Minda 11

Aunt Naomi's hate glare chases Rachel out the door. Immediately she goes into the bathroom, begins moving all but the barest essentials to her bedroom.
At first this mystifies me. Soon I understand her train of thought. Seeing the father embezzled, she thinks the daughter will steal our bath stuff. Sick or what?
Whoa does that mean she thinks I'll morph into a killer? Maybe she sleeps with a pistol under her pillow, just in case.
Next morning as we meet on the way to school, Rachel smiles ruefully, "so, what happened after I left?"
I blush hotly, "ah well that is she vacuumed everything outa the bathroom, hid it in her bedroom. Musta thought you'd steal it."
"Look Minda, I've already received her message loud and clear, ain't going back. Meaning if you and my Mum don't hit it off, we'll be hanging out together in the Public Library."
Uneasily I ask, "so, what do I expect?"
She laughs mirthlessly, "one of those good news bad news jokes. Bad news is the splashy condo in TO and the summer cottage were taken by the bank. Business in the hands of the receivers. Good news, least we don't starve. She's one of those bureaucrats who can work online from home." Another mirthless laugh, "seeing how much we're hated in TO, here is a nice place to do it."
I reply, "to say nothing of cheaper accommodations."
I go in expecting the absolute worst, yet none of my fears materialize.
Her Mum is cheerful, warm, conveys two obvious messages without saying so in so many words. First, she's delighted her daughter found a friend. Second, even more happy that friend just happens to be Jewish. Not one word on all the scandal.
I find myself hugely liking her and knowing Rachel and I will be able to hang out there comfortably.