“What do you mean?”
“While you’re in Belize, I’ll be here, dealing with the repercussions.”
Viola felt slightly guilty. But not guilty enough to back down. “You’re always telling us you’re stronger than we think, sister. Now you can prove it.”
And with that, she strode back into the dining room and picked up her grandparents’ plates. They were deep in discussion with their mother. Not one of them even looked Elsie’s and Viola’s way as they finished clearing the table.
And just like that, Viola felt every bit of her exuberance fade away. Her family was feeling the burden of change more than ever.
When they returned to the kitchen, she noticed that Elsie’s playful manner had faded as well.
After scraping the plates, Elsie walked to her side, a dishcloth in her hand. As Viola washed each plate, Elsie silently dried it and put it in the cupboard. It was a task they’d easily done a hundred times before, and the familiar comfort of the chore brought a peace that an hour-long conversation never could have done.
When their stack of dirty dishes was gone and the leftovers neatly put away, Elsie turned to her. “Viola, you are exactly right. Something needs to be done for Roman. It’s not in his nature to push for something he wants. He’s always been the member of the family to stand aside while the rest of us get our way.” She paused. “Roman deserves happiness. We all do.” Taking a deep breath, Elsie added, “If you don’t have time to call Amanda, I will.”
“Are you sure? Tomorrow I can get Amanda’s phone number from Beth.”
“I can do that, too, Viola. Actually, calling Amanda will make me feel good inside. Useful.”
“Danke, Elsie,” she said quietly, feeling her sister’s resolve.
More than a week had passed since Amanda and Regina had returned to their regular schedule. But even though they were now settled only a few minutes away from the beach, everything felt different. Gone were the Pop-Tarts and beach towels. In their places were eggs and oatmeal and rain boots.
For some reason, the sun had decided to begin a vacation when they left the beach. Their usual sunny days were now filled with rain clouds.
“Mamm, when will it ever stop raining?” Regina asked from her spot at the window.
“When the time is right, I suppose,” Amanda said to her daughter as she finished packing Regina’s lunch.
She slumped. “I’m tired of the rain.”
“I know.”
“It’s ruining our day.”
“Well, it will make us wet,” Amanda corrected. “But I’m not so sure if it’s been ruining our day.” As she watched her daughter continue to stare at the rain out the window with disappointment, she brightened her voice. “You know, it’s a good thing we aren’t too sweet, Regina. Otherwise we’d melt in the rain.”
“I don’t want to melt.”
Of course, Regina had taken her statement seriously—she took all her statements seriously. And there was no reason she would have ever heard her grandfather’s saying about melting in the rain before. Living in Pennsylvania, Amanda’s parents hadn’t had the opportunity to spend much time with Regina. “I was only joking, dear. I meant that a little rain never hurt anyone. It’s not a terrible thing.”
“I still feel sad.”
“And why is that? Does the rain make you feel gloomy?”
“Nee. On rainy days, Mommi only wants to look out the window and talk about Daed.”
Amanda winced. Soon she was going to have to find a different situation for Regina. Her mother-in-law’s perpetual state of mourning wasn’t healthy.
“I am sorry about that. We could pack you some books to look at while you’re with your grandmother.”
“All right.” Regina scampered off to her room to retrieve the thick canvas book bag that held her dozen library books.
Fighting off the feeling of guilt that was nagging at her, Amanda carefully closed up Regina’s lunch bag, smiling as she did so. About four months ago, while grocery shopping at the store, Regina had seen a bright purple nylon lunch sack with Velcro on the ends of it. Decorating the sturdy fabric were yellow and orange starfish and red polka-dotted seals. Amanda had privately thought it was an ugly, garish design, but Regina?—she’d fallen in love.
For weeks she’d complained about the sturdy basket lined with pretty cloth napkins that Amanda used for her lunch. It was too heavy. It didn’t keep the food cold. Amanda had tried to hold firm, but then didn’t see the harm in a new lunch bag for her daughter. They’d gone to the store and bought it together. Ever since, Regina had carried it with pride.
Funny how something so small could matter so much to a little girl.
She was still thinking about that when the phone rang, jarring her thoughts. “Hello?”
“Is this Amanda Yoder?”
“It is,” she said hesitantly. She didn’t get many telemarketers, but this woman didn’t sound like she was selling anything.
“My name is Elsie Keim. I’m Roman’s sister.”
Her heart leapt to her chest. “Is Roman hurt? Is something wrong?”
“Hurt? Oh goodness, no. He’s fine. Well, kind of fine. He could be better.”
Well, if that wasn’t the strangest comment! “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“I’m, uh, calling to invite you and your daughter to Ohio. To Berlin. Would you like to visit us?”
Instantly the pictures Roman had created in her mind tumbled forth. She started thinking of snowmen and crisp, cold air. Pine trees and scarves and mittens. “Thank you for the invitation. But why are you asking me instead of Roman?” And furthermore, she chided herself, why was she even considering such a thing?
“Well,” Elsie began, “my brother has recently been called to be our district’s newest preacher. It’s a heavy responsibility, you know.”
“Yes?”
