#rescuemiriam

"I like books." She seems a little wistful. "Do you think you could find any Austin? Like, Jane Austin?"

Zara brightens. "I have all of hers! She's one of my favorites!"

"Yeah? Weird! I could re-read those, if you don't mind sharing them....?"

Hirim limps back in, and Ratchet rises.

"Not at all. I like sharing books. I'm going to be a librarian when I grow up..."

"That sounds cool. Good that you have a goal." Approving.

She blushes, beaming.

"Zara." Hirim holds her coat.

Dims, ducks her head, and crosses over to the grump. "Goodnight, ma'am. Shabbat shalom."

"Shabbat shalom, Zara. See you later."

Ratchet approaches her, "Miriam, can I help you upstairs....." As Zara and Hirim leave.

Outside, clear of Miriam, Zara is quick to apologize. "I'm sorry, Uncle Hirim. I didn't expect her to be downstairs. I will be more careful next time.... I... I should have noticed..."

"Ffffsttt." He waves it off. "We didn't know she was strong enough to get out of bed. Don't worry about it."

"I'll be more careful."

Hmmphm. A few weeks, we'll try giving her Glamour again, see if she can handle it. Take her to the Hollow.

Zara nods, cheeks flushed. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"Th-th-the other week."

"Bah." He keeps limping along. "You think we don't know you sneak around?"

"I... I know, yeah. B-but I mean hurting her. Scaring her."

She scowls, mouth twisting. "Always." The single word is sharp, a condemnation.

"-That- I could have lived without. Oy, Zara, you never think to maybe -ask- someone first?" He glances over. "What 'Always'?"

"Like you said. I always... " she shrugs, frowning.

"Well. No harm done."

"I've been doing okay, right? Since?"

"I... I mean, outside of tonight."

"You're fine, Bubalah." Absently. "You're fine."

She nods. "Okay. You won't have to worry, nu? Now that I know she's up and around, I can stay quiet."

"You want to help keep an eye on her?"

"I... m-maybe? "

"I told her I wasn't anybody. "

"Well you told her wrong. But, you think on it. You want to help with her, let us know."

"I... I mean..." a soft rasp of air, an exhalation. "I can help."

"Ok. So, come by tomorrow." They arrive at the Schartzes. "Best to your folks."

She nods, wrapping her arms around her torso. "...kay."

"Good." He kisses her forehead. "Shabbat Shalom."

"I..." she closes her eyes, swallowing down whatever she wanted to say. "Shabbat shalom."

"Zara? What?"

A soft, hiccupy noise and she shakes her head.

Hirim doesn't care; he simply folds her into his arms, the smell of wood dust and glue still on him.

"S-sorry. Sorry. "

"Ok... ok...."

A hiccup, muffled. "Sorry for everything. I'll be better."

"You're fine, Zara. Ok....."

She swallows, and nods. "I'm fine. Ok. Yes. Sorry. Ani ohevet otcha."

"Ani ohevet otcha, bubalah."

She nods again, pulling away.

He wipes away her tears with a gnarled knuckle.

A ghost of a smile, hesitant and hopeful.

"There. Better. Go inside, I see you tomorrow."