Looking for a Miracle

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  She lifted her chin to stare up at him. “What are you talking about?”

  He shuffled his feet a few times while sticking his thumbs under the edge of his suspenders. “I know I can’t work with you here every day, but I think I’ve come up with a way we can make some extra money, and we’ll be doin’ exactly what we both enjoy.” He wiggled his eyebrows, hoping the playful act might give him an edge the way it seemed to do for Johnny whenever he wanted Mary Ellen to agree with him on something.

  Rebekah tipped her head as though she was studying him. Did she think he was joking with her?

  “I really do have a good idea,” he said, moving closer to her. “Can I tell you about it?”

  “If you like,” she responded with a shrug.

  “All right then. I’ll be right back.” Daniel spun on his heels and rushed out the front door. A few minutes later, he returned with a large cardboard box. He placed it on the floor, dropped to his knees, and lifted the flaps.

  Rebekah wheeled her chair closer as he pulled out several wooden bird feeders, a few whirligigs for the lawn, and some homemade flowerpots.

  “Daniel, those are so nice,” she exclaimed. “Did you make them yourself?”

  He grinned up at her. “In my free time, I like to do a bit of woodworking.”

  “You do a fine job. However, I don’t see what it has to do with—”

  “You can try to sell these things here in your greenhouse. I could leave ’em on consignment, and we’d each get a percentage of the profit when they sell.”

  Rebekah clicked her fingernails against the armrest of her wheelchair. “Do you think folks coming here would buy items like these?”

  “I’m sure they would. My uncle in Ohio sells all kinds of things in his greenhouse. It helps bring in more customers—especially the tourists. They all seem to want something that’s been made by one of us Plain People, you know.” Daniel paused and moistened his lips. “So, what do you say, Rebekah? Shall we give ’em what they want and make a profit for both of us, as well?”

  “It might work. Jah, I suppose it’s worth a try.”

  Daniel grinned, as a new sense of hope welled in his chest. “Silent partners then?”

  She nodded. “Jah, silent partners.”

  ***

  Daniel made two more trips over to the greenhouse that day bringing several more boxes filled with bird feeders, birdhouses, flowerpots, and lawn ornaments. With Rebekah’s permission, he placed them around the greenhouse in various locations. He also put a few outside the building, saying he hoped to entice more customers into the store. After setting the prices for each item, he and Rebekah reached an agreement that she would get 25 percent of all the money collected from Daniel’s handiwork.

  “I need to get home now,” Daniel said later that afternoon, “but I wanted to make a suggestion before I go.”

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  “I was thinking maybe you could also stock vegetable and flower seeds, potting soil, and fertilizers to sell. Since winter will be coming soon, I thought maybe you should get some small holly bushes and several poinsettia plants, too.”

  Rebekah nodded and followed him to the door in her wheelchair. “You sure do have some good ideas, Daniel.”

  His smile stretched from ear to ear. “Here’s another one of my ideas. What would you think about taking out an ad in The Budget, as well as in our local Amish paper, Die Botschaft?”

  She tipped her head in contemplation. “Hmm...”

  “I think it would help get things going here even more, and I’d be happy to put up several flyers around town to advertise Grandma’s Place.”

  “Jah, okay. I’ll put the add in The Budget the next time I send in some information for my column, and I’ll do the one for Die Botschaft tomorrow morning.” Rebekah smiled. Things were looking more hopeful for her business, and she was gaining a kind of self-confidence she had never known before. Having to deal with customers helped her feel less self-conscious, and opening the greenhouse seemed like an answer to prayer. It just might be that miracle she had been looking for.

  CHAPTER 14

  “I hope Mary Ellen likes this quilt,” Rebekah told her mother as the two of them sat in front of their quilting frame, stitching on the dahlia-patterned quilt they planned to give Mary Ellen as a wedding present.

  “I’m sure she will be very pleased,” Mom said. “You do real well with a needle and thread, and you’re doing a fine job with this lovely quilt.”

