Shoshana would be the ideal choice, with her thoughtful insight into people. But it would mean bringing up what had happened in the winter, the way their friendship had splintered almost to destruction after Shoshana had kept a secret from the others, but things are too raw, too sensitive, to start rehashing now.

Why is she always the one left holding all the pieces together, while what feels like a tornado wind threatens to rip them from her clenched fists?

Mimi rubs her temples. Headache, again.

“Mimi?” Kayla’s knocking on her door. For once, Mimi’s relieved at the interruption. “Ma wants us to go to the grocery.”

She holds out a list. It’s long — too long for one person to do alone. Fine, she’ll go with Kayla, it’ll distract her from her thoughts.

Kayla’s going on about one of her research things again, how long the average relationship takes to form, and then to transition from casual to deep. Mimi doesn’t bother trying to follow.

Dayeinu is blasting from the speakers and there’s a four-foot display of matzos at the front of the store. You can literally feel Pesach coming. Mimi grabs a cart, splits the list with Kayla, and heads off to find almond flour.

Down the second aisle, she spots a kid with a familiar face. Red hair, tight ponytail, freckles sharp against milky-white skin — oh, wow, Yaeli from gymnastics. Cute.

“Hey,” Mimi says.

The girl blushes and beams.

A moment later, there’s a tap on Mimi’s shoulder. It’s a woman, petite, light-skinned, gorgeous auburn wig with red highlights. “Hi — Mimi? The gymnastics coach, right? My daughter absolutely raves about you!”

It’s Mimi’s turn to feel her cheeks heat up. Ugh, stop, chill out. “I’m not the regular coach,” she stammers. “I mean — I was just stepping in… to assist Tova.”

“Yes, I know, I heard all about it from Yaeli.” The mother waves a hand, leans in, lowers her voice. “I have to tell you, you did the most amazing thing for her. You can’t imagine. You made her so happy. I hope you’ll continue coaching there, sounds like you’re a natural with the kids.”

Mimi’s heart leaps, and then lurches. Kayla’s just rounded the corner, holding bags of potatoes and carrots aloft. Oh, not now, not interrupting this conversation and making Mimi look awkward and socially off again —

“Mimi, there you are. Didn’t we make up to meet in the center aisle?” Kayla starts, then she notices the woman.

Mimi darts an embarrassed glance towards Yaeli’s mother, but the other woman is smiling widely. “Oh, wow! Kayla Weiss! What a treat to see you here.”

“Hello, Mrs. Reuben,” Kayla says. She smiles, holds out her hand. A handshake? “I didn’t know you knew my sister.”

Yaeli’s mother, bless her, doesn’t flinch. She shakes Kayla’s hand super naturally, and her smile doesn’t slip an inch.

“Yes, Mimi coached my daughter in gymnastics class last week. But tell me, how’s it going, Kayla? We miss you at Shemesh.” She turns to Mimi. “I teach Language Arts at Shemesh Academy.”

Oh.

“Small world,” Mimi mumbles, trying to match the mother’s thousand-watt smile.

Mrs. Reuben turns to Kayla again. “So, how’s your new school?”

Kayla leans against the shopping cart. “Well, academically, it’s on a much lower standard than Shemesh, to be honest,” she says. Mimi cringes. Mrs. Reuben looks unperturbed.

“Hm, Kayla, you know your standards are pretty high.”

“And socially, it has been challenging to break into a well-established and tight-knit social environment,” Kayla continues. Mimi goes hot and cold. Oh please, not here, this is mortifying.

“These things take time,” Mrs. Reuben offers, her voice warm.

“That’s true. According to research, it takes several months to integrate fully into a new social environment. On average.” Kayla states it calmly, as if it’s not her social life being discussed, as if it’s one of her endless theories or science journals.

“Well, at least you have your amazing sister there for you,” Mrs. Reuben says. She pats Kayla’s shoulder and heads off down the aisle.

Mimi swallows.

To be continued…

(Originally featured in Teen Pages, Issue 931)