Ellen had never seen the usual put-together woman look so distraught. She felt sorry for Denise. “It’s not your fault.” Ellen placed her hand on Denise’s arm. “It’s our girls who are at fault for not controlling their tempers.”
By this time, Kassidy and Becky were both sniffling. But neither would apologize. Ellen was ashamed of her daughter. Becky knew better than this.
“Debbie and Kevin aren’t here yet,” Heidi stated. “We all need to go inside so Becky and Kassidy can wash up before the other children arrive.” She picked Marsha up and gently patted her back. Fortunately, the little girl’s crying had subsided.
No one argued the point as they walked to the house. Ellen could only imagine how the rest of the day might go. If not for her wanting to spend time with Darren, she would have canceled her plans and taken Becky home as soon as the cooking class was over.
I wonder if Becky did this on purpose so I would decide not to go. One thing’s for certain—when Becky and I do go home, a lecture and some form of punishment will be forthcoming.
From where she knelt in Heidi’s garden, Velma had heard and seen what transpired between Kassidy and Becky. She was surprised her daughter hadn’t been in the middle of the scuffle, knowing the temper she had. Velma had been about to set her weed pulling aside and break up the fight, but seeing Heidi and Ellen come out of the house, she’d decided to let them handle it. Since the fuss didn’t involve her daughter, it really wasn’t her business anyway. Seeing the way Rusty had carried on, Velma wasn’t surprised when Heidi put the dog away in his kennel.
She remembered back to when she was a girl and had gotten into disagreements with some of her schoolmates. She was a scrapper and often ended up in a kicking or hair-pulling match. Seeing how Becky and Kassidy looked as they’d rolled about on the ground, caused Velma to feel shame for her childish and mean-tempered conduct all those years ago. It was her duty as Peggy Ann and Eddie’s mother to teach proper behavior, and by attending church, it would give them a stronger foundation in knowing right from wrong.
Gripping the shovel and digging it into the dirt, Velma made a decision. In addition to going to church on Sundays, she would look for the old Bible she’d inherited from her grandma and read a few passages every day.
Another car pulled in, and Velma watched as Debbie and Kevin got out of the vehicle. The same man who’d brought them here a few weeks ago followed them up to the house. She assumed he was their father. He paused once, and looked in Velma’s direction, then gave her a friendly wave. Goodness, he just missed seeing a bit of excitement.
“Step away from the window, Jeremy. They’ll think you’ve been watching them.” Darren gestured for his son to take a seat.
Jeremy’s mouth slackened as he moved back to the couch. “Can you believe Becky picked a fight with that Kassidy girl? I can’t wait to find out what she said to her. Never figured Ellen’s daughter could be so tough.”
Darren shook his head. “When they come into the house, you are not to say anything about what you saw.”
“How come?”
“Because it would be rude. I’m sure their mothers are embarrassed by what their daughters did. I would be if you’d ended up in a scuffle with one of the other kids here today.”
“So I can’t ask Becky what happened?”
“Not here, Son. If you feel you must ask her, then wait till we take Ellen and Becky to the Firemen’s Festival.”
Jeremy huffed and flopped onto the couch.
A few seconds later, Heidi stepped into the house, along with Ellen, Denise, and the children. Kevin and Debbie came in right behind them, along with a man Darren assumed was their father. The two older girls looked a mess—rumpled clothes smudged with dirt, hair sticking out at odd angles, and bright red faces. Darren had to admit he, too, was tempted to ask what had happened to cause the skirmish. But he bit his tongue. If Ellen or Becky wanted him to know, the topic would come up later. He hoped this little incident with Becky wouldn’t affect their plans for the afternoon.
