“When I was a young girl, an English family moved to the farm next to ours. They were little people, and their daughter was two years older than me.” She paused and drew in another quick breath. This was difficult to talk about. “Angela—the little girl—came over to my house one day, and while we were playing, she broke my doll.”
Rueben’s thick eyebrows squeezed together. “You mean you won’t go around the Stutzmans because a little English girl broke your doll?”
“That wasn’t all she did,” Mae said with a shake of her head. “After she broke it, I said I was going to tell on her, and then she pushed me to the floor, sat on my chest, and wouldn’t let me up. She may have been short, but she was much stronger than me, and it really hurt when she pinned me down like that.”
“What’d you do?” Rueben asked.
“I struggled and finally managed to get away. Then I ran downstairs and told my daed what Angela had done.” Mae put both hands against her hot cheeks. “Angela lied and said I broke my own doll and was trying to blame her for it. Then she made the lie even worse by saying that I was the one who’d sat on her. I…I thought I could trust Angela. I thought she was my friend.”
“Did you convince your daed that the little girl was lying?”
“Huh-uh. He believed her and gave me a bletsching.” Mae’s fingers curled into her palms so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh. “Then when I was walking to school the next day, Angela’s daed ran down his driveway and hollered at me for trying to get his daughter in trouble.”
Rueben reached for Mae’s hand and rubbed his knuckles gently across her fingers. “I understand why you were upset, but not all little people are like that family.” He flicked the reins to get the horse moving again.
“Wh–where are you going?”
“To the Stutzmans’ for supper.”
“B–but I just told you…”
“You’re being lecherich, Mae. If you’d just get to know Nona and her family, you’d soon realize that—”
Mae’s heart thumped with fury. “How dare you speak to me like that! I’m not being ridiculous, and I’m not going to the Stutzmans’ for supper!” Mae was shrieking and visibly shaking, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
Rueben turned the horse and buggy around. “Fine! I’ll take you home, but then I’m coming back here for supper like I told Nona I would.”
Mae ground her teeth together. “If that’s how you feel about it, then I don’t care to go anywhere with you ever again. In fact, I think it’s best if we don’t see each other anymore, because a marriage between us would be impossible!”
CHAPTER 47
I don’t know what happened to our last supper guest,” Nona said, stepping into the living room. “The food’s on the table, and if we don’t eat now, it will turn to mush or be too cold to eat.”
Everyone rose from their seats and followed Nona into the kitchen, where Betty, Selma, Peter, and Andy were waiting. They had just finished their silent prayer, when a knock sounded on the back door.
“I’ll get it!” Peter jumped up and raced for the door.
A few seconds later, he returned with Rueben at his side.
Rueben’s face flamed as he looked at Nona. “Sorry I’m late.”
What’s going on? Lydia wondered. I thought Rueben was taking Mom out for supper this evening.
“That’s all right,” Nona said. “We haven’t started eating yet.” She motioned to the empty chair beside Levi. “Please, have a seat.”
Rueben hung his jacket on a peg near the door and quickly sat down. “Have you prayed yet?” he asked.
Harold nodded.
Everyone remained silent while Rueben bowed his head. When he was done praying, Nona gave Rueben a serving of the good stuff.
“I’m surprised to see that you’ve come alone,” she said to Rueben. “I thought you were bringing a guest.”
The color in Rueben’s face deepened. He glanced at Lydia, then back at Nona. “Well…uh…my guest wasn’t able to come.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Nona said, “but we’re glad you could make it.”
Harold nodded. “We’ve been lookin’ forward to treating you to my fraa’s Frogmore Stew.”
Rueben shot Lydia another strange glance, then picked up a piece of chicken, dipped it into his bowl of barbecue sauce, and popped it in his mouth.
Lydia stared at her food. Mom must have been Rueben’s guest, and she’d obviously refused to come. Lydia wondered what excuse Mom had given. They’d need to have a talk when she got home.
“Would you please close that door?” Menno hollered when Ike and Dennis entered the house after doing their chores. “You’re letting the cold air in.”
