by Amy Clipston
“Danki.” He kissed her again and then headed for the bathroom. “I’ll go wash up.”
Footsteps scampering down the stairs announced the arrival of her nieces.
“What’s for supper?” Jessica asked.
“Potato soup,” Rebecca said.
“Soup?” Jessica raised her eyebrows in question. “In the summer?”
“Ya.” Rebecca nodded. “It’s your uncle’s favorite.”
“Oh.” Jessica continued to scowl.
“Go wash up,” Rebecca said. “Everything is ready.”
Once everyone was seated at the table, Rebecca and Daniel bowed their heads in silent prayer. After giving thanks for the meal, Rebecca cut her eyes upward, finding her nieces exchanging confused expressions. Rebecca idly wondered if Grace continued any Christian traditions in her home after leaving the community.
“How is unpacking going?” Rebecca asked the girls while passing the soup pot to Frank.
Jessica shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
Rebecca nodded while spooning soup into her bowl. The sound of spoons scraping bowls and lips slurping soup filled the air. Rebecca racked her brain for something that would inspire conversation. She shot Daniel a pleading glance, hoping he’d make conversation. He gave a slight shrug in response.
“The soup is delicious,” Trisha said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “You’ll have to give me this recipe.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said. Cutting her gaze across the table, she found the girls studying their bowls. They must miss their family suppers back home. Sorrow filled her heart at the thought of their loss. She wished she could reach over the table and hug them.
Frank asked Daniel a question about the farmland, and the men discussed the farm and woodworking during the rest of the meal.
When everyone was finished eating, Rebecca, Trisha, and the girls cleared the table, and the men took their conversation into the living room.
Rebecca and Trisha made idle conversation about recipes while they and the girls washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. Rebecca wished the girls would contribute to the conversation, but she didn’t want to push them.
When the kitchen was clean, Trisha took each of the girls by the hand and smiled. “How about you two chatterboxes come for a walk with me outside?”
Jessica raised an eyebrow in question. “Come for a walk with you?”
“That’s right.” Trisha yanked them toward the back door. She pushed the door open and then turned back to Rebecca. “We’ll be back in a little bit, okay?”
“Ya. Sure.” Rebecca waved them off. “Take your time.” She folded her arms and moved to the window where she watched Trisha loop her arms around the girls’ shoulders and lead them toward the pasture. She wished she could reach out to the girls like Trisha could, and she worried she’d never get close to them.
A hand gently touched Rebecca’s shoulder while she stared out the window.
“They’ll be fine, Becky,” Daniel whispered. “They just need time to say good-bye to Trisha.”
She smiled up at her husband, wondering how he ever learned to read her thoughts so well.
“Just have faith and give them time.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “You’ll be a gut guardian. I know it.”
Taking a deep breath, Rebecca hoped he was right.
“Where are we going?” Jessica asked Trisha as she led Lindsay and her toward the pasture behind the house.
Trisha hugged them closer. “I wanted to talk to you before I leave tomorrow.”
Jessica’s stomach twisted at the thought of Trisha’s leaving. “Don’t leave.”
Trisha sighed. “Unfortunately, Jessie, I have to. Uncle Frank and I both have to get back to work. Besides, if we stay longer, it will just be harder to go.”
Lindsay sniffed and swiped her hand across her cheek.
“It’s okay, honey,” Trisha said. “You’ll both be fine.”
“No, we won’t!” Lindsay’s voice was thick with emotion. “We won’t be fine ever again.”
Jessica cleared her throat in hopes of stopping the sobs choking her. “Please don’t go. We need you.”
Trisha stopped and leaned against the fence. She frowned and took their hands in hers. “I know you feel lost and alone without your parents. Your mom was my best friend, the sister I never had, and I can’t imagine life without her. But please believe me when I tell you that you’re in good hands here.”
Jessica scowled and wrenched her hand from Trisha’s grip. “How can you say that? We don’t know these people! They’re strangers to us, and this place is crazy. We won’t be okay. We’re trapped on the set of Little House!”
Trisha’s expression softened. “Jessie, please listen to me.” She reached for Jessica, who stepped back and scowled in response. “Girls, your aunt loves you. She wants you here. Just give her a chance.”
“How do you know she loves us?” Lindsay asked.
“I can tell. I talked to her earlier, and she’s very concerned about making you both feel at home.” Trisha glanced toward the house. “This place may seem like another planet, but you’re in a loving home. You’ll be okay.”
Jessica shook her head and hugged her chest. “I don’t understand why Mom wanted us here. We belong with you.”
“This was your mom’s choice. Your dad had no family left after his parents died, and your mom always loved her sister. She told me that she wished she could’ve brought you here to meet your aunt years ago.”
“So, why didn’t she?” Lindsay asked as she moved next to Trisha and leaned against the fence.
“Your father wouldn’t let her.” Trisha shook her head. “Every time she made plans to bring you here, he refused to let her go.”
Stunned at the news, Jessica gasped and shook her head. “What?” She sidled up to Trisha. “Daddy wouldn’t let us come? What do you mean?”