Heidi clasped the edge of the table, praying for a sense of peace here in her kitchen. Ever since they’d come inside there had been a chill in the air, and it had nothing to do with the weather. Becky and Kassidy had both gotten cleaned up and sat silently at the table. Heidi was disappointed that neither of them would apologize for their part in the scuffle. She’d never seen two girls carry on like that—and over such a small matter. While it wasn’t right for Kassidy to make fun of Randy’s chickens, it was not a reason for Becky to lose her temper. There must be something more behind the girl’s aggression, Heidi thought. If I knew what it was, maybe I could help. Heidi could see that Ellen was embarrassed by her daughter’s outburst, as she kept her gaze downward. Denise appeared more subdued than usual. No doubt, she regretted Kassidy’s unpleasant behavior.
Since she couldn’t do anything about this problem, Heidi began her class. “Today we’ll be learning to make egg-salad sandwiches.”
“Egg salad?” Kassidy lips puckered. “I don’t like eggs all mashed up and spread on bread. I only eat fried or scrambled eggs at breakfast time. That’s when they’re supposed to be eaten.” Her lips pressed into a white slash.
“This egg salad is different than most,” Heidi explained. She refused to let Kassidy influence the other children. “It’s from an old family recipe, and—”
“I don’t want to make it.” Kassidy shook her head determinedly. “And no one’s gonna make me eat it!”
Heidi glanced at Denise, who stood behind her daughter, rubbing her forehead. Kassidy’s mother didn’t say anything for several seconds, then she stepped forward, placed both hands on Kassidy’s shoulders and said, “I will eat the sandwich, but you’re going to make it.”
Peggy Ann’s hand shot up. “I like egg salad. Mama said when the chickens we’re gonna get start layin’, we can make all sorts of things with them eggs. We’re even gonna sell some ’cause we need the money. Someday, Mama’s gonna buy another car.” The girl shook her head. “Course it won’t be a new one ’cause they cost too much.”
“I’ll never be poor, because my folks are rich.” Kassidy looked at Peggy Ann with a smirk. “We have three cars, and when I turn sixteen and learn how to drive, my dad’s gonna give me one.”
Heidi wasn’t sure how to respond, but Denise relieved her of that problem.
“Kassidy McGuire! If you don’t stop bragging—”
“What?” Kassidy’s tone grew louder. “Were you gonna say that you’d take me home? If so, then I’m glad, ’cause I wanna go home!”
“Oh, Kassidy, give me a break.” Denise left the room, apparently out of patience.
“Kassidy,” Heidi said in a firm voice. “I have a chair over there in the corner. Do you want to spend the entire class sitting in it, or are you going to be a good student?”
The girl squirmed and heaved a sigh. “Okay, whatever.”
Heidi held her hands behind her back, wondering how she could get through to Kassidy or Becky. And then there was the Kimball family. They needed help too. All I can do is pray for my students, but I don’t feel it’s enough.
Trent sat back and listened. He’d felt the tension as soon as he walked into the house. Except for Darren, the parents seemed on edge.
I should have stayed the last time I brought the kids. It’s strange, though, they never mentioned any problems going on within their class.
As Trent half-listened to what Heidi was instructing, he was glad everything seemed to have settled down. Denise had rejoined her daughter in the kitchen, and Ellen seemed more relaxed.
Once more, Trent’s thoughts turned to his wife. He missed the life he used to have with her and the children. Even their occasional squabbles seemed minor now. Trent would overlook them if given the chance to begin again with Miranda. It was like watching the wheel of time turn round and round as he remembered their first kiss, then their wedding day, and later the birth of their children.
My wife is a wonderful moth
er, and she’s the perfect wife. How could I have been so stupid as to get caught up in another woman’s charms? No wonder Miranda is afraid to trust me. But how can I prove myself to her and show that I’ve learned my lesson and will never do anything like that again? Would I trust her if she’d done it to me?
Chapter 33
Heidi handed out recipe cards to each of her students, and then gave them the ingredients to make her special egg salad. She could see from a few of the children’s expressions that they weren’t too enthused. Well, it was too late to fix something else, but at least she noticed a few of her students turning the card over to read the Bible verse. This week she’d used Isaiah 54:13: “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
Maybe the verses are getting through to some of these children, or even their parents. Heidi hoped that was the case.
