The Healing Quilt

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Emma enjoyed staying in touch with her previous students. It was nice to see some of the quilting projects they had done on their own—not to mention keeping up with what was going on in their lives. Just the other day she’d received a letter from Pam Johnston, who’d attended Emma’s first class. Pam mentioned that she and Stuart were planning to take their children to Disney World during their spring break and said if Emma and Lamar were still in Florida, they might come down to see them, since Orlando was only a few hours’ drive from Sarasota.

  We’ll be going home in the spring, Emma thought. I need to be close to my family there and could never be happy staying here on a permanent basis. Oh, I hope Lamar doesn’t get any ideas about living here year-round.

  “Emma, did you hear what I said?” Lamar asked, nudging her arm.

  “Uh, sorry, I didn’t. Guess I was deep in thought. Would you please repeat it, Lamar?”

  “I asked if there’s anything you need me to do before our students get here this morning?”

  “Thank you, but I think everything we need has been set out.” Emma turned to Jan and said, “Will you be joining us again today?”

  He gave a quick nod. “Wouldn’t miss it!”

  Goshen

  Star picked up her guitar and took a seat on the end of her bed. It had been awhile since she’d composed a new song, and since she didn’t have to work this morning, it was a good time to come up with some words that would express the way she felt about her dad. Star wished she and Jan could gain back the twenty years they’d lost when her mom had taken her and run off, but that wasn’t possible. What mattered was the time they had to be together now and in the future.

  Star was glad her dad didn’t have a serious girlfriend. It was probably selfish, but she wanted him all to herself. It was bad enough she had to share him with Brutus. The mutt always seemed to be vying for his master’s attention—especially when Jan had been away from home for a while. She could only imagine how the dog would carry on when Jan returned from Florida. He’d probably become Jan’s shadow for several days.

  “Though we can’t turn back the hands of time, we have the future to look forward to,” Star sang as she strummed her guitar. “Like grains of sand slipping through our fingers…”

  Star’s cell phone whistled, letting her know she had a call. She placed the guitar on the bed and picked up the phone. Looking at the caller ID, she smiled, pleased to see it was her dad.

  “Hey, stranger, what’s up? I haven’t heard from you for a few days.”

  “Sorry about that,” he said. “I’ve been occupied.”

  “Doing what?” she asked.

  “Helping out at Emma and Lamar’s and spending time with Kim. She’s the cute little gal I told you about—the one who’s taking the quilt class and has a German shepherd named Maddie.”

  “Oh, I see.” Star hoped her dad wasn’t getting serious about Kim, because a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work. Besides, he didn’t need a woman to complicate his life and come between them.

  “I was gonna wait to tell you this when you got here, Star, but I think I’ve found the perfect woman.”

  Star lifted her gaze toward the ceiling. “Yeah, Dad, right. You barely know this Kim person.”

  “I realize that, but we have a lot in common, and it’s like…Well, it feels as if we’re soul mates.”

  Star’s fingers clenched the phone. “No way, Dad! You can’t know that in such a short time.”

  He grunted. “You’re not being very supportive, but I’m sure you’ll feel differently once you’ve met Kim.”

  “I doubt it,” she mumbled.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing. I’ve gotta go now, Dad. I’m busy.” Star hated to hang up so soon, but this conversation was not what she’d expected. Her dad’s announcement had really thrown her for a loop.

  “That’s okay. I need to hang up anyway. The quilt class will be starting soon, and I don’t wanna miss it.”

  “Okay, whatever.”

  “I’ll pick you up at the airport next Thursday,” he said. “Oh, and Star…”

  “Yeah, Dad?”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  “Same here. Bye, Dad.”

  When Star clicked off her cell phone she flopped back on the bed with a moan. Dad thought he was in love with a woman he hardly knew. Well, when I get to Sarasota, things will change. I’ll talk some sense into Dad and make him see what a mistake he’s making. And if trying to reason with him doesn’t work, then I’ll have to take more drastic measures, because I can’t let that woman come between me and my dad!

