He poured everything into a bowl, grabbed a wooden spoon, and started mixing. Looking around, Todd saw everyone else already had their casserole dishes lined with the “basket.”
“Okay now, you’ll need to take turns baking the baskets.” Heidi gestured to Lisa and Allie. “Why don’t you ladies go first? As soon as yours is done, Bill and Nicole can go next, then Todd and Lance will do theirs. They will only need to bake for fifteen minutes, so it shouldn’t take long to get them all done.”
Todd plopped his elbows on the table, watching Lisa carry her casserole dish over to the oven. She seemed so confident—a natural in the kitchen. While the first two baskets baked, everyone sat around the table and listened to Heidi explain how to mix the cut-up chicken and other ingredients for the filling. After it was cooked in a white sauce, it would be added to the crumb basket and baked another thirty to forty minutes.
When the pleasant aroma of the first two baking baskets filled the room, Todd’s stomach rumbled even louder than before. He’d been in a hurry this morning and hadn’t taken time for more than a cup of coffee and a bagel. Sure hope there’s enough time for us to eat what we’ve made before we have to go home.
“Say, Lisa,” Lance spoke with a gleam in his eyes, “didn’t you mention that the duplex you rented is empty now.”
“Yes, it is, but I need to get some work done, and some pieces of furniture must be fixed before I can rent or lease it again.”
“Hmm …” Lance rapped his knuckles on the table. “My brother needs a place to stay while his townhouse is being remodeled. Would you consider renting on a month-to-month basis to him?”
Lisa tilted her head from side to side, as if weighing her choices. “I suppose I could, but I’m really looking for a full-time renter. Besides, as I explained, the place isn’t ready yet.”
“When it is, could you please let me know?” Lance took a small notebook from his shirt pocket, wrote down his phone number, and handed it to her.
“Of course.” Lisa put the piece of paper in her purse.
Once Allie and Lisa’s dishes were taken from the oven, it was Nicole and Bill’s turn. When Nicole picked up her glass dish, Lance bumped her arm. Nicole’s chicken in a crumb basket slipped from her hand and landed on the floor with a splat!
Turning away from the others, she gripped the sides of her head. “Why does everything bad always happen to me?” Gulping on a sob, she crumpled to the floor beside the mess. “That’s it—I’m done!”
Chapter 24
Bill watched in sympathy as Heidi comforted Nicole, saying it was okay, that she could mix a new batch of ingredients, and it shouldn’t take long to bake. Heidi pointed to the broken casserole dish. “Don’t worry about that, either. It’s an old one and can certainly be replaced.”
Nicole, still hunkered down on the floor, continued to sob. Bill hated to see the girl have a meltdown like this, but maybe something good would come from it. Holding one’s feelings in and trying to be strong all the time were not good for anyone. He wished there was something he could say or do to draw Nicole out and make her open up, although he was fairly sure she wouldn’t do it with all of them sitting here staring at her.
“Come, take a seat. I’ll get you a glass of water.” Heidi helped Nicole, still sniffling, to her feet. “We’ve all dropped things at some time or another.”
Nicole sat in the chair beside Lisa and lowered her head to the table. When Heidi brought her a glass of water, she looked up again. “Th–thanks.”
After Nicole finished the drink, she sat a few minutes, taking in deep breaths, while Lisa patted her back.
“It–it’s not just the mess on the floor and broken dish that has me upset.” Nicole paused and blew her nose on the tissue Heidi handed her. “Things are horrible for me at home, and they’re getting worse all the time.”
“In what way?” Allie asked.
“For starters, I’m getting behind at school and almost failing in some of my classes.”
“You ought to study more and do something for extra credit. That’s what I did when I was in high school.” Todd looked over at Nicole.
She shook her head slowly. “You don’t understand. There’s a reason I can’t get my homework done or spend enough time studying for tests.”
