#rescuemiriam

"Don't you have Shabbos with your parents?"

She does, in fact, struggle to rise and go with Zara.

"We're just down the street. We usually take turns at what house." she assists the older woman without fuss, doing her best to prop up her dignity.

"But.... they've been here. With me."

"Yes. They've been busy, but everyone understands. That's why I brought over dinner. Hirim is not much of a cook, I'm sure you've discovered..."

"He can boil the hell out of chicken stock, I know that...."

"And I can imagine what he does to the good tea." She helps ease Miriam into one of the chairs at the table.

She sits, weak as a kitten. "He boils that too..."

"I bet. Okay, I make you a proper cup." She checks out the window before setting the kettle on.

Actually, Zara is making two cups by the look of it. Lemon and honey instead of cream and sugar, though. Safer that way.

The other woman sits picking at her cuticles, frowning. She scrubs at her cheeks.

"You need something to do. I bet they just have you sitting around. Yes? I'd be scratching at the walls, like the lady in that novella..." she brings the tea over, setting one cup in front of the woman.

"Thank you." She watches the girl with a puzzled look.

She sets her own tea down, not sitting yet - collecting plates for the table. "I could bring over some yarn, maybe? To knit?"

Again, a stricken look and she shakes her head, her hair falling forward to cover her face. "No... no."

She shrinks. "I'm sorry. I thought... I thought it would help. Ah. P-puzzles? "

It takes her a moment, but she nods. "Ok."

"Mama does jigsaw puzzles, we have a good stash at home. I'll bring some over after shabbos. Good to be busy, nu?" she sets out plates, napkins, flatware - three places. A hesitation, and then a fourth.

"Thank you." Softly.

"It's nothing. Happy to help. Likesaid, I'd go a little batty..."

"You seem like you are.. you seem much improved. Stronger. Good to see you up." Tupperwares emptied into casseroles, set in the oven to warm.

Another scowl. "I told them that. They said to keep resting. I don't want to rest any more! Not all the time, anyway!"

"Exactly. Life to live! I hope you like chicken...."

"I've had enough chicken stock, I know that." The front door opens and shuts, and she looks panicked.

"Shh, shh, baruikn... calm..."

There's a masculine grunt from the living room, puzzled, and then Hirim walks into the kitchen. "What.....???"

Zara fades back a step, going pale and pink all at once, in blotches.

"Zara... Miriam?? Oy vey.... what are you doing out of bed?"

She bites on her lower lip, eyes down. "Getting d-d-dinner.. I... I'm sorry..."

The other woman glares up at Hirim. "I'm talking to this girl and I'm not going crazy bored in bed! So??"

She tangles her fingers in knots, not looking at the nocker.

Hirim sputters, and looks at Zara. "You got her out of bed?"

"NO she didn't." Miriam stands, leaning on the table. "-I- got me out of bed!!"

She shakes her head, squeezing her eyes shut.

Hirim sputters and makes noises about Miriam going upstairs, which she shuts down. "...no, because it's Shabbos and Zara asked me to eat at the table like a person!"

Hirim gives Zara a stricken, accusing look.

"...s-s-sorry...."

There's another key in the lock and Hirim deflates.

"I th-thought... I... I'm sorry..."

A glance at the door, and her shoulders curl inwards. "I'll just.. I'll get the c-candles..."

"Fine. Fine." Hirim waves it all away. "I should go clean up. Thank you for dinner, Bubalah." He leans over and kisses her forehead, then shuffles down the hallway.

Ratchet walks in, registering surprise at Miriam but one look at her expression and he simply says. "Miriam! Good to see you up."

"Bubalah...." And another head-kiss before he heads down the hall as well.

Zara, though, has dodged... how does she disappear like that?

Ratchet just sighs and goes on.

When the coast is clear, Zara emerges with the candles - still red-faced, subdued, eyes cast down.

"You do for them, they don't treat you right?" Puzzled.

"I don't want to be a bother here. No trouble, nu?"

She sets out the candles, lighting one taper to use on the rest.

"Listen, you don't have to be here just for me. If they're rotten to you, you should go."