Trisha bit her bottom lip as if collecting her thoughts. “Your mom said your dad wasn’t comfortable with her coming back here. She couldn’t ever get him to tell her why, but she suspected your dad was afraid she’d come back here and want to stay.”
“Why would she want to stay?” Lindsay said, wiping her eyes.
“He was afraid she’d want to return to this community and leave him behind.” A sad smile spread on her lips. “My point is that your mom wanted you to come here and see what her life was like. I would suspect she knew that your aunt would love you and give you what you needed.”
“But so can you, Trisha,” Jessica said. “And we already know you.”
“Girls, you’re going to have to just trust your mom.” She squeezed their hands in hers again. “I have no legal right to you.”
“There’s nothing you can do? Nothing at all?” Jessica held her breath, praying for a ray of hope.
Aunt Trisha sighed and paused. “I can contact a lawyer and see what I can do.”
“Yes!” Grinning, Jessica jumped up and down.
Lindsay smiled.
“Now, wait a minute,” Trisha said, frowning. “I’m not promising anything. Your parents made a will, and that’s what the law will follow. Don’t get your hopes up yet.”
“Okay,” Lindsay whispered.
“You have to make the best of it for now. I doubt I can get custody of you because I’m not a blood relative,” Trisha said.
Jessica stared at her sandals and heaved a deep sigh.
“Jess?” Trisha asked. “Did you hear me?”
Jessica nodded and sucked in a breath, silently hoping she and her sister would somehow make it in this strange new home until Trisha could get custody of them.
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Yawning, Rebecca cracked several eggs into a large bowl the following morning and then began scrambling them. She’d spent most of the night staring at the ceiling and dreading this morning.
After breakfast, Trisha and Frank planned to head back home, and the girls would be devastated. The longtime family friends had been the
girls’ security after their parents’ death.
She had silently talked to God throughout the night, asking Him how to reach out to the girls and convince them to trust her as their guardian. A verse Daniel had read to her in the past came to her during the wee hours of the morning, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
“Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” she whispered. “Yes, Lord. I hear You.” She poured the scrambled eggs into a large cast-iron pan. After placing the pan on the stove, she ignited the burner.
Arms hugged her waist, and she gasped with a start.
“It smells wunderbar.” Daniel’s voice was husky against her neck.
“Daniel Kauffman!” she scolded while looking up at him. “You startled me.”
“Sorry.” He gave her a mischievous grin, then kissed her. “The animals are fed. Do you need help here?”
She gestured toward the table. “You can set the table and grab the bread from the counter. Danki.” Turning her attention back to the frying pan, she grabbed a spatula and stirred the eggs.
“Frank was carrying his and Trisha’s bags out to the truck when I was coming in,” Daniel said while placing plates and utensils on the table.
Rebecca nodded. “They said they would leave after breakfast.”
“Do you think the girls are prepared for that?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Nee. It’s going to be tough.” She turned the burner down and snatched a large plate. “I thought we could sit them down and talk with them after Trisha and Frank leave. We can discuss the rules and tell them a little bit about our daily schedule. We’ll let them know what their life will be like here with us.”
“Ya, that’s a good idea.” He placed a loaf of homemade bread and a plate of butter on the table. “We just need to be sure they understand that they’re welcome here but have to respect our ways too.”
“Of course.” Rebecca dumped the eggs onto the plate and then carried it to the table.
“Good morning,” Trisha said as she entered the kitchen. “Everything smells delicious.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said while placing the skillet onto the stove. “Are the girls on their way down to join us?”
Frowning, Trisha nodded. “We were just talking, and they were a little upset about our leaving.”
Rebecca met Daniel’s gaze, and he gave her a sad smile as if to say it would be okay. She was so thankful to have Daniel by her side. Just his subtle expression of encouragement gave her strength.
Glancing at Trisha, Rebecca nodded. “This is going to be difficult on them, but we’ll do the best we can to make their transition easier.”
Trisha sighed. “I know you will.” Her expression brightened. “Can I help you with anything?”
“If you grab the juice from the refrigerator, I’ll get the glasses,” Rebecca said.
While Trisha and Rebecca served drinks, Frank and the girls joined them.
Once everyone was seated, Daniel and Rebecca bowed their heads in silent prayer. When Rebecca looked up, she began passing around the plates of eggs, bread, and butter.
Daniel and Frank made most of the conversation during breakfast as they had during supper last night.
Rebecca frequently glanced over at the girls and found them studying their plates and glasses. She tried to draw them out by asking questions about their unpacking efforts, receiving only one-word answers in response.
When breakfast was finished, the men disappeared outside while Rebecca, Trisha, and the girls cleaned up the kitchen. Trisha discussed the weather and how much she enjoyed breakfast. Although Trisha addressed the girls, they quietly washed and dried the dishes while Trisha and Rebecca cleaned up the table and put away the leftover food.
When they had completed their cleanup, Trisha stood before the girls and frowned. Rebecca’s stomach tightened, knowing by Trisha’s expression what was coming next.
“Well, I think it’s about time to say good-bye,” Trisha said, glancing at her wristwatch. “Uncle Frank wanted to leave by nine, and it’s almost ten.”
