We are five — the four of us sitting in the courtyard of the bagel shop and the tardy Shevy.  There is a chill in the air, but the sun is overhead — a perfect morning for hot chocolate and a buttered sesame bagel. I savor the hot sweetness as I sip my drink and feel myself relaxing

Shevy, where are you? We’ve already ordered.”

“I’m leaving my house now, Suri. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Well, get here as soon as you can,” I say into the cell phone. “Ariella has to be home by one.”

“Sure thing, dahling! See ya soon!”

Clicking my cell phone closed, I turn to my friends sitting at the small round table behind me.

We are five — the four of us sitting in the courtyard of the bagel shop and the tardy Shevy.  There is a chill in the air, but the sun is overhead — a perfect morning for hot chocolate and a buttered sesame bagel. I savor the hot sweetness as I sip my drink and feel myself relaxing.

“Hey, guys!”

We turn around as one. Shevy has arrived, wearing large sunglasses that hide half of her face. We haven’t admitted it verbally, but we’re all worried about Shevy. A few weeks ago a kitchen accident left her with second-, third-, and fourth-degree burns on her face and other parts of her body. This is the first time we’re seeing Shevy since the accident. We don’t know what to expect.