“Anyway, we all know that he wants to see you, and was hoping to plan another trip to Florida, but now he canna get away.”
“I see.” That told her many things, but not why Roman wasn’t the one asking her to visit.
“No, I don’t think you do,” Elsie replied, just as if she could read Amanda’s mind. “See, my brother is the type of man who doesn’t care to make waves for anyone. When he learned of this new responsibility, he decided to work hard to honor it.”
“I still don’t understand why you are calling and not him.”
“Because he is stubborn. We all know you and your daughter mean a lot to him, but we also know that he’s the type of man to put everyone else’s wishes and needs before his own. He wants to see you, but doesn’t want to let that interfere with his duties at the farm.”
“Elsie, do you mean to tell me that you are inviting me without his knowledge?”
“Actually . . . that would be true.”
Amanda could tell that Elsie was getting impatient with all her questions. But while Amanda knew that she longed to drop everything for a surprise visit to see Roman, she certainly could never do that with Regina’s heart on the line. Never could she risk taking Regina to a place where she wasn’t wanted. Her little girl had already been through so much.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I cannot accept. It wouldn’t be right.”
“No, it would be right. Roman will love that you’re here. I promise you that.”
“I’m not thinking of him, I’m thinking of my daughter. She is who I must concentrate on.”
After a pause, Elsie spoke again. “Yes, I suppose so. Well, I’m sorry for the phone call. I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“Not at all. I can only imagine what it must be like to have a shveshtah who loved me so much.”
When she hung up, she noticed Regina lurking at the edge of the kitchen.
“Who was on the phone, Mamm?”
“Roman’s sister Elsie.”
“Why did she call?”
“Merely to ask me something.”
“What did you say?”
�
��I said I didn’t know the answer,” she said quickly. Clearing her throat, which seemed suspiciously tight all of the sudden, she said, “Now, daughter, it is time to get on our way.” She held up the lunch tote. “You need to get to your grandparents’ house and I need to go to work.”
“Even in the rain?”
“Yes, dear. Even in the rain we must do what we are supposed to do.”
Always. Even when she wished to do otherwise. Even then.
Chapter Sixteen
It was raining. “Could there be anything worse than rain in March?” Roman asked his horse as he double-checked the lines on the buggy that he’d just attached. “Our journey to the store is going to make us both a wet, soggy mess.”
Chester tossed his head as if in agreement . . . or maybe it was annoyance. Roman figured the old horse was probably as irritated by the bit in his teeth as the cold rain soaking his coat. Of late, Chester had become quarrelsome. “Sorry, gaul,” he murmured, rubbing the horse’s neck. “We’ve all got our jobs to do. Pulling me in the rain is yours today.”
Chester looked away and pawed the ground with a hoof.
He was still smiling at his horse’s strong personality as he strode into the barn and saw Elsie standing next to one of the stalls. “Gut matin,” he said. “What are you doing out here so early?”
“I have something to tell you.”
Elsie was wearing a look he knew well, one that said she was ready to chat for hours. Well, the horse wasn’t the only one in the barn impatient to get on his way. “Can it wait? I’ve got to get into town before the weather gets worse.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Go ahead, then. What is it?” he asked as he shrugged into his coat.
“I called Amanda this morning.”
Roman froze. He wanted to ask a million questions. Ask if she was talking about his Amanda. Ask how she’d even gotten Amanda’s telephone number.
But instead, he asked the question that mattered the most. “Why would you do that?”
She tugged on the edge of her apron. Crinkled it into her fist. “Well, Viola and I got to talking . . . ”
“And?”
“And, we were discussin’ how you’ve been mooning over her . . . ”
“Lord, save me from twin sisters! Elsie, you and Viola had no business talking about me like that.”
Releasing the apron, her chin rose. “You’re our brother. Of course we’re going to talk about you.” She pressed on, her words tumbling out of her mouth in a rush. “It was easy enough to get her number. Cousin Beth had it.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. He supposed it was good that the pair of them hadn’t gone through his room, looking for the small scrap of paper in his desk drawer that held the precious information. “What did you say to Amanda?”
“Oh, not much. I introduced myself. Told her about me and Viola . . . ”
“Elsie, get to the point.”
“Well, actually, after we talked for a bit . . . I invited her and her daughter to come visit.”
He could hardly believe his ears. She’d picked up the phone. Called up Amanda. And asked her to come to Ohio. That’s all. “It’s Regina,” he said.
She blinked in confusion. “Hmm?”
“Her daughter’s name is Regina,” he repeated, mainly to buy himself some time to rein in his growing temper.
“So, what do you think?”
He thought he had the two most interfering sisters on the planet. That’s what he thought.
“I’m not sure why you care what I think, Elsie,” he snapped. “Seein’ as how you’ve taken it upon yourself to get involved in my life and all.”
“It wasn’t just me.”
“You. And Viola.”
“So you’re mad at us?”
“You could say that,” he bit out. “Honestly, did you two really think I’d be grateful for your interference?”
After a moment, she nodded. “Jah.”
“You two are more trouble than a pair of goats in love.”
She blushed. “I think not.” Stepping a little closer, she said, “It’s been my experience that family members usually meddle with the best of intentions.”