  Sarasota

  “Is Jennifer here yet?” Kim asked Emma, after she’d entered the Millers’ house. “There’s something I want to tell her.”

  “Not yet, but I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Emma replied.

  “Hey, Kim, I’m glad you’re here,” Jan said with an eager expression as he sauntered into the room. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “Lamar mentioned this morning that he’d like to go down to Venice to look for sharks’ teeth, and I thought if you’d like to go along that you might be willing to drive us all there, since you have a car.”

  Kim smiled. “That sounds like fun, and it’s actually something I’ve been wanting to do. So yeah, I’d be happy to drive you there.”

  “We’ll help with the gas,” Lamar spoke up.

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” Kim responded with a wave of her hand. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

  Emma shook her head. “If we’re going along, then we insist on helping out with the gas.”

  “We can talk about that when the time comes. When did you want to go to Venice?” Kim asked, directing her question to Jan.

  “Any day you have off,” Jan replied. “But I’d like to wait till Star gets here, ’cause I think she’d enjoy looking for sharks’ teeth, too.”

  “When did you say your daughter will get here?” Kim asked.

  “She’s flying in on Thursday.”

  “That’s perfect. I have next Friday off,” Kim said. “Would that be a good day for all of you?”

  Lamar nodded, and so did Emma.

  “That’s great!” Jan bumped shoulders with Kim. “I can hardly wait.”

  “Same here,” she agreed. “I’m anxious to meet your daughter. Oh, and Emma, we’ll have to put our heads together and take a few things along for a picnic lunch. Maybe we can eat right there on the beach. I think it’ll be a terrific day.”

  “I hope I’m not late,” Jennifer said when she entered the Millers’ house a short time later. “I don’t know why, but the traffic was terrible this morning.”

  “You’re not late at all. Only Kim and Jan are here, but Jan’s in the spare room right now, and Kim’s in the dining room at the table,” Emma said. “You can go right in if you want to.”

  Jennifer hesitated a minute. “Before I do, I was wondering if Lamar suffered any ill effects from Randy’s spicy enchiladas.”

  Emma shook her head. “No, he’s fine. I don’t think he ate enough of it to cause any real distress.”

  “That’s good to hear. Randy was so embarrassed by what he did.”

  Emma patted Jennifer’s arm. “Well, he needn’t have been, because it wasn’t his fault.”

  “I know, but Randy’s a cook, and he always tries to do his best.” Jennifer held her hands tightly at her sides as her eyebrows pulled together. “I think the longer he’s unemployed, and the closer it comes for me to have the baby, the more worried he becomes. If he doesn’t find a job soon, we may have to leave Sarasota and move in with one of our parents.”

  “Would that be such a bad thing?” Emma questioned.

  Jennifer nodded. “It would be admitting defeat, and since our parents aren’t well off, us moving in with them would cause a hardship.”

  “Hopefully, it won’t come to that. I know it’s hard, but try to keep
a positive attitude and trust God,” Emma said. “One of my favorite verses of scripture is Proverbs 30:5: ‘Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.’”

  Jennifer smiled. “That’s the same verse Lamar quoted to Randy when they were outside grilling the burgers. Randy shared that with me after you folks left. He said Lamar gave him a pep talk about how important it is to trust God, even when things look hopeless.” Jennifer gave Emma a hug.

  “We’re pleased that you have both shared your feelings with us. That helps us know how to pray.” Emma paused. “Oh, and before I forget, Kim wants to talk to you. Why don’t we go in to see her now?”

  When they entered the dining room, Jennifer took a seat in an empty chair next to Kim.

  Kim turned and clasped Jennifer’s arm. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted you to know that the restaurant where I work is looking for a cook.”

  A sense of hope welled in Jennifer’s chest. “Really? Have they interviewed anyone yet?”

