The Forgiving Jar

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  She pulled her shoulders straight back and lifted her chin. “I don’t need modern things to make me happy, and I appreciate the simple lifestyle of the Amish people.”

  “Leaving your progressive world behind and becoming one of us Plain folks will be difficult.” The man’s gnarly fingers shook as he pointed at Michelle. “Very few people have done it, because it’s not an easy road unless you are born into it and raised without modern-day conveniences.”

  “I understand.” Hoping they wouldn’t ask more questions, she gestured to their menus. “Would you like to choose something from there, or do you prefer to serve yourselves from the buffet? I believe the dinner items have recently been set out.”

  “We’ll choose from the items on the buffet.” The Amish man looked at his wife. “Right, Vera?”

  She gave a brief nod.

  “What would you both like to drink?” Michelle wondered how the woman would manage the buffet while holding a cane. She wasn’t about to challenge this feisty couple, and thought they probably had things figured out on how to fill their plates.

  “Water is fine for me,” Vera replied.

  “Same here,” her husband said. “Oh, and I’d also like a cup of coffee. What about you, Vera. Do you want some kaffi?”

  “No, just water this time.” When she shook her head, the ties on her head covering swished back and forth.

  “Okay then. While I get your drinks, feel free to go to the buffet.” Michelle was about to walk away when the man spoke again.

  “You don’t have to join the Amish church to simplify. You can put some of our principles into practice and still remain English.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Michelle wished this topic hadn’t been brought up again. It felt as if the man thought her decision to become Amish was wrong. Was he hoping to talk her out of it? And if so, for what reason? Michelle didn’t even know these people. She couldn’t imagine why they would care whether she joined the Amish church or not.

  Michelle pressed the order pad against her chest as she felt another uncontrollable rush of heat. “Will there be anything else?”

  The man opened his mouth, as if to say something, but his wife spoke first. “No, that will be all. Thank you.”

  With relief, Michelle hurried away. Will other Amish people react to me like that couple did? she wondered. Am I foolish to believe I can become one of them and that I’ll be accepted? Maybe I haven’t thought things through clearly enough. It might be good if I talk to Mary Ruth or Willis about this. While they hadn’t said anything to discourage her, the Lapps might believe Michelle was making a mistake taking steps to become Amish.

  Chapter 23

  Strasburg

  Are you sleeping?” Mary Ruth stood near her husband’s chair and nudged his arm.

  He opened one eye and grinned at her. “Nope. Just restin’ my eyes.”

  “If your eyes need resting, maybe the rest of you does too. Should we call it a night and head for bett?”

  He yawned and put his recliner in an upright position. “Can’t go to bed yet, Mary Ruth.”

  “Why not?”

  “Cause we haven’t had any of those apple dumplings you made earlier this evening.” He winked at her. “It wouldn’t seem right to break tradition and not eat an apple dumpling on New Year’s Eve.”

  Chuckling, she swatted his arm playfully. “Very well then. Shall we go to the kitchen, or would you rather I bring them out here?”

  “Let’s eat ’em in here. I’ll stoke up the logs in the fireplace and we can sit on the sofa together while we enjoy our sweet treats.” Willis winked a second time. “It’ll be just like the old days when you and I were courting.”

  Mary Ruth smiled, remembering their first New Year’s Eve as a young couple. She had invited Willis to her house for supper and to play board games with her family. About an hour before midnight, her parents said they were tired and went off to bed. Her siblings, Alma, Thomas, and Paul, all married and a few years older than her, had already gone home, which left Mary Ruth and Willis alone to greet the New Year. Since Mary Ruth had made apple dumplings earlier that day, she brought some out to serve her special beau. Willis ate two, and said she was a fine cook, and then he added that after they were married, eating apple dumplings should be a New Year’s tradition. Mary Ruth wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not, but every year since then she had made apple dumplings to serve on New Year’s Eve.

