“Amish!” Laura mused. “I guess it might work. You never know. Do you think Teresa will be welcomed into the community? She doesn’t exactly fit the Amish profile.”
“That seemed to be Teresa’s biggest concern, but I don’t think it’s a problem. The Amish judge a person’s current actions as much as their past. What concerns me more than anything is Teresa’s high ideals. She thinks being Amish is almost heavenly. She doesn’t seem to realize the Amish aren’t perfect either.”
“That could be a problem,” Laura agreed. “There’s no heaven on this earth, anywhere we go.”
“Laura, there’s one more thing…”
“What’s that?”
“She won’t go unless I go with her.”
Laura was silent for a minute. “You already planned on going sometime, so you will go with her, won’t you?”
“I think I have to. I keep telling her how I’d do just about anything to help her. So how can I say no?”
“When are you leaving?”
“I don’t know. Maybe next week,” Susan said as she followed Laura out to the front with their sandwiches.
“That soon?”
“The sooner the better, I think. We have good midwives in the community. And this way the clinic doesn’t have to be burdened with the hospital costs.”
“How is she feeling?” Laura asked. “She’s not due until December, so you don’t have to worry about her going into labor on the train.”
“It was Teresa’s idea as much as mine,” Susan said. “She can’t wait now that’s it’s decided. I know my head is still spinning from the suddenness of it. Any advice you have is welcome.”
“I don’t have any, really,” Laura said. “You seem to be doing well enough by yourself. You will have your hands full, that’s for sure. You probably never thought your adventure to the Englisha world would end up like this.”
“I didn’t,” Susan agreed. “I guess it will be worth it if I can really help Teresa.”
“Will you be coming back?” Laura asked.
Susan hesitated. Finally she said, “I don’t know. I’ve been delaying a decision about going for a visit. But going for and with Teresa, I may have to stay. At least until she’s settled, that is.”
“It may be difficult, you know. You could be asked to stay for her. That might be a big sacrifice.”
“Yes. But maybe that’s why God brought me here in the first place,” Susan replied. She then grinned and added, “But, hey! I have my driver’s license now. If I decide I want to come back, I’ll just buy a car and be on my way!”
“That’s hard to imagine!” Laura laughed.
“I think so too,” Susan said. “It’s hard to believe I even have a license! But then I look and it’s right here in my purse as sure as the sun is shining!”
They ate their sandwiches then, each wrapped in her own thoughts.
“Well, I’m relieved about Teresa’s situation, that’s all I can say,” Laura finally said. “This could have turned out quite differently.”
After another few moments of silence, Laura spoke again.
“Susan, I’ve been meaning to ask you something…and feel free to say no if it’s too much.”
Susan tilted her head. “What is it?”
“Well, the holidays are such an important time of year for the bakery...and I was wondering if you’d consider baking some Amish items for the shop before you leave. And perhaps suggesting some decorations. Amish ones. That would be so neat—and different. I think the customers would like it.”
Susan’s face shone. “Of course I will! Even if it means staying longer. It would be fun.”
Laura was smiling now. “Oh, that’s so good of you. Do you have any suggestions?”
Susan shrugged. “There are several good possibilities. Russian tea cakes are an Amish specialty. And buckeyes of course. Peanut brittle. Rocky road cookies. Party mix and turtles. How do those sound?”
Laura laughed. “Wonderful! You’re an angel. That’s more than enough, and will draw in crowds of people I’m sure. This is so good of you.”
“I’ll be more than glad to help,” Susan said. “And for decorations I can color angels and trumpets. Maybe shepherds. Hang them around on the ceiling. That’s what Amish school children do.”
Laura beamed over the possibilities.
The door opened behind them, and Susan jumped up to serve the customer.
“I’ll take a dozen assorted doughnuts,” the man said. “You can just mix them up.”
Susan grabbed a box and filled it with an assortment.
He paid with cash and left with the box under his arm.