  Rebekah smiled. “I’ve always liked quilts—even when I was a kinner.”

  “Jah, I know. I remember when you and Mary Ellen were barely old enough to walk, the two of you used to like to crawl underneath the quilting frame at whoever’s house the quilting bee was being held. I think you thought none of us women could see you under there.”

  “Maybe we thought it was a tent and were playing that we’d gone camping.”

  Mom chuckled. “I doubt that since you weren’t even out of diapers yet and had never been on a camping trip.”

  Rebekah thought about the camping trip Dad had taken Simon on last summer, when they’d done some fishing. Simon had come home dirty, tired, and plenty sunburned, but he’d had a good time and said he couldn’t wait until the next camping trip. Rebekah had felt a little envious of her brother, wishing that she, too, might have gone camping. But with her being so limited in what she could do, it would have been difficult on her as well as Dad if he’d tried to take her camping.

  “I wish Nadine had shown some interest in helping us make this quilt,” Mom said, breaking into Rebekah’s reflections. “That girl doesn’t seem to want to do anything these days unless it has something to do with boys.”

  Rebekah nodded. “Jah, she has become pretty interested in the opposite sex, but maybe she’ll calm down once she finds a boyfriend and starts courting.”

  “Let’s hope so, although I’m in no hurry for my boy-crazy daughter to begin courting.” Mom’s needle flew in and out of the material, and she never missed a stitch as they continued to visit.

  “I think it’s just as well that you let Nadine go over to visit her friend Carolyn today,” Rebekah said. “She’s never been able to sew a straight stitch, and I don’t want anything to ruin Mary Ellen’s wedding quilt.” She released a sigh. “Besides, if my little sister had stayed around, the two of us would have probably ended up in another disagreement. Seems like every time we’re in the same room together, something is said or done that causes Nadine to become upset with me.”

  Mom stopped sewing and reached over to take Rebekah’s hand. “She’s having a hard time understanding why you get to do some things she can’t.”

  “Me?” Rebekah’s voice raised a notch, and she drew in a deep breath to calm herself. “She’s the one who gets to do all the things I can’t do. Doesn’t she realize how much I envy her for being able to walk around normally, run, skip, jump, or take the stairs two at a time? Can’t she see how hard it is for me to sit back and watch others without limitations and not feel sorry for myself?”

  “She’s young and headstrong,” Mom said quietly. “Give her some time to mature and come to a place where she has more compassion and understanding.”

  “If she listened to the sermons being preached during our church services, she would already know about compassion and understanding.” Rebekah tied a knot in her piece of thread and cut the end with the scissors. “There are so many places in the Bible that speak of having consideration for others and being accepting and supportive.”

  Mom nodded. “That’s right, and God’s words aren’t just for your sister. You need to take them to heart, too.”

  Rebekah blinked a couple of times as her mother’s words registered. Was Mom saying she wasn’t kind or understanding? Did she think Rebekah was as selfish and self-centered as Nadine?

  “I’m not saying you’re inconsiderate,” Mom said. “I’m just saying you need to be a little more understanding of Nadine and look past her immaturity—maybe
try to set the example for her rather than casting judgment or arguing with her all the time.”

  A lump formed in Rebekah’s throat, and she swallowed hard, trying to push it down. She did want to be a good example to her sister and to everyone she knew. It was just that sometimes when Nadine accused her of being spoiled or always getting her way, Rebekah became irritated and a bit defensive. “I’ll try harder where Nadine’s concerned,” she murmured. “I’ll ask God to give me more understanding, too.”

  Mom smiled and resumed her sewing. “I’m pleased to hear that. Jah, very pleased indeed.”

  ***

  The days of fall moved along quickly, and soon it was time for Mary Ellen’s wedding. She had asked Rebekah to be one of her newehockers along with Lena, another close friend. The day before the wedding, the two bride’s attendants and some who would be table waiters showed up at Mary Ellen’s house to help out, as did several aunts, uncles, and close neighbors.

