The Coat Already On

Ages 12-15

Talia buttons her coat before the last classroom door opens.

It is three-twenty-eight. The clock above the school office has a red second hand that catches at the top, then jumps past it.

Sarit has her coat over one arm. She is looking up the staircase.

"They're still in class."

The older class lets out at three-forty. Liora is up there. This week, Sarit wants to walk with her too.

Talia likes Liora. On Monday the three of them argued all the way home about whether a cucumber belongs in a fruit salad. Sarit's shoes scuffed just after each of Talia's steps. On Tuesday Liora described a cupboard that opens whenever anyone walks past it.

Yesterday the older class finished late. Talia stood beneath the clock with her coat buttoned, watching its red hand come around again.

At home, Mommy was waiting by the kitchen window.

"I expected you sooner."

"We waited for Liora."

At fourteen, Talia is allowed to walk home in daylight along Maple Street, past the bakery, and across at the crossing guard's corner. Mommy expects her to leave school at three-thirty. They arranged for her to walk with Yaffa, whose family agreed to the same time and route.

This morning Mommy asked Talia what time she will leave.

"Three-thirty. With Yaffa. Maple Street, bakery, crossing guard."

Now the red hand comes past the twelve.

Three-twenty-nine.

Sarit shifts her coat to the other arm.

"I think I hear them."

A teacher comes down the stairs carrying a pile of books. Behind her, the staircase is empty.

Yaffa stops beside Talia with her coat on. The buckle on her blue schoolbag squeaks when she pulls the strap higher.

"Ready?"

"At half past."

Sarit turns from the stairs.

"You're not waiting?"

"I'm leaving at three-thirty with Yaffa. Mommy and I arranged it."

"Liora will be down soon."

Talia looks at the door to the street. Girls pass the office in twos and threes. A teacher stands beside the outer door.

She puts her gloves on. The left thumb is turned inside out. She works it straight with one finger.

The minute hand reaches the six.

"See you tomorrow," she says.

Sarit stays beside the staircase. Talia and Yaffa pass the teacher and go out into the afternoon.

At the corner, the crossing guard holds them back while a delivery van turns. Yaffa takes a quick step toward the curb and stops beside Talia. They wait for the guard's signal, then cross.

On Maple Street, Yaffa points out a paper crown caught in the bakery hedge.

"It's been there since Monday."

Talia has never noticed it.

Yaffa's bag squeaks. Her heels make quick, light taps. Talia's shoes land more slowly, one solid step beside two short ones, along the pavement past the bakery.