  Pushing her reflections to the back of her mind, Mary Ruth went to the kitchen. When she returned a short time later with their treat, she was pleased to see Willis had a nice fire going. The warmth of it permeated all of the living room and offered additional light as well.

  “Here you go, Willis.” She placed the tray of apple dumplings on the coffee table, along with two mugs of hot cider.

  “Danki.” He took a seat on the couch and patted the cushion beside him. “Sit here beside me and we can eat together as we enjoy the fire.”

  Mary Ruth willingly obliged, then handed him a bowl with one of the dumplings and a spoon. “Seems kind of quiet here this evening without Sara and Michelle.”

  Just then, the hefty log in the fireplace popped loudly in the roaring blaze, sending sparks up the chimney. “Well it was quiet, that is. Guess I spoke too soon.” Mary Ruth giggled. “Don’t you just love the sound of a crackling fire and the smell of logs burning?”

  “Sure do.” Willis nodded. “I’m enjoyin’ our time alone together too. And no doubt the girls are having a good time tonight with friends their age, rather than hangin’ around us old folks.”

  “Jah, it is good for them to do some fun things with others.” Mary Ruth reached for her mug, blew on the hot cider, and took a cautious sip. “Now that they both have jobs, I hope neither of them decides to move out.” She heaved a deep sigh. “It would be so lonely here without them.”

  “I’m sure if they do move out, they will stay in the area. They both seem happier here now.”

  “I think so too.” She set her mug back on the coffee table and turned to face Willis. “Even though Michelle isn’t really our grossdochder, I feel like she’s part of our family.”

  “I agree.” Willis picked up his mug of apple cider. “I hope once Michelle finishes her instruction classes, she’ll feel ready to join the church and won’t have any doubts.”

  “Michelle talked with me last evening about an incident she had at the restaurant on Friday. She was upset because of it.”

  “What happened?” Willis asked.

  “Michelle waited on an Amish couple, and when they started speaking Pennsylvania Dutch to her, she couldn’t understand what they had said. With the clothes Michelle was wearing, the couple must have assumed she was Amish.”

  “Ah, I see. Bet it was kinda awkward for her.”

  “Jah. And after Michelle explained that she was learning to be Amish, they started questioning her decision, and she had the impression they were trying to talk her out of it.” Mary Ruth paused for a breath. “It sounded like Michelle handled it well, but I could tell it rattled her a bit.”

  “She will be tested in many ways, but if Michelle truly wants this, her strength won’t let those uncertainties get in the way.” Willis gave his earlobe a tug—a habit he’d had since she’d known him. “And after hearing how she conducted herself, I am confident that she’ll be okay. Michelle’s a strong girl.”

  “I want to remain optimistic too.” Mary Ruth sighed once more. “And what about Sara? Do you think she’ll ever want to become Amish?”

  He shrugged. “I’m guessing not, but that will be her decision.”

  Mary Ruth didn’t voice her thoughts, but secretly she hoped their English granddaughter might also choose to join the Amish church. While it wouldn’t make up for losing their one and only daughter to the English world, it would certainly be a comfort to have Sara become part of their church.

  Michelle had never been too interested in card games, but Dutch Blitz, the one she was playing now with Ezekiel, his
cousin Raymond, and Raymond’s girlfriend, Anna, held her interest. It had taken her a while to catch on, but once she did, the game became fun. While some English folks might not agree, Michelle thought game playing, and even just talking, was more enjoyable than watching TV. Sometimes, like now, she felt as though she were meant to be Amish. Other times, such as when she attended Amish church and couldn’t understand everything being said, Michelle wondered if she would ever truly fit in with the Plain people.

  If trying to learn everything wasn’t challenging enough, the incident at the restaurant the other day had increased her reservations. Even with all the Amish couple’s negative comments, Michelle thought she’d handled their questioning pretty well. Talking about it with Mary Ruth last night had eased some of her tension. At least for tonight she was being accepted, and all the laughter, fun, and games helped her relax. At moments like this, with Ezekiel by her side, Michelle felt as if things were finally looking up. Even Raymond’s parents, before heading to bed, had joined their conversation and included Michelle in all that had been said. It was too bad Ezekiel’s mom and dad hadn’t accepted her so easily. She wondered if she would ever win them over.

