The Ebb Tide

by Beverly Lewis

  Several times over the next hour, she glanced toward the foyer and the hostess’s desk, wondering how soon the Logan family might arrive.

  Will they bring the new baby?

  Shifting her pressed white half apron, Sallie felt comfortable in this rustic space with its reclaimed wood tables made from old barn doors. She loved to meet the varied dinner guests, whether they were families out for the evening or couples celebrating an anniversary or other special occasion. Some were quite chatty, even telling her about trips they’d taken or unique dishes they’d tried. Ofttimes, she had imagined what it would be like to experience new things so easily, and it had fueled her own dreams. But it would do her no good to think about that now.

  Again she looked toward the front of the restaurant, still hoping to spot the Logan family. Not seeing them, she breezed over to each of her tables again and refilled water glasses, then asked if everything was to her guests’ liking. Truth be told, Sallie took pleasure in making the patrons feel at home. No matter who they are, people want to feel cared for, she thought.

  ———

  The Logans arrived a short while later, and Sallie waited as the hostess seated them and distributed menus, letting them know who would be looking after them for dinner.

  When at last Sallie welcomed the out-of-town family, Leonard Logan remarked how nice it was to be seated in her section.

  Autumn demurely tilted her little head. “Good to see you again, Miss Sallie.”

  “Willkumm to each of you,” Sallie said, careful not to say “yous.” As before, she was struck by Autumn’s apparent fondness for her.

  Right away, Monique reached for her purse and removed her phone, offering to show pictures of baby Connor. “He’s just a month old,” the pretty strawberry blonde said, glancing at her handsome husband, “and this is the first time we’ve been out anywhere since his arrival.”

  Autumn nodded, smiling as her corncob-blond waves bounced against her slender shoulders. “He cries a lot,” she said, glancing at her mother.

  “He’s just colicky, dear.” Monique reached for Autumn’s hand.

  “Connor resembles Monique, with her bright blue eyes,” Len remarked, not missing a beat.

  “What a cutie,” Sallie said, leaning to look at the pictures on Monique’s phone.

  The Logan family seemed relaxed and rather cheerful as Sallie took their beverage orders—an iced tea and two lemonades.

  “Maybe you’d like to see our baby in person sometime,” Autumn said, sitting up straighter in her chair as her mother looked her way.

  Sallie agreed, then reached into her pocket and drew out the card she’d made. “Happy belated birthday, Autumn.”

  The girl clapped her hands like the card was a precious gift. “Thanks!” Autumn opened it and moved her lips silently as she read the verse, then looked up at Sallie, a rainbow of a smile appearing. “I love this.”

  Monique beamed at Sallie. “You’re very kind.”

  “So like you, Sallie,” Len agreed, adding, “When you have a moment, there’s something we’d like to talk over with you.”

  “Of course,” Sallie said and went to get their beverages, wondering if this had anything to do with Yvonne’s hints at market.

  Her mind drifted back to the first time she’d met the Logans. Sallie had learned that they’d driven from Philly just to have a home-style Amish dinner in Lancaster County. Yvonne had later explained that her husband and Len were college friends at Penn State, where they were rowers on the crew team—Lyman had been captain of the student-run club. The two men had kept in close touch ever since, and evidently, Len had helped Lyman to finance his renovation of the old barn a decade or so ago.

  Sallie picked up the tray with the iced tea and lemonades to carry it to the Logans’ table. She described the day’s specials, and Len briefly conferred with Monique and Autumn before ordering some starters.

  “I’ll bring some extra plates for sharing,” Sallie said.

  “That’s perfect,” Monique said softly. “Thanks.”

  After Sallie returned with the plates, glad she didn’t have oodles of customers tonight, Len started to tell her about their vacation home in Cape May, New Jersey, where they spent a good portion of the summer each year. “Monique enjoys watching the sun rise and set over the ocean from our balcony,” he said. “Cape May is one of the rare places where you can do both.”

  Sallie listened with keen interest, trying to picture it.

