“Lesha!”

“Lesha!”

“Lesha, I need you!”

Lesha ran over to the kids. Feter Chaim and Tatty (father) had gone out with the boys, and Mommy and Tante Judith had gone out with the baby, leaving her to watch the girls. She’d thought she could handle them, but three at once was a little much. She heard a knock on the door. “Who wants to get the door,” she asked. “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” Shiri, Dvori, and Sammi all ran to get the door, and in walked a dark-haired, blue-eyed, freckled, pale-skinned girl around her age. She went to the kitchen and got Shiri’s snack, found Dvori’s doll, and Sammi’s coloring book and crayons. Once the girls were sitting down, she turned to leave.

Lesha found her voice. “Wait!” she called, and ran over to the girl. The girl looked at her. “Please tell me,” Lesha asked, “Just who are you?” The girl opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Was it that this girl didn’t want to tell her- or couldn’t?

“It’s all right if you don’t want to tell me,” said Lesha, “But thank you.” Then she did something completely unexpected- for anyone but  Lesha. She hugged the girl. The girl coughed. Lesha flew backwards. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” “No, I’m fine,” said the girl. Then she gasped. “I-what-huh?” She seemed shocked, for some reason. “I- I’m sorry, but I have to go,” the girl said, the edged around Lesha and flew out the door.

“Wait,” Lesha called, “What’s your name?” But the girl didn’t seem to hear her. When Lesha looked out the door, there was no sign of the mysterious girl.