Everyone sat silently as Nicole poured out her heart, telling how the responsibility of cleaning, cooking, and overseeing her siblings had fallen on her ever since her parents’ divorce. “My grades are failing because I don’t have time to study or get all my homework done.” She sniffed deeply, dabbing at her tears with the tissue Heidi had given her. “I have no life of my own anymore.”
“Why doesn’t your dad hire someone to come in and clean the house at least?” The question came from Lance.
“He doesn’t have enough money for that. Dad moans every time another bill comes in. Even though he’s a plumber, Dad’s barely making enough to keep up with all our expenses.”
Bill fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. He wasn’t wealthy, by any stretch of the imagination, but he made a decent living. Other than his hunting expenses, Bill didn’t spend much on unnecessary things. There was no reason he couldn’t help out by providing the money for Nicole’s dad to hire a housekeeper. He just had to figure out a way to do it without her finding out, because he was almost certain she would see it as charity.
Nicole’s cheeks, already pink, turned a deep shade of red. “As if things aren’t bad enough at our house, Tonya—my mom—came by last Sunday evening, and she was drunk. I’m glad my brother and sister were in bed. They’d have been really upset if they’d seen her staggering around and heard the way she was carrying on.”
Bill grimaced. Poor Nicole. She has too much on her shoulders and is being forced to grow up before her time. I can’t do anything about her mother, but I’m definitely going to do something to help ease Nicole’s burden and give her more time to spend on schoolwork.
Canton
“Are you sure you don’t want me to watch the baby while you go to Mt. Hope to visit your friend Dorie?” Kendra’s mother asked when Kendra began filling the diaper bag.
Kendra shook her head. “The reason I’m going to Dorie’s is so she can see the boppli.”
Squinting, Mom tipped her head at an odd angle. “What does boppli mean?”
“It’s the Pennsylvania Dutch word for baby. I learned a few Amish words while living with Heidi and her husband.”
Mom’s lips pressed together. “I’m certainly glad they won’t be raising my grandchild. The baby would have been raised Amish and never had the privilege of experiencing all the things you grew up with.” Her nose wrinkled. “Can you imagine having to live without electricity, traveling by a horse and buggy, and dressing in Plain clothes?”
Kendra clasped the handles of the diaper bag tightly. She didn’t like the way this conversation was going. “For your information, Mom, I enjoyed staying with the Troyers, and I wouldn’t have minded if little Heidi had been raised in the Plain lifestyle and ended up joining the Amish church when she was older.”
Mom’s mouth formed an O as she leaned against the baby’s crib, facing Kendra. “I can’t believe you would say that.”
“Why not? The Amish are good people, with strong moral values. They believe in God and putting Him first. Isn’t that what our church teaches?”
“Well, yes, but …” Mom turned and covered little Heidi’s feet, where she’d kicked the covers off. “I don’t want to argue with you, Kendra. I’m just glad you decided against the adoption and came home to be with your family.”
“Yeah, well, let me remind you, before you got up the nerve and convinced Dad to let me come home, you knew I was pregnant and yet you were perfectly fine with wherever and whoever I was living with. In fact, it was not even six months ago when you said, and I quote, ‘Your child will be better off with adoptive parents.’ So please don’t tell me your version of how much better it is living here. You don’t even know the Troyers and what wonder
ful people they are. And I’m going to make sure they are in my daughter’s life, whether you and Dad like it or not.”
Little Heidi started to whimper, but calmed down when Kendra scooped her up. “There, there, my little sweet baby. It’s okay. Everything is all right.” She looked at her mother, who stood speechless. “There’s been enough said about the Troyers, so please don’t say any more negative comments about them.”
Before Mom could offer a response, Kendra walked out of the room. After living with Heidi and Lyle for several months, she’d begun to feel as if they were her family. She felt thankful for the help they’d given her when she had no place else to go. Deep in her heart, Kendra still wondered sometimes if her daughter would be better off with the Troyers, but she’d made her decision to keep the baby, and it would be too hard to give her up now.