  Monique’s eyes sparkled as she watched her husband fold his hands on the edge of the table. “I do love it there. But because Connor is just an infant, it will be difficult for me to spend as much time with Autumn on the beach this summer—or anywhere else, for that matter.”

  Len nodded. “And I’m away on business during the workweek . . . which brings me to our point. You see, we’d like to find Autumn a summer companion, someone who can also occasionally give Monique a break from the baby. So Autumn brought up the idea of asking you to be her nanny—if that’s something you’d be interested in doing,” he said. “I’ve already taken the liberty of clearing the idea with Lyman and Yvonne. They assured me that your job here will be waiting for you this fall. You’d be gone about eight weeks.”

  “Our place is just a short walk away from the city beaches,” Monique added quickly.

  “The ocean?” Sallie murmured, astonished.

  “It’s absolutely wonderful,” Monique said.

  How can I say no? Sallie thought suddenly, wanting to agree on the spot. The idea that she could still have something of an adventure and spend time with this lovely family had instant appeal. “It’s ever so nice of you to ask me. When would you be goin’?”

  “We’ll plan to arrive there Saturday, June fourteenth,” Len said.

  Fairly soon. “Such an opportunity . . .” She had to slow her breathing, still tempted to blurt out an ecstatic jah! “I must think ’bout it, though. All right?”

  “Okay.” Autumn blinked her pretty brown eyes. “But just till dessert,” she said, small face aglow.

  “As you can see, you’ve been handpicked by our daughter.” Len chuckled.

  “Well, I’m simply honored. Denki . . . I mean, thank you.”

  Sallie blinked away joyful tears as she moved away from their table. Oh, what a blessing it will be if this works out!

  6

  After she put in the Logan family’s orders, Sallie slipped away to the break room for a bite of Cousin Essie’s corned-beef sandwich, complete with homemade sliced dill pickle. She didn’t have time to investigate the basket further, but if she knew Essie, there was likely a tempting dessert, too, along with homemade chow chow or some quartered apples and peanut butter. After all, Essie was known to pack more food than necessary. For now, though, Sallie nibbled just enough to keep her going until the busiest hours of the evening were behind her.

  Oh, to see the ocean, she thought. And to spend the summer as a nanny. She shook her head in amazement. This seemed too good to be true, but she really must talk it over with Dat and Mamm, especially since she’d be gone so long. She would miss the required classes for baptism, which would mean putting off joining church for yet another year.

  And after I promised Mamm I’d take them this summer . . .

  When Sallie returned to the dining room, she went to welcome two couples being seated at table seven, making a bit of small talk. The older of the couples looked as if they might be related to the young man with his date or wife. He certainly resembled the gray-haired man in the shape of his face and the set of his jaw. And as he laughed softly, his smile matched the older gentleman’s, too.

  Another happy family out for a delicious meal.

  She remembered her initial interview with Lyman Sullivan more than three years ago. “I’ll work hard for you,” she’d told him.

  Sallie had hoped and waited, and was delighted when she received a letter in the mail, informing her when she could start. Her mother had looked sad when Sallie shared the news.
“I trust ya won’t be influenced by the world, my dear.”

  One thing was sure: Lyman and Yvonne were good and trustworthy people, and many of the dining patrons were devout, as well, bowing for prayer before eating, as unashamed to pray in public as the Logans had been from the first time Sallie had met them. A joy to see, she thought.

  Sometimes Sallie wondered if her parents might like eating out here for a special occasion, especially since Dat knew Lyman from having helped with the barn’s renovation back when. A number of younger Old Order Amish couples often dined here during her shifts—and their families, too. Kelsey Towner, a Mennonite waitress, also enjoyed serving the Plain folk having a night out.

  Sallie returned to the Logans’ table. “Thanks again for askin’ me to nanny. I’d like to say yes, but I should check with my family first.”

  “Absolutely,” Len said. “Just give us a call as soon as you decide. I know that someone will be eagerly awaiting your answer.” He turned to wink at Autumn, who could scarcely sit still.