“Did you know that man?” Laura asked.
Susan shook her head. “Should I have?”
“I don’t know. He looked familiar, that’s all.”
“After a while, I think they all look familiar,” Susan said. “Laura, are you sure you can find someone to take my place when I leave?”
“Oh, I’ll find help. Whoever it is won’t be as good a worker as you are, but I’ll be all right. I’ve so enjoyed having you here.”
“And I’ve enjoyed working for you, Laura. You didn’t have to hire me even though your sister asked. But you did, and I’m glad.”
“That reminds me. Bonnie called yesterday. She asked about you.”
“That was nice.”
“She thinks the world of you, Susan. And her children love you. Not always an easy thing to accomplish—with other people’s children.”
“He’s the sweetest boy, Enos is,” Susan said. “I couldn’t help but love him.”
“Robby, on the other hand…” Laura started.
“Oh, don’t be so hard on Robby,” Susan said. “He’ll come around. You’ve done a good job with him. God will reach Robby. Your son has a good heart. I don’t know what I would have done without him!”
“He’s told me how much he enjoys and appreciates you, Susan.”
Both women were tearing up. Laura finally said, “This is silly. You’re not leaving yet. It’s too soon for goodbye.”
Susan nodded and wiped her eyes with a dishtowel. “Shall I start washing up in back?
“Yes, that’s a good idea. That is, until another customer comes in. I’ll help you maybe get at the Christmas decorations?”
They walked back together. Susan turned on the hot water in the sink, while Laura scraped dishes. The front door opened minutes later, and Laura left to wait on the customer. “I’ll call if I need help,” she said over her shoulder.
Susan followed the routine of a hundred washings before, scrubbing hard where the pastry dough had hardened on the metal bowls.
Laura returned and worked on the counters. The bell over the door signaled another customer, and she went to take her order.
By closing time Susan had the last dish and mixing bowl clean. She had found the recipes she needed, filling in the rest from memory.
“Sorry I couldn’t help you clean up more,” Laura said when Susan walked out to the counter. “I had just enough customers to keep me from coming back.”
“Don’t worry,” Susan assured her. “I was okay, and now things are clean so we can both go home happy.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Laura said.
Susan slipped out of her apron, taking one last look around before heading upstairs. I’m going home soon. There is no question about it now. She had mixed emotions about it, but one thing was certain: Mamm and Daett could see for themselves that she had not been defiled. As she sat down to eat her supper of leftovers, thoughts of home kept running through her head. Soon she would be eating with Daett at the head of the table and Mamm sitting across from her. How gut it would be to hear Daett’s prayers again. The German words she’d heard from childhood and could almost repeat by heart. She swallowed hard.
Darkness had fallen outside, but the streets glowed as the streetlights came on. Soon she would see darkness again—real darkness. The sky would be sprinkled with stars that actual
ly twinkled. And the moon, so glorious over the woods, rising to proclaim that even the night belonged to Da Hah.
A loud pounding came from the stairwell. She sat bolt upright in her chair with alarm. It continued, and she hurried to the window to look out. A girl was at the door, wrapped in a thick black coat. Her face was hidden from view.
Susan ran down the steps and jerked open the door.
“Oh, thank you!” Teresa said, plunging inside with relief.
“Teresa!” Susan exclaimed.
“I’m sorry to disturb you so late!” Teresa gasped, sitting down on the steps.
“Is someone after you?” Susan asked.
“No.”
“Are you okay?”
“Can we go upstairs?” Teresa asked as she wrapped her arms around herself. “I need to sit down and get warm.”
“Do you want a blanket?” Susan asked, leading the way, her hand holding Teresa’s arm. “You’re shivering.”
Teresa nodded.
Susan took her to the couch and then went into the bedroom for a quilt. She wrapped it around Teresa’s shoulders. “Is that better?”
“Yes, thank you,” Teresa said, her teeth chattering.
