For the past several weeks Fraidy had been going on and on about her master’s thesis asking Yael a million and one questions insisting on reading entire sections aloud and getting Yael’s critique on them. (“I don’t know maybe I should’ve included more examples here. I know I already have five but maybe they’re not good enough? And the research section — is it too short? Do you think I should use that journal article I told you about? I mean I could get the Finnish translated if I need to.”)

Yael’s own thesis paper was something she generally tried hard to forget about. Researching writing organizing her time… none of these was her forte. The irony of a grad student looking to her for advice would be quite humorous if not for the fact that she was actually expected to answer her questions — week after excruciating week.

Bracing herself she gave a quiet “Hello Fraidy” as she put her bags down.

Fraidy looked up beaming. “Yael! I’m so glad you’re here! I wanted to ask… Whoa!! Where’d you get that awesome outfit?”

Yael blinked at her sudden change of direction. Then she looked down at her clothing. Of course. Today she was wearing a Rina’s Racks exclusive.

Silently blessing her fashionista sister-in-law for the first time Yael put a big sparkly grin on her face — big enough she hoped to make Fraidy forget about this week’s burning questions and said “So glad you like it! I got it at my sister-in-law’s store. You know Rina’s Racks? On the Avenue?”

Fraidy’s eyes were wide. “Rina’s your sister-in-law?”

Yael nodded eagerly. “She designed this herself.”

“No way!” Fraidy said awed. “Tell me your secret: how do you get a sister-in-law like that?”

Yael smiled. “By marrying her brother.”

Fraidy giggled that look of awe still in her eyes. Yael turned away suddenly uncomfortable. She started setting up her equipment while Fraidy after a moment went back to her laptop. Suddenly she said “Hey I forgot to mention — impressive survey you guys put together.”

Yael looked at her blankly. “Survey?”

“Yeah that customer-satisfaction survey you e-mailed your clients. My little brother came here for therapy a while back so my mom got sent a copy. Real thorough job. Speaking as someone who’s been spending the past billion hours making up research surveys for this thesis paper I must say I was impressed.”

Yael didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t well admit that she had no idea what the girl was talking about. Settling on an uncertain “Uh thanks” she went back to her equipment her mind racing. What in the world was this about? And more to the point — if the clinic was sending out a survey why didn’t she know about it?