  “Anyone care for more potato chips and onion dip?” Raymond asked, pulling Michelle out of her ruminations. “Mom said there’s more in the kitchen.”

  Anna shook her head. “I’ve snacked way too much this evening. Don’t think I could eat another bite.”

  “And I’m fine with the bowl of pretzels still here on the table.” Ezekiel looked at Michelle. “How about you?”

  “I’m with Anna.” Michelle put one hand beneath her chin. “I’m full up to here.”

  Ezekiel snickered, then reached under the table and clasped her other hand. “I think my aldi likes to iwwerdreiwe.”

  Michelle felt a tightening in her chest. Here we go again … another Amish word I don’t understand. “I know aldi means ‘girlfriend,’ but what does iwwerdreiwe mean?” she asked.

  “It’s the Pennsylvania Dutch word for exaggerate,” Ezekiel explained.

  Exasperated, she let go of his hand. “I was not exaggerating. I really am too full to eat anything else.”

  “But you said you were full up to here.” He touched a spot just below her chin.

  She gave a huff. “Okay, so I embellished it a bit.”

  Anna’s pale blue eyes twinkled as she smiled at Michelle from across the table. “And in the process, you learned a new Pennsylvania Dutch word.”

  Michelle bobbed her head. “True. Sometimes I wonder though if I’ll ever be able to carry on a full conversation in your language.”

  “Aw, sure you will. It’ll just take time and practice.” Raymond picked up the deck of cards. “Is everyone ready for another game? If we get started now, we’ll likely be done before the clock strikes midnight and we ring in the New Year.”

  “Sure, let’s get to it.” Ezekiel gave Michelle’s arm a gentle nudge and said in a low voice, “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather ring in the New Year with than you.”

  Michelle’s cheeks warmed as she whispered back, “Same here.”

  Lancaster

  “What did you think of the concert?” Brad asked when he and Sara got into his minivan.

  Sara’s fingers twisted around the straps of her purse. “It was different than I thought it would be.”

  He tipped his head. “In what way?”

  “When you said Christian concert, I expected to hear a lot of church hymns and such.”

  Brad smiled, slowly shaking his head. “It was a contemporary Christian concert, with a variety of musicians.” He touched his chest. “And I, for one, enjoyed every group that performed tonight.”

  “Yeah, it was good.” Sara didn’t want him to think she wasn’t interested in his kind of music or that she had no specific religious inclinations. She enjoyed Brad’s company and hoped she could see him again the next time he visited Lancaster County.

  Offering him what she hoped was a pleasant smile, she said, “I enjoyed being with you tonight. Thanks for inviting me to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”

  “You’re welcome. I enjoyed being with you too.” He started the engine. “Are you hungry? Should we go somewhere for a bite to eat?”

  “Would any place be open this late?”

  “Oh, I’m sure since it’s New Year’s Eve some of the restaurants will be open till after midnight.”

  “I’m okay with that, but if you’d rather, we could just go back to my grandparents’ house and have something to eat there.” Sara giggled. “If I know Grandma, she probably made something yummy for her and Grandpa to eat this evening. And no doubt, she made plenty to go around.”

  “Okay, let’s go there then. It’ll be quieter and easier to visit.” Brad pulled his vehicle out of the parking lot.

  “Maybe by now Ezekiel has brought Michelle home. They might want to join us in the kitchen for a midnight snack.”

  “Yeah, that’d be fine too.”

  “Speaking of Michelle”—Sara looked over at Brad—“the two of us are getting along much better now.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear.” Brad sounded relieved. Sara sensed he’d been worried about her strained relationship with Michelle.

  “After Michelle revealed some things about her life, I have a better understanding of her.” Sara heaved a sigh. “And you will be happy to know that I have gotten over the fact that Michelle pretended to be me. I can’t change what happened, and neither can she, so we may as well try to get along.”

