Shira wanted to ask how much, but knew she couldn’t. How much did it cost to live; how much money was giving her peace of mind. She had no clue

“What does my Creator want for me in the situation? That’s where energy should be spent.”

—Gedale Fenster, Coach Menachem, Episode #97

This was new, and Shira actually liked it.

Danielle’s apartment was small — cozy would be a better word. The three couples and their kids were seated on folding chairs, and the tablecloth was probably covering a folding table. It was all totally fine. It was nice to be out with people for a Shabbos day seudah, making friends. The kids were playing raucously in one of the bedrooms while the adults ate.

“Can you pass the challah?” Tzippy asked.

Shira smiled and passed the ceramic tray. She didn’t really know Tzippy yet.

“Did you end up baking challah?” Danielle asked Tzippy.

Tzippy laughed, and waved a hand. “I got lazy, I didn’t have patience to knead by hand. I had a challah roll in my freezer from three weeks ago when you sent me Friday night seudah stuff when we first moved, and I figured I’d eat proper challah here.”

Wait, Danielle sent Tzippy Shabbos? And the way Tzippy was talking it seemed Danielle knew exactly what Tzippy’s plans were. Shira felt very out of the loop. She groped for a new topic.

“So you’re starting a babysitting group?” she asked. She hoped her voice sounded curious.

Tzippy looked at her and smiled. She seemed so much calmer since the last time Shira had seen her; at the welcome barbecue, she’d been all anxious about money.

“Not really. I’m babysitting three kids in their home, and bringing my baby along too. Two of the kids are twins and have some medical issues, and I’m a nurse, so the mother is willing to pay more than usual so she’ll feel secure.”

Shira wanted to ask how much, but knew she couldn’t. How much did it cost to live; how much money was giving her peace of mind. She had no clue.