“Just because someone doesn’t mean to cause damage, when they do, things still need to be repaired. You should have minded your own business.” He could only imagine how horrified Amanda must have been, receiving a call from his sister.
“Nothing is hurt, Roman. Nothing needs to be repaired.”
“Oh, really? What am I supposed to do now?”
“Call her and say you want her to come.”
“Is that right?” He snapped his fingers. “I’m sure it’s just that easy.”
“It sounded to me like it was.”
He stared at her, forgetting about the rain, about his ornery horse, about his irritating younger sisters. “Did . . . Did Amanda sound like she wanted to come north? To see Ohio?”
“Well, she sounded like she wanted to see you, Roman.”
“She said that?” With effort, he tried to keep his body and expression cool and detached. Inside, however, he was raising his fist in the air in triumph.
“More or less.” Amusement lit her voice. “Amanda said she would look forward to speaking to you about it. So that sounded positive to me. But then again, I don’t know her like you do.”
Roman couldn’t help but smile. He liked the thought that he knew Amanda, that he understood her. But then he gathered his resolve again. He had a sister who couldn’t see him softening. “Elsie, you don’t know her at all.”
“But I’d like to. She sounded really nice. She sounded fond of you, Roman. Which, of course, makes me like her a whole lot more. I do want to meet this Amanda in person. Viola and I both do.”
His sister was so earnest, so sincere, he couldn’t stay mad at her for long. “Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite twin?”
“Last month, just days after you told Viola the same thing. Right before you said we were going to be the death of you.”
“I didn’t mean that.”
“But this time?” She raised a brow.
“This time I think it’s true.”
She chuckled. “Call Amanda sometime today, Roman. What can it hurt?”
“I might just do that,” he said grudgingly. “Danke, Elsie. I owe you.”
“Don’t worry, one day you can help me when I’m being courted. Viola’s going to be of no use, since she’ll be in a foreign country and all.”
“Of course I’ll help you,” he called out as he watched her carefully make her way back to the house.
But as he watched her stumble on the edge of a stone step and straighten her glasses, Roman wondered when Elsie was ever going to come to terms that she would most likely never have a husband.
As he trudged out to the buggy, he couldn’t help but shake his head. It truly was a shame, he realized. Because in many ways, she was the best of the three of them. Continually happy, eternally poised. A hard worker and patient.
She would have made some man a wonderful wife.
A wonderful wife.
Pushing off thoughts of his sister, he let his mind drift back to Amanda and the upcoming phone conversation. And to his surprise, he wasn’t dreading it at all.
Turning back to Chester, he said, “Well, boy, let’s get this trip to town over with. It looks like I have much to do today. So much, I might not even mind the rain.”
The disdainful look Chester gave him in response was priceless.
And pretty much made him grin most of the way into town.
It seemed everyone wanted to go to the airport with her. “I told ya, Mr. Cross said he’d be happy to take me and make sure I got on the plane just fine,” Viola said to her siblings, her grandparents, her mother, and—unbelievably—Mr. Swartz. “He took Edward.”
“I’m sure Mr. Cross is a verra nice man. But he ain’t family,” her mother said briskly. “And he is most definitely not your muddah.”<
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“That is true,” Atle said with a gleam in his eye. “It’s been my experience that no one can take a mother’s place when it comes to fussin’.”
As they piled in the van that her grandfather had hired for the day, Viola held her purse tightly on her lap, and double-checked her papers and plane itinerary again. And then slowly opened her passport and glanced at the photograph of herself.
Not for the first time, her grandfather held out his hand and examined the blue booklet carefully, running his finger over her signature.
Though he’d never actually said so, Viola felt that of everyone in the family, he’d been the one who was most unhappy about her choices. “Are you terribly upset, Grandfather?”
“With what?”
“With me, because I’m getting on an airplane and going to Belize.”
“To see your man? Nee. I’m not upset.”
“Then you understand?”
“I understand what it’s like to miss someone you love. And I understand what it’s like to take a chance on something new, too. You forget, when your mommi and I moved to Ohio, we didn’t know anyone at all. It was a scary adventure.” He glanced to his right. “Wouldn’t you say that, Lovina?”
She chuckled softly. “Well, I would have to admit that that time is all a blur to me now. I was newly married, and had just become Amish.”
This was the first time her grandmother had ever mentioned her transformation in such a casual way. Viola wished Elsie was sitting nearby so she could give her a nudge.
But perhaps Elsie had already read her mind. “Mommi, what was it like, moving with Dawdi?”
“Scary. I didn’t want to let him down.”
That seemed like a strange comment. Viola looked at her grandmother in surprise. “Why would you have been worried about that?”
“Because I was always doing things wrong.” She shook her head in a guilty manner. “I could hardly speak Deutch.”
“I didn’t expect you to know everything.” Her grandfather looked at Viola then and grinned—a very cheeky, very male grin. “It didn’t matter so much to me, anyway. She was the prettiest woman I’d ever seen.”
This time it was her mother who spoke up. “Is that right, Aaron? You were taken in by a pair of pretty brown eyes?”
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