  The bench wagon was brought from the home church district to the Hiltys’ along with another bench wagon from a neighboring district because they would need a lot more seating at the wedding than during a regular Sunday church service. Much of the furniture had been removed from the house and stored in the cleaner outbuildings, while smaller items were placed in the bench wagons after the men had unloaded the benches, unfolded the legs, and arranged them in the house.

  Many hands were needed in the kitchen that morning, preparing the chickens that would be served at the wedding meal, as well as fixing mounds of other food items. The four couples assigned as “roast cooks” divided up the dressed chickens and took them home to roast in their ovens. Mama Mim had asked Aunt Crystal, who was her best friend and a very good baker, to make most of the doughnuts. Some of the other women relatives had made a variety of cookies.

  Mama Mim and Mary Ellen were already hard at work in the kitchen when Aunt Sarah, Rebekah, and Nadine showed up. Mary Ellen grabbed hold of Rebekah’s wheelchair and pushed her into the kitchen and up to the table, where she had a pot of tea waiting. “Oh, Rebekah, I’m getting such butterflies! I wonder if I’ll be able to eat anything at all between now and tomorrow morning.” She extended her trembling hands. “Just look at me—I’m shakin’ like the branches of a maple tree on a windy day.”

  Rebekah reached up and took Mary Ellen’s hands in her own. “Try not to think about it. That’s what Mom always tells me whenever I’m anxious about something.”

  Mary Ellen grunted. “That’s easy enough for you to say. You’re not the one getting married tomorrow.”

  Rebekah recoiled as if she’d been stung by a hornet.

  “Oh, Rebekah, I’m so sorry,” Mary Ellen quickly apologized. “I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s okay,” Rebekah interrupted with the wave of her hand. “You’re right. I’m not the one getting married, and I don’t even presume to know what you’re feeling right now. I was only trying to help quiet your nerves.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it.” Mary Ellen took a seat at the table and blew on her tea before taking a tentative sip. “I never thought I could be this happy. I love Johnny so much, and I know we’re going to be content living together as husband and wife.”

  “I’m truly happy for you,” Rebekah said. “And I’m glad you asked me to be one of your newehockers.”

  Mary Ellen felt as if she could burst with the excitement she felt coursing through her veins. “Jah, well, who else would I ask to be one of my attendants but my very best friend?”

  Rebekah smiled. “What do you need me to do today?”

  “Let me check with Mama Mim. She’s the one in charge of things around here.”

  After consulting with her stepmother, Mary Ellen asked Rebekah, Lena, and Nadine to cut, wash, and dry the celery pieces.

  “Sounds easy enough,” Rebekah said. “At least it’s something I can do from a seated position.”

  ***

  For the next little while, Rebekah sat at the kitchen table, blotting the celery stalks dry with a clean towel after Nadine and Lena had cut and washed them. As she methodically worked, her thoughts went to her greenhouse business, which was doing better than she had ever expected it would. Daniel’s wooden items were selling almost as fast as he could make them. She had taken his advice and purchased potting soil, fertilizer, and seeds, not only to use in the business, but to sell, as well. She’d also placed an order for several Christmas cacti, holly plants, and poinsettias to offer her customers during the winter months.

  Rebekah’s musings about the greenhouse turned naturally to a more personal nature. She always seemed to be thinking about Daniel, especially when she thought of her flowers and plants. If she were truly being honest, she thought of him other times, too. Daniel’s kind face was never far from her thoughts. She couldn’t understand this attraction because she felt sure it was one-sided. Truly, even if it weren’t, there was no hope for any kind of a future for them as a couple.

  “You look like you’re a million miles away,” Mary Ellen said, handing Rebekah another batch of celery to dry.

  Rebekah looked up and smiled. “I was thinking about my business.” She chose not to mention the part that included Daniel. Why give Mary Ellen something to goad her about?

  “Is the greenhouse doing well then?”

  Rebekah nodded. “It truly is.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Mary Ellen pursed her lips. “I haven’t been over in quite a while, what with all the wedding preparations and whatnot, but I’ve heard from some others that you’ve made some changes there.”

