The phone buzzed once, twice, before Thomas picked it up.

  “Hello?”

  Shoshana’s voice, warm and slightly teasing, came through. “I hear Sophia has a crush on you.”

  Thomas chuckled softly. “That would seem to be the case. So… you’ve heard about the dance.”

  “Oh, I’ll put it this way,” Shoshana replied. “Not only did I hear it from Veronica, but also from several others I know.”

  He smiled into the phone. “Let me guess—the big question was whether it was Veronica I danced with last?”

  “Exactly,” she said, her voice quieter now. “And… it made me feel special. Even though I didn’t tell them it was me.”

  “I didn’t think you would,” he said. “Funny that they didn’t put the pieces together.”

  “Well,” she added, shifting tones, “when you’re here during Thanksgiving, the youth group leader wants to meet with you.”

  Thomas raised an eyebrow, even though she couldn’t see. “Any reason why?”

  “Remember last week when Veronica said you have fans?” Shoshana asked. “Well, someone had to talk about that activity. Now the youth leader wants to meet you. Dad thinks it’s a good thing. Honestly, it could’ve been Dad who told them.”

  “But how’d they know to have you ask me?” Thomas asked.

  “That’s why I think Dad or Mom was involved,” she replied. “They didn’t give your name, but apparently, we caught more attention than just the rabbi’s. Even if we were just… keeping to ourselves.”

  He paused, then nodded. “If they want to work with us, I think I can go for that.”

  There was a smile in her voice. “Did you say us?”

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  “Yes. Us.”

  A breath passed before she asked, “So… what do you think of Sophia?”

  Thomas considered it for a moment. “Sophia is one of those girls who probably wouldn’t have noticed me before. It’s not just that she was nice—she was eager to dance. But I got the feeling it wasn’t me she liked. More what I represented. You know?”

  “I see what you mean,” Shoshana replied, thoughtful.

  “Oh—Veronica told me you came up with another idea,” she added.

  Thomas perked up. “Yeah. I was thinking of getting them involved in service opportunities. I think my parents taught me to look for those, even if they never said it outright. I figured something like a ‘Secret Santa’ program could be both a training tool and fun. Nothing gets young energy moving like a little good mischief and a hug.”

  “You’re evil,” Shoshana teased.

  “No,” Thomas said, grinning, “just trouble.”

  From the background came another voice—familiar, firm, amused. “Son, you can say that again.”

  Thomas straightened. “Hello, sir. How long have you been listening?”

  “Long enough,” said David, “to know you’ve confirmed some things I’ve been hearing. So let’s see if I’ve got this straight. You left here Sunday night. Met with your group Monday. Sold your project to the lodge and the circle. Arranged tutoring for Jonathan. Took ten of them to a dance and laid out your ground rules. And you met with Dr. Morwell, who—apparently—you impressed.”

  Thomas gave a sheepish laugh. “That’s a rough summary.”

  David’s voice turned serious but kind. “I’m not worried about the next stage of your development. What I am concerned about—and others in leadership too—is making sure you have emotional support. And for what it’s worth, Dr. Morwell’s gone through something similar to what you’re starting. That helps.”

  There was a pause. Then David added, “Just so you know, the facility Ms. Hendrix is working at is now backed by SBSO. She’s done great work. And she’s been talking to Mr. Golf about going into private practice. It was good to help.”

  “Thanks,” Thomas said quietly.

  “If you ever feel the need to talk to her, that can be arranged,” David offered.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  David continued, “We’ve put together a list for you—thirteen virtues we think would most benefit you right now. Almost funny that ‘connecting to people on different levels’ is at the top.”

  He paused again. “Any questions on the two books I lent you?”

  “Yes,” Thomas said thoughtfully. “I’m finding the different morning blessings increasingly interesting. I guess I’m trying to build a habit with Modeh Ani.”

  David’s tone shifted to curiosity. “Why that one to start?”

  “I think it’s the idea of starting the day with gratitude—just recognizing the blessing of being alive,” Thomas answered. “But… I still feel like I don’t fully grasp its depth. Even so, I realize the family I’m connected to… and I do it for myself. But also, so I know how to support Shoshana.”