Walnut Creek
That afternoon, after everyone had gone home. Heidi sat down to eat a delayed lunch. Between Allie arriving late for class and then taking time to listen to Nicole unburden her soul, the class lasted longer than usual. Even though it was good to see Nicole open up and share her burdens, Heidi felt sorry for the girl and would remember to pray for her. She hoped somewhere down the line things would get better for Nicole and her family. Heidi’s own parents had always been kind and loving. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Nicole to deal with an undependable mother who got drunk.
Heidi had finished eating her sandwich and soup and was placing the dishes in the sink, when she heard a vehicle pull into the yard. She dried her hands on a dishtowel and hurried to the front door to see who it was.
When Heidi opened the door, she was surprised to see Kendra getting out of a car. She stood on the porch and watched as Kendra reached inside the backseat and took out her baby.
Heidi’s heart pounded. For a fleeting moment she thought maybe Kendra had changed her mind and was bringing little Heidi for her and Lyle to raise, after all. But then seeing only a small diaper bag slung over Kendra’s shoulder, logic took over. If she had changed her mind about letting them adopt the baby, she would have called to discuss it with them and set it all up with the lawyer again. And Kendra would have brought more than just a diaper bag along.
Kendra smiled as she stepped onto the porch. “I’ve been to Mt. Hope to see my friend Dorie, and since I was so close, I decided to stop by here and see if you were home. Are you busy right now, or do you have time for a short visit?”
Heidi nodded. “I taught another cooking class this morning and just finished having lunch, so I’d enjoy visiting with you for however long you can stay. If you haven’t eaten, I’d be happy to fix you something.” While speaking to Kendra, Heidi couldn’t help gazing at the sweet bundle in her arms.
“It’s nice of you to offer, but I had lunch with Dorie.”
“Well, come in, and I’ll fix you something to drink.” Heidi opened the door, and motioned for Kendra to follow her inside. “Let’s have a seat in the living room. It’s more comfortable there.”
Kendra shifted the baby from one arm to the other, glancing around the room. “Nothing’s changed. Your place still looks as cozy as ever.”
Heidi smiled. “Why don’t you take a seat over there? I’m sure the baby will like being rocked.” She gestured to the rocking chair.
“I have a better idea; why don’t you sit and rock your little namesake while I go and fix us something to drink?” Kendra grinned. “After living here a few months, I know my way around your kitchen pretty well.”
“True.” Heidi lifted the baby into her arms and took a seat in the rocker, while Kendra headed for the kitchen. As she sat staring at the infant’s delicate features and holding her tiny hand, a lump formed in her throat. If she could only be my boppli, I’d be the happiest woman in Holmes County.
Little Heidi opened her eyes briefly, then closed them again. Her breathing was sweet and even. Although Heidi was pleased Kendra had stopped by, seeing and holding the little girl who’d once been promised to her was bittersweet. Raising this child would have been such a blessing.
I don’t understand why some women, like Nicole’s mother, don’t care about their children, while others, like me, who would give anything to be a mamm, go through life with a sense of emptiness.
Heidi blinked back unbidden tears threatening to spill over. It was wrong to feel sorry for herself and dwell on what would never be. This special baby was a blessing to Kendra, and she deserved the opportunity to raise her own child.
She put the baby over her shoulder and gently patted her small back. Closing her eyes, Heidi allowed herself to fantasize. Maybe Kendra and little Heidi could live here with us, and even though Lyle and I wouldn’t be the baby’s parents, we could at least help raise her.
“Here you go. I made us some hot tea.”
Heidi’s eyes snapped open. “Thank you, Kendra. You can set it there on the coffee table.” She gestured to the baby. “Do you want to take her now?”
“No, that’s okay. You can hold her as long as you like. Unless you’d rather not.”
Heidi sighed, brushing the top of the infant’s head lightly with her fingers. “I could hold your baby all day, but I guess I should drink my tea before it gets cold.” Truthfully, Heidi felt if she didn’t let go of Kendra’s daughter now, she might never be able to let her go.
Kendra stepped up to the rocking chair. “I’ll put her on the couch by me while we both drink our tea.”