“So what happened?”
“I got scared thinking about what I planned to do,” Teresa said.
“Why?” Susan asked. “Are you changing your mind?”
“No, but I was afraid it was all a dream. I wanted to be close to you. Mom came home early tonight, and I told her about my plans. It nearly broke her heart. You know, the idea that I would be leaving.”
“I wondered what your mom was going to say. I knew she’d miss you. But I was hoping she’d give you her blessing.”
“Well, that’s partly it,” Teresa said, her eyes on Susan’s face. “Mom cried. She hugged and kissed me, and then she told me to run over here at once. She said she didn’t want to think too long about this or she might not be able to let me go. Can I stay with you until we leave? If I stay with Mom, I’m afraid she won’t let me go or I’ll be too scared to go.”
“Of course,” Susan assured her. “We can talk to Laura about it tomorrow. I don’t think she will object. Are you hungry? Surely you have to be after that long walk.”
“Starved!” Teresa said, looking around. “You have it so beautiful up here, Susan.”
“Well, it’s Laura’s apartment,” Susan said. “We need to get you some food. I was just having leftovers. Does that sound okay to you?”
“Of course!” Teresa said, looking at the food on the table. “Meat and potatoes, gravy, and pecan pie? I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well.”
“I guess I’m used to good cooking.” Susan smiled and prepared a plate for Teresa. Already Teresa looks a little better. There is color in her cheeks, Susan thought. She’s not shaking so much under the blanket. To come here in that cold and being so pregnant, it must have taken a lot of effort. Teresa must have been really determined.
Susan set the hot plate in front of Teresa and sat down. They both hesitated a moment, and then Susan bowed her head to pray, and Teresa bowed her head too.
When Susan said, “Amen,” Teresa looked up. “Will we pray over meals like this in Amish country?”
“A lot more than that,” Susan said. “Daett will pray before and after meals and sometimes before we go to bed.”
“I’ve never heard a man pray except on TV.”
“Not even in church?” Susan asked.
“I’ve never been to church,” Teresa said. “Except for what I’ve seen on TV, and that’s not really church.”
“Then you have plenty of new experiences in front of you,” Susan said.
Teresa ate quietly, seeming lost in her thoughts.
“Can we leave tomorrow?” Teresa asked when Susan looked her way.
“I don’t think so,” Susan said. “I have to help out in the bakery for a few days yet. But we’ll go as soon as possible. I’ll tell you what. We’ll talk with Laura about that tomorrow.”
Teresa nodded. “How will you let your parents know we’re coming?”
“I’ll write,” Susan told her. “Or better yet, I’ll call my sister Edna’s place if there isn’t time for a letter to arrive. There’s a public telephone near their mailbox.”
Teresa finished her plate of food, and Susan cleared the table.
“Thank you so much!” Teresa said, pushing away from the table.
“Do you want to go to bed now?” Susan asked. “I only have one bed, but it’s big enough for both of us.”
“Even with me…like this—so huge?”
Susan laughed. “I think so. Help yourself to what you need. The bathroom is over there,” she said, pointing.
Teresa left, and Susan finished kitchen chores.
Finally Teresa came out of the bathroom. “I’m really tired, Susan. Do you mind if I go to bed now?”
“I don’t mind one bit,” Susan told her. “I hope you sleep soundly. I’ll try not to wake you when I come to bed.”
The rustling in the bedroom soon ceased, and Susan finished washing the dishes, drying them, and putting them in the cupboards. She walked over to the front window and looked out on the street. All seemed the same, the traffic in the usual quiet roar and a few people out walking.
It’s gut that I’m leaving this place, she decided. The time spent with Laura and Robby has been a blessed season, but Teresa’s situation and needs are definitely Da Hah’s doings. Teresa’s like a shining torch leading the way back home.
