The Beloved Christmas Quilt

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle

  “He is?” Seth froze.

  “Yep. I invited him here for a steak and to chat. He’ll be here pretty soon.” Mike went to the cooler sitting by the trailer, pulled out the steaks, and prepped them for the grill.

  Seth’s lips pressed together in a slight grimace. Of all the people to be coming for supper. I wish now I’d decided to keep quiet about coming back to camp so soon. Fidgeting, he fisted his hands. I shouldn’t be thinking such thoughts—especially after deciding I should respond to Stan in a more positive way.

  While the steaks sizzled on the grill, Seth’s appetite increased. Karen had made a huge macaroni salad the day before for Seth to take up camping.

  About twenty minutes later, a car pulled in. Sure enough, it was Stan dressed in hunting clothes.

  Mike was grilling when Stan walked up and shook his hand. “Well, you made it.”

  “Yep. It wasn’t difficult to find you. Your directions were easy.” Stan came over and sat by Seth.

  “How’s it going out here?” Stan turned and glanced at Mike. Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. Soon he was puffing away.

  Seth squirmed in his seat but remained quiet. He would not let Stan get under his skin this evening.

  “Not bad, but the temperature is beginning to drop.” Mike stayed by the grill. “How do you guys like your steaks cooked?”

  Stan’s smoke kept drifting over to Seth. Finally, he got up, went to the cooler, and lifted the lid. “I like mine with some pink in the middle.”

  Stan puffed on his cigarette. “I like mine sort of rare, Mike. What’s in the cooler, Seth?”

  Seth reached in and pulled out bottled water for himself. “There’s soda and bottled water. Which would you like?”

  Stan rolled his eyes. “There’s no beer in that cooler?”

  “Nope.” Seth grabbed the cold salad and took it over to the tailgate.

  “I guess I’ll have a soda.” Stan rose and sauntered to the cooler.

  “I’ll get you a chair, Mike.” Seth reached into the back of the pickup.

  “That’ll be great. Here’s the utensils for eating and a spoon for the macaroni.” Mike plopped a steak on a plate. “Here, Stan. This one is yours.”

  Stan finished his cigarette and put it out. Then he got his steak. “Thank you.” He took his drink and food back to his chair.

  “Ours will be ready in a few more minutes.” Mike set the spatula down.

  “So, how did you two do hunting today?” Stan cut a piece out of his steak.

  “We each have a pheasant in that old cooler filled with ice.” Mike pointed to it.

  Stan forked some salad into his mouth. “I’ll have to take a look at them before I go.”

  “How’d you do hunting?” Seth took a seat in the chair he’d just set out.

  “Well, I heard some pheasant, but I couldn’t see them.” Stan wolfed down his salad and got back up to spoon more onto his plate. “I should’ve had a pair of binoculars.”

  Mike picked up the spatula and flipped the steaks again. Grabbing a knife, he cut into one and looked at it. Then he did the same with the other steak. “Okay, Seth. Ours are ready to go.” Mike put the meat on the plate.

  Seth rose and got his food. “Thanks, Mike.” After returning to his seat, he bowed his head for silent prayer.

  When Seth opened his eyes, he caught Stan staring at him.

  “Hey man, were you praying?”

  “Yes, I always pray before meals.”

  Stan pushed his food around on his plate. “Each to his own, I guess.” He finished the rest of his macaroni salad and got up for thirds. “I must say this salad is quite tasty.”

  “Yes, it is,” Mike agreed. “Seth’s wife made it.”

  Seth cut into the meat and forked a piece into his mouth. I can’t believe how the day turned out. I’d planned on enjoying this steak and my wife’s salad then relaxing with a full stomach this evening. That doesn’t look too promising.

  When they arrived at Rachelle’s place, another buggy was there. Karen wondered who it belonged to as she got out and secured the horse. Then she helped the girls down and grabbed the diaper bag with her purse. Karen realized as she knocked on the front door that the rig belonged to Rachelle’s mom, Doris.

  When the door opened, Doris answered. “Come on in, Karen. Hello, girls. How are you?”

  “We’re fine.” Roseanna smiled up at her.