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Menno set the pot of soup he held onto the stove and whirled around.
“What’s that hund doin’ in here?” He asked Dennis, who looked the most guilty.
“Sorry, Papa, but Goldie was cold.”
“That shaggy dog’s got a nice coat of thick hair, so I doubt that she’s one bit cold.” Menno pointed to the door. “Put her back outside…now!”
Dennis yanked on Goldie’s collar, but the dog didn’t budge.
“Don’t think she wants to go,” Ike said with a chuckle.
Menno frowned. “It’s not funny. Now help your bruder put the hund outside.”
Ike got behind Goldie and pushed, while Dennis tugged on the dog’s collar. After several minutes of scuffling and shuffling, Goldie was finally escorted out the door.
“Be sure you shut the door!” Menno called over his shoulder. “Then go get Carl and Kevin, because you all need to get washed up for supper.”
Ike and Dennis scrambled out of the room. Several minutes later, they were back with Carl.
“Where’s Kevin?” Menno asked.
“He’s sleepin’ on the floor in the living room,” Carl said.
Menno grimaced. It seemed like Kevin slept a lot these days, when he should be awake and raring to go. “Please go wake him up,” he told Carl. “I’ve already turned off the stove, and if we don’t eat soon, our soup will be cold.”
“Don’t see why I hafta wake Kevin. He’ll probably be crabby and yell at me,” Carl grumbled as he shuffled from the room.
When Carl returned to the kitchen with a sleepy-eyed Kevin, Menno motioned to the table. “Let’s pray so we can eat.”
After the prayer, Ike, Carl, and Dennis practically inhaled their soup. Kevin, however, kept yawning and rubbing his eyes.
“How come you’re so tired all the time?” Menno asked, ruffling the boy’s hair.
Kevin shrugged and released another noisy yawn.
“I can tell ya the answer to that,” Carl spoke up. “Kevin sleeps a lot durin’ the day ’cause he don’t sleep much at night.”
Menno looked at Kevin. “Is that so?”
Kevin nodded slowly and hung his head.
“Sometimes he wakes me up when he’s foolin’ around with his toys,” Carl said.
“How come you’ve never told me about this before?” Menno asked.
“Figured you’d get mad and say I was a retschbeddi.”
“Sometimes it’s okay to be a tattletale.” Menno lifted Kevin’s chin. “You know better than to stay up late playing. If you don’t start going to sleep when you’re supposed to, I’ll take away your toys.”
Kevin’s chin quivered. “Please don’t, Papa.”
“If you don’t want me to take ’em, then you’d better do as I say.” Menno spooned some soup into his mouth. “Ugh! This tastes flat. I must’ve forgotten to put in the salt.”
“Tastes fine to me.” Dennis picked up his bowl and slurped his soup. “ ’Cept it is kinda cold.”
Menno grimaced. He hoped Lydia would have an answer for him soon. He really needed help with these boys, and it would sure be nice to have a wife who could cook them a decent meal, too.
As Lydia traveled home from the Stutzmans’ that evening, she thought about how being with them had mad
e her temporarily forget her worries over losing her job. Her only concern right now was Rueben. Usually cheerful and talkative, he’d been awfully quiet during supper. Something must have happened between him and Mom, and Lydia was anxious to find out what it was. She hoped it was nothing serious, because Mom had been so cheerful since she’d agreed to marry Rueben.
Thoughts of marriage made Lydia think about Menno. She realized that spending time with him and his boys had helped her get through the pain of losing Josh. Now that she didn’t have a job, it would be nice to have a husband to care for her needs. But was that a good enough reason to accept his proposal? Should she settle for a marriage of convenience instead of love?
An image of Levi came to mind. She enjoyed being with him so much. Nice as he was, Menno didn’t have the humor and gentle spirit Levi had. It was wishful thinking, but Lydia wished Levi, rather than Menno, had asked her to marry him.
“Like that would ever happen,” she murmured. “Levi’s never shown any interest in me romantically. If it weren’t for Nona, I wouldn’t have been invited to have supper with them tonight.”