“Keep us safe, Lord,” Susan whispered to the sky as she wiped her eyes. “For Teresa and the baby’s sake, and for the sake of her faith. She may not want much out of life, but already she has moved mighty mountains.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Susan dreamed she was at home, lying on her bed late at night, listening to a vicious autumn thunderstorm. The window went white with blinding sheets of lightning, filling the air with crackling hisses. She held her hands over her ears as the booms of thunder rolled over the house. Rain drenched the old window panes, the water running down in rivers. The wind heaved against the wooden siding with each gust. The bed was even shaking. How can that be? she wondered. This is only a thunderstorm. No…wait…
Susan screamed and sat bolt upright in bed.
“It’s me, Susan!” Teresa said, her voice hoarse. “Remember? I’m staying here for the night. Are you okay?”
“Oh!” Susan inhaled deeply. “Did I just scream?”
“Yes! I suppose I frightened you. I was shaking you, trying to get you to wake up!”
“I was dreaming,” Susan said. “Are you okay? Did you hear something on the street?”
Teresa groaned. “I think the baby is coming!”
“The baby!” Susan exclaimed and jumped out of bed. She turned on the light and looked at Teresa. “But it’s not time yet!”
“I know, but he’s coming!” Teresa shielded her eyes with one hand while the other clutched her stomach.
“Are you sure it’s not a false alarm?” Susan asked.
“I don’t know, but the pains are coming right regular. Just like they told me they would,” Teresa said.
“I have to go down to the bakery and call Laura!” Susan grabbed her coat. “I’ll be right back. You’ll be okay until I get back, won’t you?”
Teresa nodded and laid back down.
Susan hurriedly took the steps one at a time and made her way into the bakery office where the phone was. She switched on the light and quickly dialed Laura’s number. After five rings, the answering machine came on. She hung up and dialed again.
“Hello,” a sleepy sounding Laura answered.
“Laura, it’s Susan! Teresa came over this evening. I was going to wait to tell you the whole story in the morning, but she thinks she’s in labor. And I think it’s the real thing.”
“How far apart are her contractions?” Laura asked.
“She said they’re regular, but I didn’t time them. Should I call an ambulance?”<
br />
“You could, but I live so close. Wait until I get there. I’ll come as fast as I can. Keep her calm until I arrive. Okay?”
“Okay. Thank you!” Susan hung up the phone, turned off the office light, and hurried back upstairs. Teresa was still lying on the bed, her breath coming in gasps.
“That was a big one!” Teresa said. “I don’t think it will be long now.”
“Laura’s on her way.” Susan ran her hand over Teresa’s forehead. “I think babies take a while to come. I sure hope we get to the hospital in time. I’ve never delivered a baby.”
“You have eight sisters,” Teresa reminded. “And don’t the Amish have their babies at home?”
“Yah,” Susan said. “But I’ve never been at a baby’s birth. Mamm takes care of that, and a midwife comes...”
“Then this might be your first time! Mine too!” Teresa’s face contorted again and she moaned.
Babies do take a while, don’t they? Yah…most of the time, but we never know what’s going to happen. Susan directed her thoughts heavenward. Lord, please help Teresa!
“Are you praying?” Teresa asked.
Susan nodded.
A big smile covered Teresa’s face. “Someone is praying for me while my baby is being born. Now I know for sure that God is good! And He will help me in my new life ahead. You are still taking me to Amish country, aren’t you? Even if my son is born here?”
“Of course!” Susan said. “If that’s what you want.”
“Yes, more than ever,” Teresa said.
“Then let’s get you ready to go to the hospital, okay?”
“I think I’d better go like this—just putting my coat over the nightgown you loaned me.”
“Okay,” Susan agreed. “Do you want to sit out in the kitchen until Laura arrives?”
“It might be better,” Teresa said. “Walking around is supposed to help.”
Susan helped her out of bed, guiding her to the kitchen. They heard a door open below them, followed by hurried steps coming up.
“Laura’s coming!” Susan said. “Let me help with your shoes.”
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