  Monique assured Sallie that she would be well paid and that all of her expenses would be taken care of. “We have a housekeeper on hand to make dinner several times a week. Your primary responsibility would be to spend time with Autumn during the weekdays—be her escort—and sometimes make lunch for us. And of course I’d appreciate it if you would occasionally look after Connor so I can get some rest,” Monique said, sighing. “Of course Len will want to do some outings with Autumn on weekends when he’s home, so you’d be free Saturdays and Sundays.” She mentioned that there would be no need for Sallie to drive, saying there was bus service to the Washington Street Mall and the promenade, as well as a bus trolley system. “And we can always call a cab, if necessary.”

  Autumn was smiling and nodding. “I’d show you around, Miss Sallie. You’d really like the Salt Marsh Safari—Mom and I go every summer.” She paused, glancing at her mother, then dipped her head for a moment. “Well, we always did before. . . .”

  There was an uncomfortable hush as no one spoke for a moment. Then Len broke the silence, gently touching Autumn’s shoulder. “We’re making some adjustments . . . to be expected with a new baby.”

  “Jah,” Sallie agreed, noting the abrupt change in Autumn’s mood.

  They discussed a few more details, and then Monique said she would have more information for Sallie next Tuesday when she came to the restaurant for work—assuming, of course, that Sallie accepted the job.

  “That sounds great,” Sallie replied, and they said their good-byes, Autumn turning to look back, one hand held up in a tentative gesture as the Logans walked to the front entrance.

  It must be difficult to have to share her mother’s attention, after nine years of having it all for herself.

  Sallie found it hard to imagine being in Autumn’s situation, having had nine siblings right from the start. Even so, she loved the prospect of being able to share a summer with such a sweet little girl.

  Sallie snapped her fingers at her sides as she made her way through the hallway to the break room a couple hours later. A summer by the sea!

  She told no one about the offer, not even affable Kelsey, who came in for a can of Coke and sat down next to Sallie at the table, chatty as ever, her hair pulled back in a formal bun, though without the cup-shaped Mennonite prayer cap she sometimes wore.

  Despite Sallie’s excitement about possibly seeing the ocean for the first time, she recalled how pleased her parents had been at her canceling the Australia trip. They never really wanted me to go in the first place. How will they react to this?

  Aware of the passing time, she excused herself to her designated storage locker and removed Cousin Essie’s well-insulated supper basket. Digging in, she discovered containers of homemade coleslaw and applesauce, two large soft pretzels, and some small candied mints. Naturally, Essie had included dessert, a thick slice of German chocolate cake with coconut-pecan icing.

  There was something else in the bottom—a devotional book wrapped in plastic. Thoughtful Essie!

  Sallie tucked the book back in the basket, then offered some of the coleslaw and applesauce to Kelsey, as well as one of the soft pretzels.

  “Does your cousin have any clue how little time we have to eat while on the job?” Kelsey asked, eyeing the feast after she offered a blessing.

  Sallie laughed a little. “Well, Essie did say I could share.”

  “How fortunate for me,” Kelsey said, then laughed as Sallie also presented her with half of the generous piece of cake.

  They agreed that Essie had packed enough for at least three people, but as it was just the two of them in the break room, they’d have to do their best.

  Later, after Sallie went to wash her hands, she quickly removed the plastic from the devotional book and opened its pages. There on the flyleaf was an inscription in Essie’s own hand:

  Dearest Sallie,

  May this little book be a real source of daily help and guidance.

  With love,

  Cousin Essie Lapp

  Sallie’s heart unfolded. It was as if Essie had known that Sallie could use some special direction just now!

  Since childhood, Sallie had always wondered if Essie was somehow more connected to the Lord than most people. After all, unlike many folk Sallie knew, Essie preferred to pray aloud, even doing so when she worked in her gardens, tending to God’s green earth.