  “I don’t know. I stopped over at the restaurant before coming here to pick up my paycheck, since I forgot to get it after work yesterday.” Kim’s cheeks turned pink. “Guess I was too excited about my bowling date with Jan. Anyway, I think you should call your husband now and let him know about the job. He should go over there as soon as possible to apply.”

  “You can use our phone in the kitchen,” Emma spoke up.

  “Thanks.” Jennifer hurried from the room. Maybe this would be the day that her prayers were answered.

  C

  HAPTER 25

  I can’t believe I’m wearing this stupid turban again,” Noreen fumed as she drove down Bahia Vista toward Pinecraft. She’d washed her hair several times during the week, but the color hadn’t faded much at all.

  Well, at least the neighbor’s dog had quit yapping so much, and she was grateful for that.

  Noreen grimaced as another thought popped into her head. I dread having to face Bruce Jensen again today.

  When Noreen first met the man, she’d thought he was nice and perhaps even her type. I could have made the same mistake my sister did if I’d become involved with him, she thought. I’ll bet he never loved Judy, or he wouldn’t have run out on her when he found out she was carrying his child. Instead, he ran off to college in another state, never giving a second thought to my sister or their baby.

  The closer Noreen got to Pinecraft, the more upset she became. Well, she wasn’t going to let Bruce keep her from finishing the wall hanging she’d started. She just wouldn’t talk to him about Judy. Better yet, maybe she would bring it up at the Millers’ today and embarrass B.J. in front of the whole class!

  When B.J. pulled in front of the Millers’ house, he spotted Noreen getting out of her car. “Oh, great,” he mumbled. “The last thing I need is a confrontation with her out here in the yard.” He did want to talk to her, though, because he had some questions to ask about Judy. But he figured it would be better to wait until after class. Maybe he would invite Noreen to lunch, where they could talk privately without the rest of the quilting students listening in on their conversation.

  B.J. slunk down in his seat, hoping she wouldn’t notice him. If he waited until Noreen went inside the house before making his appearance he might be better off. He glanced at the driveway and saw Kim’s motorcycle and a few other vehicles and knew everyone else had probably arrived.

  Looking back at the house, B.J. relaxed a bit when he saw Noreen go inside. He waited a few more minutes before getting out of the car. As he walked slowly up the walk to the porch, a van pulled in.

  B.J. watched as Erika’s father lifted her wheelchair from the van and placed her in it. He felt sorry for the girl. Her life had been altered by an accident that could have been avoided, and now her activities were restricted and she was bound to that chair.

  Life isn’t fair, B.J. thought. A person never knew what was around the next bend. They could be in an accident, become terminally ill, or lose all their possessions due to some horrible disaster. There were times when he wondered if it would have been better if he’d never been born.

  Enough with the negative thoughts. It’s time to go inside.

  B.J. glanced across the table and noticed Noreen’s scowl. He wished she’d quit looking at him with that sourpuss expression. Did she hate him that much for breaking up with her sister? Why couldn’t she let go of the past? It’s just so petty, he thought.

  In an effort to avoid Noreen’s piercing gaze, B.J. turned to face Mike, who sat on his right. “How’d your week go?”

  Mike shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

  “Did you get the results of your blood tests?” Lamar questioned from where he sat at the head of the table.

  Mike nodded. “Found out I have pre-diabetes, but the doc said if I watch what I eat and exercise regularly, my blood sugar numbers should improve.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Lamar said, smiling.

  B.J. nodded. He wished what was wrong with him could be controlled by diet and exercise. Try not to think about it, he reminded himself. Just live each day as it comes and enjoy every moment you have left on earth.

  “I got in touch with Randy, and he’s going over to the restaurant right now to see about that job,” Jennifer said as she returned to the room and took a seat beside Kim.

  Kim patted Jennifer’s arm in a motherly fashion. “I hope it all works out.”

