f it wasn’t Shabbos, Rachelli would capture this in her sketchbook for posterity: Bubby’s perfectly-penciled eyebrows and thin line of lipstick, Shani’s wide-open eyes and friendly smile. Of course, Shani had come home this weekend, camping out on a mattress in Rachelli’s room.

“Shoshana Raizele, she’s a good girl,” Bubby said approvingly to Mommy, when Shani stood up to prepare her a cup of tea. “And that school, look what it’s done for her.”

Mommy gave a tight nod. “Yes, Shani’s doing well in school, and baruch Hashem, so are Tehillah and Rachelli.”

Next to Rachelli, Tehillah gave a choked snort. Bubby frowned.

“I don’t like the way you do your hair, Tehillah Chana’le. So straight and flat, no life. It doesn’t suit your face. Now, Shoshana Raizel, that’s a nice, eidel hairstyle.”

Rachelli touched her long, high ponytail. She never bothered wearing her hair down. Anyway, her auburn waves couldn’t compare to Shani’s soft, blow-dried, shoulder-length hair, layered round her oval face.

Shani shrugged as she set down the china mug and matching coaster. “It’s my friend, she’s great at hairstyling. She did my hair this morning, before I took the bus home.”

“And how is it going at school?”

Shani beamed. “It’s great! I mean, baruch Hashem! I love school, the teachers are a-maaa-zing, and I’ve made some really good friends! Tenth grade is waaaay better than ninth. There’s shabbaton coming soon, and...”

Tehillah rolled her eyes. “Guys, are we done here, can we bentsch or whatever?”

Bubby shook her head. “Tehillah Chana, your sister is talking.”

“How about we bentsch, and continue the discussion afterwards?” Daddy suggested. Zeidy coughed a little and reached for a bentscher. No one else moved.

Shani looked from Daddy to Bubby. “I’ll tell you more after,” she promised. “And of course, Rachelli will want to hear. You’ll be applying soon, won’t you?” She beamed again. “I’m so excited to have a sister there!”

Rachelli startled. “Um, high school applications? I haven’t even thought about that yet.”

“Well, we’ll be doing it soon enough,” Mommy said, forced cheer in her voice.

“You’ll be coming to Bais Rivka Leah, won’t you?” Shani persisted. “I’m telling you, Rachelli, you’re gonna love it!”

Rachelli glanced at her mother. “I don’t know. I really haven’t thought it through yet.”

“We’re very happy with Shani’s school.” Mommy said carefully. “Let’s talk about it after Shabbos.”

Rachelli thought that Shani would rush back to school right after Shabbos but instead, for some reason, she insisted on sticking around.

“No tests this week?” she asked her sister archly, when Shani’s humming started to get to her.

Shani looked up from a pile of laundry and opened her eyes wide, a little hurt. “Actually, I have two major tests and four quizzes. But I’m staying today to help Mommy.” She dropped her voice. “It’s not easy for her, you know, guests and all.”

“You can say Bubby’s name,” Rachelli grumbled. It was annoying being nasty to Shani, she never seemed to react. “And we’ve all been helping out, okay? You weren’t even here last week when we Pesach-cleaned the whole house and made the beds and — and bought potpourri.”

“I’m sure you helped out tons, I just want to do my part. I didn’t mean to accuse anyone. Anyway, while I’m here, you can ask me anything about high school... like, now that you’re coming next year.”

“What makes you think that I’m coming?” Rachelli demanded. “There’s loads of schools. Maybe I’ll stay here and go to Toras Banos, okay?”

“But I thought — Mommy said —”

Rachelli stood up and marched into the kitchen. Her parents were sitting with Bubby and Zeidy, and Mommy’s mouth had that pinched look. It was probably the worst possible moment. All Shani’s fault.

(Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr., Issue 767)