Amish Cooking Class--The Celebration

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “I hope if anyone catches some fish, it’s the kids.” Ellen smiled. “Right now, at least, they seem to be tolerating each other.”

  “Yeah, kids can be funny—one trying to upstage the other.” Darren looked out where his line went into the water. “So far, I haven’t gotten any bites.”

  “Don’t feel bad. I haven’t either.” Ellen chuckled. “But who cares?”

  Just when all seemed content, Jeremy yelled, “I got one!”

  “So did I!” Becky squealed a few seconds later.

  “Bet mine’s bigger than yours.” Jeremy struggled, reeling his line in until it revealed a nice trout flopping on the end.

  Ellen watched as Becky pulled her fish in next. “Oh, she got a nice one too.”

  Darren and Ellen got up to check out the fish. Jeremy walked over to Becky, proudly holding up his catch. Becky did the same, placing hers right next to his.

  “Looks like a tie to me.” After eyeing the trout, Darren picked up a stick and held it next to his son’s fish, then did the same to Becky’s. “Now, how about that? They are exactly the same length.”

  Ellen smiled as Darren took the fish off their hooks, put them on a stringer, and set them back into the water along the shoreline.

  “I’m glad they each got a trout, but now I’ll bet they’ll both try for a bigger one.” She pointed as Becky and Jeremy ran back to their fishing spots.

  Darren strolled back to the log, while Ellen continued to watch their children. Jeremy cast his line out. Becky put more bait on the end of the hook and extended her arm back to cast. What looked to be a good fling of her line, ended up getting snagged on a shrub behind where she stood.

  “Oh great! My line is tangled.” Becky groaned.

  “Here, let me help you.” Jeremy offered, setting his fishing pole down.

  Ellen walked over to Darren, raising her eyebrows. “Will you look at those two?”

  “Jeremy’s a good kid. Sometimes it just takes him awhile to warm up to someone.” Darren looked fondly at his son as he helped Becky free up her line.

  Ellen recognized the proud feeling Darren had for Jeremy, for she felt the same about Becky. “Looks to me like we are both fortunate parents.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Darren’s lips parted slightly as he moistened them with his tongue. “Mind if ask you a personal question?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “How long have you been a single mom?”

  “Well…”

  He pulled his fingers down the side of his face. “Guess what I really wanted to ask is, are you a widow or a divorcee?”

  “I’m neither.” Ellen briefly explained how she’d adopted Becky, leaving out the part about not telling her daughter until recently. “How about you?” she asked. “I assume you were once married.”

  “Yes, my wife died from a brain tumor two years ago.” Darren pressed a fist against his chest. “Losing Caroline was difficult for me, as well as Jeremy.” He paused, staring vacantly across the lake. “I do my best with Jeremy, but my son needs his mother.”

  Ellen reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks. I’m doing better, but there are still times when I think about Caroline and all we had.”

  “While I’ve never lost a mate, I struggled with depression after my grandma died. We were very close, and I still miss her.”

  “Loss of any sort is hard, but life goes on, and all anyone can do is keep pressing forward and try to focus on the good things—like those two.” Darren pointed to Becky, who had made a successful cast now that her line had been untangled. Jeremy stood a little closer to Becky than before, and a few giggles erupted as they talked.

  Ellen couldn’t help hearing part of the kids’ conversation, and was surprised when her daughter said, “Thank you, Jeremy, for untangling my line.”

  “You’re welcome.” Jeremy grinned, although he kept his focus on the water.

  This day was turning out better than she imagined. Ellen felt comfortable around Darren as they opened up to each other and also discovered some more things they had in common. Ellen couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so lighthearted. She wondered if Darren might ask to see her again, and hoped if he did that Becky and Jeremy would continue to get along.

  Walnut Creek

  Velma’s fingers clenched around her coffee mug so tightly that her veins protruded. Soon after she and the children had eaten breakfast this morning, she’d found a note on her desk in the kitchen. Reading it for the second time, before starting lunch, her nose burned with unshed tears.

