But Shaindele refused to be comforted. “Please forgive me, Leah. I’m so, so sorry. I’ll never do anything like that again. I—” She was crying so hard, her voice became incoherent.

Yaakov moved into the room and stood in front of her. “I’m going to say this, and I’m saying it to all of you, not just Shaindele. ‘Fret not because of evildoers, nor envy workers of violence, for like grass they will soon be cut down … trust in the Lord and do good,’” he said in Hebrew, quoting the words of Psalm 37. His voice shook, and his body trembled.

Leah reached out a steadying hand, caressing him.

“This is what I’ve decided. Leah, you are going to visit your mother in Florida, and you’ll take the little ones with you. Shaindele, you are going to your uncle in Baltimore to be with your brothers.”

“But what about school, graduation?”

“Your uncle has arranged for you to finish school in Bais Yaakov in Baltimore. He knows the principal, and they are happy to have you.”

“But I won’t know anyone,” she began, then suddenly stopped, swallowing hard. “Yes, Tateh. Thank you, Tateh.”

“It’s a very good idea,” Leah said. “But what will you do here all alone, Yaakov?”

“I won’t be alone. After all, I’ve lived here all my life. I have friends, neighbors.”

He sounds very brave, and very foolish, Leah thought, loving him more than she ever thought possible.

“You are also going to Florida, Yaakov,” Fruma Esther interjected suddenly. All this time, she had been sitting quietly in the big easy chair, her face white and drawn, her eyes shocked as she took in Leah’s injuries, the bandage on her forehead, the splint on her finger, the hint of leg bandages slightly visible beneath her long, modest skirt. She couldn’t believe it had happened in Boro Park, on these kind, familiar streets where she had spent her entire life! That a Jew would do this to another Jew … It was unthinkable!

Then, suddenly, she remembered the vague stories over the years of what went on among the Hasidim—here and in Kiryas Yoel, Meah Shearim, and B’nai Brak—scandalous tales about how different warring sects vandalized each other’s synagogues and study houses, beat up rabbis, broke into homes and businesses, and all in the name of God. She remembered what Basha had said about the Bobelger. She hadn’t wanted to believe it, but like medicine with a horrible taste, she forced herself to swallow. And if this was the truth, then it was better for Yaakov and Leah to take the little ones somewhere else until she could try to put an end to it.

“How else is she going to get to Florida? You’ll drive her down, Yaakov. She’s not fit to take care of the children and drive yet.”

“We can’t drive down,” he said.

“Why not?”