  “Yeah, me too. It gives me a ray of hope, at least.”

  “Please let us know how it all turns out,” Emma said.

  “Yes, I will.”

  “Well, now that we’re all here, we’d better get started. Today we’ll be cutting out the batting for your wall hangings, and then we’ll begin the quilting process.”

  “Oh great. More sewing on that dumb sewing machine.” Erika wrinkled her nose, like some foul order had permeated the room. “I had a hard time holding the material straight last week when I sewed the pieces of material together.” It was the first thing the girl had said since she’d gotten here, and as usual, it was something negative.

  “Actually, the quilting will be done by hand, with a needle and thread,” Emma explained. “But before we begin the actual process, you’ll each need to cut a piece of cotton batting about two inches larger on all sides than your quilt top.”

  “The excess batting will be trimmed even with the quilt top after the quilting stitches have been done,” Lamar interjected.

  B.J. and the rest of the class watched as Lamar and Emma demonstrated how it should be done.

  “I’ll explain the details of the quilting process once you’ve all cut out your batting,” Emma went on to say. “So let’s begin that now.”

  Everyone did as she asked, and as they cut, Noreen looked over at B.J. and said, “You’re doing it wrong. The piece you cut is too small.” She clicked her tongue. “I suppose some people can’t do anything right.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” B.J. asked.

  “Nothing,” she mumbled.

  They worked awhile longer, then Noreen turned to B.J. and said, “You sure messed up where my sister was concerned.”

  “I was going to wait until we could talk in private,” B.J. said, “but since you brought the subject up, I’d like to know what I did to Judy that was so terrible. I mean, a guy ought to have the right to break up with a girl without her sister carrying a grudge all these years and treating him like he’s got the plague.”

  Noreen set her work aside and glared at B.J. “Since you obviously don’t mind the whole class knowing about your sordid past, I’ll tell you exactly what you did to Judy.”

  The room became quiet as B.J. leaned closer to Noreen and said, “Please do.”

  “First of all, you took advantage of my sister’s innocence and talked her into sleeping with you.”

  Seeing the look of shock on everyone’s face, B.J. wished there was a hole in the floor so he could crawl into it and hide. This was so embarrassing!

  B.J
. was about to offer an explanation, but Noreen spoke again. “When you found out that Judy was carrying your child, why did you run off to college to fulfill your dream of becoming an artist? Couldn’t you have stayed in Columbus and taken responsibility for your actions?”

  The shock of hearing this sent B.J.’s mind whirling. He couldn’t deny that he and Judy had been intimate, but she’d never told him she was pregnant. He’d broken up with her because his parents said if he didn’t they wouldn’t pay for his schooling, and he’d really wanted a degree in art. What a shock to learn that Judy had been carrying his child.

  Noreen’s finger trembled as she shook it at B.J. “Choosing your career over my sister was pretty selfish, don’t you think?”

  “If I had known Judy was pregnant, I would have married her.”

  “I’ll bet you would.”

  “You have to believe me,” he said. “I’m not the kind of man who would shirk his responsibilities.” Sweat beaded on B.J.’s forehead as a sense of panic welled in his chest. “Give me the chance to apologize to Judy and meet our child. Please tell me where she lives, or at least give me her phone number.”

  Noreen shook her head. “It’s too late for that. Judy is gone, and so is your son.”

  C

  HAPTER 26

  B.J.’s eyes widened as his mouth dropped open. “I—I have a son?”

  Heat flooded Noreen’s face, and she covered her mouth with the palm of her hand. She hadn’t planned to let Bruce know that he had a son, but she couldn’t take back what she’d said. She would have to be careful not to tell Bruce any more, for her sister’s ex-boyfriend had no right to know anything about his son. Worse yet, if the truth came out, Judy’s son would be crushed, and Noreen feared it might ruin her relationship with him.

  “Where is Judy, and where is our boy?” B.J. asked in an emotion-filled voice.