Bekius was okay. I mean, there were around 72 more questions than there needed to be, and I was not amused, but at least I knew it. I don’t review tests after, though; doing them once is bad enough. I run a hand over my ponytail and try to loosen the tension from my shoulders.

“No,” I say before Debbi even gets the words out. She snaps her mouth shut, annoyed. Debbi loves reviewing tests afterward.

“I can’t,” I say by way of apology. “I need another coffee. Achshav.”

She still looks annoyed but follows me down the block to The Roast. Thank you, babysitting money. We sip our caramel macchiatos in exhausted silence.

“Just Chumash on Wednesday, Historia on Thursday, and then we are officially eleventh graders,” Debbi says tiredly. We high-five.

I look at my watch. Four twenty. “’Kay, I better run, heading to Teen Dreams with the mother.”

Debbi raises her eyebrows. “Oooh, the plot thickens.” She knows I hate shopping with any Taub family members. It’s just an issue of too many opinions and ruining the soup and all that.

I roll my eyes. “It’ll be fine. I’m excited. I not normally need clothes. My closet is empty.”

Debbi smiles and gives me a hug. “Enjoy, hun. Can’t wait to see all your gorgeous clothes.”

I rush home, trying not to melt in the June heat, and burst through the door. Hope Ma’s not waiting for me, I’d feel so bad. She’s not, because the house is empty. Tatty is still at yeshivah and Libby is in college till nine.

The clock on the microwave shows four thirty-five. Okay, still plenty of time. And at least I can change out of my uniform. My chambray skirt, gray T-shirt, and a scrunchie are cute and comfy and totally getting me in the camp mood. Four fifty-five. Maaaaaaa!

I clip on my fanny pack and curl up on the couch next to the window where I’ll see her pull in. Can’t believe I still need to study for two more huge finals. There’s just so little time and so much material. And I’m just… so… tired.

I jolt awake and instantly know I’ve slept too long. I feel too rested, the sleep was too deep, the room too dark. I squint at my watch, trying to make sense of the tiny numbers: six fifty-five.

What on earth?

I shoot to my feet and experience an instant head rush. Pressing a hand to my forehead, I take deep breaths and march on. There’s sound and bustle coming from the previously silent kitchen. I stop short in the doorway. Ma is frying schnitzel at the stove; Yocheved and Libby are on the barstools, cutting vegetables and cracking up about something. Why is Libby even home? Just another proof that no one in this family tells me anything.

What is going on?

“Ma?” I say, my voice harsh and hoarse.

Ma spins around; the girls grow quiet. “Naomi! You’re up! I’m so sorry, sweetie — the meeting ran late, I didn’t get home till five forty so I didn’t think there was any point in waking you. How do you feel? How was the test?”

I literally can’t believe this. Today was my one shopping night. Tomorrow I need to study, then I have a doctor’s appointment the next evening.

How could this be happening? I’m going to camp with no Shabbos clothes. Unbelievable. And yet, so very believable.

I bite back the ten chutzpahdig replies teetering on my tongue and run out of the kitchen before I say something I regret.

I hear Ma calling me and then Libby telling Yocheved how they never acted this way when they were younger. Not caring, I run up the stairs and slam the door to my room. Finally. Away from all the chaos.

Turning to my bed, I stop short. There is already someone sitting on it, calmly ripping the collage Debbi made me for my birthday into smithereens.

“Levi!” I shriek.

He smiles angelically. “Hi, Tanta Naomi. I’m ripping things.”

The world has gone crazy.

To be continued…

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 950)