  Mary gave a sheepish grin, holding Big Ears close to her.

  “Hi, Karen. Come on in.” Rachelle gave her a hug. “By the way, I’ve made a big pot of chili for supper, and we’ve made plenty of corn bread batter. The pans are filled and ready to go into the oven when it’s time.”

  “Oh, Karen, you and the children must stay for supper. We’ll need help eating all this food,” Doris insisted.

  “Well, since Seth won’t be home this evening due to his hunting trip, why not?”

  “Good.” Rachelle smiled. “Do you need help bringing in anything?”

  “If you could take Nancy Anne for me, I’ll go get her playpen.”

  “Okay.” Rachelle held out her arms to take the baby.

  Soon, Karen had brought in the playpen and set it up where Rachelle suggested. Then she went out to the buggy, unhooked Ash, and led him into the barn so he could eat and drink.

  Karen hoped Seth was having a nice time hunting. He needed a break and deserved this time for himself. If he did get a pheasant on this trip, they’d take it in to their meat locker to store in the deep freezer.

  Karen sat down to enjoy her visit with Rachelle and her mother.

  “Rachelle told me about your daughter’s condition,” Doris said. “I know a Mennonite woman who used to teach signing at the public school. Her name’s Pam Miller, and she doesn’t live too far out of Dauphin County.”

  Rachelle looked at her. “You’ve mentioned going to quilting bees with her.”

  “Yes, that’s right. The group meets twice a month. We sure can turn out some wonderful-looking bed throws.” Doris put her foot up on a vacant kitchen chair.

  “I’ve been trying to learn signing on my own by looking through library books and practicing here and there.” Karen fiddled with a spoon lying on the table.

  “Let me call her and get things rolling, if you’d like. I’d be happy to introduce you to her. Maybe something can be worked out where she could help you learn to sign.” Doris smiled and pushed a hairpin back in place.

  They visited for an hour, and then Rachelle suggested setting up a card table for the kids to sit at during supper. Once Karen and Rachelle got the table and folding chairs arranged, Doris quickly set the table. Rachelle popped the corn bread into the oven, and Karen cut some veggies. The big pot of chili smelled good as it simmered on the burner.

  The clip-clop of a horse and buggy came up the driveway.

  “That would be James.” Rachelle gave the chili a stir and looked out the window.

  Karen helped the ladies get the rest of the things on the table for supper. I hope the Mennonite woman agrees to see me. But would she have the time to help or want to teach a stranger? And will Seth support my plan and get involved, too?

  CHAPTER 9

  After breakfast Karen cleared the table and put Nancy Anne in her playpen. The little girl, now sitting up on her own, clasped a cloth doll in her chubby little hands.

  A wave of nausea washed over Karen. She’d felt this way since she first got up and had barely eaten any of her cereal or toast. Swallowing against the bile rising in her throat, Karen grabbed an umbrella and went out the front door. She strode through the rain to the phone shack, needing to hear any messages that may have come in this morning. She’d been to her doctor over a week ago. He’d talked with Karen and checked her vitals, ruling out the flu. Then he’d sent her over for lab work to confirm a possible pregnancy. The nausea was continuing, and Karen was beginning to think the doctor could be right.

  The rain fell harder, and the clap of thun
der made her thankful for the shelter of the little cubical. Karen sat on the stool and rested her finger on the button to start the messages. My world might be changing in a moment. Karen fidgeted, while insecurities toyed with her nerves.

  Gathering her courage, she pressed the button. The first message was a carpet-cleaning service. “Well, that won’t do me any good.” Karen let out a brief laugh, as the voice talked on. The next message was from the doctor’s office. The receptionist said the pregnancy test was positive. “Congratulations to you and your husband. Call us if you have any questions. Have a nice day.”

  Karen’s hand flew to her chest. Even the pelting of the rain on the metal shed wasn’t registering. She sat trying to absorb the news. Opening the door, she stared at the rain drumming on the ground. “I better hurry and get the mail from the box.” She slammed the door, dashed to retrieve the letters, and ran to the house. Once up on the porch, she shook the water off the mail.

  Roseanna opened the front door for her. “I saw you running, Momma. You’re wet.”