“Now the first thing we will do is boil some eggs.” Heidi pointed to the egg carton, as well as the kettle she’d set on the table. “If you’ll each take one and gently place it in the pan, I’ll put it on the stove to boil. Be very careful, though. We don’t want to break any eggs.”
Heidi had no sooner spoken the words when Peggy Ann picked up an egg and dropped it into the kettle. The shell cracked on impact, and the yolk, mixed with white, seeped out.
Peggy Ann burst into tears.
Trent stared at the child in disbelief as she ran out of the room. He glanced at Debbie, staring at the broken egg with a sober expression. Wonder how my daughter would have reacted if it happened to her.
“What’s that girl’s problem?” Trent directed his question to Heidi. “It’s only a broken egg. Seems overly emotional to me.”
“Peggy Ann has many reasons to be emotional.” Heidi spoke in a quiet tone. “She and her family are fairly new to the area and they’ve had a rough go of it since their arrival.”
“What kind of problems have they faced?” he questioned.
“For one thing, Velma—Peggy Ann’s mother—was in an accident and totaled her car. Her insurance won’t cover the damages, and Velma and her husband don’t have the money to buy a new vehicle.” Heidi moved away from the table. “I need to check on Peggy Ann. Would one of you please take over until I get back?”
“I’ll do whatever you ask,” Ellen spoke up. “Should I see that the eggs get boiled?”
“Yes, thank you.” Heidi hurried from the kitchen and found Peggy Ann crouched in one corner of the living room, tears streaming down her face.
Heidi knelt beside the little girl and patted her trembling shoulder. “It’s okay. No harm’s been done. You can start over with another egg.”
“I can’t never do nothin’ right. My brother says I’m a klutz, and I guess it’s true.” Peggy Ann sniffed, swiping at her tears. “Mama always says we shouldn’t waste food, but I wrecked a good egg.”
“Don’t worry about it, Peggy Ann. I’ve broken plenty of eggs too.” Heidi shook her head. “And you’re not a klutz. It was an accident and could have happened to anyone.”
Peggy Ann blinked rapidly. “You think so?”
“Most certainly.” Heidi gave the child a sympathetic squeeze. “Now let’s go back to the kitchen.” She rose to her feet and reached for the child’s hand.
Peggy Ann blew her nose on the tissue Heidi handed her. “Okay.”
Heidi smiled. At least one problem was solved. Now, if she could just get Kassidy and Becky to apologize to each other and act civilized, it would be a successful day.
As Trent sat between his children, waiting for the kettle of eggs to boil, he thought about the things Heidi had said concerning Peggy Ann’s mother needing another car. While he couldn’t provide her with a new one, he might be able to buy a reliable used car. It may not prove he was trustworthy yet, but it would be a good deed and could help gain points with Miranda, which, in turn, might pave the way further to a reconciliation.
Trent’s tongue darted out to lick his lips. Yep. Come Monday morning I’ll get on it. I’m sure the right car that would fit my budget and work for the struggling family’s need is sitting on my boss’s lot, waiting for a new owner.
Trent bumped his son’s shoulder and grinned. Hang in there, buddy. It won’t be long and your dad will be coming home where he belongs. Then our family will be complete again.
Denise looked over at her daughter, sitting with elbows on the table and wearing a smug expression. Does my daughter think she’s won the fight with Becky, or does she have something else up her sleeve? Kassidy seemed to be making an attempt to get along with all the other children except Becky—and especially Jeremy.
“Do you have any pets?” Kassidy smiled sweetly at Darren’s son, although her question sounded far from sincere.
“I have a dog named Bacon,” Jeremy answered with little enthusiasm. “Thought I told you before.”
“No, you never mentioned him to me,” Kassidy said in an all-too-friendly tone. “You should bring him to class next time.”
“Naw. That wouldn’t be a good idea.” Jeremy turned his back on Kassidy and made conversation with Randy. Denise couldn’t blame him for that. He probably didn’t care much for her daughter, with the way she acted.
