What should she rush for, anyway? So that Bubby should tell her to help out more? To have Tehillah take up too much space in her bedroom?
“Nothing. Mrs. Steinfeld didn’t want anything, okay?” She was upset and embarrassed, and Etty’s questions weren’t helping. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Etty looked offended. “Well, excuse me for caring.” She turned around and stalked off. Rachelli’s heart sank. She couldn’t share anything with her best friend just now, but messing up their friendship was the last thing she needed.
Rachelli leaned against the stairwell, suddenly exhausted. She was so tired of the secrets, tired of hiding and running away. Sick and tired of having her life dictated, of Bubby’s critical remarks, of her parents’ decisions and Tehillah flaunting her attitude in Rachelli’s face every morning. And now Mrs. Steinfeld, asking her if she was okay. Of all things!
A hot flush colored her face at the memory. She’d mumbled something, and her kind teacher had left it alone, with an offer to come and talk if she ever wanted. But how could she talk? Everything was so confusing and of course, the situation with Mrs. Hertz was still a complete secret.
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