As Lydia neared her house, Buttercup whinnied and picked up speed, obviously eager to get home. Lydia guided the horse and buggy up the driveway and parked it near the barn. Anxious to get inside and speak to Mom, she quickly unhitched the horse and took her to the barn.
When she entered the house, Lydia found Mom sitting on the sofa, staring at the glowing embers in the fireplace. Her eyes were red and puffy.
“What’s wrong?” Lydia asked, taking a seat beside Mom.
“I’m upset with Rueben, and also myself.”
“Why? What happened?”
Tearfully, Mom told Lydia what had transpired between her and Rueben earlier that evening, and then explained why she felt uncomfortable around little people. “Rueben tried to trick me into going to the Stutzmans’ for supper, and even after I told him my reasons for not wanting to go, he didn’t seem to understand.” Mom sniffed and dabbed at her tears. “I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore. It looks like we won’t be getting married, after all.”
“I know you’re upset right now,” Lydia said, giving Mom a hug. “I think you need a good night’s rest. If you’re willing, we can talk more about this at another time.”
Mom shook her head. “I don’t think there’s much more to be said.” She rose from the sofa. “I’m going to bed.”
Lydia leaned against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes. Lord, please help my mamm to realize that the Stutzmans are nothing like her little childhood friend. And if it’s Your will for Mom and Rueben to get married, then help Mom understand that Rueben loves her, for I’m sure he meant no harm when he tried to take her to the Stutzmans’ this evening.
CHAPTER 48
When Lydia awoke on Thanksgiving Day, snowflakes were swirling past her frosty bedroom window, and the ground was covered with a blanket of white. It was beautiful, and if she were in a better mood she might have rushed outside and caught a few snowflakes on her tongue, the way she’d done as a child—the way Josh had done when he was alive.
What kind of Thanks giving will this be? Lydia thought bitterly. Is there anything I can be thankful for? She had no husband, no son, no job, and she and Mom were almost out of food. Why hadn’t anyone from the community come to help them? Surely everyone knew Lydia was out of a job.
Maybe they think we have enough money saved up, Lydia reasoned. Or maybe they think Grandpa left us some money.
She shivered and moved away from the window. I wonder how life would be for me if I hadn’t moved to Charm. Would I have found love again if I’d stayed in Illinois? Do I really need love to have a good marriage? Couldn’t I be happy just being a good mother to Menno’s boys? If I married Menno, I’m sure he’d be a good provider and would take care of Mom.
Lydia sank to the edge of the bed and buried her face in her hands. What should I do, Lord? Should I go to Menno today and tell him that I’ve decided to marry him? She lifted her head and sprawled back on the bed. Even if she agreed, it would be several months before she and Menno got married. That wouldn’t solve the problem she and Mom faced right now.
She sat up again and blotted her tears with a tissue from the nightstand. I could go to Menno and tell him we’re almost out of money and food. I’m sure he’d help us if he knew.
Lydia thought about how the last time she’d seen Menno, he’d hinted that he and the boys would be alone for Thanksgiving. Lydia figured he was probably hoping she’d invite them over for dinner, but with no money to buy a turkey and so little food in the house, it would be impossible to fix a decent dinner, let alone a big Thanksgiving feast.
More tears sprang to Lydia’s eyes. So Mom and I will sit here alone, not knowing what to say to each other, while Menno and his boys fend for themselves on Thanksgiving Day. It just doesn’t seem fair.
“Lydia, come look at this!” Mom called from downstairs.
“What is it?” Lydia asked when she reached the kitchen.
“Look in there.” Mom pointed to a large cardboard box sitting on the floor by her feet.
“Where’d that come from?”
“When I went outside to give the cats some milk I found the box on the back porch.” Mom smiled. “It’s full of everything we need to fix a nice Thanksgiving dinner, plus a whole lot more food to fill our pantry.”
Lydia leaned over and stared into the box. Mom was right; there was a big turkey and a lot of other food. She raced to the back door and stepped outside. Just below the porch, she saw two sets of small footprints in the snow, leading into the woods behind their place.
