Frieda continued to cry. Rina brushed away her tears, told her everything was all right. But Frieda shook her head, violently.

“Talk, Mama,” Shimon said.

“What is it?” asked another voice.

Rina felt her stomach turn over. Her sisters-in-law had come up. And their husbands. And some of the children. The room was so hot and stuffy it would make anyone a nervous wreck. With as much authority as Rina could muster she informed the group that Frieda needed quiet and not everyone fretting over her. It was just sudden exhaustion and would everyone please leave so the woman could breathe.

“I’ll stay with her,” Miriam said.

“I will,” Faygie insisted.

“All of you out!” Rina ordered. “You’re all much too excited to be of any use right now!”

Rina was surprised at how commanding her voice sounded. Shimon said that Rina was right and directed everyone out of the room.

“But she needs family,” Miriam protested. “No offense to you, Rina, but she needs family.”

“Why have you taken over?” Ezra asked Rina.

“Because I’m a bit calmer than all of you—”

“I’m calm,” Miriam insisted. “I’m very, very calm!”

Rina said, “Miriam, you want to help out, go check on your grandparents. They must be worried sick.”

Faygie said, “I’ll do it.”

Rina said, “Both of you do it. I’ll call if she needs anything.”

“Maybe Papa’s right,” Ezra said. “Maybe I should get Doctor Malinkov.”

Rina said, “Give her a few minutes—”

“What do you know about nursing?” Ezra interrupted.

Frieda muttered something, eyes still flowing tears.

“What, Mama?” Miriam said.

The woman turned to her daughter, held Rina with one hand, and waved at the door with the other.

“Nu?” Rina said. “She wants you out.”

“Are you okay, Mama?” Ezra said.

“Give her some room, please,” Rina said.

Frieda nodded.

“Would you like me to stay with you?” Faygie asked.

Again, Frieda waved at the door.

Faygie said, “Don’t be stubborn, Mama. I can stay with you.”

“Go,” Frieda whispered. “Go all of you. Rina will stay with me.”

Faygie sighed, accepting her mother’s words with reluctance.

Shimon placed his arm around Ezra, said to his sisters and brother, “Come.” To Rina, he said, “Call us if she needs anything.”

After everyone had left, Frieda turned her head on the pillow, away from Rina, but held her hand tightly. The woman seemed to be muttering to herself, but Rina could make out prayers through the sobs. She stroked Frieda’s hand, tried to think of something to say, but she was as dumbstruck as she’d been with Peter.

Peter!

Dear God, what was he going through!