  Brad reached over and squeezed Sara’s hand. “I am glad to hear it.”

  “There’s something else.” Sara’s gaze lowered as she explained about killing Michelle’s dog. “Michelle forgave me for that too.”

  “I’m sure she knew you didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “Yes, but I think she may have wondered at first.”

  “Thanks for sharing this with me, Sara.” Brad turned the radio to a station playing Christian music. “The burden of what you were both feeling should be lifted now.”

  Sara nodded. “It is.” But I am carrying some other burdens I haven’t told you about.

  As they headed back to Strasburg, Sara leaned her head against the passenger’s headrest. The roads were bare and wet, but as they left the outskirts of Lancaster, snow flurries began. At first they came down lightly, but by the time they reached Strasburg, the wind had picked up and thick snowflakes came in flurries. It looked like the beginning of a blizzard.

  “Maybe you should just drop me off and head back to your friend’s place in Lancaster,” Sara said as they turned onto her grandparents’ driveway, now covered in snow. “I wouldn’t want you to get stuck or slide off the road in this unpredictable weather.”

  “Not to worry. I’m sure it’ll be fine. The last time I listened to the weather report, nothing was mentioned about a storm,” Brad said. “Besides, I had snow tires put on the van before I came down here for Christmas break. But if it makes you feel any better, I’ll leave right after midnight, when the New Year begins.”

  Sara smiled and touched his arm. “Okay, Brad. Now let’s go inside.”

  Chapter 24

  Strasburg

  It looks like my grandparents must have gone to bed,” Sara said when she and Brad entered the dimly lit house. She was thankful a battery-operated light had been left on in the living room.

  “Maybe I should go,” Brad responded. “I wouldn’t want to wake them.”

  “It’s okay. Their bedroom is near the end of the hall, and if we go out to the kitchen our voices are less likely to be heard.”

  “Sure, no problem.” Brad followed Sara to the kitchen. She noticed the gas lamp hanging from the ceiling had been lit as well, giving plenty of light for them to see.

  “Oh, yum. Look what Grandma left for us.” Sara hung her coat on a wall peg before pointing to a tray of apple dumplings on the counter. She picked up the note lying beside them and read it to Brad. “Sara and Michelle, please
help yourselves to these apple dumplings and feel free to share them with your dates.” She looked at Brad. “Would you like one with a glass of milk or maybe some hot apple cider? It won’t take long to heat it on the stove.”

  “Hot cider sounds good. And if those dumplings taste half as scrumptious as they look, I may have to eat two.” Brad gave her a dimpled grin and draped his jacket over the back of a kitchen chair. “That is, if there’s enough for me to have seconds.”

  She poked his arm playfully. “There are eight of the tasty morsels here, so if you’re still hungry after eating one, I think a second helping can be arranged.”

  Brad formed a steeple with his hands and pressed them to his lips. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Sara’s heart skipped a beat as she gazed at his smiling face. His eyes appeared to be filled with an inner glow—almost as though it came from deep within his soul. Sara hadn’t known Brad very long, but as near as she could tell, there wasn’t a phony bone in this man’s body. Too bad he was going back to his ministerial studies tomorrow. Sara wished she had the opportunity to spend more time with Brad so she could get to know him better. Being around him made her feel more relaxed than she had in a long time. Of course, her grandparents had that effect on her too, just not in the same way.

  Pulling her thoughts aside, Sara took out two bowls for the apple dumplings and told Brad to help himself. As he was doing that, she got out the apple cider and poured enough for two cups into a kettle. While it heated, she put spoons and napkins on the table, and then suggested they both take a seat.

  While Sara and Brad waited for the cider to heat, they ate the apple dumplings and visited.

  “Yep, this is every bit as good as I thought it would be.” Brad smacked his lips. “And I’m 100 percent sure I’ll want another.” He glanced at the stove. “Gotta have a dumpling to go with the cider, right?”