  Karen removed her soaked tennis shoes and placed the umbrella in its stand.

  Mary sat on the bottom of the stairs looking through her picture book. “You’re wet,” she repeated.

  “Thank you for watching out for me.” Karen set the mail on the coffee table. “It’s raining cats and dogs out there.”

  Mary jumped up and darted toward the front window. She climbed onto the couch and looked out. “Where are the katze and hund?”

  “Just kidding, Mary. It’s only a saying, little one, not real cats and dogs.” Karen stood next to her and watched the rain falling. “I’m going to go change into a dry dress.”

  Before Karen left the room she looked at the playpen and saw that Nancy Anne was asleep. Her daughter’s soothing, rhythmic breathing caused her to linger. She brought her hand up to the wet scarf and realized she still needed to change.

  After putting on a clean dress, Karen felt driven by her unsettled emotions to find comfort in the guest room. Wrapping herself in her mother’s quilt, she began to relax. I’m going to have another baby…. How am I gonna make it work? She lowered her head into her cupped hands and wept. Oh, Momma, I need you so much.

  Karen drew in a deep breath and dried her eyes. Pam Miller, the Mennonite woman, and Doris would be dropping by today at one o’clock, so she needed to pull herself together. Karen still wanted to tidy the kitchen, since she’d left things on hold to check phone messages. She left the guest room and hurried down the hall.

  As Karen stood at the sink rinsing bowls and cups, she heard Nancy Anne fussing. She dried her hands and went to the nursery. Nancy Anne held out her arms. “Let’s check your diaper first.” Karen peeked. “Jah, you need a change.”

  “Hi, Nancy Anne.” Roseanna came in and stood by them.

  “Boppli Anne.” Mary followed her sister in.

  “We wore diapers once.” Roseanna looked up at her mom.

  Mary nodded, smiling at her baby sister.

  “Jah, you both used to wear windel. Now you are too big and growing up fast before my eyes.” Karen finished with the diaper change and picked up the baby. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”

  After the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, Karen heated some water on the stove for a cup of tea. She also clicked on the oven to bake some cookies for her guests. Her nausea had kicked up again, like at breakfast. Karen grabbed a peppermint tea bag and set it in her mug.

  Roseanna sat at the table, drawing a picture of their buggy horses. Mary played with a few of her stuffed toys on the table. Karen sipped her tea, and Nancy Anne entertained herself with a toy dog, sitting up well in her playpen.

  “I’m going to shake out the rugs here in the room, and I will need your help, Roseanna.” Karen got up and motioned to her.

  “Okay, Mom.” Roseanna set her pencil aside and came over to Karen.

  “Let’s get these two.” She grabbed one and her daughter grabbed the other.

  They stepped outside in the drenched grass and shook out the rugs. Karen looked up and noticed the horses in the coral staring toward the pasture. Soon, she caught sight of what was going on. A lone coyote was running along the back of their field fence.

  “Look, Roseanna, out by the farthest fence.” Karen held the throw rug under her arm and pointed toward the animal.

  “What’s that?” Roseanna stared at it.

  “It’s a coyote, and normally you don’t see them out much during the daytime. Usually they’re shy or afraid to be seen.” Karen watched the animal run, until it slipped under the wire fence and disappeared into the tall field grass.

  “It looks like a dog.” Roseanna turned to her.

  Karen gave the rug another shake. “Yes, it does. Coyotes usually go after rodents and also wild rabbits. But they can be a nuisance to our small animals like chickens, cats, and bunnies, like our Star.”

  Roseanna gasped and looked toward the rabbit’s cage. “I hope it doesn’t get Star.”

  “We’ll let your daed know about this when he gets home tonight.” Karen motioned for her daughter to go back into the house.

  They brought out two more kitchen rugs and then took care of the front-door runner. When they’d finished putting the mats back in place, Karen and Roseanna washed their hands.

  “I’m going to get the cookies started.” Karen got out the refrigerated chocolate chip dough that she’d made up last night.

  Roseanna went back to drawing her picture. Mary played with her toys. Karen added more hot water to her peppermint tea. It seemed like this bout of nausea was stronger than when she was carrying Nancy Anne. Karen wished her mother was around to comfort her. The news of her pregnancy was bittersweet.

