.  Just because you overslept is no reason to be nasty.