by Mayne, Debby
Pop started to argue, but Mom shushed him. “Jonathan, I think this is important to Charles. He’s a grown man, and it makes him happy.”
After looking back and forth between Charles and his wife, Pop finally nodded. “Yeah, you’re right, Lori.” He looked Charles in the eye. “You are a much better man than we raised you to be, and that’s even more proof that the Lord is active in our lives.”
Charles didn’t want to take anything away from his parents, but he knew Pop was right. “The best thing you ever did for me was lead me to Christ.”
Tears sprang to Mom’s eyes so Charles decided to change the subject.
He’d changed quite a bit lately, but since Mom rarely cried, his gut clenched.
“Where do you think I should take Ruthie for dinner?” he asked.
Pop thought for a moment before replying, “Why don’t you ask her where she wants to go?”
“I don’t know if she’s been many places outside of Pinecraft.”
“He’s right, Jonathan,” Mom said. “Let me give this some thought. In the meantime, you can ask Ruthie what some of her favorite foods are. That should help narrow the list.”
When Sunday arrived, Ruthie was out of sorts. She’d applied for the job at Fresh’s Yogurt Shop and gotten it. Mr. Fresh told her she’d start the following Monday, helping set up before their grand opening. The very thought of it sent her into panic mode.
“Why aren’t you ready yet?” Mother asked as she stood at Ruthie’s bedroom door. “We need to leave in five minutes.”
“I can’t get the kapp on right.” Ruthie felt as though her hands had become detached from her arms as they shook.
“Here, let me help you.” Mother walked right up to her, spun her around, and adjusted the kapp in a matter of seconds. “There you go. All your hair is in place, and your kapp is just right.”
“Thanks.” Ruthie looked down at the floor to avoid her Mother’s gaze.
“Ruthie, stop worrying about tomorrow. You’ll do just fine.”
“I’m not so sure,” Ruthie said. “You know how I can be when I’m nervous.” She pointed to her kapp. “Even in the privacy of my own room, my hands are shaking. Can you imagine how embarrassing it’ll be if I’m like this tomorrow?”
“Perhaps it won’t be so embarrassing if you stop thinking about people looking at you. Consider yourself the Lord’s servant and serve the frozen yogurt for Him.”
Mother always did have a better perspective than she had. “Ya. You’re right.”
“You’ve always worried about offending people or doing something others don’t approve of. The only thing you need to concern yourself with at this stage in your life, Ruthie, is following His calling.” She backed toward the door. “Now take a deep breath, say a prayer, and meet your papa and me outside.”
After Mother left, Ruthie did exactly as she said. When she finished her heartfelt but brief prayer, she felt much better. Her nerves hadn’t completely calmed, but she felt more anchored.
The instant she arrived on the church lawn, she spotted Charles and his parents. Charles grinned at her and mouthed that he wanted to see her after church. She nodded.
Ruthie had to force herself not to let her mind stray throughout the service. She stared at the pastor during the sermon and tried to absorb what he said.
Afterward she followed Mother toward the door. Charles stood outside waiting. Her pulse quickened as she stepped closer to him.
“Good news!” he said, his face lit up.
Ruthie couldn’t help but smile at the obvious joy he exuded. “Tell me. I’m ready to hear good news.”
“If you’ll accept, I’m taking you to the Ringling Museum of Art and out to dinner afterward. The only thing I need to know is what kinds of food you like or don’t like.”
“We can always go to Penner’s,” Ruthie said. “They have a wide variety.”
Charles looked disappointed at first, but he quickly recovered. “If that’s where you want to go, I’ll take you there, but I thought … well, maybe … I don’t know. How about we go somewhere different?”
“I haven’t been to all that many places,” she admitted. “So it’s hard for me to suggest a place.”
“Do you like seafood?”
“Ya. I like fish and crab cakes.”
“Then I bet you’ll like lobster. I know the perfect place.”
Ruthie had never tasted lobster, but she knew it was pricy. “Isn’t lobster awful expensive?”
Charles pursed his lips and nodded. “It can be but this is a special occasion, and I really want to treat you to something you’ll always remember.”
Ruthie didn’t need lobster to remember being with Charles, but he seemed so excited she didn’t want to poke a hole in his joy. Instead she said, “We can go wherever you want to take me.”
“Perfect!” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Mom and Pop are waiting for me. Your birthday’s on Friday, right?”
She nodded. “Ya, but if that’s not a good night for you—”
“I don’t want to interfere with your family’s plans….”
“My parents won’t mind celebrating on a different day.”
She was delighted to see him smile. “If your dad will let you off early, I can pick you up at two thirty. Abe has already given me the afternoon off.”
“Um … well, I’m starting a new job.”
“I heard. Mr. Fresh told me you start tomorrow, but the shop doesn’t open for another week. He said you don’t have to work on Friday afternoon either.”
Ruthie wasn’t sure how she felt about everyone making arrangements without consulting her, but this wasn’t the time to bring it up. “Okay, then we can go at two thirty on Friday.”
As soon as Charles left with his parents, Ruthie joined hers. Mother was the first to speak up.
“Did I hear Charles ask you out on your birthday?”