  “Daniel Beachy brought several of his handmade wooden items over to sell. The bird feeders are going real fast—probably because everyone likes to feed the birds during the fall and winter months. Daniel does good work, and most of his things sell nearly as quickly as he can make them.” Rebekah grinned. “He seems to like flowers and plants as much as I do, and he’s given me some helpful suggestions about repotting, taking cuttings, and which plants need more water than others. He’s been a real help.”

  Mary Ellen poked Rebekah’s arm. “So has he started calling yet?”

  “Daniel comes over to the greenhouse at least once or twice a week. He likes to see if I need any more items to sell or whether I want help with anything,” Rebekah answered as she took up another piece of celery to pat dry.

  “No, no, not calling at your greenhouse. Is he calling at your home? Are you two courting, or am I not supposed to ask?”

  Rebekah dropped the celery with a thud, and it nearly rolled off the table. “Is that what you think—that Daniel and I are a courting couple? Do you suppose others think that as well?”

  Mary Ellen shrugged. “I can’t say what others are thinking, but I for one have noticed that he seems to hang around you a lot. I’ve seen the way you look at him, too.”

  “Of course he comes around. I just told you, he brings things over to sell at the greenhouse.” Rebekah grabbed another hunk of celery out of the pile. “Furthermore, I don’t look at him in any special way. He’s a good friend, nothing more.”

  Mary Ellen took an apple from the bowl in the center of the table and bit into it. “All right then. Whatever you say.”

  ***

  Thursday morning dawned bright and clear, a cool, crisp, November day. But the birds were singing, and the sun had rolled over the horizon like a giant ball of fire. It was the perfect day for a wedding. Rebekah figured Mary Ellen had probably been awake since sunup, beside herself with anticipation of her special day. And who could blame her? She was, after all, marrying the man of her choice.

  Rebekah sat at her bedroom window, watching two turtledoves in the old maple tree. Mary Ellen’s so happy with Johnny, but I’ll never love—leastways not like a woman loves a man. She groaned, knowing full well that self-pity had stolen into her heart again. Yet she seemed powerless to stop it.

  A knock on the door caused her to jump, and she lifted a hand to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Come in.”
<
br />   “You didn’t show up when I called for breakfast,” Mom said, poking her head inside the door. “I was hoping you weren’t still asleep. We must hurry if we’re to get to the wedding on time.”

  Rebekah turned the wheelchair toward Mom and forced a smile. “I’m up and, as you can see, even dressed. I guess I was too busy with my thoughts to hear you calling.”

  Mom moved swiftly across the room, falling to her knees in front of Rebekah’s chair. “Is something troubling you this morning? You look so sad.”

  Rebekah shrugged. Something was troubling her all right, but she didn’t want to talk about it. What was the point? Nothing could be changed by talking about it. “I’m fine. I just need a little time for thinking and dreaming.”

  Mom smiled. “I agree. Without dreams and goals, our lives would never move forward. I believe God has a plan for each of us, but we must be open to His will in order to discover what that plan is.”

  Rebekah wondered if Mom was trying to tell her something specific. It made her feel so verhuddelt. “I guess we’d better get to breakfast,” she said, forcing a cheerful voice and ignoring her confused emotions. “After all, this is my best friend’s wedding day.”

  ***

  While Rebekah and Nadine washed and dried the breakfast dishes, Sarah hurried outside to speak with Andrew. She found him in the buggy shed, hitching their horse to the carriage they would ride in.

  “What is it, Sarah?” he asked in a tone of concern. “You look like you might be worried about something.”

  She nodded and took hold of his arm. “I’m concerned about Rebekah. She’s not acting right this morning.”

  His eyebrows arched high on his forehead. “Is she feeling grank?”

  “No, I don’t think she’s sick. At least not in a physical sense.”

  “What is it then?”

  “I think she’s having a hard time dealing with the fact that her best friend is getting married today.”