Heidi’s arms felt empty when Kendra took the baby and found a seat on one end of the couch, placing the child close to her. “How are things going for you?”
“Okay. As good as can be expected.” Kendra reached for her cup of tea.
“Are your folks enjoying their new role as grandparents?”
“I guess so.” Kendra took a sip of her tea. “Sometimes the baby’s crying gets on my dad’s nerves, and he becomes irritable or impatient.” She sat quietly for several seconds, looking at her daughter. “I think the only reason he agreed to let me come home was for my mom’s sake. I found out from my sister Shelly that even though Mom stood by Dad’s decision when he kicked me out of the house, she was brokenhearted and wanted me to move back home. Dad probably would have turned his back on me and little Heidi indefinitely if it hadn’t been for Mom.”
“That’s too bad. Maybe after he spends more time with his granddaughter, he’ll come around.”
Kendra shrugged her slim shoulders. “I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath. Even so, I’m grateful they gave me this chance to keep my child. Things aren’t the way I’d like them to be, but the good Lord above kept me and my baby together.”
As they both sat in silence, watching baby Heidi, Kendra spoke again. “Remember when I told you how little Heidi almost came early?”
Heidi nodded.
“Well, when the pains got worse some really nice people at the grocery store helped me out, and even called the paramedics.”
“It’s good you were surrounded by compassionate strangers.”
“I sure was, but get this—before the ambulance arrived, while I was still lying on the floor, this man—and I only got a fleeting glimpse of him—had been watching me, before he turned and went out of sight.”
“Who do you think it was?”
“I thought it looked like my dad.” Kendra frowned. “And I wondered why, if it was, he didn’t come see if I was okay.”
“Did you ask him later?”
“After I got home from finding out it wasn’t true labor, I questioned Dad about it.” Kendra sighed. “Well, it was him I saw, and he just gave me some lame excuse. He justified it by saying he had stopped to pick up a snack to take to a church meeting he was already late for, and that the woman he’d seen on the floor of the store looked like me, but he didn’t think it actually was.” Kendra sagged in her chair. “Can you believe that? Wouldn’t you think he could have at least come over and checked?”
Heidi nodded slowly. She certainly would have checked if she’d see
n someone in trouble and thought she knew them. For that matter, she’d have offered help even to a stranger. It was hard to understand how Kendra’s dad, a churchgoing man, could be so unfeeling.
After a pause, Kendra continued. “I don’t believe for one minute that Dad didn’t know it was me, but I chose not to say anymore to him about it.” She lifted her hands and let them fall to her lap. “I mean, what was the point? He’s still embarrassed about me, and I’m sure he didn’t want to be seen with his pregnant, unwed daughter there in the store.”
“I’m sorry, Kendra.” Heidi simply couldn’t imagine Kendra’s father treating her that way. Feeling the need for a change of subject, Heidi told Kendra how Loretta had decided to join the Amish church.”
Kendra chuckled. “I’m not surprised. I’ll bet she and Eli are planning to be married soon after she joins.”
Heidi smiled. She hadn’t talked to Loretta recently. She would have to pay her a visit soon and ask how things were going.
They visited another half hour, then Kendra said it was time for her to go.
Heidi rose to her feet and walked to the door with Kendra and the baby. “Feel free to drop by anytime you’re in the area.” She reached out and gently stroked the infant’s head. “I would like to visit with you again and see how much the baby has grown.”
Kendra smiled. “Sounds good. I’d enjoy seeing you again, too.”
When Kendra left, Heidi returned to the rocking chair. Her hands went limp as she lowered her head, giving in to the tears she’d been trying so hard to hold back. Spending time with the baby had only fueled her desire to be a mother. If the pain would only subside.
“I need to get busy and keep my mind occupied.” She pulled herself upright, dried her eyes, and headed to the laundry room to put a load of towels in the wringer washer. If they didn’t dry outdoors in the few hours left of daylight, she’d bring the towels inside and hang them in the basement.
Amish Cooking Class--The Blessing Page 16