  Dear Mama,

  I’m sure you won’t like this, but I’m running away with Kenny. In two weeks I’ll be eighteen, and we’re gonna get married.

  Don’t worry about me. Kenny and I will both get jobs, so we’ll be fine. Once we’re settled, I’ll send you our address and phone number. I love you, Mama, and I hope you and Papa will forgive me for doin’ this. I love Kenny and wanna be with him.

  Love,

  Bobbie Sue

  Velma let go of her mug and slammed her fist on the table. “I knew that snake was up to no good when he showed up here two days ago. Shoulda sent him packin’ like I wanted to do.”

  “What’s going on, Mama?” Peggy Ann asked when she and Eddie entered the room. “Who were you talkin’ to?”

  “Myself. I was talking to myself.”

  Eddie glanced around, as if looking for answers. “How come?”

  “Because I’m upset.” Velma picked up the note and waved it about. “Found this awhile ago, and I just finished reading it again.”

  Peggy Ann tipped her head. “What is it?”

  “It’s from your big sister. She ran off with Kenny Carmichael sometime during the night.” Velma swallowed hard. “And ya may as well know, there’s a good chance we’ll never see her again.”

  “What?” Peggy Ann lowered her head and started to wail.

  Eddie scrunched up his nose. “Just wait till Papa gets home. Bet he’ll go after Kenny and punch him in the nose.”

  The words were no more than out of his mouth when Velma heard the roar of an engine. Rising from the table, she went to the kitchen window and peered out. Sure enough, Hank’s rig had pulled into the yard.

  “Oh, great.” Velma blew out a quick breath and turned to face her children. “Not a word to your dad about Bobbie Sue. Understood?”

  Peggy Ann’s forehead wrinkled. “How come, Mama? Papa’s gonna know somethin’ ain’t right when he asks where she is.”

  “I realize that. I just need to be the one to tell him. So when he comes inside, you can both say hello, and then I want you to go to your rooms till I call ya for lunch.”

  “Okay, we’ll zip our lips.” Eddie bumped his sister’s arm. “Right, Peggy Ann?”

  She pushed him away. “You’re not my boss, so don’t be tellin’ me what to do.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Velma stepped between them. “That’s enough, you two. Ya don’t want to be bickering when your dad comes in, now, do you?”

  Both children shook their heads.

  A few minutes later, Hank entered the house and came into the kitchen. “Hey, how’s my little brood?” He leaned over and patted Eddie’s head, then scooped Peggy Ann into his arms. “Have you two been good for your mama while I was gone?”

  “Yes, Papa.” Peggy Ann wrapped her arms around his neck and gave it a squeeze.

  “How about you, Son?” Hank looked down at their boy.

  “I’ve been good too.” Eddie looked up at Velma. “Right, Mama?”

  She nodded. “Now, why don’t you and your sister skedaddle to your rooms? I’ll call ya when it’s time to eat.”

  Hank set Peggy Ann down, and she scurried out of the kitchen behind her brother.

  “Would ya like a cup of coffee?” Velma asked, moving across the room to the stove.

  “Sure.” He followed Velma and placed a sloppy ki
ss on her cheek. She took it to mean he wasn’t angry with her anymore.

  After she’d poured coffee into his mug and handed it to him, Velma suggested they take a seat at the table.

  “Aren’t you gonna fix me some lunch?” Hank asked.

  “I will shortly. But first, we need to talk.”

  Turning his head, he cleared his throat. “If it’s about the car…”

  “No, it’s not the car. It’s Bobbie Sue.”

  “Where is that girl anyway? Is she at work? Did Bobbie Sue find another job while I was gone?”

  “No.” Velma pulled out a chair and sat.

  Hank took the seat across from her. “What’s this about? Do those creases in your forehead mean somethin’ is wrong?”