  Karen sipped some tea then put cookie sheets, the dough, and a few spoons on the table by the girls. “Who’d like to help me bake cookies?”

  Both girls nodded.

  Karen stuck the teaspoon into the dough and lifted the desired amount onto her spoon. “We need about that much.” She popped it on the sheet.

  Roseanna gave it a try. She used her fingers to get it off the spoon and onto the pan.

  “You’re doing a good job. Keep going.” Karen helped Mary scoop out the cold chocolate chip dough then tap the spoon on the tray.

  “Mary, you’re getting the hang of it. Soon you’ll be doing this all by yourself.” Karen patted her daughter’s arm.

  In no time, the pan went into the oven, and they filled another one. The girls went back to playing, while Karen sipped her tea. When the first pan of cookies came out, Roseanna and Mary each sampled a couple with a cup of milk. Once the cookies were all baked, Karen divided them in half, some to freeze, the others to eat.

  She took care of Nancy Anne’s needs and then rocked her for a little while before starting lunch. Karen thought about Seth and hoped he was having a good day. He’d sure been happy about bringing home a pheasant from his hunting trip, but his good mood didn’t last. Seth was back to moping around the house again.

  Karen glanced at the wall clock. It was time to get lunch. She set Nancy Anne in the playpen and got out the stuff for sandwiches. When everything was laid out on the table, Karen put Nancy Anne in her high chair, while Roseanna and Mary took their seats. When they’d finished silent praying, they began to eat.

  Karen fed the baby and nibbled on the sandwich half she’d made for herself. This nausea is awful. I wish it would let up. I’m eating more crackers these days than anything else. And tonight I’ll have to tell Seth what the doctor’s office reported.

  Shortly after the lunch dishes had been taken care of, a blue car pulled up to the house. Karen watched Doris climb out. A petite, gray-haired woman with glasses came around the car, and the women headed to the door.

  Karen waited for a knock then opened the door to let them in. “Hello, Doris.”

  “Hi, Karen.” Doris hugged her. “This is my dear friend Pam Miller.”

  “Hello.” Pam smiled and hugged her, too. “Doris has filled
me in on Nancy Anne. Is this the little girl?”

  “Jah, this is her.” She paused. “Let’s go have a seat in the living room.” Karen led the way.

  Her daughters stood near the top of the steps.

  Doris nudged Pam’s arm and pointed up to the girls. “The oldest is Roseanna, and the younger one is her sister Mary. “Hello, girls, how are you doing today?”

  Roseanna smiled. “We’re fine.”

  Mary hung in close to her sister, not saying a word.

  Karen held Nancy Anne in her lap, and the two ladies took their seats. “Would you like some tea?” she offered.

  The women smiled and nodded.

  Karen placed the baby on a blanket on the floor. A few minutes later, she brought out their tea and some fresh-baked cookies on a pretty floral tray. “Here are some napkins. Can I get you ladies anything else?”

  The two women shook their heads.

  Doris took a sip of her tea and set the cup down. “Pam and I have talked about Nancy Anne. She said she’d try and help you.”

  Pam cleared her throat. “Nancy Anne is a little young yet, as far as learning to sign, I mean. I can help you with questions you might have, however. Also, I’ll leave you my number in case you think of more questions to ask.”

  Karen leaned forward. “I’ve been trying to teach myself some signing from the library books I checked out.”

  “That’s good. It’s important to be able to communicate with your daughter.” She bit into a cookie.

  “It’s so overwhelming.” Karen sighed.

  “As your daughter gains finger dexterity, she’ll be able to start learning the art of signing. I like to call it an art because it’s like when the ladies hula dance in Hawaii. They, too, are speaking with their graceful hand movements, telling stories with music.” Pam sipped her tea.

  The ladies visited for a while, and when they left, Karen felt better. Now she had Pam to fall back on for help, along with the specialist in Harrisburg. She picked up Nancy Anne. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover in your future, but I’ll stick by you.” Karen hugged her precious little girl. Maybe this was a sign that God could help her deal with these situations without her mom close by.