  “Essie’s filled up with praise to God and keenly aware of the Holy Spirit’s nudges,” Mamm had once explained when Sallie asked her and Dat about it. “Might be due to all the prayin’ she does.”

  Dat had tried to clarify further. “Your mother’s cousin is surely tuned in to Gott.” Then he’d quoted from the Scriptures: “ ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’ ”

  Whatever had caused Essie to slip the devotional book into the supper basket this very day, well, Sallie couldn’t really know for certain. All the same, she gladly received it as a timely blessing from one child of God to another.

  When her shift was finished and she returned home, Sallie went to sit under the gas lamp at the kitchen table, opening the mail Mamm had left there for her. Too wound up to sleep—the Logans’ job offer on her mind—she scanned through a long circle letter from three young Amish cousins who lived in Clymer, in Chautauqua County, New York. Their particular hobbies were always of interest, as was the fact that their community was more progressive in the type of buggies they drove and the kinds of businesses they ran. Furthermore, their bishop was more restrained in his approach to the church ordinance.

  By the time Sallie finished reading and rose to outen the lamp, her mother was standing in the doorway. “How was work tonight?” she asked, her waist-length gray-blond hair shrouding her plump shoulders.

  “Plenty-a hungry customers.” Sallie didn’t reveal that she’d received more tip money than usual, thanks to the Logans’ generosity.

  “You look tired.” Mamm went to sit on the edge of the long bench next to the table. “I hope you’re not overdoing it.”

  “I’m glad ya came down, Mamm,” Sallie admitted, deciding she might as well get out in the open what she had on her mind, instead of fretting and allowing it to disturb her sleep. Her mother loved her deeply, after all.

  “Somethin’ on your mind?”

  Sallie didn’t bother to gird herself with any semblance of courage; she jumped right in. “You’ve heard me talk about the Logans before—I mentioned their daughter, Autumn, earlier today. They’re regular customers from Philly and longtime friends of the Sullivans.”

  Her mother seemed to steel herself.

  Sallie took a breath. “Anyway, Autumn’s parents asked me to be her nanny this summer . . . give some help with their new baby, too.”

  “In Philly?” Mamm’s chin twitched. “So far away.”

  “Well, actually their vacation home is near the Jersey Shore.”

  “For the summer, you say?”

  “Jah,” Sallie confirmed, trying to hold back
her excitement.

  Mamm drummed her fingers softly on the table, saying nothing.

  A few more seconds passed, and Sallie filled in the silence. “It seems like Providence, Mamm, being offered this chance right after I gave away my trip money.” She simply had to say it. “But maybe ya don’t see it that way.”

  “S’pose not.” Mamm turned to face her. “Neither do I understand how you could choose to spend your days with Englischers over baptismal instruction.”

  “But don’t ya see? This could be my only opportunity to see a little of the world. And I’d really like to do this for the Logans . . . with your blessing, of course.”

  “We don’t know this family.”

  “Would you be willin’ to meet them, maybe?”

  “Why, dear? It’ll push off you joining church yet again.”

  “Mamm . . . I could still do it next summer.”

  The stillness that lingered over the room was not only awkward but unsettling. Sallie watched her mother literally wring her hands.

  Mamm’s face turned sad, and her eyes moist. She looked down at her clasped hands. “Each year you put it off, the harder it may become.”

  She thinks the Tempter is drawing me away.

  Sallie took in a long breath and glanced at the day clock on the wall over the double sink. “I’m not goin’ back on my word, Mamm. Just postponing it.”

  Her mother made a sad little moan and rose slowly, saying it was awful late. Standing for a moment, she reached back and retied her pastel blue bathrobe before going to the refrigerator to pour some milk. “Gut Nacht, daughter,” she said, carrying the cup of milk to the stairway without another word.

  When her mother was out of sight, Sallie leaned her head into her hands. I should’ve known this wouldn’t go well.

  7

  The next day, an off-Sunday from church, Sallie helped Frannie wash the cereal bowls and utensils from breakfast, then mentioned wanting to go to Cousin Essie’s to return the supper basket.