  “Afraid so.” Velma took in a gulp of air and quickly relayed how their daughter had run off with Kenny and left a note.

  Hank’s nostrils flared, and sweat beaded on his forehead. “Why that no good so and so.” He stood and pushed back his chair with such force it toppled over. “I’m gonna get back in my rig and go lookin’ for Bobbie Sue. And when I find that girl, I’ll drag her right back home.”

  Velma lifted her hands. “What good would that do? Bobbie Sue will be eighteen in two weeks, and then she can do whatever she pleases.”

  Hank shuffled back a few steps. “Oh, that’s right. I’d forgotten her birthday was comin’ up soon.”

  “I don’t like this any better than you do, Hank, but I think it’s best we leave well enough alone. Hopefully, our daughter will smarten up and come home on her own. She’ll soon find out how rough it is out there in the real world with no support from her family.”

  Squinting, Hank rubbed the back of his neck. “If she takes after her older brother, we won’t see any sign of her again.”

  Moaning, Velma held both hands tightly against her body to keep from shaking. Hank’s final words had pierced her soul. If she was honest with herself, Velma would have to admit that she may never see Bobbie Sue or Clem again. The mere thought of it took away any appetite she may have had this morning. But life didn’t stop because they’d been thrown another curve ball. For the sake of her two younger children, she’d fix lunch and somehow muddle through the rest of the day.

  Chapter 20

  Berlin

  As Heidi sat in the waiting room at the dentist’s office Monday morning, she took a notepad from her purse and made a list of the ingredients she would need for Saturday’s cooking class. Marsha sat quietly next to her, looking at a children’s picture book, while Randy had his teeth cleaned and saw the dentist for an evaluation. It would be Marsha’s turn next, but since she was so young and insecure, Heidi intended to go in with her.

  She chuckled to herself, thinking about Randy’s independence when she asked if he wanted her to go with him when it was his turn. Putting on a brave face, he’d shaken his head and said, “Nope. I’m a big boy and don’t need no one to sit beside me.”

  When the children’s appointments were over, Heidi planned to take them to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. Afterward, they would stop for ice cream at Walnut Creek Cheese.

  A smile reached Heidi’s lips, remembering how many years she’d dreamed of doing these things with her own children. Having Randy and Marsha in her life had turned out to be the most precious blessing, and she prayed it would keep getting better.

  Heidi glanced out the window in the waiting room. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. After a weekend of off-and-on rain, it was nice to see blue skies again. The buggy ride here had been pleasant, with warm breezes pushing away the damp air. The only evidence of the soggy weather was puddles of water that hadn’t dried up yet. Guess Velma was right last week when she mentioned rain might be coming.

  Pulling her attention back to her notebook, Heidi wrapped her fingers around the pen as she thought about this Saturday and how she would teach her young students to make strawberry shortcake. Since there were plenty of ripe strawberries in her garden right now, this would be the perfect dessert to make. She was sure everyone would like it—especially since she planned to make some homemade whipped cream to put over the top of the berries after they were spooned onto the shortcake.

  The verse she planned to write on the back of their recipe cards this time was Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” No one had said anything about the scriptures she’d included so far, but Heidi hoped one or more of the children in class, or perhaps a parent, might memorize the verses and find help through them.

  “Mama, what are they doin’ to Randy?” Marsha placed her small hand on Heidi’s arm.

  “The hygienist is cleaning his teeth, and then the dentist will look in your brother’s mouth and let me know if there are any problems. You will go in after Randy comes out.”

  Marsha shook her head. “Don’t want no one lookin’ in my mouth. Only you can brush my teeth.”

  “I’ll be right there with you when they clean your teeth. I’ve had mine cleaned many times.” Heidi patted the little girl’s hand. “It’ll be fine. I promise. They will most likely give you a new toothbrush too, and even let you pick out the color you want.”

  Marsha looked up at her with a dimpled grin. “Okay, Mammi.”

  Heidi’s heart nearly melted. Even though Marsha was not her biological daughter, every day spent together seemed to draw them closer.