Jessica frowned, and Rebecca’s heart twisted.
Trisha reached into her pocket and pulled something out. “Take this.” She placed a cellular phone in Jessica’s hand, wrapping her fingers around it. “Share it with Lindsay. I’ll pay the bill.”
Her eyes widening with surprise, Jessica studied her godmother’s face. “You’re sure?”
“I’m hoping you can find a way to charge it. I promise I’ll call you at least twice a week.” Trisha rubbed Jessica’s arm. “Everything is going to be fine.”
Jessica wrapped her arms around Trisha’s neck and buried her face in her shoulder.
Trisha gave Rebecca a sad smile, and Rebecca backed out of the kitchen and into the living room. She felt like an outsider, just like when they were in Virginia and the conversations seemed to swirl around Rebecca without including her. She headed out the front door to the driveway, where Frank and Daniel stood by the truck.
“I think it’s about time to head out,” Frank said, leaning back on the driver’s door. “Unfortunately, I need to get back to work tomorrow.”
“They’re saying their good-byes now.” Rebecca folded her arms across her apron.
Frank glanced around the yard. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said, grasping his suspenders. “It’s a lot of work, but we love it.”
The front door opened, and the girls and Trisha came down the porch stairs. Jessica’s eyes were red and puffy while she held on to Trisha’s arm. Lindsay frowned and pushed her hair back from her face.
Rebecca glanced at Daniel, who met her gaze with a bleak expression before he ran his hand over his beard and turned his gaze toward a buggy passing by on the road in front of the house.
Frank leaned over and patted Daniel’s arm. “If you need anything for the girls, please have them give us a call.”
“Thank you.” Daniel shook Frank’s hand. “You’re very generous.”
“I promise I’ll call you,” Trisha said, hugging Jessica. “Everything will be okay. You’ll be fine here.”
“Please take me with you,” Jessica whispered between sniffs.
“Jessie, we talked about this.” Trisha took the girl’s face in her hands. “You need to be strong for your sister. Everything will be fine.”
Jessica wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“I love you,” Trisha said.
“I love you too,” Jessica whispered.
“I love you, Lindsay.” Trisha hugged the younger girl.
Lindsay wrapped her arms around her neck. “Love you. We’ll call you.” Pulling back, she rubbed her eyes.
Trisha turned to Rebecca and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you for everything. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Ya,” Rebecca said. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
Trisha opened the door to the truck and then handed Jessica a cord she’d used to charge the cellular phone’s battery during their trip to Lancaster.
Frank hugged the girls and told them to keep in touch. He and Trisha then climbed into the truck and waved before the SUV rumbled down the driveway toward the main road.
They stood in silence until the truck was out of sight then Rebecca took a deep breath and faced the girls. Jessica stood hugging her chest, her eyes red and puffy. Lindsay wiped her eyes with the back of her hand while her lip quivered.
Rebecca glanced at Daniel who nodded and then clapped his hands together. “So,” he said. “Who wants some iced tea?”
Jessica raised a questioning eyebrow. “Didn’t we just have breakfast?”
“Ya, but there’s always room for iced tea.” He looped his arms around the girls and steered them toward the house. “Let’s head inside and have some iced tea.”
Rebecca’s lips curled in a tentative smile
at the sight of her husband guiding their nieces like a father. She followed them into the kitchen and fetched the iced tea pitcher from the refrigerator and then snatched four glasses from the cabinet. She placed them on the table and sank onto the chair across from Daniel.
After pouring four glasses of tea, she passed one to each of them. Her nieces stared down at their glasses, avoiding eye contact. Rebecca met Daniel’s gaze, and he raised eyebrows, prompting her to speak first.
The verse of Colossians echoed in her mind again. “Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Rebecca cleared her throat and licked her lips. “Girls, your uncle and I wanted to let you know that you’re welcome here, and we’ll do anything we can to make your transition easier.”
Jessica ran her finger through the condensation on the glass without looking up.
Lindsay raked a finger through her hair and gnawed her bottom lip.
“What your aunt wants to say,” Daniel said, cutting in, “is we want you to be comfortable here, but we also have some rules.”
Jessica’s eyes cut to his. “Rules? What do you mean?”
“Although you aren’t members of the church, we still need you to respect our values,” he said before meeting Rebecca’s glance and nodding for her to continue.
The girls’ questioning stares were trained on Rebecca.
“We don’t allow music in our house,” Rebecca said. “However, we’ll allow you to listen to your music quietly in your rooms. Also, we’ll allow you to decorate your rooms.”
“As long as there isn’t anything offensive on your walls,” Daniel added as he lifted his glass.
“We have devotional time every night, and we’d like you to join us. We read the Bible together. It’s our family time.” Rebecca reached out and took the girls’ hands in hers. “I know this adjustment will be very difficult for you, but remember, we’re your family.”
“Thank you,” Lindsay whispered.
“What will we do all summer?” Jessica asked.
“That was the next subject I was going to touch on.” Rebecca squeezed their hands. “We all work in this house. I thought Lindsay would go to work with me at the bakery, and Jessica would work with Daniel at the furniture store.”