Ruthie nodded. “He’s taking me to the Ringling Museum of Art and out for dinner afterward.”
“Where is he taking you for dinner?”
“Someplace that has lobster.”
Papa laughed. “In other words, someplace fancy.”
“Have you ever had lobster before?” Ruthie asked.
“Once,” Papa said as he closed his eyes and rubbed his belly. “It was absolutely delightful. It’s one of those foods you can’t get enough of.”
Mother tilted her head back and laughed out loud. “Samuel, I haven’t met a food yet that you can get enough of.”
He grinned. “I do like to eat.”
“You sure do,” Mother said before turning her attention back to Ruthie. “I’ve never had lobster, but I’ve heard it tastes sort of like crab, only better.”
“Then I’m sure I’ll like it.” Ruthie decided to change the subject. “I have to be at Fresh’s first thing tomorrow morning. Mr. Fresh wants all the workers to help him set up, and he says we’ll need to learn how to use the machines.”
Mother cast a concerned glance at Papa. “Our Ruthie has never operated machines before. What if she doesn’t like that job?”
Papa tightened his jaw. “I didn’t think about that. Remember that you don’t have to work there forever. I just want you to have the experience of working for someone outside the family.”
Ruthie didn’t bring up the fact that she was just as concerned about how Rosemary would cope in the souvenir shop as she was about herself working at a job she didn’t like. Papa appeared deep in thought, so perhaps he was thinking the same thing.
Chapter 10
Some of the men from the church had volunteered to come over and fix the Polks’ house up to make it more attractive to potential buyers. All week the house was filled with workers painting and making small repairs. They painted the outside of the house, and they prepped the inside to be painted the following week. Abe had brought over a couple of fruit trees that would bear fruit in another year or two so they could add that to the listing, which the realtor said woul
d help attract buyers.
Mom went straight home from work on Friday so Charles could have the car for his date. He tried to explain that Ruthie would be just fine riding the bus, but Mom reminded him they’d be getting rid of their car soon and this would probably be one of the last times he’d be able to use it. They’d decided to rent a house in or close to the Mennonite and Amish community of Pinecraft as soon as their house sold.
Charles came home from the farm before lunch. The men were still at the house working, and some of the women had come by bus with food. Mrs. Penner invited Charles to join them, so he did.
“The men have a meeting at the church this afternoon so they will likely leave early but come back to finish their work,” Mrs. Penner said.
“We appreciate everything.”
Mrs. Penner’s eyes twinkled with a knowing look. “I hear you’re taking our Ruthie on a date this afternoon,” she whispered.
“Yes,” he replied. “She said she’s always wanted to go to an art gallery, so I figured I’d take her to the Ringling Museum of Art.”
“That is the best one,” she said. “When Mary first came to live with us, we took her there, hoping she’d find some joy here.” Mrs. Penner shook her head. “But unfortunately it didn’t work. She was always quiet and kept to herself until Abe came along. We prayed for something, and the Lord delivered Abe.”
Charles hadn’t known that about Mary. “Abe and Mary seem very happy now.”
“Ya,” Mrs. Penner agreed. “Mary has turned into a joyful young woman with a sunny disposition. We never thought that would happen.”
“I guess I still have quite a bit to learn about the people in the church,” Charles said. “I used to assume everyone was happy all the time.”
“Neh, not always.” Mrs. Penner placed her hand on his arm and looked him in the eye. “Remember that even Mennonites have troubles. We need the Lord as much as anyone.”
A comfortable silence fell between them before Charles nodded. “Thank you for reminding me.”
“Ya.” She let out a deep sigh. “We have problems, but we handle them differently from outsiders. Before we make any decisions, we are called to first turn to the Lord for direction. Only then should we act, and when we act, it is never in anger … or at least it shouldn’t be.” She chuckled as though she thought of a private joke. “But trust me when I tell you we still feel anger.”
After Mrs. Penner left him to help serve food to the other men, Charles reflected on all the things she’d told him. Now that he thought about it, he could see some of the anger that brewed beneath the surface in some people who didn’t want to give his family a chance. He looked around at the dozen and a half people working on his family home and knew that those people weren’t among those who resisted allowing the Polks into the church fold. These were the folks who took Mom, Pop, and himself at their word and accepted them for who they were right now rather than who they were in the past.
Charles bowed his head, thanked the Lord for all He’d done to take his family to this Christ-centered church, and prayed for guidance and direction on all their future decisions. When he opened his eyes, he saw Mrs. Penner watching him. She smiled and quickly turned back to what she’d been doing while warmth and a sense of joy came over Charles.
After a busy morning, Mrs. Penner shooed him away. “You have something very important to do this afternoon. Go on inside and get cleaned up.”
Ruthie paced as she waited for Charles. Since she’d been given the day off at Fresh’s, she went to the souvenir store and offered to help, but Papa told her he didn’t need her. Rosemary was holed up in the office, which didn’t surprise Ruthie. Although Papa hadn’t verbally expressed his dissatisfaction with his new employee, Ruthie could tell by the way he averted all discussion of Rosemary.
“You have a big date this afternoon, so go home and get yourself ready,” Papa said.