When Heidi returned with Peggy Ann, Kassidy spoke up. “Are you okay now, Peggy Ann?”
The young girl nodded.
Denise watched with suspicion when Kassidy smiled, then turned her conversation to Debbie. “Maybe sometime you can come to our place, and we can spend an afternoon together.”
“Maybe.” Debbie glanced at her father, but he said nothing.
Denise felt pity for Becky, frowning and fidgeting in her chair as she eyed Kassidy. I wonder what that poor girl is thinking.
“Kassidy, quit disrupting the class and pay attention to Heidi,” Denise whispered so that others wouldn’t hear. She felt sure Kassidy was up to something, but couldn’t figure out what.
Velma paused from weeding long enough to watch a mother robin pull a worm from the grass and feed her baby. Even birds and animals cared about their young and provided for their needs.
Her heart clenched. I wonder where Bobbie Sue is living now. Is she doing okay? If we would only hear something from her I’d feel a bit better. She squeezed her eyes shut, reflecting on her son, Clem. He obviously didn’t care about his family anymore either. Maybe I’m getting what I deserve.
Velma thought about her parents and the falling-out she’d had with them before she and Hank packed up their family and moved to Ohio. It was a heated argument that never got resolved. Velma had been so upset when they moved, she’d decided to sever the relationship with her folks. They’d never approved of Hank, and her obligation was to him, so Velma felt she had to choose. Some days she thought about trying to make amends, but she wasn’t sure they would want anything to do with her—especially after the horrible things that had been said on both sides. Hank was even angrier than Velma, and he’d made it clear when they moved that he never wanted to see her parents again. So if she chose to contact them, she’d have to do it secretly. It might be worth taking the chance, however. At least then, she wouldn’t have to live with guilt.
When she heard her name being called, her eyes snapped open. She looked toward the house and saw Heidi heading her way. Velma stood, and wiped her face with her hanky, hoping there were no tears.
“I came out to tell you that the children have finished making their egg-salad sandwiches,” Heidi said. “We made a few extras, so would you like to join us as we eat our sandwiches?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Velma self-consciously brushed a splotch of dirt off her T-shirt. “I’m not really presentable for socializin’.”
“It’s okay. Nobody is dressed fancy, and since Kassidy and Becky have dirt and grass stains on their clothes, no one will even notice the soil on yours. Besides, a little dirt from the garden shows how hard you’ve been working.”
“A sandwich does sound good.” Velma stuffed her hanky into one of her ove
ralls’ pockets. “Before we go into the house, can I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“If you had a disagreement with your folks, and your husband didn’t want you to have any contact with them, what would ya do?”
“That would be a difficult situation.” Heidi rubbed the base of her neck. “Does Hank have a good reason for not wanting you to speak with them?”
Nodding, Velma groaned. “We had a fallin’-out with them before we left Kentucky, and some ugly words were said on both parts. Truth is, my parents have never cared much for Hank, so that makes it even harder.”
Heidi placed a comforting hand on Velma’s arm. “If I were in your situation, the first thing I’d do is pray about it.”
“Yeah, I kinda thought I should be doin’ that.” Velma puckered her lips. “Prayin’ don’t come easy to me, though, and it may take some practice.”
“You know, Velma, praying isn’t anything more than talking to God. He wants us to talk to Him—not just about our requests—but to praise and thank Him for our many blessings.”
“Guess you’re right about that. I just don’t feel worthy to even be talkin’ to God. All these years I’ve pretty much ignored Him, thinkin’ I could do things by myself. So why would He listen to me now?”
Heidi shook her head. “If we based our relationship with God on our worthiness, none of us would measure up. But He wants us to humbly come to Him in prayer and supplication, so we should never be afraid to approach the throne with our requests. No prayer is too small or unimportant in God’s eyes.”
Velma’s lips parted as she leaned closer to Heidi. “Know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think you’d make a good preacher.”
Heidi’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, my, no. I’m not qualified for that. Besides, in our Amish faith, only men are chosen to be ministers.”
Amish Cooking Class--The Celebration Page 23