“I know who left the food,” Lydia announced when she stepped back into the kitchen.
“You do? Who was it?” Mom asked.
“It was Menno, and I think he had a couple of his boys deliver the box.”
“How do you know that?”
“There were two sets of small footprints in the snow.”
“And here I thought it might have been Rueben.” Mom sighed as she flopped into a chair at the table. “I guess he’s still upset with me because he hasn’t been around since the night I refused to go to the Stutzmans’ with him. If not for seeing him at church twice in the last month, I probably wouldn’t have seen him at all.”
“Maybe he’s afraid to visit. You did tell him you didn’t want to see him anymore, and he might think you’re still mad at him.”
Mom crossed her arms. “I am. He should have been more understanding when I explained about the little girl and what she’d done to me.”
Lydia said nothing. What was the point? She and Mom had been over this topic several times since that night, and nothing had been resolved. Mom was determined to hang on to her feelings, and she was equally determined not to make the first move where Rueben was concerned. Lydia thought Mom could be the most stubborn woman sometimes. If Lydia had someone who loved her as much as Rueben obviously loved Mom, she’d make things right with him really quick.
“I guess we’d better get this bird ready to go in the oven.” Mom reached into the box and removed the turkey. “Sure wish we’d invited someone to join us for dinner because there’s a lot more turkey here than the two of us will ever eat.”
“I guess I could go over to Menno’s place and see if he and the boys would like to join us for dinner,” Lydia said.
“That’s a good idea. If Menno is the one who furnished the food, he certainly ought to share our meal.”
“If you boys aren’t ready in the next five minutes, we’ll stay home and have soup for dinner,” Menno said when he stepped into the living room and found all four boys sprawled on the floor with a stack of books.
Ike was the first to jump up. “No soup for me; I’m ready to go!”
The other three boys clambered to their feet as well. “Let’s go!” Carl shouted. “I’m hungry for a hot dog!”
“Today’s Thanksgiving, so we’ll be eating either turkey or ham,” Menno said.
&n
bsp; Carl frowned. “I’d rather have a hot dog.”
“You can have a hot dog the next time we eat at Carpenter’s Café. Today, we’re eating at Chalet in the Valley Restaurant, and you’ll have whatever the rest of us have.”
Menno grabbed his hat and opened the back door. The boys followed. They were almost to the barn when a horse and buggy pulled in. Menno was surprised when Lydia stepped down.
“I hope you don’t have other plans for today,” she said, “because Mom and I would like to have you come to our place for dinner.”
“We were going out to eat at Chalet in the Valley, but I’m sure we’d enjoy eating at your place a lot more.” Menno smiled. “It’ll be more fun for the boys there, too.”
“Mom already has the turkey cooking, and it should be done in a few hours,” Lydia said. “So you can come over whenever you like.”
“How about now?” Menno motioned to the boys. “We’re all ready to go, so if you don’t mind, we’ll head over to your place before one of the boys finds something to do and makes a big mess.”
“Now’s fine.” Lydia climbed into her buggy. “I’ll see you at the house.”
“I wish we would have thought to invite Lydia and Mae to join us for dinner today,” Levi’s mother said as they sat around the table enjoying their Thanksgiving meal. “I hope they’re not spending Thanksgiving alone.”
Pop shook his head. “They’re probably spending the day with Menno and his boys.”
“What makes you think that?” Mom asked.
“When I was having coffee at Carpenter’s Café the other day I heard Menno talking to Rueben. He said that it’s not public knowledge yet, but he’s asked Lydia to marry him.”
Levi’s heart felt like it had sunk all the way to his toes. It was just as he’d feared—Lydia was in love with Menno, and Levi’s chances were nil. He should have asked her out when he’d had the chance. He shouldn’t have suppressed his feelings.
Mom, apparently able to read Levi’s thoughts, reached over and patted his hand. “Lydia hasn’t married Menno yet,” she whispered.
Lydia's Charm Page 26