“There isn’t much to do. I’ve already bathed.”
Papa leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “I’m not talking about the outside. Go home and spend some quiet time with the Lord. You should always seek guidance when you are considering a relationship with a man.”
She met his firm gaze and nodded. “Okay.”
“Your mother wants the family to celebrate your birthday tomorrow night, so start thinking about what you want for supper.”
Ruthie smiled. “She already knows.”
“Roast beef hash?”
“Is there anything better?” she asked.
“You are a very unusual young woman,” he said. “Almost too easy to please sometimes.”
Ruthie finally left the store and went home. She was relieved that Mother wasn’t there because her nerves were on edge, and talking only made her condition worse.
As the time slowly passed and the time for Charles to arrive drew closer, she felt as though she might get sick. Papa’s words about spending quiet time with the Lord rang in her head, so she closed her eyes and prayed for her nerves to settle.
At two twenty-five, she peeked out the front window and saw Charles sitting in his car parked at the curb. She inhaled deeply, slowly let the air out of her lungs, and opened the front door. He looked up and smiled. Her belly did one of its drop-roll motions, but she managed to smile back at him.
Charles got out of the car and helped her into the passenger seat before getting into his side of the car. “Mom and Pop wanted us to enjoy the car while we still have it.”
“You’re getting rid of it?” She studied his face, half expecting to see regret, but he seemed perfectly fine.
“Yeah. After hanging out with people from your church, we see how unnecessary it is.”
“Will you miss it?”
“Absolutely, but once we get used to not having it, I’m sure we’ll be just fine. Even having one car was an adjustment, but now that I look back, I realize it was insane to have three cars. We justified it by saying we were scattered in three different directions, and it wasn’t always convenient to have to take a bus or catch a ride with someone else.”
Ruthie didn’t know about such things. “I’ve always had to ride buses, and I’ve never found it inconvenient.”
“Oh, I’m with you on that. We didn’t realize how much money we actually spent on the cars until we didn’t have two of them.” He held up one hand and used his fingers to count. “First, there’s the cost of buying the car. Second, you have to put gas in it and change the oil. Then you have to maintain it, which can be quite costly. After you add the price of insurance, you’re talking some major bucks.”
Ruthie nodded. “That sounds like a lot of money.”
“Even though it’s not cheap to hire a driver, we’re still coming out ahead.” When they stopped at a red light, he turned to her. “Let’s not talk about money today. This day is all about you and your birthday. It’s your twentieth, right?”
“Ya.” Ruthie never liked all the focus and attention to be on her, but she appreciated Charles’s interest. “I find it hard to believe that I’m this old.”
“Turning twenty-one did that to me.” He slowed the car and took a turn before speeding back up. Ruthie watched the road as he maneuvered the car on the busy Sarasota streets, amazed that he seemed to instinctively know what to do. “So how’s the new job?”
“Different. We haven’t officially opened yet, which is good because I have so much to learn. I have to admit I’m nervous about messing up.”
“I bet. At least you’ll be dishing out something good.”
The sound of sirens blared in the distance. Ruthie heard them but only gave them a brief thought.
Charles pointed up ahead. “We’re here.” They pulled into a parking lot and found a spot not far from the entrance. “I hope you enjoy this place as much as I have.”
Ruthie accepted Charles’s hand as he led her toward the main entrance. As they strolled through the museum, she was spellbound by the sculptures and fountains.
Charles pointed out some things he
was familiar with. “That’s the Fountain of Tortoises, a replica of one in Rome,” he explained.
“Rome,” she repeated softly. “That is like another world.”
“It is,” Charles agreed as he tugged her toward a room with a special exhibition. “Some of the art is permanent, but this will only be here another week.”
Ruthie remained captivated by everything she saw. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Same here,” he replied.
They walked through the museum and stopped at whatever interested her. Charles knew more than she thought he would about art, but what he didn’t know, he enjoyed reading on the plaques next to the exhibits.
Finally he glanced at his watch. “We have another fifteen minutes before they close. If I’d known you’d enjoy it this much, I would have suggested coming earlier.”
“Oh no, we’ve been here two hours, and I’ve seen as much as I can handle in one day. It’s all so beautiful and … different.”
Charles stopped, turned her around to face him, and gazed down into her eyes. “Just like you, Ruthie.”
In spite of her cheeks blazing, she couldn’t budge. Having Charles so close and giving her such an intimate look had rendered her incapable of moving. She felt as though they were the only living creatures in the world until she heard a man clearing his throat behind her.
“Sorry to interrupt, folks, but we’re closing in a few minutes.”
Charles licked his lips and nodded. “We were just leaving.”
As they stepped outside, Charles thought about what had just happened. He’d almost kissed Ruthie. What would she have done? Before being involved with the Mennonite church, he wouldn’t have had to worry about it, but he didn’t know if he was allowed to show affection, and if he did, if it would be okay to kiss her in public.
Ruthie was being awfully quiet, which had him worried. “What are you thinking?” he asked.
She shrugged but didn’t answer. He opened her door and helped her into the car. As he walked around to his side, he tried to gather his thoughts enough to discuss what had just happened, but his mind had been rendered incapable of rational thinking.