“Could we meet for coffee? Do you have time?”

“For you, Leah, I’ll make time. Evenings are best for me.”

How could she get away in the evening? That was the most hectic part of her day! Someone would have to put dinner out for the kids, then put them to bed. Yaakov would find the house empty. No, evenings were impossible. “Do you have a morning free?”

“You know I love you, but I can’t do mornings. I have rounds and then the clinic. Can’t you get a babysitter one night?”

She had never left the children with a babysitter. Maybe she could ask Fruma Esther? She didn’t think the old woman would mind, so little was asked of her these days since she had taken over all the cooking and childcare. But then she remembered what Fruma Esther had said about not being able to lift Mordechai Shalom. What if she tried and broke something! Was it even responsible to leave the children with her? Yet it was urgent she speak to Shoshana, her best friend in the haredi world and a fellow rebel; the only person she knew who would understand and wouldn’t judge.

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you just ask your husband to watch them for an hour one evening?” There was a bit of exasperation in Shoshana’s voice.

Of course. She could put them to bed first. He wouldn’t have that much to do; he’d be happy to do it. But then she remembered: he was starting his learning program with Meir in the evening. But surely not every night! He would have one night free. She needed to find out which.

“Of course. I’ll call you back. Which night are you free?”

“Let me see.”

Leah heard the rustling sound of flipping pages.

“I have a meeting with my parents’ gerontologist Monday, and John and I are looking at halls on Tuesday. Thursday, I have to go out of town for the weekend. Hey, what about Rollerblading on Wednesday, like old times? I still go every week. I couldn’t survive without it.”

“I hope I haven’t forgotten how.” Leah laughed ruefully. Look how complicated their lives had become! She felt like crying in frustration. But she didn’t want to talk about this while Rollerblading around a rink with dozens of strangers. “Please, Shoshana. I need to talk to you.”

Something in the timbre of her voice must have conveyed the urgency to her friend.

“Okay. No Rollerblading.”

“Thank you so much! Let me see if Yaakov is free. It will be so wonderful to see you.”