  Walnut Creek

  In order to keep her mind off her runaway daughter, Velma decided the best remedy was to stay busy. She had more work to do at the Troyers’, of course, but didn’t want to leave Peggy Ann and Eddie by themselves. Her plan was to work for Heidi this Saturday, while Peggy Ann took part in the cooking class. Since Bobbie Sue was no longer around and Hank was on the road again, no one would be home to keep an eye on Eddie. So Velma would enlist his help on whatever chore Heidi gave her to do. It was either that, or let the boy attend the class with Peggy Ann, which wasn’t a good idea. Quite often, Eddie could be quite mischievous. No telling what kind of trouble he might cause that could interrupt Heidi’s teaching. No, it was safer to keep him close by Velma’s side.

  Velma thought about Heidi and the way she and other Amish women in the area dressed. Sure can’t picture myself wearing a long dress while building a chicken coop. I like Heidi. She’s a good person, and her ways, even though they’re different, aren’t bad.

  Velma’s contemplations came to a halt when she looked out the window at the clean sheets flapping in the breeze. Guess it’s time to get some work done around here. It would go a lot quicker if my wayward daughter was still with us. Her eyes misted.

  She went outside, took the bedding off the line, and hauled it inside. Velma paused to inhale the fresh fragerance. “Now those are some nice smellin’ sheets for Eddie’s bed.” She carried them to his room.

  Coming in through the door, the not-so-nice smelling bedroom needed a good airing. Velma dumped the sheets on the bed and opened the window as wide as it would go. The curtains swayed back and forth with the fresh breeze entering the room.

  Turning her attention to Eddie’s twin-size bed, Velma began searching through the bedding for the pillowcase to put on, but it was not there.

  She hurried from the room and found it lying in the hallway on the worn carpet. “Even the laundry isn’t cooperating today.” Velma picked up the pillowcase and headed back to Eddie’s room, trying to focus on something positive.

  Yesterday, in between rain showers, Velma had begun building a chicken coop in their backyard, so that was positive. She hoped to finish it today. Velma had seen some laying hens advertised in the local paper for a reasonable price and planned to pick them up on Wednesday. Having fresh eggs to eat, and maybe sell, would be nice. Any little extra income in their pockets would surely be beneficial.

  When Abner barked excitedly, Velma opened the front door and glanced toward the road. Hope welled in her chest as she heard a noisy vehicle approach. It sounded like a motorcycle. Maybe
Bobbie Sue had changed her mind and come home.

  But as the cycle sped by, Velma realized it didn’t belong to Kenny. The elderly man driving it waved, and so did the woman in the sidecar. They were a happy-looking couple—probably reliving their youth and enjoying every moment they had together.

  Velma envied them. It had been a long time since she and Hank had done anything purely for fun. With his long days on the road, plus their lack of money, she couldn’t envision them doing anything fun in the near future either. Fact was, with her two oldest children leaving home, Velma had been left with a huge void in her life, so nothing seemed enjoyable anymore. She felt like an unfit mother who had driven her children away.

  Dropping to her knees, just inside the door, Velma gave in to her tears. Had she done something in her past to deserve such misery? Had she failed her children somehow? Maybe their negative behavior was because of how she’d raised them.

  Berlin

  Miranda said goodbye to Carla and the children, then headed out the door. She didn’t have to be at work for another hour and a half but needed to run a few errands on the way.

  She’d no more than stepped out the front door when she saw a silver-gray SUV pull in. At first, she wasn’t sure who it was, until Trent got out of the vehicle. It made sense after she noticed the license plate with the dealership’s name on it. Since her husband sold cars, he sometimes drove a demo instead of his own. While this might not be the best time to confront Trent about the flowers he’d planted, she wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

  Miranda brought her hand up to the strands of hair grazing her forehead, waiting until Trent finished dabbing a spot off the car. Then she stepped up to him as he approached.